Asp Message Program Director

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WORDS FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

How do we differentiate Mindanao Summit from NLC’s and Biennial Conventions? This is one of the challenging questions that confront us as we prepare the big day for the 7th Mindanao Summit come on November 21-22, 2009. With the advent of cellular phones, I found myself texting and calling few of my contacts as many were greatly surprised to who’s this gate crasher and unregistered number texting and calling them. Yet it turned out that the greatest surprise was the one which hit me! Knowing that many of our university and college based chapters no longer exist is a sad and painful reality. Gone are the days when we have chapters based in Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Ateneo de Davao, among others. Consider these statistics: of the 57 recorded College chapters in Mindanao alone, the surviving College chapters today numbered to 13 only or 22%. These surviving College chapters (13 chapters) are in crisis also! Then an idea popped up. This incoming summit has to be special, unique, historical--something empowering to the young members of our family. Yes, it’s time to make our undergraduate members feel that they are important and our hope to make our dear Alpha Sigma Phi soar high to its greater glory once more. Debates, litany chapter reports and strict observance of parliamentary rules, etc. (err.. don’t get me wrong) will not save our College Chapters. Spare this Summit and reserve all your protests and display of arrogant intelligences on Conventions or National Leadership Conferences. I meant no offense for this comment please. Seriously speaking, this year’s Summit will be a showcase of talents. “Ginoo at Binibining Alpano 2009” could be exciting and hilarious experience for our undergraduates. Dance and Poster Making Contests are designed to be participated by all, including the Alumni. Let me share you a piece of my dream: I imagine a Summit (or NLC and BC) where activities like Spelling Bee, Extemporaneous Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Project Proposal Presentation, Yspeak Debate, Alphan Jingle Contest, Chorus Competition, ASP t- shirt design contest, Quiz Bee and Singing Contest will be held, thereby making homecomings very exciting experiences! Whew! It would be so much fun, and I believe members will always be looking forward to these kinds of occasions. And because this would be the pattern of every big gathering, recruitment for memberships will improve a lot and the quality of recruits will eventually be the name of the game. I also envision events such as these as perfect venues for networking in business or for employment opportunities. I believe in a modern psychology when they said: Success is 99% INSPIRATION and only 1% PERSPIRATION. This can be debated upon, but listen to my dream--when one is inspired, local chapter operations up to the National Office will never be a problem. Finances will increase, endowment programs will prosper, scholarships, loans, forming of cooperatives, etc, are possible because each is inspired to give his/her share. I know I am not a lone dreamer. I know many of you have nobler dreams than me. Some of these things were tried before. Others may have encountered a lot of frustrations along the way. Yet, let us continue to dream dreams and continue to hope for a better operation of our dear Alpha Sigma Phi in the future. But let us not remain dreaming, let us wake up and do something to it. There are so many things that need to be done yet. The ABS-CBN’s TV station has a beautiful advertisement which we can emulate--“Ako Mismo ang Simula ng Pagbabago.” Perhaps, this can only happen if we truly live the real essence of our anthem - “Oh Hail, Alpha Sigma Phi,” where the word “love” is mentioned six times. The song is filled with inspiration, reminding all of us that all our endeavors and our walking, sailing and marching here on earth must geared towards attaining heaven. This only happens when we have love in our hearts, soul, and minds. Indeed, the storms of life may shake our ground, yet a greater peace still dwells in our hearts. The dreams we build may fall apart yet a deeper hope still runs in our hearts. Let us fear no harm, for we are ruled by a far greater love, a far greater love.

May your stay with us be truly meaningful, memorable and enjoyable as we strive to be better Alpha Sigs in the community and in the whole world! Let us truly be a GIFT, real gift… May God richly bless us as we continue to make a positive difference in this world. Kalinaw sa Minda-NOW! (Peace in Mindanao.NOW!) Bro Rey A. Catulong Program Director