THE Saipan Fil-American Lions Club installed its new set of officers led by hotel and tourism professional Maria Socorro Huliganga as president for Lion Year 2022-2023.
During a ceremony on Oct. 1 at the Fiesta Hall of Grandvrio Resort Saipan, the club also inducted five new members.
The club, which is know for its various community programs and services, is celebrating its 30th founding anniversary in the CNMI.
Immediate past District Governor Saturnino “Atoy” Banting, and Zone 1 Chairperson Alicia Barbo led the installation of officers and induction of new members.
The Saipan Fil-American Lions Club was chartered in the CNMI in 1992 with the Makati Mabuhay Lions Club of the Philippines as the sponsoring club and was endorsed by Multiple District 301-A2 in the Philippines.
CNMI businessman and philanthropist Jerry Tan served as the club’s first president in 1992. Its other pioneering members were Ross Zapanta, Nimfa Canedo and Dannie Robles who also attended the Oct. 1 ceremony.
Today, the Saipan Fil-American Lions Club continues to grow and expand in terms of membership and community service activities. The club is part of the Lions Club District 204 that includes Guam (Region 1), the CNMI (Region 2), the Marshall Islands (Region 3), and Palau.
At the October 1 ceremony, Tan was the keynote speaker. His remarks were highlighted by a video presentation of the club’s humble beginnings and its activities in 1992.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, an honorary club member, was one the guest speakers. He thanked all the Lions Clubs in the CNMI for their contributions and advocacy.
New officers
Besides Huliganga as president, the other club officers are 1st Vice President Arvin Ian Salas, 2nd Vice President Vicente Obana, Lions Clubs International Foundation Coordinator Marcelo Masilungan, Secretary Maria Annamae Adaza, Treasurer Edmin Elayda, Marketing & Communications Chairperson Mario Mayuga, Membership Chairperson, Leo Adviser & Club Administrator Eden Mercado, Service Chairperson Michelle Taisacan, Assistant Secretary Leonila Mendoza, Assistant Treasurer Yolanda De Ramos, Auditor Ma. Teresa Obana, one-year Directors Ronald De Ramos and Jessica Dizon, two-year Directors Jean Pumatong and Teogenes Mendoza, Safety Officers Arturo Ancheta, Joselito Espino, Domingo Dy Jr., Segundo Lapeceros Jr. and Raul Dolotina, Lion Tamer Jaime Del Peralta and Tail Twister Anastacia Mercado.
The Saipan Fil-American Lions Club also presented Jerry Tan with a commemorative plaque of appreciation as its founding club president while Mario Mayuga was presented with the Charter Member Award.
Marcelo Masilungan received the Lion of the Year Award from the home club as the Club President for the Lion Year 2021-2022 and for his generous contribution to the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
Club secretary Adaza served as the event’s emcee.
“I am sincerely humbled by the outpouring support from my fellow lions, Mr. Jerry Tan and Governor Torres,” newly installed club president Huliganga said.
“Our continued success as a club is primarily because of our strength as an organization that continues to advance and advocate for volunteer work and community service. With our growing community of leaders and volunteers, our Saipan Fil-American Lions Club will continue to serve our beautiful island community in whatever ways we can,” she added.
There are nine Lions Clubs on Saipan: Saipan Fil-American LC, Saipan Unity LC, Saipan Marianas LC, Saipan Alliance LC, Saipan Centennial LC, Saipan Natibu LC, Saipan Fitbeat LC, Saipan Pacific LC, and Saipan Infinity LC.
To know more about Lions Clubs International, go to www.lionsclubs.org/.
Officers and members of the eight other Lions Clubs on Saipan join the Saipan Fil-American Lions Club in celebrating the installation of its officers and induction of new members at the Grandvrio Resort Saipan on Oct. 1, 2022.
Governor Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres and Saipan Fil-American Lions Club pioneering president, businessman and philanthropist Jerry Tan with immediate past District Governor Saturnino “Atoy” Banting and club administrator Eden Mercado.
The officers of Saipan Fil-American Lions Club, led by newly installed President Maria Socorro Huliganga, presented the club’s founding president, Jerry Tan, with a plaque of recognition. Also in photo are three of the club’s pioneering members: Ross Zapanta, Nimfa Canedo and Dannie Robles.
Marcelo Masilungan receives the Lion of the Year Award from the home club as the Club President for the Lion Year 2021-2022 and for his generous contribution to the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
Mario Mayuga was presented with the Charter Member Award by the Saipan Fil-American Lions Club.
The officers of the Saipan Fil-American Lions Club led by Maria Socorro Huliganga pose for a photo.
Maria Socorro Huliganga delivers her remarks.
