[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 57 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE BATANGAS AND SOUTHERN TAGALOG 
              ASSOCIATION OF GUAM ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2017

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions and achievements of the Batangas and Southern Tagalog 
Association (BASTA) of Guam to the Guam community for the past forty 
years. The small organization was established on July 16, 1977 as the 
Batangas Association by Eddie Espina, Rey Gonzalves, Marcy Manipol, and 
Ronnie Saludo. Over the past forty years, the group has worked hard to 
fulfill its mission as a non-profit, civic club promoting friendship 
and understanding among the Batanguenos community and other residents 
of Guam.
  The organization grew steadily over the years, and in 1984 the board 
opened its membership to embrace Filipinos in the club from surrounding 
provinces and soon became the Batangas and Southern Tagalog 
Association. BASTA membership is now open to a wider group of people 
from various islands in the Philippines including Batangas, Cavite, 
Laguna, Rizal, Aurora, Quezon, Palawan, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro 
Oriental, Marinduque, and Romblon. Members of BASTA have chosen to make 
Guam their home and have positively contributed to the growth of Guam 
as educators, nurses, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, engineers, and 
every other profession.
  Over BASTA's forty years of service to Guam, the organization has 
contributed to many non-profit and charitable organizations. BASTA has 
given generously to causes such as the Guam Lytico-Bodig Association, 
American Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, Make-A-Wish Foundation, 
Alee Shelter, Guam Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and 
many others. BASTA also contributes to many causes in the Philippines 
during times of need and natural disaster, and supporting education 
efforts through the building and maintenance of school facilities.
  A unique feature of BASTA is the youth branch of the organization. 
The BASTA Youth are made up of the children and young relatives of its 
members and are active in carrying out the mission of the organization. 
The BASTA Youth have raised funds to support the club through song and 
dance productions, which later morphed into what is now BASTA's annual 
Christmas caroling fundraising. BASTA has become a very popular group 
during the holiday season, performing their lively carols at venues 
across Guam to support their mission.
  I congratulate the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association of Guam 
on the occasion of their 40th Anniversary of serving the people of 
Guam. I join the people of Guam in thanking them for their 
contributions to our island

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