[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15065-15066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESTERN VISAYAS COLLEGE OF 
         SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GUAM CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 2, 2012

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Western 
Visayas College of Science and Technology, WVCST, Alumni Association 
Guam chapter as they celebrate their 20th anniversary as a socio-civic 
organization and for their service to our community. Founded on January 
17, 1993, WVCST alumni and former students have shared the traditions 
of their alma mater through the work they do in various industries. 
They have a strong presence in the Philippines and they have made 
important contributions to our island community.
  WVCST was first led by Catalino ``Lino'' Escalona, Jr., Larry 
Lanquin, Tessia Roa, and Bert Jurinario who worked to foster unity and 
close relationships among WVCST Alumni and the Filipino community on 
Guam. The WVCST Alumni Association has been an active member for the 
past two decades of the Filipino Community of Guam, FCG, an umbrella 
association of more than 40 Filipino groups in Guam. As an 
organization, WVCST focuses their efforts on providing higher education 
opportunities for low-income youth. They also foster and promote FCG 
programs and activities by supporting FCG's annual cultural events and 
community missions.
  Since 1993, WVCST has supported the ``Adopt a Scholar Program.'' The 
organization has sponsored 212 students, enabling them to attend WVCST 
in Iloilo City, Philippines, and receive an undergraduate education as 
well as student housing. The Guam Community College, GCC, also receives 
merit-based scholarships from the association.

[[Page 15066]]

  The WVCST Alumni Association also donates annually to charitable 
organizations such as the American Red Cross, the American Cancer 
Society, InterFaith Caregivers, Human Rights Advocates from the 
Commonwealth of the Marianas, Guam's Golden Salute Foundation, and 
People Helping People. WVCST Alumni Association also contributes aid to 
natural disaster relief efforts in Haiti, Indonesia, Japan, China and 
the Philippines.
  I commend President William de la Pena for his leadership and 
contributions to this important organization, and I congratulate 
members of the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Alumni 
Association Guam chapter for 20 years of dedicated service to our 
community. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend a heartfelt Thank 
You, Un Dangkulo' na Si Yu'os Ma'ase, and Maraming Salamat Po. I wish 
the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Alumni 
Association Guam chapter many more years of continued growth and 
success in our island community.

                          ____________________