Samahan ng mga Byuda of Tacurong holds annual assembly

                More than five hundred widows (byudas) who are members of the Samahan ng mga Byuda (SMB) of Tacurong gathered together for their 8^th Annual General Assembly at the Tacurong Pilot Elementary School Gym on November 30, 2012.

                The 506 byudas who attended the assembly represented almost 60 percent of the 847 total active members from the twenty barangays of the city.

                The SMB regularly set their annual assembly every November 30 in time with the birthday of former Congressman Angelo ‘Roncal’ Montilla, the founder of the Samahan. The former congressman was also present during the assembly and was greeted by the SMB members with a very warm and emotional welcome.

                Organized in 2004, the byudas have been enjoying support from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong. The SMB’s active membership is attributed to the leadership of Vice Mayor Charito Collado who has been guiding the members since the group’s inception. Vice Mayor Collado is also a byuda. 

The SMB takes the recognition as the first sector in the country to be formally-organized and recognized by a Local Government Unit.

In the SMB’s Assembly this year, newly-elected officers took their oath of office administered by Mayor Lina Montilla. The officers are: Ma. Lourdes Bogador (President), Delia Ramay (Vice President), Juliet Garces (Secretary), Emma dela Cruz (Treasurer), Lourdes dela Cruz (Assistant Treasurer), Jocelyn Lademora (Auditor), Erlinda Perez (PIO),  Arceli Gumban (PIO), Lydia Somblingo (Business Manager), and Norlyn Ronimo (Business Manager).

In her message after the oath-taking of officers, Mayor Montilla assured the members that the LGU’s support, particularly in providing livelihood assistance, will continue to be given priority in the ensuing years.

Also, one of the highlights of the SMB annual assembly in the afternoon was the Search for SMB Queen 2012. Five candidates represented their respective clusters with each cluster composed of four barangays.

Sixty-nine year old Charlita Saavedra of Cluster 3 (San Pablo, San Emmanuel, New Isabela, and Tina) was crowned as the SMB Queen after topping the Personality, Talent, and Interview Categories. Luzviminda Dagcutan (49 years old) of Cluster 4 (San Rafael, D. Ledesma, San Antonio, and Griño) was 1^st runner-up; and Jocelyn Lademora (55 years old) of Cluster 1 (Baras, New Passi, Rajah Muda, and Lancheta) was declared as 2^nd runner-up.

Rounding up the other winners were Winifreda Silverio (61 years old) of Cluster 5 (Poblacion, EJC Montilla, Buenaflor, and New Lagao) – 3^rd runner-up; and Araceli Gumban (57 years old) of Cluster 2 (Upper Katungal, Calean, New Carmen, and Kalandagan) – 4^th runner-up.

Present during the whole-day gathering of byudaswere the other city officials of Tacurong including Councilors Rodrigo Jamorabon, Psyche Sucaldito, Benjamin Fajardo, and Lino Ledda. ABC President Silvestre Llanto and former ABC President Ganayo also showed their support by gracing the event. Barangay Chairpersons Bogador (SMB Federation President) of Tina and Welson Ferrer of New Carmen joined the byudas from their barangays in the said celebration.

Some parlor games were also held in which some byudas received prizes and tokens from Aseana Marketing. (Allan Freno)