Far north trains leaders and trees

Michael Fernan, president of the Bogo Redeemers Society Foundation, Inc. of Bogo, Cebu, is one person who has been supporting the 89-year-old BRS organization. Like his father, the late Senator Marcelo B. Fernan, Michael has been very active with the BRS with the inspiration and support of a dear friend, Marlyna Sevilla Villadar.

Just recently, the Bogo Redeemers Society had a Leadership Training and Workshop for the new members, about 36 students from Bogo’s four colleges. After which, an election followed to elect the officers for 2009. Held at the Audio Visual Room of the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College (once my alma mater!), the group training was presided over by BRS 2008 President Victor S. Lepiten III. Soledad Crodua, who was unanimously elected president for 2009, immediately gave her acceptance speech.

During the workshop, Fernan presented the BRS overview with a background of the society and some pictures taken during the last 89 years of its existence.

Marlyna Villadar, for her part, gave a testimony as a BRS member since 1956, prior to conducting the workshop. Her topics were on Tips on Listening, Definition of Leadership, How to be a Leader, 20 Characteristics of a Leader and Four Top Qualities People Admire Most About Their Leaders.

BRS holds the awarding and recognition of Bogo achievers every May 25, the eve of the town’s fiesta celebration. The newly-elected officers are determined to present another BRS Night to remember. By the way, the officers are: President Soledad D. Crodua, VP – Julios Bentulan, Sec. Apple Maye Susvilla, Treasurer – Cherry Dugenio; PROs – CRMC Maresse Vicente, FRVMFI Jobert Andales, NCC Kharen Bayer, SLMCB Mae Ann Oquina.

Still from Bogo, the Northern Cebu Bonsai Society is proud of its beautiful and vast collection of bonsais that the members are planning to have an exhibit or show during the Bogo town fiesta on May 25. The pictures on this spread are: Red Balete (Ficus concina) huge yamadori, 6 ft. tall, 7 years in training, 50 years old; Bantigue (Pemphis acidula) Unformal Upright, 60 cm in height, 5 years in training at least 80 years old; Bantigue (Pemphis acidula) semi cascade style, 40 cm tall, 40 inches wide, 70 cm in length, 9 years in training, at least 40 years old. Part of the bonsai collection of Perino and Murillo are unique Otsu gaki woven bamboo fence as background and an accent of antique bench made of molave railway ties with the youngest bonsaist in the family.