A Message From The President

 

My memories of Gapan City, Nueva Ecija is simple, yet so unforgettable.  Every summer time, our parents gathered all of us brothers, sisters and cousins, to spend a month long vacation to this wonderful paradise. I remember those days of us, playing at the river, going to church, riding our bikes at the “peria” next to Freedom Park. I remember, my aunt taking me to the market, love riding the “tricycle,” eating “goto” at the market, and halo-halo at Aling Juling’s.  During the town fiesta, I myself experienced to be one of the “sagala” along with my cousins. I love to see the parade of all the farmer’s priceless “Kalabaw”, and joining the procession of our Divina Pastora along the main street towards the church. During Lent, we also experienced the “pabasa” and helping out the Ortiz Family in preparing for the big feast. All these are great memories of Love, Family, & friendship.  Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, a small town with full of hope, fellowship, faith and kindhearted kababayans.

Three years ago, during one of the fiesta celebrations, someone approached me to join as a Program Director, without even having a second thought, I hurriedly said, “of course,” a program director? No big deal, I love party planning. Without going through much explanation, the position entailed much beyond party planning. As I continue my engagement with the group, I felt the sense of my memories of Gapan City had come alive. The friendship and fellowship of everyone, left me no reasons not to continue this legacy my mother had left us.

Three years later, GAPASCA (Gapan City, Association of Southern California), a non-profit organization, whose mission is incumbent upon four core values: Education, Charity, Culture and Social. The Board and Officers had lined up great projects and events such as:  Adopt-A-Classroom Program, whereby, we provide financial assistance to the eight secondary public schools of Gapan City. And of course, we are continuing to nurture our twelve college scholars. This year we will also embark for the first time, a medical mission, to be held on February 11 and 12, 2017 at Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.

We are proud to expand our memberships across the country and across the Pacific. We have successfully and will continually host fund raising events, such a Christmas Raffles, Luau Dances, Pechanga Casino trips, benefactors and anonymous donors to our cause. We have evolved to an organization that harnesses the strength of our members, officers, and founding leaders and puts that power to work for our cause.  

I would like to send my special acknowledgement to my predecessor, Armahn E. Tinawin who had dedicated himself and ensure solidity of this organization for a whole year. He never failed to continue to bring us back to focus when we were adrift. You are much appreciated and recognized.

Who am I? Ako po si Vangie Garcia Tan, I’m the daughter of the late Erlinda Garcia Tan of San Vicente, Gapan, Nueva Ecija. I am honored and humbled to be your 2017 GAPASCA President. I will bring to you my leadership skills to transform and motivate; together, we can make a difference in this world through our heartfelt desire to give either monetary, time or just being present to keep our heritage alive. 

 God Bless Us All!