A Progress Report on Our 8-Point Agenda

Since my induction as President of Notre Dame Gensan in February 2025, I have kept our 8-point agenda firmly in mind as a guide for our work. I am pleased to share with you some of the progress we have made thus far.

1. Investing in Future Leaders

We have made meaningful progress in our commitment to support the next generation of Dameans. To date, we have established three new collegiate scholarships with Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU)—two under the Pilar Palacios Pe Scholarship and one under the Alvin/Prima Hower Scholarship. We are hopeful that we will also be able to establish at least one Senior High School scholarship at Notre Dame Siena College of Gensan. Scholarship Committee Chairperson Prima Guipo-Hower and I have likewise reached out to a foundation regarding a possible collaboration that could further expand our scholarship initiatives.

2. Preserving Our Heritage

Our commitment to preserving our shared heritage has also moved forward. Through our CFO and Heritage Preservation Committee Chairperson Sol Santos-Cuenco, we have collaborated with the Santos Family in connection with the General Paulino Santos Museum at NDDU. Plans for the renovation and enhancement of the museum are being developed. Unfortunately, the June 8 earthquake required the university to prioritize more immediate repairs, temporarily setting back the museum project. We remain committed to seeing this important undertaking through when circumstances permit.

3. Amplifying Our Voice

Our revitalized website is now up and running! I invite every Damean to visit us at www.notredamegsc.org. Secretary and Digital Engagement Committee Chairperson Thea Guipo-Lu has done a splendid job in helping create a more user-friendly and engaging online presence for our organization. The website will also play a major role in our 2027 Orlando Reunion, including serving as the platform for our online shop.

4. Staying Connected

With this first edition of the Gensan Dameans Newsletter for 2026, we hope to reach even more Dameans wherever they may be around the world. The newsletter is available online and can be downloaded through our website. My heartfelt thanks to Director and Editor-in-Chief Ruben Tuagari for his dedication in bringing our stories, activities, and accomplishments to our members. Our Facebook page also continues to provide timely, relevant, and meaningful information to keep our members connected and engaged.

5. Celebrating Our Bond

We are now deep into preparations for our 17th Biennial Reunion in Orlando, Florida, USA. With Director and Reunion Chairperson Rosie Pinto at the helm, our committees and volunteers are working tirelessly to make this gathering another memorable chapter in the history of Notre Dame Gensan. It is truly amazing what a dedicated group of Dameans can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal. We are excited—and already looking forward to 2027!

Moving Forward, Together

These are only five of the eight commitments we set out to accomplish. I remain hopeful that before my term ends, we will be able to look back with pride and say that we delivered on the promises we made to our members. But beyond programs, projects, and milestones, what matters most is that we continue to strengthen the bonds that make us Dameans—a community connected by shared memories, enduring friendships, and a commitment to give back to the institutions and communities that helped shape us.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed time, talent, resources, and, most importantly, heart to our collective efforts. There is still much to do, but I am confident that together, we can make it happen. In the meantime, I invite you to enjoy this edition of our newsletter and to stay engaged with the many things happening in our Notre Dame Gensan community.