The HAPI General Assembly was tremendously successful in Bacolod, Philippines, with fantastic and fabulous presentations of Masskara fest and HAPI kids dancing from Bacolod and topics galore that inspired the attendees from all over the globe.
But the highlight of the general assembly, is the appreciation and presentation of “Awards for Excellence” to the three carefully selected entities, from the HAPI Founder and Chairperson Emeritus, Marissa Torres Langseth and incoming Chairman, Michael Sherman, who came all the way from Florida, USA to give the precious awards personally to them.
All of them have been observed and appreciated since they have joined HAPI. It was no easy task, but we have to choose the best of the best in HAPI who have been volunteers for over three years.
Noteworthy, is Jamie del Rosario Martinez, who has been a volunteer since December 2014 in HAPI. This is, in fact, her second award for this year. The first one was with Foundation Beyond Belief as the “Most Valuable Volunteer in FBBN in 2017”, amongst over 50candidates in the USA and the Philippines. Jamie is truly, a one of a kind, a true humanist by heart.
Bacolod chapter has always been the most active since HAPI inception. Since September last year, Bacolod has soared into a new height of success under the leadership of the new executive director, Alvin John Ballares, who also went to New Zealand to represent HAPI at the IHEU General Assembly. The GA was spearheaded by Juan Miguel Silva who labored and burnt candles both ways to make a fabulous general assembly. All Bacolod team members were also helping out : Jrik Villa, Angeline de Oro, Rayd Espeja, Bryan Valentino and some other team players in Bacolod. This is truly a team effort.
Last, but not least, is Bryan Valentino, from Bacolod City. Bryan is HAPI webmaster extraordinaire since September 2015, who donated this website to HAPI and maintains it for free. Not just a webmaster, he is also a graphic designer who is responsible for the cover of the first HAPI book ” From Superstition to Reason”. He is one of the most multi-talented humanist in HAPI.
On top of that, Bryan is also the founder of “ARK Project in Bacolod”. His generosity and kindness are contagious, so much so that, his team mates in Bacolod joins him in gift giving during ARK events.
Bryan is an asset, in fact, he is one of the most responsible and reliable persons, not just for Bacolod chapter, but for the whole HAPI society itself. The first book was also released in a timely fashion because of his leadership.
We are always happy to give rewards and awards to those deserving, those who are consistently exhibiting good behaviors in consonance with the HAPI’s mission and vision. HAPI general assembly is just one of those huge events whereby humanists come together for camaraderie, education, and to learn more about humanism.
Congratulations and kudos to the winners for 2018! A job well done since 2014.
The next award selection is scheduled in 2021 0r 2022. Let us see who will be the winners at that time. Time flies, you know, that is just a few years from now.
We thank everyone who made the general assembly an event that is most unforgettable, with some dignitaries who came to participate and a force to be reckoned with.
We do hope that more and more volunteers will continue to be inspired, not just to get an award, but to do good without rewards, because, we only have “one life to live”.
Let us inspire each other !
Author:
Marissa Torres Langseth, RN, MSN, ANP (retired)
Chairperson Emeritus
HAPI Founder
Chief Mission Officer
10/23/2018 : USA
