Wherever Sigma Deltans gather, fun and excitement are guaranteed. True to this Sigma Delta Phi tradition, the Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association (SDPAA) General Membership Meeting and Fellowship held on May 31, 2003 was a blast! Eighty-four Sigma Deltans attended the meeting at the Architectural Centre Club in Makati City from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. Several enterprising sisters participated in the mini-bazaar selling SDP merchandise and other products. A merienda cena was specially prepared for the event.

The program, hosted by Tanya SR Cruz '92 and Vee Javier-Sese '62, was opened with Welcome Remarks from Ligaya Lualhati-Tankeh ‘50 and the Invocation delivered by Ching Ancheta-Dario ’50. In between the program numbers, 46 raffle items donated by fun-loving and generous sisters were given away. There were enough raffle prizes to go around that practically everyone, even those who professed they never win anything, won that afternoon!

Welcome Remarks from Ligaya Lualhati-Tankeh ’50	Invocation delivered by Ching Ancheta-Dario ’50

Presidential Service Appreciation was given to former Alumnae Association Presidents by the 2002-2004 Board of Directors:

• Celia Diaz-Laurel '48 for being the "Pioneer" President, who started the Wednesday Group, which later became the Wednesday Club, and was the forerunner of the Alumnae Association. (Sis Celia was not present to personally receive her award.)
  
  
• Christina "Tina" Valera-Turalba '62 for being the "Champion" President, having nurtured and shepherded the resident organizations by sustaining their cultural presentations through funding support and donations, and for being the only SDPAA President who had two 2nd generation Sigma Deltans: Anton Turalba ’88 & Anjeanette Turalba-Fuentebella ’94 who both became Grand Archons.

"Champion" President Christina "Tina" Turalba ’62

• Myrna Dizon-Borja '50 for being the "1st SDPAA President-elect", and for having raised, together with her board, the 1st million pesos for funding an incorporated Alumnae Association, and sustaining operations thereafter.

"1st SPDAA President-Elect" Myrna Dizon-Borja ’50

GA Teeds de Vera (DILIMAN) and GA Joy Martinez (LB) introduced the new sisters, Batch 2003, and gave the Special Recognition to both Diliman and Los Baños 2003-2004 Resident Officers. Tanya SR Cruz ‘92 and Nadj Buenafe ’94 also gave recognition to Sigma Deltan Graduates of the academic year, 2003. Joanne Tupas-Parsons ‘92, Amina Chio ‘95 and Joy Mina ‘02 were inducted as new Association Members by President Linda Calaunan- Gamboa ’61.

Newly inducted Alumnae Association members - Joy Mina 2002, Joanne Tupas-Parsons ’92, Amina Chio ’95

One of the many highlights of the meeting was the recognition of its outstanding members. Association President Linda Calaunan-Gamboa ’61, assisted by Ligaya Lualhati-Tankeh ’50 and Lena Lubi ’66, gave Special Citation and Testimonial Plaques for Outstanding Achievements to sisters who constantly aspire for excellence in their respective careers, and who are truly an inspiration not only to the people they work with but also to all Sigma Deltans. The awardees were:

• Priscilla "Lil" Chinte-Sanchez '55 - for her outstanding achievements in microbiology that resulted in new Philippine food products currently being promoted to the national and global markets, and for her winning the much coveted National Research Society of the Philippines' National Achievement Awards in Biological Sciences for 2002 last March 2003.

Priscilla "Lil" Chinte-Sanchez ’55 for her Outstanding Achievements in Microbiology

• Atty. Gladys San Juan-Tiongco '67 - for being elected as director to the board of the Federation of Soroptimist International of the Americas (the highest post a Filipino can achieve in said organization), and for being the concept-developer and implementor of the multi-awarded project, PNP Women's Desk, currently operational nationwide and of immense help to abused women and women-victims of crime.

Atty. Gladys San Juan-Tiongco ’67 elected as Director of the Board of the Federation of Soroptimist International of the Americas

• Pacita "Chit" Juan '73 - for her successful entrepreneurship in the coffee and franchising business, and her social advocacy campaign, "Save the Barako", that again promoted the once famous Philippines coffee brand to the coffee growers, government, national and global markets.

Pacita "Chit" Juan ’73 for her "Save the Barako" Campaign

• Dr. Isabel Echanis-Melgar '74 - for her clinical and medical research work in HIV/AIDS prevention and cancer therapy, to include therapeutic sessions such as "Sens Op Tumor" and "The Patients Forum", which has been recognized in the Asia-Pacific region for its benefits to cancer victims' rehabilitation beyond limits.

Dr. Isabel Echanis-Melgar ’74 for her research work on HIV/AIDS and cancer therapy

• Ces Oreña-Drilon '80 - for her multi-awarded broadcast journalism and public affairs endeavors, particularly on her development of broadcast programs for small and medium-scale business and her sustained commitment to the development of small and medium-business entrepreneurship among Filipinos as a vehicle for national progress. (Gradj Divinagracia-Pangilinan ‘74 received award for Ces)

Gradj Divinagracia-Pangilinan ’74 receiving award for multi-awarded broadcast journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon ’80

President Linda Calaunan-Gamboa ‘61 gave the Association’s Year-End Report and announced the upcoming 70th Anniversary. A powerful presentation of Project HOPE was delivered by Baby Salmingo-Olivar ‘69 and Michelle Meneses-Antonio ‘69. The presentation was a call to action to all sisters who were present regarding the Sorority’s current fund-raising project, “Hearts in One Pace for Excellence” (HOPE).

In support of Project HOPE, Two Platinum ($1,000/Php50,000) and another pledge for a yet to be determined amount was collected during this event. Aside from the monetary contributions, the presentation provided sisters with a deep awareness and appreciation of the many issues the sorority is facing today.

One of the worthwhile beneficiaries of Project HOPE is the Sigma Delta Phi Website. Through the initiative and collaboration of the webteam consisted of Baby Salmingo-Olivar ’69, Issy Reyes ’80, Teng Hernandez-Cabrera ’92, Joanne Tupas-Parsons ’92, Nadj Buenafe ’94, Amina Chio ’95, Teeds de Vera ’97 and Dinggay Gaston ’99, this project was finally unveiled. It was launched with a Big Bang by the SDP Web team represented by Joanne Tupas-Parsons ‘92, Amina Chio ’95.

"Sis Bomb" Residents for Website Launching

To the delight of the senior sisters, the www.sigmadeltaphi.com presentation was preceded by a rap musical/dance number performed by Batch 2003. The lively performance of the junior sisters gave everyone in attendance a flashback of the fun experiences they had as residents performing for senior sisters. Not to be outdone, some of the senior sisters went to the front and danced during the performance. The energetic spirit in the room was heightened by the singing of the Sigma Delta Phi Song as a fitting end to an afternoon of camaraderie and fellowship.

May 31st Gen Meet and Fellowship attendees