Tinorian residents heap Himaya in Barotac Nuevo
The people of Brgy. Tinorian in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, have enough reason to hope for a brighter and better tomorrow as they have started to benefit from the HIMAYA project of the Buensuceso-Celiz Foundation, Inc., led by its President Mrs. Asuncion B. Sulit. On March 20, 2006, Mrs. Asuncion B. Sulit and her development partners laid the foundation of the project in the barangay, symbolizing only the beginning of good tidings for the people there.
HIMAYA, which means very great praise or worshipful thanksgiving, is a project founded by Atty. Abelardo P. Sulit, with the assistance of his wife Asuncion B. Sulit, way back in 1990. Atty. Sulit envisioned a project, which would have effective and meaningful impact on the general welfare of the populace in the community of Brgy. Tinorian, cascading to the whole of Barotac Nuevo, and even to the province of Iloilo. This resulted in the birthing of the Buensuceso-Celiz Foundation, Inc. a non-profit organization now registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The late Atty. Sulit left the Philippines in the early 70's for New York City where he became the first foreign lawyer to be admitted to the New York Bar. At Queens DA office, he was a prosecutor and trial assistant of the Second Chance Bureau. He was a member of the Philippine Bar Association and of the New York State Bar Association.
Furthermore, Atty. Sulit was a pioneering community organizer. He worked to forge the Philippine Communities Executive Council where he was the legal counsel for ten (10) years from 1977 to 1987. He co-chaired the Legal Task Force of the Coalition for the Advancement of Filipino Women, founded the Neo Filipino Association in Brooklyn and of APS Foundation, and supported the Children's Orchestra Society and the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, to name a few.
At the Central Philippine University (CPU), he was an active leader during his time. He held office as president and vice president of CPC Republic (now CPU Republic) in 1952 to 1953 and in 1951 to 1952, respectively. Later, he served as the legal counsel of CPU for seven (7) years, before leaving for New York, U.S.A.
On the other hand, his widow, Mrs. Asuncion Buensuceso- Sulit, amiable and impressed loveliness, was a graduate of the University of San Agustin (then Colegio de San Agustin- Iloilo), where she was a member of the first coed batch in high school. She is a retired registered nurse of the Veterans Memorial Hospital of New York.
Significantly, both of them were nurtured in institutions where magnanimity and benevolence were inculcated through conscientious community service. The death of Atty. Sulit in 1998, however, momentarily suspended the realization of "himaya" for the people of Barotac Nuevo and of the province of Iloilo.
The revival of the project recently has been made possible through the assistance and collaboration of several distinguished personalities and institutions. Among those who have expressed support for the noble undertakings the project has set are Fr. Manuel Vergara, O.S.A., University of San Agustin President, and Dr. Juanito Acanto, Central Philippine University President. Both autonomous universities, inspired by their Christian traditions, have committed their extension services to the project.
Others who have also responded to the call for service of the HIMAYA project were Mayor Pedro B. Hautea, Municipality of Barotac Nuevo, Councilor Francisco Caligdong, Sangguniang Bayan of Barotac Nuevo; Fr. Richard Pinongcos, St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary; Principal Edith Grabozo, Tinorian Elementary School; Barangay Captain Manuel Siaotong, Brgy. Tinorian, Barotac Nuevo; Engr. Alfredo B. Panguiton, District Engineer at Dumangas, Iloilo, and Mr. Duffie B. Botavara, Municipal Engineer and Mr. Rogelio Jomantoc both representing the foundation.
According to Mrs. Sulit, the Neo-Filipino Creed made by Atty. Sulit has inspired her and other stakeholders of the project to initiate the endeavor, and see through the realization of its development goals. Part of the creed reads: "That every individual person is entitled to the mutual support of every other person in the pursuit of a productive full life, happiness, and the opportunity to lead in a free society where free enterprise, freedom of thought, freedom of action, and mutual exchange of values are of the essence."
The foundation presently owns a parcel of land with an area covering 2,236 square meters and as of the date of this writing, the construction in the fencing of the area already started. All the parties have agreed to collaborate with each other in implementing this collaborative project which includes the construction of a grotto, a playground, retreat buildings, an auditorium, buildings for conferences/meetings and other facilities. These physical structures shall serve as gathering places for activities aimed at providing opportunities for the holistic and meaningful development of the people - an important step towards the realization of the profound vision of the late Atty. Sulit, a vision shared by his beloved Asuncion, as well as by so many persons who hold the conviction that, indeed, the greatest Himaya - praise and thanksgiving - is rightly reserved for those who serve with love and those who love to serve.
(UCRP/USA)