Bonita Wee Banzon Incoming President, Bataan Association of the Midwest- USA

By: Ryan Tejero

 

The Bataan Association of the Midwest (BAM) started 25 years ago as conventional as any group finding their province- mates through family picnics or other community events. Through the years, many Bataenos were to join the group. The first BAM president was the late Dr. Bienvenido Camacho.

BAM’s biggest mission is to provide scholarships to the most deserving but poor students back home. It also has successfully extended its humanitarian cause to the disadvantaged seniors in Bataan province by providing essential services such as medicines and financial support.

Under BAM’s current leadership, the goal is to have a permanent BAM headquarter in Balanga, This is going to create a venue for volunteers in the City of Bataan to serve more population. Sustainability will come from generous supporters in the U.S. and philanthropists of Bataan.

Incoming BAM President, Bonita Banzon, said “My dream was to become a social worker, but I became a Nurse and worked in the Bataan Provincial Hospital.”

In 1987, Bonita moved to the U.S. with her three young daughters. As a registered Nurse, she worked in many hospitals in various roles. Right now, she works as a home health nurse. She said about her job, “I truly enjoy my job because I fulfill my dream of serving people to help them maintain their health and counseling those who need somebody to listen to them when no one seems to care to listen.”

In June, BAM is inviting the public to join them in their 12th Induction Ball on June 2, 2023, at the Allegra Banquets, 5035 N. River Rd, Schiller Park, IL 60176: $60 prepaid, and $65 at the door. The party starts at 6:00 PM, with dinner to be served at 7:30 PM. This event has a cash Bar. Part of this fundraising initiative is selling raffle tickets to benefit BAM’s general funds.

If interested to join the events of BAM, please call Bonita Banzon at 312 694 3958, and Loida Baluyot at 847 924 1066.

BAM Annual Christmas Party, December 3, 2022, at Club Casa Cafe, Des Plaines, IL.

BAM Annual Picnic, September 3, 2022, at Lake Park, Des Plaines, IL.