Conrado Villanueva, President Silliman Alumni International-Chicago Chapter

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Alumni from one of the prestigious universities in the Philippines – Silliman University – are spread all over the world. Just like other alumni groups, those coming from Silliman have proven their commitment to remain loyal and continue to support their Alma Mater, who brought them in many parts of the globe. Silliman Alumni International (SAI) – Chicago Chapter is proud to become part of the SAI. This mother organization has partnered with Silliman University by providing scholarship grants to benefit students attending Silliman University campus in the Philippines. These scholarship grants are established through an Endowment Fund with the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. Between the years 2005-2009, SAI has sent close to $30,000 of monetary donations to its beneficiaries in the Philippines. In 2011, SAI partnered with SUACONA and SU to refurbish the Oriental Hall as it was converted into the student center, the hub of all student activities in the campus under one roof. SAI refurbished the Student Scholarship and Aid Division office for $5000. Over the years, SAI-Chicago’s membership has been growing. The younger generation has increased in number dramatically. This growth created a positive impact on the organization as it becomes more active, more visible and increase the number of support to its ongoing projects. The community of Sillimanians in Chicago was challenged when in 2012, when one an alumna got diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer. Words travelled so fast among fellow alumni, which translated into an oversupport their projects at http://www.saichicago.com/. whelming response of support and campaign to help the family. The Silliman University Physical Therapy (SUPT) alumni acted quickly and responsibly by visiting their classmate in the hospital for immediate care and treatment. They worked cohesively, with love and compassion in providing physical, emotional and spiritual care to her. They stayed with her at bedside; they cooked food for her, and they offered a “home away from home” for her to stay, so she could receive outpatient therapy. They worked around their schedules so transportation was provided to and from the hospital. They shared their financial resources generously to defray the cost of medical care. The true Sillimanian in these alumni just came out naturally among them. The oncologists at Stroger’s Medical Center strongly recommended for immediate radiation therapy. The patient agreed with the treatment recommendation and fellow alumni continued their unwavering support of working around their work and family schedules to bring her to her much needed medical appointments and treatment. SAI members quickly got mobilized and “passed the hat” around. Some members like Stella Cabanban, Tonette and husband Tim Geary, Nang Pacit Flores made visits to the hospital and to her temporary home in Streamwood they prayed for her, shared personal testimonies of being healed from cancer themselves and brought food for her. Other SU alumni associations were informed of the dire situation and they too responded generously by donating towards her medical fund, so she could go home to the Philippines for further treatment in Cebu. In 2013, this alumna was in remission! God’s healing power worked! She was brought in her home in Dumaguete under the loving care of her family. Her husband was able to go back to work. Her classmates abroad have kept in touch with her; continued to share their financial help on occasions. They had done garage sales, auctions, bake sales, anything to get some extra funding for a dear sister in Christ who is in need, which displays the Silliman spirit working at its best! Currently leading the SAIChicago is Conrado Villanueva. He is a member of the Tipon Silliman 2013 Committee that met monthly via teleconferences for almost two years now. Tipon Silliman is a biennial gathering of all the alumni wherever they are who go home to the Philippines for a reunion. The following completes the current officers of SAI-Chicago Chapter who got inducted in their respective positions in December 2013: Vice-President: Jimmuel Plaza, Secretary: Darlene Guatelara, Treasurer: Kara Woolard, Auditor: Daisy Schmookler, Public Relations Officer: Luz Corsino Frost, Chaplains: Rev. Rudy Mayol, Rev. Edelmira Navarro, Board of Directors: Edgar Amora, Ben Cabanban, Daniel Depasupil, Milagros Domingo Emperado Ellen Mae Sienes-Garbrecht, Elizabeth Naane-Santos, Ma. Antonia “Tonette” Guatelara Geary (Ex- Officio). With this new set of officers, come a sustained and stronger commitment to uphold the principles of Via Veritas Vita. Just recently, in August 30, 2014, SAI-Chicago held their summer picnic at the Ty Warner Park in Westmont, IL. They also held a rummage sale on July 12, 2014 to benefit their ongoing projects in the Philippines. This was held at the Cosmopolitan Church Parking Lot in Melrose Park. In December 2013 at the induction of SAI-Chicago’s officers, President Conrado Villanueva reminded everyone, “The Joy in our faces shows the love to celebrate this Christian tradition and your presence alone is the testament of the Silliman spirit. The job you invested on us as newly elected and appointed officers cannot be done without your unselfish support in terms of your time, talents and desire to make this wonderful group to be a success for the next generations. Let the members and goals of SAI grow by enhancing new memberships and encourage those who are alumni, former members and potential members to attend our activities. We are planning to offer more family-fun outdoor activities and your volunteerism and participation will surely give impact and impressions on everyone.” Please visit the website of SAI-Chicago for information on how to connect with them and to support their projects at http://www.saichicago.com/.

Conrado (Far Left) with other Sillimanians during the picnic

 

Conrado and Estrella Villanueva during their most recent picnic held in Westmont.