How It Started
A score and 15 years ago, there was a ZamboNortean diaspora. The urge to migrate begun. They were from the province of Zamboanga del Norte of the island of Mindanao, the second-largest island of the Philippines. Zamboanga del Norte (ZANORTE) is situated in northern Mindanao bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur. ZANORTE is known for its twin cities: (a) the orchid city of Dipolog with its beauty and charm (b) the Shrine City of Dapitan with its history and rustic quaintness. Also, of the tourist's delight, Dakak Beach with its oozing natural attraction of the bleach-white sand beach, calm blue waters, coral reefs, shaped cove, and Kodak's sunset horizon.
The Midwest
They came to America. Some on the West Coast. Others to the East Coast. A few to the South. And trickles to the Midwest at the state of Illinois, notably at the city of Chicago. They worked hard. They blended. They were enthusiastic. They beamed with the American dream.
A score and 15 years ago, there was a ZamboNortean diaspora. The urge to migrate begun. They were from the province of Zamboanga del Norte of the island of Mindanao, the second-largest island of the Philippines. Zamboanga del Norte (ZANORTE) is situated in northern Mindanao bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur. ZANORTE is known for its twin cities: (a) the orchid city of Dipolog with its beauty and charm (b) the Shrine City of Dapitan with its history and rustic quaintness. Also, of the tourist's delight, Dakak Beach with its oozing natural attraction of the bleach-white sand beach, calm blue waters, coral reefs, shaped cove, and Kodak's sunset horizon.
The Midwest
They came to America. Some on the West Coast. Others to the East Coast. A few to the South. And trickles to the Midwest at the state of Illinois, notably at the city of Chicago. They worked hard. They blended. They were enthusiastic. They beamed with the American dream.
The Inquiring Mind
And as they chased that American dream, they wondered why there was no Zamboanga del Norte Association? Maybe, it's time to unite, to associate, to be visible, to have a sort of empowerment.
Birth of an Association
In a summer picnic of August 1989 at Schiller Park, Illinois, USA with Bishop Felix S. Zafra and Frs. King Fuerzas & TQ Solis concelebrating an Association was born called the Zamboanga del Norte Association (ZAMBONORTH then was changed to ZAMNAI, formed with a rock-solid foundation of the guidance and blessings of God amidst the rustling wind of change. Ber "Nonoy" Refugio, a civil engineer and a Jaycee was the 1st president and Greg In. Trabanca became the 1st vice-president.
Constitution and By-Laws
The newly founded Association was in dire need of a Constitution and By-Laws to be effectively in harmony with the fundamental law of the state and the Federal government. We created one. With deletions and additions, the group finally agreed and ratified the newly-created Constitution and By-Laws that began with a preamble:
We, the Filipino-Americans of Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippines invoking the guidance and blessings of God in order to establish solidarity in achieving our goals and objectives do ordain and promulgate this constitution and by-laws.
Why Filipino-Americans?
It is a fitting tribute to the honest, hardworking pioneers who have arrived and reached a state of being a part of the land in their heart- America. They are in America and they are Filipino-Americans from Zamboanga del Norte and not just mere roots but the whole tree planted in the soil of opportunity who want to have a share in the fertile American soil which all hoped and longed for.
The Test of Time.
The Association has withstood the test of time from a small membership to a swelling many. During the 2nd president's tenure of office, the Association unnoticeably had undergone the acid test of boycotting. Out of 120 booked for the occasion, only 80 came. The Association suffered a great loss but it managed to move on and found an avenue leading to revenue to offset the great loss incurred. In fact, it discovered a gold mine so to speak.
The Dream
Unmindful of setbacks and trials, the Association moved on. It has a dream, a vision, and a purpose for Filipino-Americans of Zamboanga del Norte. It is an Association that is on the go blazing the trail for tomorrow's memberships, with its vision, mission, hopes, and dreams under the blessings and guidance of Jesus, the Lord, and Savior of the world. It welcomes all sorts of ideas for better governance.
Birth of an Association
In a summer picnic of August 1989 at Schiller Park, Illinois, USA with Bishop Felix S. Zafra and Frs. King Fuerzas & TQ Solis concelebrating an Association was born called the Zamboanga del Norte Association (ZAMBONORTH then was changed to ZAMNAI, formed with a rock-solid foundation of the guidance and blessings of God amidst the rustling wind of change. Ber "Nonoy" Refugio, a civil engineer and a Jaycee was the 1st president and Greg In. Trabanca became the 1st vice-president.
Constitution and By-Laws
The newly founded Association was in dire need of a Constitution and By-Laws to be effectively in harmony with the fundamental law of the state and the Federal government. We created one. With deletions and additions, the group finally agreed and ratified the newly-created Constitution and By-Laws that began with a preamble:
We, the Filipino-Americans of Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippines invoking the guidance and blessings of God in order to establish solidarity in achieving our goals and objectives do ordain and promulgate this constitution and by-laws.
Why Filipino-Americans?
It is a fitting tribute to the honest, hardworking pioneers who have arrived and reached a state of being a part of the land in their heart- America. They are in America and they are Filipino-Americans from Zamboanga del Norte and not just mere roots but the whole tree planted in the soil of opportunity who want to have a share in the fertile American soil which all hoped and longed for.
The Test of Time.
The Association has withstood the test of time from a small membership to a swelling many. During the 2nd president's tenure of office, the Association unnoticeably had undergone the acid test of boycotting. Out of 120 booked for the occasion, only 80 came. The Association suffered a great loss but it managed to move on and found an avenue leading to revenue to offset the great loss incurred. In fact, it discovered a gold mine so to speak.
The Dream
Unmindful of setbacks and trials, the Association moved on. It has a dream, a vision, and a purpose for Filipino-Americans of Zamboanga del Norte. It is an Association that is on the go blazing the trail for tomorrow's memberships, with its vision, mission, hopes, and dreams under the blessings and guidance of Jesus, the Lord, and Savior of the world. It welcomes all sorts of ideas for better governance.
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