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My Dear Caramoanon,
We now have a forum by which we can assuage our longing to be with our fellow Caramoanon, be able to plan and undertake activities for our mutual benefit and to share the fruits of our good intentions with those in our birthplace—Caramoan.
CRANE which stands for “Caramoan Residents Association in Naga City and its Environs” has been revived and has been very active for two years now. Last year, upon its inception, the officers were not elected, but served in an ad interim capacity, to prepare the members for elections that were held last year. At last, we are now formally re-organized and our Association is now registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock, non-profit organization. As such, CRANE may now negotiate for funding assistance and receive funds for its operations and intended projects that will benefit all members.
Last year the Association started looking for financial assistance for poor but deserving students in Caramoan to start their college studies either in the Caramoan Community College or in schools in Naga City. Officers each shelled out an amount to start the scholarship fund drive. Later, some officers who went to the US added to this scholarship fund through donations of our generous US-based “kahimanwa” also for the purpose. Still last Christmas Season, our own CRANE choir went caroling in Naga City and nearby towns and added to this fund.
This time the picture even improved some more.
During the induction of newly-elected officers and Christmas Party of the CRANE on December 30, 2005 at the Naga Central School Pavilion II, our guest of honor, Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte of the Second District of Camarines Sur, gifted us from his Congressional Development Fund a total allocation of Php500,000.00 for the following projects of CRANE, as follows:
a) Scholarship –Php100,000.00
b) Hospitalization –Php100,000.00
c) Livelihood – Php300,000.00
The scholarship fund and hospitalization assistance for CRANE members or their dependents at the Bicol Medical Center may now be availed of. The livelihood fund will be released soon to the organization. May I then invite you to be a CRANE member now and let your name be entered in the CRANE roster? I mean YOU - if you are:
1. A natural-born Caramoanon or married to one and has resided for at least three years in Naga City or the neighboring towns of Baao, Bombon, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Gainza, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Pasacao, Pili, and San Fernando;
2. A son or daughter of one (1) above or married to one;
3. A child of two (2) above or married to one;
4. An “adopted” Caramoanon who had resided in Caramoan for at least five (5) years and now a resident of Naga City or the towns mentioned above for at least three (3) years or his/ her child or grandchild; and
5. At least 18 years of age.
Membership in CRANE will not cost you much—only Php100.00 a year after paying Php50.00 as membership fee upon registration. Considering what membership can give you in return, not to mention the comradeship of your fellow Caramoanon, these amounts are really negligible but very necessary. For after all, and organization must be able to generate some funds of its own and not rely entirely on outside aid for day-to-day operations.
Membership forms are available at the following places—Naga Integrated Hospital, Dimasalang St., Naga City c/o Dr. Rhodora Roa-Perez; Mrs. Gracita T. Alarkon, Tel. No. 475-8123, Cel. No. 09216517576.
From time to time, the members of the Membership Committee headed by Ms. Emma Borebor-Boncacas will visit the homes of known Caramoanons. When they come to you, we urge you to register then.
Welcome to CRANE!!!
Yours truly,
(sgd) SOFRONIO “OMING” P. ALTEZ
