CHICAGO. Rene Faigao, president of RDL-CLEAR USA, called a special meeting on Saturday (March 15) to discuss the status of the projects proposed for CY 2003. Topping the discussions was the forthcoming Dinner and Dance fundraiser on March 29 at the Carlisle Banquet Hall in Lombard, Illinois. Rene presented a tentative guest list with about 98 confirmed to attend the dining and dancing affair. Compared with last year's fundraiser with 168 guests, he expressed concern that RDL-CLEAR might fall short of its expectation but voiced optimism that any shortfall can be overcome by monetary donations pouring in from generous listers and supporters. He is confident that the five year old non-profit organization can fulfill its budgetary commitment to fund the various projects, namely: a) Banton 2003 Celebration, b) Medical Missions in Tres Islas, c) Tree planting or adopt a tree in various towns in Romblon, d) Writers workshop, and e) Publication of Sanrokan News Magazine.

Rene presented an updated list of donors, which includes: Mike and Darlene Downer ($250-paid), Nic Musico ($200-paid), Famatigan Family ($100-pledge), Louie Fabicon ($100-paid), Art and Maridee Ferrera ($100-paid), Chu Mangoba ($100-pledge), Bob Gabuna (C$100-pledge), Lito and Tildeng Cortez ($60-paid), Jun and Ading Faderon ($50-paid), Ish Fabicon ($50-paid), Doc Simp ($50-paid), Sheila Ferrera ($50-paid), Rene Faigao ($50-paid), Pie Ferranco ($50-paid), Jun and Pat Fabella ($50-paid), Van Famarin ($50-pledge), Linda Faigao-Hall ($50-pledge), Bal Ferrera ($50-pledge), Dr. Rene and Linda Florcruz ($50-pledge), Nina Fabicon ($25-paid), Cesar and Ester Sendaydiego ($25-paid), Lulu Flores ($25-paid), Jing Regala ($25-paid), Jowinsyl Solidum ($20-paid), Jules and Eli Misa ($20-paid), Marvin Veal ($15-paid), and Vicky Quesea ($10-paid). Rene Famatigan has pledged to send medicines for the Medical Missions. A group of non-Romblonese Chicago residents stretched the list by contributing $431 to the coffer. Their names are Dr. Emil and Linda Cabana, Dr. Boots Orbeta, Dr. Romeo and Eli Ursula, Dr. Guerrero, Tony and Nora Belo, Manny and Grace Ortiz. Ethel Gibson of Southern California also pledged a donation aside from attending the Sanrokan Dinner-Dance as guest of honor.

Rene Faigao extols the leadership of Ish Fabicon, the executive founding director, Bal Ferrera, past president of RDL-CLEAR, and all incumbent and past officers, whose vision of bringing Romblonese immigrants closer in cyberspace became an amazing reality. He also commended the publication of the Sanrokan News Magazine, which is a very effective means of spreading the burning spirit of "sanrokan" and of bonding the multilingual "kasimanwas". He pledges to pursue the RDL-CLEAR mission of providing cultural, livelihood and educational assistance to the poor inhabitants of Romblon.

There are various possibilities for RDL-CLEAR to accomplish this mission. Rene proposes a long-range implementation of the tree-planting project throughout the province of Romblon. This involves the planting and adoption of trees by individuals or organizations. He intends to look into the conditions of the cyberstations previously established by RDL and see how these facilities could be improved or upgraded. He notes, however, that RDL-CLEAR can only be supportive of self-help projects. These are projects that the locals commit themselves to help themselves. He emphasized the policy of releasing funds only for projects with voluntary manpower support of the locals.

He also looks forward to harnessing or pooling of resources for entrepreneurial projects like building a hospital, extending non-collateral micro-loans for farming or cottage industries in Romblon. It is still long way for RDL-CLEAR to reach its goal but slowly it is getting near the threshold of another successful "sanrokan year".