UIAT GOLDEN jUBILEE PROGRAM
Golden Jubilee Dinner & Ball - Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Philippine Cultural Center
Golden Jubilee Dinner & Ball - Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Philippine Cultural Center
1975 - 2025
PHOTOS from 2024 and earlier, please add your photos here.
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Marie Wood
UIAT President 2025-2026
UIAT Vice-President 2023-2024
Miss Teen Visayas 1993
Dr. Bernadette Mabanglo-Samson
UIAT President 2023-2024
UIAT Vice-President 2019-2022
Miss Teen Philippines Virginia, 1996
MUSIC
DJ Mario Espinosa
WELCOME ADDRESS*
Marie Wood
UIAT President 2025-2026
NATIONAL ANTHEMS
Larry Solis
United States National Anthem
Star-Spangled Banner
Rosalie Cacanindin Shephard
Miss Ilocandia 1987
Philippine National Anthem
Lupang Hinirang
INTRODUCE DIGNITARIES & COMMUNITY LEADERS
City Proclamation for UIAT’s 50th anniversary
presented by
Honorable Mayor Bobby Dyer
Mayor of Virginia Beach
COUNCIL FOR UNITED FILIPINO ORGANIZATIONS OF TIDEWATER CUFOT MESSAGE
Dr. Arlene Fontanares
Vice-Chairperson CUFOT
Miss Ilocandia 1981-1982
INVOCATION
Deacon Cris Romero
DINNER*
360 Photobooth & Photobooth provided
www.SuperBsnaps.com by Ron Villanueva
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Commeorative Golden Jubilee Video
Elmer Ramiscal & Monica Galozo
PARADE OF PROVINCES
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
presented by
Elmer Ramiscal
UIAT President 1978
&
Merla Marcelo
UIAT Chairperson 2013 -2026
Most Outstanding UIAT Member 2019
TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE
dedicated to
UIAT & THE UIAT FOLK DANCE TEACHERS
Auring Acquintey, Teacher
Aida Fanugao, Teacher
Imelda Tecson, Teacher
Jessica Bello, Teacher and Coordinator
Lumen Barbero, Teacher
Josie Orencia, Coordinator
DANCING
SPECIAL SONG
Larry Solis
DOOR TICKET PRIZES
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Merla's Health & Fitness
5th Dimension
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
Dr. Allen L. Bergano & Mrs. Edwina Bergano
Allen L. Bergano, DDS. PC.
50/50 RAFFLE
GOLDEN JUBILEE CAKE
Marie Wood
Naimbag a rabii ken naragsak nga isasangbay, amin! Good afternoon and Welcome, everyone!
Today the United Ilocano Association of Tidewater celebrates 50 years since our founding on Sept 12, 1975!
That first meeting and election, presided over by Elmer Ramiscal, was held in the Green Run Clubhouse with 115 members strong. That day laid the foundation for what would become one of the most visible and active local Filipino groups in the Hampton Roads area.
Tonight, we will see the photos and hear the stories that brought us to where we are today. Even though we can't tell every story over the past fifty years tonight, each and every person's contribution matters. Whether you were one of the founders, a president, officer, or committee chair... whether you sold tickets, raised funds,or recruited or competed in pageants... whether you cooked and served the food at our parties or brought the games for the Easter picnic or wrapped gifts for the Christmas party... whether you painted a backdrop or worked on the set up or clean up crew, however you gave of your time, your gifts, and your finances, you helped to make us stronger as UIAT, as family and lifelong friends, and as a powerful force for good in Virginia Beach.
Thank you for being here today and all the days that you have been present and will be present for UIAT. That is no small feat. We are all busy and have families and our own personal lives, and that’s why it is so powerful to step outside ourselves to support and strengthen others. Sometimes it can be hard to watch the news when every day there seems to be so much divisiveness and strife, but that's why it’s crucial for us to be here, to be together, to be UNITED. That doesn't mean getting along all the time or agreeing on everything, but agreeing that working with each other towards a common, uplifting goal for our families and community is still worthwhile. Like the light emblazoned in the center of our UIAT insignia, let's continue to shine brightly for another 50 years! Happy birthday, UIAT!! Stay Golden!!
Marie Wood
President: Dr. Bernadette Mabanglo-Samson
Internal Vice-President: Beverly Mabanglo Gatbonton
External Vice-President: Marie Robinson Wood
Membership Vice-President: Sheila Tandoc Carson
Treasurer: Alba Bassig
Financial Treasurer: Mark Crist
Recording Secretary: Jessica Calpito Fearer
Assistant Secretary: Darlene Balbiran Wilson
Historian: Pamela Lynn Abille Sebastian
Please click HERE to get Full List of Past Officers
President: Marie Robinson Wood
Internal Vice-President: PJ "Kristine" Caalim
External Vice-President: Mark Crist
Membership Vice-President: Sheila Tandoc Carson
Treasurer: Alba Bassig
Financial Treasurer: Jessica Calpito Fearer
Recording Secretary: Pamela Lynn Abille Sebastian
Please click HERE to get Full List of Incoming Officers
Alba has been treasurer since the presidency of Dr. Erlinda Ramiscal in 1992. That is 32 years and counting. She has played an important part in organizing all of UIAT's finances for our fundraisers and expenses. Her monthly reports are very detailed. Especially because we do offer student scholarships annually. She greets all guests at the registration with a smile and kind heart. With multiple people coming in at one time, things can get really busy. But Alba tackles the task wonderfully with grace and patience.
Her dedication to the Philippine community does not stop with UIAT. She also helps the Philippine Cultural Center as one of the secretaries that schedule events and assists in making sure the cultural center is always ready to receive guests for tours. of the facility. She is always supporting other Filipino-American organizations as a guest, line dancer, or sitting at the registration table collecting donations.
We are thankful for all the work she for UIAT and the community. We appreciate all you do and we love you!
~ Dr. Bernadette Mabanglo-Samson
President 2023 - 2024
Alba is an amazing officer and is very organized. She has been helpful in keeping UIAT organized with reserving dates for the UIAT events. We are thankful for all that she has contributed to making each presidency successful.
~ Beverly M. Gatbonton
Internal Vice President 2023 - 2024
Beverly is a longstanding, active and creative member of UIAT, serving on the leadership team for several years. She's been a co-MC for our events, as well as the one who prints our tickets and event programs for free or discounted prices. She worked with Dr. Jayne Dabu and an Ilocano professor at the University of Hawaii to coordinate an Ilocano language workshop at PCC for adults and kids of all ages in the summer of 2023. We love having Beverlyl and her family show up in full force at all of our events!
~ Marie R. Wood
External Vice President 2023 - 2024
Bevery Gatbonton is an invaluable member of our community, whose dedication and passion shine through in everything she does. Her commitment to excellence is evident in the countless hours she donates to designing stunning programs and tickets for our major events. Often going above and beyond-sometimes pulling all-nighters-Beverly ensures that every occasion is beautifully docmented and preserved making our events even more memorable.
Beyond her creative talents, Beverly plays a crucial role in strengthening the Filipino Community, particuarly through her involvement with UIAT. She actively fosters connections by ensuring our organization remains engaged with UIAT fundraisers and the Ilokano Language Workshop, helping celebrate eand preserve our rich heritage. Her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication truly make a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for all that she does.
~ Sheila T. Carson
Vice President of Membership 2023 - 2024
Sheila has been a driving force in updating and digitizing our membership files. Sheila and her family are always ready with a helping hand an smile to prepare for all of our events, whether it's behind the scenes decorating, creating graphics for social media, hosting a UIAT booth, and running registration. She is an essential member and asset to our team.
~ Marie R. Wood
External Vice President 2023 - 2024
Sheila Carson is beautiful addition to the UIAT executive officers. She is a wonderful leader that is always willing to step up and assist with any task that needs to be completed. She has shared many of her talents and gifts with UIAT. And she has yet to share more of her skills. Sheila has helped create and organize our website links and UIAT forms online. She has also taken the time to organize our UIAT directory
She was a member of UIAT when she was younger. She has rejoined UIAT as a dedicated leader and raising her family in the Ilocano culture with UIAT.
We are thankful to Sheila for all she has done for UIAT. We love Sheila and her family for always supporting UIAT!
~ Beverly M. Gatbonton
Internal Vice President 2023 - 2024
Contact Us
Find Us
4857 Baxter Road
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
The United Ilocano Association of Tidwater, Inc is a 501(c)3
not-for-profit organization.