CMAS-USLS Turnover Rites & Farewell Party Held By: James U. Sy Jr.

2-termer Club President Joy M. Gallos led outgoing Conceptual Martial Arts Society-USLS officers in turning over their rights and obligations to the new set of club officers for SY 2006-2007 during a simple ceremony and farewell party last March 18, 2006 at Palmas del Mar, JR Torres Subd., Bacolod City.

Multi-awarded President Gallos and Secretary Agnes Gonxha Empio will be graduating from the ranks of CMAS-USLS as they complete their respective bachelor’s degrees this March at the University of St. La Salle. The other officers and committee heads will still be in the roster but will be holding different positions.

The new set of officers for CMAS-USLS for SY 2006-2007 are Richie Añover (president), Reyna Jean Viñarta (vice president), Francis John Carranza (secretary), Emilio Beroncal (treasurer), and Norly Nabos (PIO). Committee heads are Elizer “Jun-Jun” Agudo Jr. (sports), Steve Mamaed (logistics), Viñarta (outreach), Rommel John Panal (spiritual), and Añover and Viñarta (major affairs).

The turnover was witnessed by CMAS-USLS Moderator Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado, CMAS-Main Founder James U. Sy Jr., and CMAS-Eroreco Chapter Head Victorio C. Perez.

Añover, the second female president of CMAS-USLS only next to Gallos, faces a great challenge of equaling or surpassing the club’s achievements under Gallos’ terms. Under Gallos, CMAS-USLS got its full accreditation from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) of the university as one of its non-academic and only martial arts accredited club in 2005 and maintained it in 2006. Joey Arnold Toga, the club’s first president, worked for the probationary accreditation of the club in 2004.

Also under Gallos’ term, the club president and the club itself were finalists in the Most Outstanding Club President and the Most Outstanding Club in two straight years (2005-2006) during the university’s Corps d’ Elite awarding ceremonies. Gallos also spearheaded the sponsoring of the 1st ever multi-style martial arts tournament at the University of St. La Salle last September 2005 (5th USLS Martial Arts Expo A.K.A. 1st USLS Martial Arts Tournament).

During the 1st CMAS Hall of Fame Awards last January 20, 2006, Gallos was honored with the 2005 CMAS Leadership Award while CMAS-USLS was named 2005 CMAS Chapter of the Year.