This Filipino American brotherhood is now led by women

LOS ANGELES – Two Filipino American women leaders have taken the helm of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, charitable organization.

Sue Ann Estrada-Tumakay and Ellen Rodriguez-Swing were unanimously elected as president and board chairperson respectively.

Estrada-Tumakay, 52, also serves as president of the San Carlenian Organization. Rodriguez-Swing of Burgos, Pangasinan, is president of the Cerritos Chamber of Commerce.

Estrada-Tumakay, a physician assistant, succeeded her sibling Neil M. Estrada as president while Rodriguez-Swing, an accountant, replaced Dan E. Niño as chairman of the Board.

The freshly minted  leaders are the first women tandem to hold the top two leadership positions in the organization.

Sue Ann Estrada-Tumakay (left) and Ellen Rodriguez-Swing were unanimously elected as president and board chairperson respectively. Photo from Dan E. Niño

“It is an immense  honor and privilege to represent our wonderful organization as your next president,” Estrada-Tumakay told her fellow Pangasinenses who elected her and Rodriguez-Swing during a meeting in Long Beach, California, recently.

Fostering goodwill and charity

She promised to continue the organization’s tradition of fostering goodwill and charity in the communities they serve.

Rodriguez-Swing, 47, said their mission is not merely a statement but a commitment to personal growth and the “development of kinship among Pangasinenses both locally and globally.” “I look forward to collaborating with all sectors to fulfill our mandate,” she said.

Following the elections, the incoming chief executive appointed Josie Carayugan-Khoo, president of Bayambang Association of Southern California as the executive vice president. The Board elected Danny Tejada,  president of Mangatarem Overseas Residents of Southern California (AMOR) as vice chairman of the board.

Other members of the Board, who will assume office on Jan. 1, 2024, include: Nieves Coquia of Dagupan City Club of Southern California, Pio Roque Coquia (Greater Dagupan City Association. of California), Jann Doctor-Bergado (Santa Barbara), Marites Orencia-Bautista (San Fabian), J.R. Araquel (Alaminos City), Dean Mandapat (San Carlos City), Noemi Viloria-Dumlao (Bani) and Henry Estrada (Calasiao),

The board members were nominated during the Pangasinenses’ picnic held at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in the City of Cerritos. The board members and executive officers will be sworn in on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Cerritos City Performing Arts Center in Cerritos.

Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA has elected a new set of officers. From left, Pio Roque Coquia, J.R. Araquel, Noemi V. Dumlao, Josie C. Khoo (EVP), Sue Ann E. Tumakay (president), Marites O. Bautista, Ellen Rodriguez-Swing (board chairperson), Dean Mandapat and Henry Estrada. Photo from Dan E. Niño

Charitable projects

Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA was founded in 1978 by the late Ambassador Armando C. Fernandez and former consul general of Los Angeles.

Its many charitable projects have supported several communities in Pangasinan, including providing relief goods during natural calamities. It has helped provide low-cost housing in partnership with Rotary Club and Gawad Kalinga.

The group has also donated books to the municipal library of Alaminos City and provided scholarship grants to deserving students. Additionally, it has promoted local products and crafts from Pangasinan, provided cooperative funds to some municipalities and hosted educational workshops.

Estrada-Tumakay, the 18th  president of the association, follows a long list of accomplished leaders, including Alfredo C. Reyes, Rene D. Casaclang, Ray Parayno, Adolfo U. Dotimas, Ernesto A. Reyes, Mel Castelo, Tony Barlongo, Tony Banaag, Gil B. Mislang, J. Bing Dela Vega, Ads Diaz, Mely I. Cerame, Dan E. Niño, Eddie C. Ferrer, Lino Caringal, Ferdinand Soriano and Neil M. Estrada. (Contributed by Dan E. Niño)