Meet the National President

from The Stalwart no 3 Series of 2021

NB meeting Held in Misibis

GET To KNow THE NATioNAl PRESiDENT SEN. grEgorIo araNEta LIPa

Greg Araneta Lipa was only 17 years old when he witnessed in Legazpi, the memorable election of JCI Sen. Bing Abaño, the first Bicolano National President in Bicol soil in 1986. He was mesmerized by the group of Jaycees he mingled with as a Junior Jaycee of Legazpi tasked with helping out in their first hosting of a national convention. He realized that this was the organization he wanted to be a part of in the near future. Little did he knew then what his future would turn out to be.

He was a working student when he graduated from Divine Word College in 1990 earning the loyalty award for being a “Divinian” since elementary. He was pumped-prime and ready to join the Jaycees, but things were just not meant to be. A family accident prevented his entry to his dream organization and paved the way for making him as the breadwinner of his family. For the next decade, he took care of his family and siblings, most especially his sister, who was in medical school in Manila. While doing so, he joined the Legazpi Jaycees Inc. during the term of Enz Tiangco in 1997.

Years later, a tarpaulin was seen bearing a picture of his sister, Dra. Lipa, that said “Congratulations Dr. Lipa for passing the Medical Board Exam.” She was the first doctor from a lineage of good and religious hard-working family. A great responsibility fulfilled, JCI Sen. Greg A. Lipa assumed the presidency of JCI Legazpi In 2003. The chapter then was in a state of disarray - ranked as the 2nd to the last chapter in JCIPEA. The chapter’s 88th rank was a low moment, especially with an active senior member who just completed a remarkable first term as the city mayor of Legazpi City.

THE UNFORGETABLE YEAR OF 2003

JCI Pres. Greg A. Lipa took to heart what his friend and mentor said, NEVP Lamberto Doronela, “membership is the lifeblood of our organization.” He went on to register 71 members, most of whom came from the government sector. He partnered with numerous organizations and led his young members in unique livelihood and “child-focused” projects- inculcating the importance of the Four Areas of Development along the way. Pres. Lipa revived an old practice - the recitation of the JCI Creed of which every “Baby Jaycee” must do with conviction in order to progress to the next stage.

THE QUEST AND QUENCH FOR EXCELLENCE BEGINS

The year 2003 was a complete turnaround from the previous year. At the Southern Luzon Area Conference in San Pablo City, Laguna, JCI Legazpi, with the highest membership growth in Area 3, won 5 awards including the Most Outstanding LO President (Category 2). Back home, the anxious mayor awaiting the area conference outcome, was so happy when the group arrived in Legazpi with his “motley crew” of stilldrunk members who woke up to a fully assembled media waiting at the mayor’s residence to greet and interview President Lipa. In that same year, the most awaited event for the Jaycees, 13 members of JCI Legazpi stood with pride as NEVP Lamberto Doronela opened the JCIP National Convention. The next day, JCI Legazpi won their first Temiong Award for Project E.A.S.T. (Educational Assistance to the Street Children of Tinago).

Thus, the chapter started its quest and quench for excellence in 2003 that continues to this day. With the chapter stabilized due to the succeeding seven LOM Presidents, he then focused on his business. In 2007, he established his first company Grelips Construction, an SEC-registered construction company.

And just for fun, he accepted the presidency of a local-based HONDA Dream Club. In 2008, he merrily led hundreds of black-clad “Dream Riders” all over the main island of Luzon visiting Honda branches and tourist destinations while promoting camaraderie, road safety and local tourism. Being at the helm of leadership made him realized how he missed the Jaycees.

Appointed as the Legal Advisor for the Bicol Contractor’s Association, he returned to the JCI movement in 2010. This time, as the JCIP Regional Vice President for Bicol. RVP Greg focused on membership thru chapter extension by extending another chapter in Albay, JCI Daraga. Daphne Lotivio, a charter member of JCI Daraga who became his appointed assistant secretary, recalls how they went all over the region in search for new chapters. For this undertaking, RVP Greg was recognized during the JCIP National Convention “for his extension of three chapters which saw a record growth of 23% increase members in the Bicol.” He was then awarded the Most Outstanding Regional Vice President Award for JCIP from then NP Van Torevillas.

NATIONAL DIRECTOR 2015 -2017

He received his JCI Senator number 69733. “It was RVP Rico Evangelista who recruited me to join the 2015 JCISP National Board headed by JCI Sen. Alipio Fernandez”, said ND Greg Lipa. “We shared many nights together during many JCISP chapter visitations nation-wide.” After his father’s death in 2012, ND Greg Lipa became very attached to the “Grand Old Man of Dagupan.” In 2017, he helped revive the JCI Senate of Legazpi, which hibernated after the death of JCI Senator Ramon Fernandez. Past NP Alipio was the Guest Speaker at the chapter’s induction ceremony in 2017. It would be his last encounter with his father figure, friend and mentor. Thereafter, the JCI Senate of Legazpi was revived, breathing new air under the guidance of JCI Sen. Al Francis Bichara, a senior member of the JCI movement. He mentored the new senators to a steadier pace of life, fellowship and their commitment to the ideals of the JCI movement. He received the highest honor of CDD given by the Philippine Jaycees Foundation Inc.

In 2019, the mantle of the JCI Senate Legazpi was handed over to Greg Lipa by past presidents Cesar Bordeos, Noel Rosal, Jose “Pepe” Estevez, Ranulfo Imperial and Steve Los Banos, and witnessed by JCI Senate of Daet. Once again, he focused on the basics of socio-civic management. NVP Greg Lipa served as director of the JCI Senate of the Philippines National Board for six years where he never missed a national board meeting. As the 2019 National Executive Vice President, he extended two senate chapters in Southern Luzon, the JCI Senate of DAET and JCI Senate LUCENA. With an earlier revival, he has contributed a minimum of 40 new senate members to JCISP and created quite a stir during the 2019 Clark National Convention where he ran against a seasoned politician and won the second highest position in the JCISP.

THE JAYCEE CREED

NEVP Lipa has achieved a feat that many tried and were unable to accomplish. In 2020, he aspired for the highest position of the Junior Chamber International Senate of the Philippines. During the election campaign, he revealed that the JAYCEE CREED was his guiding light to whatever he has achieved in his life.•

The Official Quarterly Publication of JCI SENATE LEGAZPI 3rd Quarter | March to May 2021 3 mESSAGE

The GreaT L.e.a.P.

Before I begin, allow me to share with you a memory which happened thirty six years ago. It was 1985 and I was then a member of the Legazpi Junior Jaycees. It was the first time that we hosted a Philippine Jaycees National Convention.

It was my first experience with the Philippine Jaycees and I marveled with great admiration the quality of its members. I watched from a distance the outcome of a heated Jaycee election that took place in Legazpi City. In that historic year of 1985, a Bikolano was elected national president of the Philippine Jaycees.

For me, a 17 year old college student, I never imagined myself to be an officer of the Legazpi Jaycees Inc. In my wildest dream I would never imagine that scenario one day. Tonight, with God before me, and my mentors present, I will assume the highest position in the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines.

I was quoted during the election campaign by saying “that the next administration we choose must possess the experience needed to guide our organization to be MORE innovative, MORE creative and MUST be able to transform our senate members and our beloved organization - the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines - to a new level of performance, like never before.

As we move forward in 2021, the Great L.E.A.P. is the theme for the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines. We shall LEAD our members from the New Normal to Greater Heights. ENGAGE ourselves in more worthwhile projects and activities. We must ACT with courage and humility, and PERFORM to the best of our abilities and capacities with the JCI Creed as our Guiding Light. Tonight, we start the Great L.E.A.P. :LEAD, ENGAGE, ACT and PERFORM.

The Great LE.A.P. is a program of solidarity following the virtual elections last year where we once again showed the creativity and boldness that we JCI Senators are known for. The elections divided us but I think we are mature enough to know that we have to move forward for progress, and most especially for the love of our organization.

And more importantly, the Great L.E.A.P. will bring the control of the present situation back to us as we organize ourselves and build from the accomplishments made by the previous administration, and most especially to the active and the reactivated senate members who responded to the call to “Raise Our Nation” in 2020.

As we collectively move forward, allow me to share with you my 5 goals I want to achieve this year. To summarize my goals, we will bring in more senators to help us implement our programs, increase our revenues and look into our Constitution and By-laws to link what is best for our organization.

Allow me to expand on my goals.

The first one is, we need to increase our membership. Membership is the lifeline of our organization. I have coined our membership program. “M.O.R.E. JCI Senators in 2021” - M.O.R.E. meaning Mentorship, Optimize, Recruit & Extend. Our M.O.R.E program will create new senate chapters nationwide. In doing so, we will mentor the leadership skills of the regular members holding top positions as these are the future members of JCI Senate. The M.O.R.E program starts this evening with the induction of New JCI Senators.

My Second goal is the full implementation of all existing National Flagship Projects of the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines.

My third goal is that we will immediately push our new senators to be involved with our projects and not to start their first year as mere spectators. Their experience and creativity will help us as we carry out our flagship projects with an end in view of generating income for our organization.

EDITorIAl sTAff

My fourth goal is to revisit our policy manuals. It has been ten years since the amendments. Orchestration of which is crucial as we, the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines, continue to be a dedicated and committed problem solving organization that helps our country in community development and in nation building.

My fifth and last goal is to provide digital solutions that will enhance our chapter management and operations. We shall upscale and re-tool our senators in information technology and help our senate chapters to digitally manage their communication programs.

Fellow JCI Senators, these are the five goals set forth by this present administration. And I hope that each and every one of you will continue to support the Great L.E.A.P of the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines in 2021.

To the Past National Presidents- My mentors- especially those no longer here with us: I know that I will not be standing here without your guidance, support and belief. Thank you so much and rest assured, our organization will LEAP.

To the Great L.E.A.P. Team who provide me with the confidence and strength that gave me the edge and the victory that followed: Thank you so much for everything you have done. To Gov. Al Francis Bichara, thank you for your all-out support and what you have done for me. I will always remember your wise counsel and the continuous wisdom I get from you every day.

To my 2021 National Board, we have plenty to do and I look forward to your full support and active attendance in whatever we planned this year. Thank you for coming this evening!

Editor-in-chief Managing Editor Contributors

Photographers

JCI Sen. Luis Bello JCI Sen. Mariano Oriel Maddela JCI Sen. Jeanette A. Uy JCI Sen. Isabel L. Reynoso JCI Mem. Annel San Pablo JCI Mem. Ian Ruiz Vasquez JCI Mem. Rico Manallo JCI Mem. Kaloi Garcia

JCI Philippines Senate National Board full force for NP Sen. Greg A. Lipa’s term.

Changing of Guard. National President JCI Senator Greg A. Lipa presenting Immediate Past National President Rene T. Natividad with a Plaque of Appreciation for all his contributions to JCI Senate Philippines.