TMI Global Convention

TMI Global Convention Held
New Set of Officers Elected, Sworn In


In an effort to push for the translation of the best Ilokano writings in global languages and to push for a reasoned revisiting of the creative and critical practices of Ilokano literature, Timpuyog Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano Global held on October 28 its first-ever convention after the organization first formed in 2005 and formed its first set of interim officers. The convention was held in tandem with the 2007 International Conference on Ilokano and Amianan Languages and Cultures held October 27 at the Philippine Consulate and keynoted by Dr. Belinda Aquino, director of the Center for Philippines, University of Hawai`i.

The TMI convention held at the Philippine Consulate General on Pali Highway, Honolulu, Hawai`i, was keynoted by Dr. Raymund Liongson, coordinator of the Philippine Studies Program of the Leeward Community College, University of Hawai`i. Members of TMI from Hawai`i, California, Utah, and the Philippines came to attend the convention that elected Terry Gabriel Tugade as president, Lorenzo G. Tabin Sr. as vice president for administration, Aurelio Solver Agcaoili as vice president for translation and publication, Sinamar Robianes Tabin as secretary general, Rose Daproza as treasurer, Tomas Villaflor as business manager, and Naty Cacho as auditor.

In a resolution passed by the general assembly, all those formally attending the said convention are categorized as founding members and are to be listed as such in the books of the organization.

In another resolution, and in keeping with the international and global nature of the organization, all presidents of country organizations are to become ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. Franklin Macugay, president of the TMI Global-Filipinas and Fele Mann, president of TMI Global-Australia form part of the 15-person Board of Directors that include the elected executive officers and those elected at large: Raymund Liongson, Epifanio Baclig, Ernie Somera, Brigido Daproza, Angeline Duque, and Lydia Saludes Ramiro.

Elected to serve as advisers of the organization were Pacita Cabulera Saludes and Roland Bueno. Saludes sworn in the directors in a formal program held at the Daproza Residence in Waipahu.

According to Tugade, a book of translation of poetry is expected to be out in May 2008 in time for the Nakem National Conference to be held at the St Mary’s University in Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya.

Tugade also promised the assistance of TMI Global in the pursuit of the cultural and literary preservation activities of both the Nakem Conferences, a not-for-profit organization under the auspices of the Ilokano Language and Literature Program of the University of Hawai`i and Nakem Conferences Philippines.

At the IALC Conference, various papers were presented from a number of perspectives including a panel composed of five Ilokano-American students enrolled in various Ilokano courses under the UH Ilokano Program.

Agcaoili, president of Nakem Conferences and coordinator of the UH Ilokano Program, directed and convened the IALC conference.

Other organizations that co-sponsored the conference were: GUMIL Hawai`i; Annak ti Kailokuan iti Amerika; Center for Philippine Studies, UH Manoa; Department of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures, UH; Nakem Conferences; Nakem Conferences Philippines; Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline; International Academy for Ilokano and Amianan Studies; the Ilokano Language and Literature Program of the University of Hawai`i; Fil-Am Observer;
and the Philippine Consulate General.

TMI Global is set to have its next annual convention in November 2008 in time with 2008 Nakem International Conference to be held at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai`i.