 Historical Background of the Samahang Tagalog Atbp sa Pohnpei (STAP) by Founding President
Sometime in 1999, what started as a simple conversation among friends during a gathering at what was then called "BARANGAY" became a reality in year 2000. Friends Edgar Rabano, Arnel De Los Santos, Domingo Padillo, Jojo Pulmano, and Freddie Ricafrente were discussing the different regional organizations in Pohnpei, Micronesia and were asking each other why isn't the Tagalog region represented? There were earlier discussions of setting up a Tagalog association but it didn't materialize then.
It wasn't until Freddie Ricafrente, hailing from the province of Bulacan fervently pushed the others that it was time for the Tagalog region to be represented. Friends Edgar, Arnel, Domeng, Jojo, and Freddie were like the katipuneros of old, feverishly planning an organization that will represent the Tagalogs and at the same time develop goals and objectives that deviates from other organizations. They believe that they should focus their attention in improving relationship with the host country by participating in community development projects and at the same time assist our kababayans in the Philippines.
On January 6, 2000, the core group of Tagalogs was able to form the interim set of officers and board of directors, Freddie Ricafrente being its founder and interim President. They also came up with a proper name for the association. They all agreed to call it Samahang Tagalog Atbp sa Pohnpei. That same day, the group also had its first meeting and ratified its Constitution and By-laws. Shortly after that, the group filed an application for charter with the FSM National Government and was officially chartered by then FSM President Leo A. Falcam on September 29, 2000.
Since then, STAP's been able to continue to realize its goals and objectives. Continuously providing annual scholarship assistance to Pohnpeians attending College of Micronesia and Filipino students attending colleges or universities in the Philippines. STAP started with four students, two from each group, and they now have five Micronesian and three Filipino students. STAP had generously supported sports not only locally but also nationwide by contributing to the Micronesian Games and the FSM athletes that participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Recognizing that the only vocational high school in Pohnpei, the Pohnpei Agriculture and Trade School (PATS) survived mostly from contributions from charitable organizations and philanthropists, STAP performed a benefit show that raised $3,000 for the school.
STAP also contributed to local Catholic church by doing a Bayanihan project, building concrete benches around trees for parishioners' use and also donated a new set of public address system to replace the old and problematic system the church had for so many years. Mass is clearly heard and understood now.
For two years in a row, STAP donated candies for the Annual Christmas Candy Run around the island. STAP also contributed to "Give A Life Foundation" in the Philippines, providing over $2,000 worth of medical equipment and medicines. STAP and its members also sent $500 to ABS-CBN's Sagip Kapamilya for flood victims in the province of Quezon and other affected areas.
All of these donations were realized due to fund raising efforts. Each year STAP do a series of fund raising activities most popular of which is the sale of fresh roses on Valentine's and Mother's Day. They held benefit shows where people paid to watch STAP members performs songs and dance, and fashion shows. STAP sponsored Bingo games, and the biggest fundraiser of all was the Christmas Raffle of 2003 and 2005 where vehicles were raffled as major prizes. Even the annual Philippine Independence Day celebration was fundraiser for STAP with members selling food and refreshments.
STAP officers and members are all hardworking people. They are all committed to the organization's goals and they are all willing to sacrifice the limited time they have away from their work to ensure that the projects are completed. They do it with much enthusiasm and fun.
STAP will continue as the premier Filipino regional organization in Pohnpei for years to come.
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