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Iliganon Organizations in the World

If you belong to an Iliganon organization in Iligan or outside of Iligan, you are welcome to add your group's name right here. We welcome all of you!

Welcome to ILISA, Incorporated!

ILISA-Iliganon Lanaonon in Sydney Australia ILISA is a not-for-profit organisation representing the people of Iligan City and Lanao, in Sydney Australia, from the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

2009 Officers 

President Ephraim Legaspi 

Vice President Walter Ted Badelles 

Treasurer Art Garsuta 

Secretary Gina Aldea Samia 

Auditor Rene Samia 

Advisers 

Anne Cabides-Paras (Past President) 

Edward Engracia (Past President) 

Objectives 

1. To foster closer friendly relationship and understanding among its members and their families.
2. To uphold the BAYANIHAN spirit, that unique Filipino community spirit, amongst its members and family.
3. To assist newly arrived migrants, particularly those coming from ILigan City and Lanao provinces in their search for a place to live, jobs, and business opportunities, that they may be able to support themselves and provide their families with decent livelihood.
4. To render assistance to sick and distressed members and their families in whatever possible means. 
5. To undertake charitable work towards the relief of the victims of natural disasters that may befall in Iligan City and Lanao provinces.
6. To sponsor worthwhile projects for the benefit of the people and environs of Iligan City and Lanao provinces.
7. To preserve the cultural traditions and cherish the heritage of Iligan and Lanao by celebrating social or traditional events as designated by the association. 
8. To welcome dignitaries or visitors coming from Iligan City and Lanao provinces.
9. To spread news of common interest among its members through distribution of newsletters and websites, thereby rekindling their interest and maintain the connection with their former home town or province.
10. To represent their hometown or province in any socio-cultural or other collective activities by Filipino communities or others in New South Wales.

Projects/Events

JULY 2008 As part of its major activity, ILISA collected used or second-hand books from various sources, gathered them all together, packed them up and sent it as donation to the Iligan City Public Library and to the various childcare centers in the poor and far-flung areas of Iligan. 

ILISA members generated funds to cover freight charges for the shipment of the books. The books were well-received by the recipients who were only too glad to get hold of the reading materials, references, etc.

The children were excited to see children's books and were able to read children's stories and meet interesting book characters like Babar, the elephant, Thomas, the tank engine,etc. 

Reactions from the recipients prodded members to do more of this useful activity. ILISA continuously receive books from different generous people like fellow parishioners in the church, colleagues at work, friends and neighbours of different nationalities, etc. 

All of them wanting to share in their own small ways the good things they have which they no longer need and let others in need have it. we thank the generous and kind-hearted and thoughtful folks - education helps to make a happy, peaceful and wonderful world!

History of ILISA 

The group was formed in September 18, 2004 during a celebration of the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of Iligan City. The fiesta was celebrated at the residence of Al and Venus Aranas-Lim, by people from Iligan and Lanao del Norte, who reside from different suburbs of Sydney and the country areas of the state of New South Wales. 

Previously, eight families convened together for the first time in September 2002 at the residence of Al and Venus Aranas-Lim at Glenmore Park NSW, a suburb of western Sydney. The eight families were: Loloy and Lilian Tan, Caesar and Anne Cabides-Paras, Edward and Babie Engracia,, Al and Venus Aranas-Lim, Robert and Nilfa Ambalong, Art and Edith Garsuta, Louis and Alice Ravacio-Lammers and Al and Heidi Nery-Toledo. 

The number of attendees of the fiesta celebration doubled in 2003 and was hosted by Art and Edith Garsuta at their residence in Minchinbury. Plans were made for the annual fiesta celebration in 2004 to include a meeting for the formation of a formal organisation. 

In 2004, the planned meeting convened, led by Anne Cabides-Paras, Edward Engracia and Loloy Tan. 

These three Iliganons drafted a constitution and by-laws. ILNISA was then proposed as an acronym for Iliganon-Lanortehanon in Sydney Australia. Later along the way, the official name was changed to Iliganons Lanaonons in Sydney Australia.