by Fredalynn Mortera Hecita, KUAM News Saturday, January 07, 2006 E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

Zambales is one of the earliest provinces in the Philippines created during the Spanish rule. Its beautiful mountain ranges occupy 60% of the total land area with its western side surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of vast China Sea. Its earliest inhabitants, the Zambals, were referred to as Sambali from the Malay word "samba", meaning worship.

Former president of the original Zambales Family Association of Guam Zeny Pilarca says Zambales is famous for several things: its sweet mangoes, fine beaches, and friendly people. "People are coming there because of the beautiful scenery and in fact some films have also been done in Zambales. Also the People are very nice they are warm very giving and very hospitable," she said.

Once the site of the biggest United States naval base in Asia, Pilarca says the Subic Bay freeport zone gave way to the expansion of the economy through industry and tourism. "The Olangopao which is part of also the Subic and that's the first part of Zambales but then because of the military stations there it became big it developed into a city," she said.

During the late 60's local Zambales started the Zambales Association of Guam and then in 1997 the original Zambales Family Association of Guam was founded. "We have our first president was Roger and we have mostly the members of the original Zambales Family Association of Guam which is around more than 40 family members," she said.

For the past eight years the original Zambales family association of Guam has made it their goal to help the community they've raise funds for worthwhile organizations and programs to benefit the American Red Cross, the Guam Community College and the University of Guam scholarship funds. "We are concentrated on the helping families in time of their needs like some calamities happen to them loss in the families, loss from typhoon," she said.

On Friday dozens of members came out to the reef hotel for the induction of their newly elected officers and board of directors. "My husband the president and the officers and the board of directors would be inducted tonight the officiating inductee tonight is Senator Eddie Calvo," she said.

With the induction of officers the Zamables original Family Association of Guam it marks another prosperous year of giving to the community of Guam.