About GMCSA

ABOUT GMCSA

ARTICLE 1 - NAME AND AFFILIATION

SECTION 1: The name of this organization shall be Alpha Theta Omega Fraternity and Sorority - Grand Master’s Chapter in Saudi Arabia (GMCSA), hereinafter referred to as the “Chapter”.

SECTION 2: The Chapter is affiliated with the Alpha Theta Omega Fraternity and Sorority, an intercollegiate and professional organization that was founded and headquartered in the Philippines, hereinafter referred to as the “Organization”.

ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1: The purpose and objectives of the Chapter shall be anchored on three main objectives of the Organization namely; EDUCATION, BROTHERHOOD and SERVICE and summarized as follows;

To help educate the members to be with good character, traits and virtuosity; to develop potentials and preserve ideals by teaching; to provide opportunity for leadership, training and service and to give priority to human and spiritual values rather than to the material values of life.

To develop camaraderie among members and to institutionalize through Alpha Theta Omega by bridging the gaps to all tribes and races toward domestic and international understanding.

To encourage members in the spirit of service for the improvement of human relationship in the community; to develop self-discipline and civic consciousness and to promote the spirit of cooperation among members.

HISTORY AND TIME-LINE OF GMCSA:

Overview:

The Alpha Theta Omega Fraternity and Sorority, a coed inter-collegiate and professional organization was founded in Central Mindanao University (CMU) at Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon on 27 November 1968. All members of Alpha Theta Omega are called Althonians. Chapters of Alpha Theta Omega were then organized and spread in various colleges and universities within Mindanao and Visayas regions.

HISTORY OF GMCSA:

Since the mass migration of skilled workers to Middle East in late 1980’s, it is well known that some ALTHONIANS in Saudi Arabia from the same city or province in the Philippines were meeting each other in small groups but they did not formally organize themselves.

A chapter of Alpha Theta Omega was formally organized in Jubail, Saudi Arabia on 27 November 2003 with just six (6) founding members. The elected founding Supreme Grand Altho (SGA) was Brod Fernando Adem and held the post until 2007. The newly organized chapter was called Grand Masters’ Chapter in Saudi Arabia (GMCSA).

The founding member of GMCSA; (L-R) Brods Fernando Tumang, Mateo Oliveros, Jonathan Yaun, Leonardo Alfeche, Fernando Adem and Restituto Lucas

From the humble beginning and determination of the founding members, GMCSA had grown and established itself as the leading Grand Master Chapter of Alpha Theta Omega and instilled the basic objectives of our organization to our chapter members; EDUCATION, BROTHERHOOD and SERVICE.

Time-Line of GMCSA:

Date	Highlights
2003 Nov. 27	Grand Masters’ Chapter in Saudi Arabia (GMCSA) was formally organized in Jubail, Saudi Arabia during the 35^th Founding Anniversary of the organization with just six (6) members. Brod Fernan Adem serves for two (2) terms as SGA until April 2007.
2006 Mar. 10	Chapter members and family held an excursion at Red Sand and Hidden Valley near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2006 Oct. 27	Chapter members and family held an excursion and plant visit to Al Safi Danone farm in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, courtesy of Brod Benhur Biruar.
2007 Apr. 27	The 3^rd election of officers was held. Brod Leonardo Alfeche, one of the founding members of GMCSA was elected as SGA.
2007 Jun. 8	The 3^rd Induction of the new set of officers was held at an Estiraha near Exit 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia SGA: Brod Leonardo “Jun” Alfeche SVGA: Brod Saadoddin “Adon” Taha SKS: Brod Reynaldo “Rey” Bansuelo SSF: Brod Earl Warren Q. Briones SCW: Brod Ronald Canete SRF: Brod. Ben-hur Biruar Adviser: Brod Fernan Adem
2007 Aug. 17	The Chapter members during its regular meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia approved unanimously the chapter’s Constitution and By-Laws.
2007 Sep. 7	The Chapter members agreed to submit to the Philippine Embassy the chapter’s credentials for accreditation. The application for registration was approved by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and was given with the certificate on 28 September 2007.
2007 Nov. 27	The chapter celebrates the 39^th founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. Celebration was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2007 Dec. 26	The GMCSA was awarded with Charter Grant # ATO-2007-002 by the National Office of Alpha Theta Omega.
2008 Aug. 15	During the typhoon “Frank” incident in the Philippines in 2008, the Chapter spearheaded a cash donation campaign from kababayans in Saudi Arabia. Pictured here is the turn-over of the cash donation from some workers of ABB in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to the chapter Adviser, Brod Fernan Adem. Total cash donated through the Philippine Embassy by GMCSA was 2,017. SAR. (Phil. Embassy letter ref. # LOC-2053/2008 DATED 20 Sep. 2008)
2008 Nov.	A reinforced “Althonians Wings” join SACO 5^th Invitation Basketball Tournament (5’ 10” below) and won 3^rd runner up. To show support and camaraderie for the chapter, some brothers travelled from Dammam to Riyadh just to attend and play during the tournament.
2008 Nov. 26	The Grand Masters’ Chapter of Saudi Arabia (GMCSA) was awarded with a Presidential Award as “Model Chapter” during the 8^th National Convention of Alpha Theta Omega in Davao City. The Adviser of GMCSA, Brod Fernando Adem was given also a Presidential Award on same occasion.
2008 Dec. 9	The chapter celebrates the 40^th founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. Celebration was held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. On same occasion, the 4^th election of new set of officers was held.
2009 Apr. 24	The oath taking and turn-over ceremony was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. SGA: Brod Raniel Dormitorio (went home on Exit-visa only) =replaced by Brod Jun Cabudoy SVGA: Brod El dela Cruz (went home on Exit-visa only) =replaced by Brod Rufino Sinodivila SKS: Brod Tong Usman Karim SSF: Brod Marven Tebar SCW: Brod Mark Albert Lodovice SRF: Sis Monica Muscad SSP: Brod Arnold Apolinares SWJ: Brod Saadoddin Taha Adviser: Brod Fernan Adem
2009 June 29	The Certificate of Registration of Alpha Theta Omega – GMCSA with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh was renewed on 29 June 2009.
2009 Oct. 20	During the typhoon “ONDOY” incident in the Philippines in 2009, the Chapter spearheaded a cash donation campaign from kababayans in Saudi Arabia. The cash donation was handed to the officials of the Phil. Embassy in Riyadh by Brod Jun Alfeche. Total cash donated through the Philippine Embassy by GMCSA was 970. SAR. (PR/FSO Official Receipt # 4326574 dated 20 Oct. 2009)
2009 Nov. 27	The Chapter celebrated the 41^st founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. Celebration was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On same occasion, the 5^th election of new set of officers was held.
2010 Apr. 16	The 5^th Induction of officers and turn-over ceremony was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Inducting Officer and Guest Speaker was H.E. Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor of the Phil. Embassy in Riyadh. SGA: Brod Rufino Sinodivila SVGA: Brod Timmy Daamo SKS: Brod Tong Usman Karim SSF: Brod Marven Tebar SRF: Brod Hernando Bullo SSP: Brod Ramon Gumapon SWJ: Brod mark Albert Lodovice Adviser: Brod Fernan Adem
2010 Aug. 29	The Certificate of Registration of Alpha Theta Omega – GMCSA with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh was renewed on 29 August 2010.
2010 Nov. 16	The Chapter celebrated the 42^nd founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. Celebration was held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. On same occasion, the 6^th election of new set of officers was held.
2010 Nov. 27	The Grand Masters’ Chapter of Saudi Arabia (GMCSA) was awarded as “Outstanding Regional Unified Chapter” during the 9^th National Convention of Alpha Theta Omega in Gen. Santos City on 27 November 2010. The Adviser of GMCSA, Brod Fernando Adem was given also a Certificate of Appreciation on same occasion.
2011 Jan. 9	GMCSA participates on activities sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Among them was attending the fact-finding visit to Saudi Arabia of Rep. Walden Bello, Rep. Zamora-Apsay, Rep. Aglipay and Rep. Paez on January 2011. GMCSA was represented by Brod Fernan Adem and Marven Tebar.
2011 Apr. 1	As a recognized Phil. Organization, GMCSA official representatives attended during the visit of H.E. Vice-President Jejomar Binay to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 1 April 2011. GMCSA was represented by Brods Rufino Sinodivila Jr., Fernan Adem and Marven Tebar.
2011 Apr. 15	The 6^th Induction of officers and turn-over ceremony was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at White Palace Hotel. The Inducting Officer and Guest Speaker was Hon. Albert Valenciano, the Labor Attaché of the Phil. Embassy in Riyadh. SGA: Brod Rufino Sinodivila SVGA: Brod Tong Usman Karim SKS: Brod Timmy Daamo SSF: Brod Fernando Adem SCW: Brod Marven Tebar SRF: Brod Saadoddin Taha SSP: Brod Mark Albert Lodovice SWJ: Brod Rosalito Crispo Adviser: Brod Jun Cabudoy
2011 Sep. 1	The Chapter celebrated in advance the 43^rd founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. The celebration was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at Red Sand and Hidden Valley.
2011 Nov. 26	The Chapter members in Jeddah (Western Region) celebrated the 43^rd founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. The celebration was held at Corniche (Obhur), Jeddah.
2011 Nov. 26	The Chapter members in Dammam and Al Khobar (Eastern Region) celebrated the 43^rd founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. The celebration was held in a residence.
2011 Nov. 26	The Chapter members in Riyadh (Central Region) celebrated the 43^rd founding anniversary of the fraternity/sorority. The celebration was held in Al Hair area.