JEDDAH, 10 June 2004 — The Maranao cultural organization Shakba International, which recently enthralled the Filipino community with a Kalilang festival in honor of the new Philippine consul general in Jeddah and induction of incoming officers, has announced a set of livelihood and computer literacy seminars for the summer.
Drawing from its pool of professionals, the seminars will cover livelihood projects and prospects for members here and in the Philippines, according to Abdul Malik Bayabao, the newly inducted Shakba president. He added that the computer literacy course for members, which will be under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate General in conjunction with the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA), will be open to the Filipino community in general and will be conducted by Shakba members. The program will offer beginner courses as well as advanced courses in networking and telephony, computer aided-design and 3-dimensional modeling.
Bayabao added that the Shakba, fresh from its mobilization after its members moved to support consular initiatives in the aftermath of the national election, intends to keep the group’s momentum with seminars.
Aside from Bayabao, the other Shakba officers are Abdullah Mindalano (Internal VP), Motalib Pango (External VP), Abdul Malik Tagoranao (Secretary), Ibrahim Pango (Treasurer), Omar Alip (Assistant Treasurer), Acmad Marangit (Auditor), Saddat Alonto (PRO), Cosain Dimal (Marketing) and Rasul Tempo (Business Manager).
Bayabao also said that the Shakba leadership is extending its public apology to Mohd. Noordin Pendosina Lomondot over the inadvertent release of its souvenir book, which contained errors in the consul general’s message.
He said the typographical errors could not be avoided in view of the time constraints in the printing of the souvenir book, which were never meant to be distributed.