| Bernabe "Ben" Gupit Staten Island, New York A Super-Active Community Leader A Man Of Vision And Dreams For The Filipino Youth |
For the Filipino Youth , he is the Man of Vision and Dreams. "The
pursuit of excellence begins with a dream and ends with making
the dream a reality."
This is Bernabe Maranan Gupit, the "unofficial and undisputed
Filipino Mayor" of more than 3500 Filipino residents in Staten
Island, New York. His visions are centered on the betterment of
our youth through education, culture, and community service.
This humble, broadminded, iron hearted, former US Coast Chief
is presently on his second term as President of the Philippine-
American Civic and Cultural Community of Staten Island
(PACCCSI), an organization that is doing something to preserve
our Filipino-American heritage, through a united spirit of
"bayanihan" whereby an effective program of Filipino concerns are
being addressed. The organization through the leadership of
Ben, has done numerous fund raising events for both charity and
disaster relief in the Philippines. Similarly they sponsor religious ,
civic, and sport activities, youth development programs, and an
endowed scholarship fund at the College of Staten Island of New
York.
pursuit of excellence begins with a dream and ends with making
the dream a reality."
This is Bernabe Maranan Gupit, the "unofficial and undisputed
Filipino Mayor" of more than 3500 Filipino residents in Staten
Island, New York. His visions are centered on the betterment of
our youth through education, culture, and community service.
This humble, broadminded, iron hearted, former US Coast Chief
is presently on his second term as President of the Philippine-
American Civic and Cultural Community of Staten Island
(PACCCSI), an organization that is doing something to preserve
our Filipino-American heritage, through a united spirit of
"bayanihan" whereby an effective program of Filipino concerns are
being addressed. The organization through the leadership of
Ben, has done numerous fund raising events for both charity and
disaster relief in the Philippines. Similarly they sponsor religious ,
civic, and sport activities, youth development programs, and an
endowed scholarship fund at the College of Staten Island of New
York.
Ben hailed from Paharang, Batangas City, Philippines. He is the third child of Feliciano and Manuela Gupit of
the same barrio. Ben joined the US Coast in 1956 and rose to the rank of Chief Yeoman, and Chief of Military
Personnel and Office Services of a Coast Unit which he retained until his retirement in 1977. Aware of the
Filipino status in the Coast Guard Base on Governor's Island, New York, he was instrumental in founding the
Phil-Am community of Governors Island, an organization of Coast Guard families with the purpose of uniting
and elevating the excellent reputation of the Filipinos in the Community. In the pursuit of academic
excellence, Ben completed his Associate in Applied Science degree and his Bachelor in Economics and
Business Administration at the College of Staten Island. At a special convocation, he was awarded the
Dolphin Award by his Alma Mater for his outstanding community involvement.
In 1988, he joined Dr. E. Gary Villanueva in founding the United Asian Lions Club chapter of the Lions Clubs
International of District 20-R2. Here he showed qualities of humanitarian pursuit, as he played an active role
in the Sight First Project and the Drug Awareness Program. His dedication to Lionistic excellence earned him
the LION OF THE YEAR AWARD, two times. He rose to the Presidency of the Lions Club whereby he became
involved with the District International Understanding and Peace Poster Contest. His constant leadership
earned him the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest honor from Lions Club International. At present,
he is the Zone Chairman of the Multiple Lions Club of New York and Bermuda, District 20-R2 and a Board
Member of the Asian American Coalition of Staten Island.
As an Advisor of the Philippine Junior Science League in America, an organization of Filipino American High
School Students in greater New York, he actively participated in their seminars, and debates on
socio-economic issues including Drug Awareness, aids and Prevention and Family values.
In 1991 he was elected President of PACCCSI. He spearheaded the Filipino involvement in the International
Festival of the Borough and that of the College of Staten Island whereby the fund earned is used for
scholarship. His reelection recently as a second term President is a true testimonial that he is a respected
leader of Filipinos in Staten Island.
His leadership and numerous involvement in community work have earned him the Heroes Award from NY
State Legislature Award by NY State Assemblyman Robert Straniere and another from the Controller of the
City of New York for his Job and Business fairs for Asians. The Center of Migration Studies and several other
local organizations have similarly awarded Ben for his unending service. Ben is a subject of reference as his
biography is included in the WHO'S WHO AMONG ASIAN-AMERICANS.
Ben is married to the former Lydia Aclan, a bank employee at J.P. Morgan Trust Company and they have two
lovely daughters, Grace, married to Flodoir Pe, and Bernardine, married to John Camuso. Ben and Lydia
have 3 grandsons, Freddie and Gerald Pe, and John Bernabe Camuso. The 4th grandchild is expected in
December 1994 . Ben has been a resident of Staten Island , NY for over 25 years.#
the same barrio. Ben joined the US Coast in 1956 and rose to the rank of Chief Yeoman, and Chief of Military
Personnel and Office Services of a Coast Unit which he retained until his retirement in 1977. Aware of the
Filipino status in the Coast Guard Base on Governor's Island, New York, he was instrumental in founding the
Phil-Am community of Governors Island, an organization of Coast Guard families with the purpose of uniting
and elevating the excellent reputation of the Filipinos in the Community. In the pursuit of academic
excellence, Ben completed his Associate in Applied Science degree and his Bachelor in Economics and
Business Administration at the College of Staten Island. At a special convocation, he was awarded the
Dolphin Award by his Alma Mater for his outstanding community involvement.
In 1988, he joined Dr. E. Gary Villanueva in founding the United Asian Lions Club chapter of the Lions Clubs
International of District 20-R2. Here he showed qualities of humanitarian pursuit, as he played an active role
in the Sight First Project and the Drug Awareness Program. His dedication to Lionistic excellence earned him
the LION OF THE YEAR AWARD, two times. He rose to the Presidency of the Lions Club whereby he became
involved with the District International Understanding and Peace Poster Contest. His constant leadership
earned him the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest honor from Lions Club International. At present,
he is the Zone Chairman of the Multiple Lions Club of New York and Bermuda, District 20-R2 and a Board
Member of the Asian American Coalition of Staten Island.
As an Advisor of the Philippine Junior Science League in America, an organization of Filipino American High
School Students in greater New York, he actively participated in their seminars, and debates on
socio-economic issues including Drug Awareness, aids and Prevention and Family values.
In 1991 he was elected President of PACCCSI. He spearheaded the Filipino involvement in the International
Festival of the Borough and that of the College of Staten Island whereby the fund earned is used for
scholarship. His reelection recently as a second term President is a true testimonial that he is a respected
leader of Filipinos in Staten Island.
His leadership and numerous involvement in community work have earned him the Heroes Award from NY
State Legislature Award by NY State Assemblyman Robert Straniere and another from the Controller of the
City of New York for his Job and Business fairs for Asians. The Center of Migration Studies and several other
local organizations have similarly awarded Ben for his unending service. Ben is a subject of reference as his
biography is included in the WHO'S WHO AMONG ASIAN-AMERICANS.
Ben is married to the former Lydia Aclan, a bank employee at J.P. Morgan Trust Company and they have two
lovely daughters, Grace, married to Flodoir Pe, and Bernardine, married to John Camuso. Ben and Lydia
have 3 grandsons, Freddie and Gerald Pe, and John Bernabe Camuso. The 4th grandchild is expected in
December 1994 . Ben has been a resident of Staten Island , NY for over 25 years.#
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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