| Nimia L. Lacebal Bloomfield, New Jersey Dynamic Community Leader With A Super-Unique Organizational Skill |
Whenever an upcoming mega-size community event or project is
planned in the diverse and complex Filipino-American
communities in the tri-states of New York, New Jersey, and
Connecticut, somehow, Nimia finds herself either spearheading
the project or chairing one of its most vital committees. The
community have duly recognized her unique organizational skills
and talents. In the past years, she had proven leadership by
looking back at the various successful events that she managed
and chaired. For instance, when the Marcos Regime was
overthrown, the tri-states Filipinos were clearly divided into two
camps: the anti-Marcos and the powerful Marcos loyalists. It was
obvious that the local Philippine Consulate General's staff, as well
as the Consul General, himself, were powerless. Organizing a
June (1986) festivities in commemoration of the Philippine
Independence -- barely less than four months after President
Marcos was deposed from power -- was no means a piece of
cake. Inspite of the difficulties encountered by the organizing
committee for the 1986 Philippine Day celebration, Nimia showed
her loyalty and diligence by participating as a "follower" rather
than an officer. Her low-profile approach paid off. Community
leaders accepted her and clamor to enlist her in various
committees that needed positive results. Community leaders did
planned in the diverse and complex Filipino-American
communities in the tri-states of New York, New Jersey, and
Connecticut, somehow, Nimia finds herself either spearheading
the project or chairing one of its most vital committees. The
community have duly recognized her unique organizational skills
and talents. In the past years, she had proven leadership by
looking back at the various successful events that she managed
and chaired. For instance, when the Marcos Regime was
overthrown, the tri-states Filipinos were clearly divided into two
camps: the anti-Marcos and the powerful Marcos loyalists. It was
obvious that the local Philippine Consulate General's staff, as well
as the Consul General, himself, were powerless. Organizing a
June (1986) festivities in commemoration of the Philippine
Independence -- barely less than four months after President
Marcos was deposed from power -- was no means a piece of
cake. Inspite of the difficulties encountered by the organizing
committee for the 1986 Philippine Day celebration, Nimia showed
her loyalty and diligence by participating as a "follower" rather
than an officer. Her low-profile approach paid off. Community
leaders accepted her and clamor to enlist her in various
committees that needed positive results. Community leaders did
not feel threatened of Nimia. She worked hard and let others take the credit and accolades for her labor.
Without so much fanfare, Nimia introduced and developed cultural and art projects for the community. In
1987, she produced the successful gala concert of Evelyn Mandac, Rowena Ariela, Rene Dalandan, Ariel
Herrera at New York's Merkin Hall. Also, in 1988 and in 1991, Nimia produced the "Gintong Awit, I and II" with
Philippine soprano Gloria Coronel and her accompanying pianist, Julie Mendoza. She was also the
executive producer of a Retrospective Exhibit by Nena Segull, a Paris-based Filipino painter shown at the
Philippine Center Gallery in New York.
"My goal is to present worthy cultural projects to our Fil-Am community so that they can learn to appreciate the
talents of our artists as well as to pave the way for our artists in the Philippines the opportunity to perform
here in New York, the art and cultural capital of the world," explained Nimia.
COORDINATOR FOR PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
Once again, in 1993, Nimia's organizational skills were tested. She was designated by the Philippine
Consulate General of New York to handle the task of over-all coordinator to prepare for the "Working Visit" of
President Fidel Ramos, who had chosen the Big Apple as the main headquarter during his stay in the United
States. Needless to say, activities in New York during the "visit" went smoothly to everyone's surprise. On top
of being the coordinator, Nimia was also elected to be the overall chairperson of the reception and fundraising
for the Philippine First Lady and her Cabinet Ladies Foundation during the "visit" of the President. Incidentally,
Nimia was also instrumental in organizing the Filipino Communities Network during the memorable visits of
former President Corazon Aquino both in 1986 and in 1989.
Looking back at Nimia's active life with the Filipino communities in the tri-states is an interesting study of her
exceptional skills in organizing event or project requiring community leaders to work together, considering
some of the Fil-Am leaders have a mega-size ego as well as the obsession of being chief -- not, following.
Nimia excels in motivating others to act for and on behalf of all. She chaired the difficult task of the 1990 Street
Festival.
Nimia's extra time and efforts are all devoted to the organization she founded, Laguna and Friends, Inc. As its
president, she relentlessly pursues the cultural and charitable objectives of the group. As a non-profit
organization, it showcases Filipino creative and performing artists; maintains charitable projects for the
needy in the Philippines, such as child abuse preventive programs. Laguna Friends, Inc. raises funds for
building school libraries for children, and support the Drum, Bugle and Lyre Corps in Pagsanjan, Laguna.
"Nimia's whole heart is with the Filipino community. She is always willing and able to provide assistance and
lend her organizational skills whenever she is asked," commented Emma Ruth Yulo-Kitiyakara, Tourism
Director of the Philippines based in New York, who worked closely with Nimia's production of a tourism
documentary entitled: "Presentation of Sights and Sounds of Laguna."
Fresh from college, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journa-lism from the Philippine Women's University in
Manila, she joined the Philippine Bureau of Mines in Manila as a geologist, which was far from her original
major as a journalist. After getting her feel in the field of Geology, she joined PWU's faculty staff as Mineralogy
instructor. Awarded a full scholarship from the American Institute of Mining, Petroleum and Metallurgical
Engineers, Nimia came to the United States in 1964 to pursue her Master of Science degree from Columbia
University under a full scholarship program. Completing her MA degree, she continued her education and
took advance courses and technologies from the University of Rochester's Department of Geology and
Geography. After another full-scholarship award from the American Institute of Mining, Petroleum and
Metallurgical Engineers at Columbia University in New York, Nimia completed her degree in Master of
Science in Mining Engineering, Major in Mineral Economics. Opting to stay in America, Nimia was hired as
Research Assistant by AMAX INC. of New York City. Later, she became a consultant on tungsten and
molybdenum for the United Nations Commerce on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Then she transfered
as Mining Engineer and Mineral Economist for E.F. Hutton & Co., afterwards she moved to Shearson
Lehman Hutton, Inc, as a Research and Financial Analyst.
"I decided to be on my own only three years ago. I have full control of my time. With flexible time,I find myself
available to continue to assist various organizations in seeking help to attain their goals in providing
humanitarian services to the less fortunate.
It is truly refreshing to encounter someone who is dedicated and willing to find time and be able to share her
talents and skills for the upliftment of the positive image of the Filipinos.
Nimia is the daughter of Perfecto Lacebal from Santo Tomas, La Union; and the former Catalina Fabella of
Pagsanjan, Laguna. She completed her secondary education from Union College High School, Ellinwood,
Malate, Manila. #
Without so much fanfare, Nimia introduced and developed cultural and art projects for the community. In
1987, she produced the successful gala concert of Evelyn Mandac, Rowena Ariela, Rene Dalandan, Ariel
Herrera at New York's Merkin Hall. Also, in 1988 and in 1991, Nimia produced the "Gintong Awit, I and II" with
Philippine soprano Gloria Coronel and her accompanying pianist, Julie Mendoza. She was also the
executive producer of a Retrospective Exhibit by Nena Segull, a Paris-based Filipino painter shown at the
Philippine Center Gallery in New York.
"My goal is to present worthy cultural projects to our Fil-Am community so that they can learn to appreciate the
talents of our artists as well as to pave the way for our artists in the Philippines the opportunity to perform
here in New York, the art and cultural capital of the world," explained Nimia.
COORDINATOR FOR PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
Once again, in 1993, Nimia's organizational skills were tested. She was designated by the Philippine
Consulate General of New York to handle the task of over-all coordinator to prepare for the "Working Visit" of
President Fidel Ramos, who had chosen the Big Apple as the main headquarter during his stay in the United
States. Needless to say, activities in New York during the "visit" went smoothly to everyone's surprise. On top
of being the coordinator, Nimia was also elected to be the overall chairperson of the reception and fundraising
for the Philippine First Lady and her Cabinet Ladies Foundation during the "visit" of the President. Incidentally,
Nimia was also instrumental in organizing the Filipino Communities Network during the memorable visits of
former President Corazon Aquino both in 1986 and in 1989.
Looking back at Nimia's active life with the Filipino communities in the tri-states is an interesting study of her
exceptional skills in organizing event or project requiring community leaders to work together, considering
some of the Fil-Am leaders have a mega-size ego as well as the obsession of being chief -- not, following.
Nimia excels in motivating others to act for and on behalf of all. She chaired the difficult task of the 1990 Street
Festival.
Nimia's extra time and efforts are all devoted to the organization she founded, Laguna and Friends, Inc. As its
president, she relentlessly pursues the cultural and charitable objectives of the group. As a non-profit
organization, it showcases Filipino creative and performing artists; maintains charitable projects for the
needy in the Philippines, such as child abuse preventive programs. Laguna Friends, Inc. raises funds for
building school libraries for children, and support the Drum, Bugle and Lyre Corps in Pagsanjan, Laguna.
"Nimia's whole heart is with the Filipino community. She is always willing and able to provide assistance and
lend her organizational skills whenever she is asked," commented Emma Ruth Yulo-Kitiyakara, Tourism
Director of the Philippines based in New York, who worked closely with Nimia's production of a tourism
documentary entitled: "Presentation of Sights and Sounds of Laguna."
Fresh from college, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journa-lism from the Philippine Women's University in
Manila, she joined the Philippine Bureau of Mines in Manila as a geologist, which was far from her original
major as a journalist. After getting her feel in the field of Geology, she joined PWU's faculty staff as Mineralogy
instructor. Awarded a full scholarship from the American Institute of Mining, Petroleum and Metallurgical
Engineers, Nimia came to the United States in 1964 to pursue her Master of Science degree from Columbia
University under a full scholarship program. Completing her MA degree, she continued her education and
took advance courses and technologies from the University of Rochester's Department of Geology and
Geography. After another full-scholarship award from the American Institute of Mining, Petroleum and
Metallurgical Engineers at Columbia University in New York, Nimia completed her degree in Master of
Science in Mining Engineering, Major in Mineral Economics. Opting to stay in America, Nimia was hired as
Research Assistant by AMAX INC. of New York City. Later, she became a consultant on tungsten and
molybdenum for the United Nations Commerce on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Then she transfered
as Mining Engineer and Mineral Economist for E.F. Hutton & Co., afterwards she moved to Shearson
Lehman Hutton, Inc, as a Research and Financial Analyst.
"I decided to be on my own only three years ago. I have full control of my time. With flexible time,I find myself
available to continue to assist various organizations in seeking help to attain their goals in providing
humanitarian services to the less fortunate.
It is truly refreshing to encounter someone who is dedicated and willing to find time and be able to share her
talents and skills for the upliftment of the positive image of the Filipinos.
Nimia is the daughter of Perfecto Lacebal from Santo Tomas, La Union; and the former Catalina Fabella of
Pagsanjan, Laguna. She completed her secondary education from Union College High School, Ellinwood,
Malate, Manila. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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