NASDI's history
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"save me a dream".........
"Remember, life is never as it seems; dream".....
The Naic Association of San Diego, Inc. was conceived through the foresightedness of four
pioneering and dedicated ladies: Eden Guevarra, Bing Espineli, Oning Camilo and Chitang
Pinpin. They were painfully aware that the few families from Naic in San Diego needed
something so that at least they can get together once a year and exchange news from
home. A simple potluck was planned to coincide with the town fiesta in Naic. Telephones
started buzzing to invite known Naicans to come. On December 11, 1972, the first mass in
honor of Naic's patron saint, The Immaculate Conception was celebrated in San Diego at the
Saint Anthony's Parish. The affair was a tremendous success. Everyone was so excited on
the turn out and seeing each other, that they all agreed to hold another "fiesta" the
following year.
On December 8, 1973, the second Naic town fiesta in San Diego was held and mass services
were performed at Saint Mary's Church in National City . Many families came - some arrived
from Long Beach , Los Angeles and Oxnard . Everyone really enjoyed the camaraderie and
were elated to hear news from "home" and from one another. It was perceived at this time
that we need something to bind us together. Those present decided to form an organization
and the first body of "quasi" officials was appointed to lead and direct the activities of the
group. It was also agreed upon to hold a summer picnic annually so that we can experience
the happiness of seeing one another more often. Because there were only a few family
members, the planning of activities were held at Roca Park in Chula Vista . The "elders" of
the group from San Diego and Long Beach agreed to alternate celebrating the fiesta and
picnic. However, after the first year, it was evident that the arrangement is not feasible due
to the distance between the two sites, so it was decided each city will hold its own and
families from San Diego may attend the affairs in Long Beach if desired, and vice versa.
When Roca Park became too small for the families attending, the picnic site was shifted to
Admiral Baker's Field Recreation Center in Mission George and lately at the Naval Air Station
in Miramar . The celebration of the town fiesta remains at the Saint John of the Cross Church
Hall in Lemon Grove . The number of family members have increased from less than a dozen
to approximately two hundred.
Through the efforts of Ed Cena and Pepe Leano, who collaborated and wrote the
Constitution and By Laws, the Naic Association of San Diego, Inc. was registered with the
State of California and became a "legal" non-profit organization in 1988. Since inception, the
organization has had many leaders who took the organization to its present high standing
among the Filipino organizations in San Diego . Two of the many accomplishments of the
Association during the past 20 years are the donation of an organ to the Naic Parish and
awarding 32 scholarships to indigent students from Naic. The first batch of these scholars
graduated from high school in 1993. The organization is involved in many civic projects such
as blood donations to the Blood Bank of San Diego for members of the association. The most
important of all is the spirit of cooperation the organization has instilled among member
families and individuals. With the attitude and "esprit de corps" the members have exhibited,
the Naic Association of San Diego, Inc. will be among those looked up to in preserving the
culture and heritage of our people.
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