TACLOBAN CITY - After years of hibernation, the Katig-uban Samareños Ha Leyte (KASALE) has been reorganized "to strengthen (further the) unity and common bond of Samareños in Leyte," said the group's elected president, Commissioner Aurelio "Aurel" Menzon of the National Labor Relations Commission.

According to Menzon, a native of Lapinig, Northern Samar, with the reorganization of the KASALE, it will not just be a mere social club but with a focus and determined vision that will benefit over 100,000 Samareños who chose to live in Leyte.

"In fact, under my stewardship, we plan to put up a cooperative for our members. And we are thankful that Secretary (Victor) Domingo is there to help us provide the seed money," Menzon told Leyte Samar Daily Express, referring to the presidential assistant for Eastern Visayas.

Domingo was also named as among KASALE's advisers together with Dalmacio "Massey" Grafil, publisher of Leyte Samar Daily Express. The other advisers of the group are Rosario Badar, Nydia Yap, Roger Acidre, Martina Reyna, Maxima Orejola Uyping, and Judge Carmelita Cuares.

The KASALE was reorganized last June 16 which resulted to the election of Commissioner Menzon, who was once the vice governor of Leyte, as its president. The group, organized way back in 1986, elected three vice presidents.

Menzon admitted to Express that they will be taking some steps to separate the organization from being political.

 "We are not a political organization. That is why this early, we are making sure to insulate KASALE from any political bias. Of course, we will give recognition to politicians who made outstanding contributions…," Menzon said.

He said that on October 13, the group is to honor some outstanding personalities from the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Among those to the honored are television stars Boy Abunda and Tessie Tomas and Supreme Court Justice Eduardo Antonio Nachura, among others.    

The newly-elected KASALE president also said that the group will not just be a mere social club but with a purpose. Aside from strengthening the unity and common bonds of Samareños in Leyte, the group has the following purposes: provide social services to less fortunate Samareños; strengthen culture and traditions of the province, and provide economic and livelihood projects for the less fortunate members of the KASALE.    
 
Lawyer Vicente Reyes was elected as vice president for Samar; Director Antonio Pagatpat of the National Bureau of Investigation for Eastern Samar and Engr. Dan Tentativa for Northern Samar.

Also elected were Rebecca Rosales Ada (secretary); Maridyl Uy (assistant secretary); Naty Sy (treasurer); Arlita Lumiares (assistant treasurer); Ireneo Escobar, Jr. (auditor) and Joey Clarin (business manager).

Elected as information officers were Niel Glova, Bert Ada, Kevin Siosana and Edson Piczon. Glova, Ada and Siosana are among the region's most well-known and respected radio and print journalists while Piczon is among the country's most popular sports annotators.

The group also elected board of directors representing the provinces of Samar; Eastern Samar and Northern Samar during their June 16 reorganizational meeting.