DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                               Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-947-05                                                                                                                                                                             26  January 2005

MRS. LOVELY ROMULO ASSUMES INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR FOUNDATION  CHAIRMANSHIP

26 January 2005 - Mrs. Rosie Lovely Romulo, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, assumed the chairmanship of the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) yesterday,25 January 2005, at the  turnover rites and annual General Meeting held at the DFA Building in Pasay City.

Mrs. Susana V. Ople, former chairperson of the IBF, handed to Mrs. Romulo the IBF flag and the status report of the Foundation.

"I feel honored to follow the footsteps of all the First Ladies of the DFA, which began with the vision of its founder, Mrs. Angela Valdez Ramos," Mrs. Romulo said in her acceptance message.  She extolled the vision of humanitarian assistance of the group of women volunteers committed to improve the lives of the less fortunate.

At the general meeting, the nominations of the following members of the Board of Trustees were also confirmed:  Mesdames Jane Abacan, Julia Heidemann, Ruth Morales Prado, Delia Rosal, Sylvia Farolan, and Nora Salazar.  Major committees were formed to implement the programs of the Foundation in the fields of education, medical, livelihood, and finance.  END
 

/jay