Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai has been re-elected as the President of the Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association (M.B.O.P.A.) for the next twelve months. 

Tuatagaloa and the executive committee members were re-elected during the Association’s annual general meeting (A.G.M.) on Friday at Alafua.

Tuatagaloa Shane Wulf, as the lawyer for M.B.O.P.A., was appointed to oversee and conduct the elections.

However, the members of M.B.O.P.A. unanimously moved the motion for the incumbent executive committee to continue.

Their uniform and their signet ring for their 130th anniversary celebration in September were also launched during the A.G.M.

The executive committee consists of Leituala N. Joe Chan Ting as Vice President, Fuiono James Westerlund as General Secretary, Leota Tuivaiave Maletino as Treasurer, Asuao Vou Asuao as Assistant Secretary and Tevaga Viane Tagiilima as Assistant Treasurer.

Tuatagaloa Aumua said the focus of the executive in the coming months is the celebration of their 130 years anniversary to be held on September 13-16. 

“I return all the glory to God for the trust and confidence shown by our Marist fraternity by re-electing me and my executive to continue to serve M.B.O.P.A. for another year,” he said.

“We will continue to do our best so we can take M.B.O.P.A. to the next level and provide the necessary support to our Marist schools in Samoa.”

“Part of the anniversary celebrations will be an awards ball where 15 Marist Excellence Service Awards will be given out for the first time to recognise and honour members of the Marist fraternity (both past and present) whose service to M.B.O.P.A. and Samoa have been outstanding. 

“A recitation booklet is currently being compiled in respect of those who will be receiving awards.”

According to the President’s report, the hope is for the commemoration to be held every five years.

The Marist Forum, to be led by Leituala Joe Chan Ting and Peseta Dr. Desmond Lee Hang, will provide a platform for the members to assess where they are and to come up with goals that will guide the strategic direction of M.B.O.P.A. and its affiliates and outline M.B.O.P.A’s mode of future assistance to Marist schools in Samoa. 

Other activities included during their 130 years celebration include a mass, tree planting, opening cocktail, sports day, toonai, etc. 

There will also be the “Au ole Paipa” function by 4SJC88 (Form 4, St Joseph’s College, 1988) to celebrate the restoration of the Br Hilary Memorial Fountain, which used to quench the thirst of everyone on the Eastern side of the town of Apia.

The uniform and the signet rings were designed by Leota Lene Leota of Siva Afi and thank you to Gerwin Polu, the President’s report said.