Bongalos is certified archivist!

The Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) welcomes and congratulates Florbella Bongalos, a member of the DLSU Co-Academic Personnel (CAP) assigned at the Archives, Library, for passing the 2014 archival certification examination, held at  New York University, New York on 13 August 2014.   Bongalos currently becomes the first and only Filipino certified archivist by passing the ACA certification examination.

As a new member of the Academy, Bongalos is encouraged to assist in ACA’s continuing effort to promote archival certification.  As a first step, she is “to use the “CA” designation with her name on business cards, on correspondence, and in various directories”. 

The Academy of Certified Archivists, founded in 1989 at the annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists (SAA), is an independent, nonprofit certifying organization of professional archivists.  Individual members qualify for certification by meeting a series of defined professional standards. They have either passed the examination for Certified Archivist, first offered in September 1989, or have qualified by petition for Certified Archivist.  The petition program was closed in September 1989.  Today, archivists can become certified only by meeting educational and experience requirements and passing the archival certification examination. (www.certifiedarchivists.org)  

Since the creation of ACA, more than 1,000 archivists have qualified for certification by meeting a series of defined professional standards.  Members are certified for a five-year period.  Renewal depends on continuing professional involvement and growth.  The Academy participates vigorously in the definition and advancement of professional archival education, concepts, and issues.  It strives to identify and promote understanding of archival goals, ethics, and standards.  Working with other regional, national, and international archival organizations, the ACA strengthens and advances all levels of archival expertise.  Academy members have demonstrated a high level of continuing professional commitment.  They are proficient with all aspects of archives management, have experience with all types of documents, and work for a variety of organizations.  (www.caphill.com)

Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists (SAA) is North America's oldest and largest national archival professional association, with the vision of enabling archivists to achieve professional excellence and foster innovation to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of enduring value.   SAA today numbers approximately 5,000 individual and 650 institutional members.  The Society maintains offices in Chicago's Loop. (www2.archivists.org).

Bongalos became a member of the National Committee on Archives of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCA-NCCA) from 2008 to 2012.  She is currently a member of the Society of American Archivist (SAA).  Bongalos graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree major in History from Silliman University, Dumaguete City;  a Master of Library Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2003; and  landed 1^st placer in the 2006 Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) examination in 2006, together with Cristina Palbusa, née Nabaunag.