The Filipino Day in Vaughan to commemorate the 119^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence was celebrated on Sunday, June 11, 2017. The Philippine flag was officially raised at 10:30 a.m. at the Courtyard of Vaughan City Hall. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council:  Deputy Mayor  Mario Ferri, Regional Councillor Gino Rosati; Councillors Alan Shefman, Marilyn Iafrate, Rosanna DeFrancesca, Sandra Racco  attended the Flag Raising.  Also attended the ceremony were Rosita Prospero, Consul General, Philippine Consulate, Bernadette Fernandez, Deputy Consul General; Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., MP for Thornhill; Deb Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan, Francesco Sorbara, MP Vaughan-Woodbridge; Gila Martow, MPP for Thornhill; Miriam Ku, outreach advisor to Patrick Brown, Ontario P.C. Leader; Stephen Lecce, MPP PC candidate for King-Vaughan, members of law enforcement and members of media.

Mayor Bevilacqua delivered greetings in behalf of the City of Vaughan and awarded a plaque on the occasion of the 119^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence to the Filipino Planning Committee

Consul General Prospero delivered an inspiring message about the Philippines; Hon. Peter Kent, delivered greetings from the PC party of Canada whereas MPs Deb Schulte and Francesco Sorbara delivered messages from the Liberal party. MP Schulte also gave a plaque to the Planning Committee.  As well, MPP Gila Martow delivered a message from Patrick Brown, leader Ontario PC.  She also gave a plaque to the Planning Committee. There was also a message read by Mrs. Monina Lim from the Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Following the speeches by dignitaries were entertainment and lunch featuring Filipino food. The Paschal Strings sang O Canada, Pilipinas Kung Mahal and We Say Mabuhay; the St. Paschal Choir sang Lupang Hinirang and performed Choral Presentation; The Fairhavens Adventist Church performed dance on the bench and the Solid Rock Indigenous performed cultural dance. The celebration was graced by Little Princess 2016 Nazca Castillo and her entourage. The Filipino Day was also attended by community groups and leaders in the community:  Mabuhay Lions Club members and pres Eliseo Galindo; Mrs. Yolanda Ladines, pres MFFC; Mrs. Monina Lim, pres Scarborough FFC; Loo, publisher of  of Filipiniana newspaper;  Ramon Datol, Philippine Courier  and residents of the City of Vaughan.

The City of Vaughan has been declaring Filipino Day in Vaughan to celebrate the Philippine Independence since 2004. This celebration is especially meaningful because the City of Vaughan is a sister city of Baguio.  Vaughan is also the home more than 10000 hard-working Filipinos and a growing Filipino community.

In her closing remarks, Erlinda Insigne, pres FCAV thank Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council for declaring Filipino Day again this year and for their continuous support for the growing Filipino community in Vaughan.  She emphasized that “Only together, can we make the Filipino Day in Vaughan happen”.

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 The celebration was successful due to the coordinated efforts the Planning Committee namely:  Erlinda Insigne, pres, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV);  Deanna Patawaran, director, FCAV;  Leonina Magtibay, The Paschal Strings / St. Paschal Choir; Pastor Jess Agol, Fairhavens Filipino Adventist Church;  Miriam Fangot, Solid Rock Indigenous; Nestor Von Canton and Joey Abrenilla, Pinoy Radio Inc. / MCBN.

                                                                  INVITATION

JOIN US AT OFFICIAL FLAG RAISING TO CELEBRATE THE

119th ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

WHEN:         Sunday, June 11, 2017, 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Photo opportunity at 10:00am.

WHERE:       Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive – at flagpoles near front entrance.

WHAT:         To commemorate the 119th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, the City of Vaughan will      officially fly the Filipino flag and recognize June 11 as Filipino Day. The City of Vaughan is a twin city of Baguio, Philippines. Following the flag raising, program and entertainment will be held at the Courtyard followed by lunch featuring Filipino food.

WHO:        Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C., Mayor and Members of Council
Hon. Rosalita Prospero, Consul General, Philippine Consulate, Toronto
Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., Member of Parliament, Thornhill
Deborah Schulte, Member of Parliament, King-Vaughan
Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament, Vaughan-Woodbridge
Gila Martow, Member of Provincial Parliament, Thornhill
Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan
The Paschal Strings / Choir

Filipino Adventist Church
Solid Rock Indigenous Group
Pinoy Radio Inc./MCBN
Maple Baptist Church
Residents and Community Groups           

   Contact:      Linda 4166704498;   Deanna 6479681545;   Jackie 4167329119

The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) is hosting a B2B Spring Event on Saturday,April 22, 2017, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Patricia Kemp Community Centre, 7894 Dufferin Street, Vaughan, ON, L4K 1R6.

It is an opportunity for anyone to promote his/her business. There will be vendors selling products like Filipino food (siopao, siomai), clothing, jewelry, health products, real estate, mortgage, financial planning, networking, etc.

Speaker:  Consul Edna May Lazaro, Philippine Consulate, Toronto

Topics include: Philippine Rights, Dual Citizenship, Business Opportunities and more.

Bring your family and friends. Cost is FREE.

Please share with friends: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn, Twitter, email.

For more information, please contact:

Erlinda Insigne, email: fcav@rogers.com, phone: 905-881-4600, cell: 4166704498

Deanna Patawaran, email: dpatarawan@springhillsuite4svaughana.com

On December 3, the members of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) celebrated Christmas and took time to appreciate the blessings that they enjoy over the years. They have been fortunate to have Patricia Kemp Community Centre leased by the City of Vaughan for their use and other community use in the next 20 years.

The climax of the celebration was the recognition of the First Honourary FCAV Member which was awarded to Mr. Frank Miele, former City of Vaughan Commissioner of Economic Development who was instrumental in the successful twinning project between Vaughan and Baguio in 1997, and has since contributed countless volunteer hours to the FCAV as its trusted advisor for numerous infrastructure projects, government applications, special fundraising events s and other project management activities of FCAV.

Mr. Miele is the first recipient of this prestigious award and he will enjoy, among others, a free lifetime FCAV membership.

On October 22, 2016, the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) celebrated the Official Reopening of Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC).  At the same time, FCAV commemorated the 19^th Anniversary of Twinning between the City of Vaughan (Canada) and Baguio City (Philippines).

The event took place at PKCC, 7894 Dufferin St., Vaughan, on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 at 2-6 p.m. There was ribbon cutting, live entertainment, facility tour, vendors and food.

The occasion was attended by the Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor City of Vaughan and Members of Council, Hon.  Peter Kent, MP for Thornhill, MPP Gila Martow, FCAV members, Frank Miele, Stephen Lecce and the community at large.

For the past two years, FCAV has been diligently renovating PKCC to provide services to the community at large. As part of their lease agreement with the City of Vaughan, FCAV has spent over $275,000 to date in improving PK’s accessibility for our community including a new elevator, a new universal washroom, a renovated kitchen, new air conditioning for the gym and many other smaller capital projects. Erlinda Insigne, president FCAV, noted that it has been a difficult two years but through a lot of hard work, they did it.

FCAV procured a 20-year lease of PKCC from the City of Vaughan after a long period of negotiation. PKCC is the home of FCAV; a building where the activities of the Friendship Agreement take place; an office of Glen Shields Soccer Club who is a sub-tenant; a practice facility of Philippine Heritage Band who is a sub-tenant and a Centre for the community at large.

Likewise, for the past 19 years, FCAV has been promoting the objectives of the Friendship Agreement, namely, cultural, social, educational exchanges and economic opportunities between the two sister cities – Vaughan and Baguio. FCAV was instrumental in the realization of the Friendship Agreement. On October 22, a business delegation headed by Cora dela Cruz, executive director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines visited Vaughan to explore the aquaculture industry.

FCAV thank Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council for their support; MP Kent for assisting the elevator grant; MPP Gila Martow for helping in the OTF grant; donors and volunteers for their extraordinary support.

FCAV also thank its Board of Directors who support its president all the way particularly to Frank Miele, project leader, who led the renovation undertaking, Deanna who organized the event and invited vendors; Jackie and son Vittoro who vacuumed and arranged pictures; Bernie, Gloria, Narding, Mina, Susan, Karina, Lurvie who cleaned and

painted, Rey donated the installation of foyer tiles; Julie replaced awning and fixed door; and all who helped including students.  Thank you!

The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) will be celebrating the official reopening of Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC).   At the same time, FCAV will be commemorating the 19th Anniversary of Twinning between the City of Vaughan (Canada) and Baguio City (Philippines).

The event will take place at PKCC, 7894 Dufferin St. on Saturday, October 22, 2016, starting at 2:00 p.m. There will be ribbon cutting, live entertainment, facility tour, vendors and food.  It will be an enjoyable and memorable afternoon.

For the past two years, FCAV has been diligently renovating PKCC to provide services to the community at large. As part of our lease agreement with the City of Vaughan, FCAV has spent over $275,000 to date in improving PK’s accessibility for our community including a new elevator, a new universal washroom, a renovated kitchen, new air conditioning for the gym and many other smaller capital projects. It has been a difficult 2 years but through a lot of hard work, we did it.

Likewise, for the past 19 years, FCAV has been promoting the objectives of the Twinning otherwise known as Friendship Agreement, namely, cultural, social, educational exchanges and economic opportunities between the two sister cities – Vaughan and Baguio. These include official visits; donation of medical supplies to Baguio City; Filipino Day in Vaughan; and the realization of 20-year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre to house all Sister City activities, to mention a few.  On October 22, there will be a delegation of businessmen from the Philippines to visit Canada including Vaughan to explore the aquaculture industry. This delegation will be headed by Cora dela Cruz, executive director of the Canadian-Philippine Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

The Board of Directors would like to invite you to celebrate with us. Also, we would like to acknowledge the remarkable support for making the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan what it is today.

We look forward to seeing you on October 22, 2016.  Thank you.

Board of Directors

pkcc-official-reopening-flyerFCAV

You are invited to the Official Reopening of Patricia Kemp Community Centre on Saturday October 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM. There will be ribbon cutting at 2:00 PM followed by food, live entertainment, music, a facility tour and vendors!

We look forward to seeing you on October 22, 2016.

The Philippine Consulate is once again organizing a Winter Escapade Trip for 2017! Travel with us to the Philippines to truly appreciate the beauty that it has to offer. We will tour Manila, Laoag, Vigan, Pagudpud and Coron during the course of the trip! We will tour Malacañang Palace in Manila. We will visit St. William’s Cathedral in Laoag. Not only that, but we will see the Cathedral in the historic city of Vigan, UNESCO world heritage centre. We will be able to relax on the golden-white sand beaches of Pagudpud. Last but not least, we will be able to go island hopping in Coron, Palawan and explore the shallow waters and mangroves in a paddle boat. Join us for an incredible experience that will make the Philippines your favorite vacation destination.

For more information about the trip and to register please click HERE.

On July 8, 2016, eight ”balikbayan” boxes filled with medical supplies donated by the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) were handed over by Tony Insigne, Adviser FCAV, to Mayor Mauricio Domogan during simple rites at the Mayor’s Office,  Baguio City. Included in the picture are:  Rowena Galpo, City Health Officer, Joseph Insigne and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center representatives headed by Joe Donato. FCAV also  donated 5 balikbayan boxes filled with medical supplies last April.