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.

 Flag Raising in Vaughan to celebrate 118^th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

L-R:    E. Insigne, Councillor Iafrate, Regl Councillor Ferri, Miss Manila 2016 Icess Rawlings, Councillor Racco, MPP Martow, Dufferin McNabney  Little Prince 2016, Nasia Castillo Little Princess 2016, Zoey Molina 1^st Little Princess, D. Montoya, Councillor Shefman, Consul General Prospero, Romel Queddeng, Vittorio Cristini 1^st Little Prince, Jordan McNabney, MP  D. Schulte, MP P. Kent, MP F. Sorbara (partly hidden) C. Banez, L. DeBlois, R. Tolentino.

Filipino Day in Vaughan to celebrate 118^th Philippine Independence Day

The 118^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day was commemorated on Saturday, June 11, 2016. Approved by the City of Vaughan Mayor and Members of Council, it was dubbed as Filipino Day in Vaughan. The City of Vaughan is a twin city of Baguio City, Philippines. The Philippine flag was officially raised at 10:00 a.m. in front of Vaughan City Hall. Attending the Flag Raising were Consul General Rosita Prospero, Deputy Mayor Michael Di Biase, Regional Councillors Mario Ferri & Gino Rosati, Councillors Marilyn Iafrate, Alan Shefman, & Sandra Racco.  The Flag Raising was also attended by Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., Member of Parliament, Thornhill; Deborah Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan, Francisco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, Gila Martow, Member of Provincial Parliament, Thornhill; Miriam Ku, outreach advisor to Patrick Brown, Ontario P.C.

MPP Gila Martow presented a certificate of congratulations on behalf of Patrick Brown, Leader, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party on the occasion of the 118^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence to the Filipino Planning Committee namely:  Erlinda Insigne, pres, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV);  Carol Banez, pres, Philippine Heritage Band (PHB) ;  Aurelia deLara, secretary, PHB; Lurvie DeBlois, director, FCAV;  Rey Tolentino, Greenhills Christian Fellowship;  Dave Montoya, Maple Baptist Church and Marilyn Baguilod, Solid Rock Indigenous. Rey Tolentino, director FCAV and Chairman, Filipino Centre Toronto was the Emcee. There were speeches by dignitaries followed by entertainment and lunch featuring Filipino food. Philippine Heritage Band sang the national anthems and rendered Stand Up Performance; Patriotic Song, Ang Bayan Ko was sang by soprano Yolanda Neo accompanied by Leonina Magtibay;  FCAV Little Princes / Princesses performed Planting Rice dance cheorographed by Jordan Mcnabney; Violin Ensemble was rendered by the St. Paschal String led teacher Leonina Magtibay;  Maple Baptist Church  rendered a song “Oras Na” sang by Gennie Manuel accompanied by Jun and Solid Rock Indigenous performed  cultural dance.

The celebration was graced by Miss Manila 2016, Icess Rawlings; Queeny Bombase, 2^nd runner up and the FCAV Little Princes / Princesses: Nasia Mayricle Castillo, Little Princess 2016; Dufferin DeBlois McNabney,  Little Prince 2016; Zoey Gabrielle Molina, 1^st Little Princess; Vittorio Cristini, 1^st Little Prince;  Ruth Ann Bayanos, 2^rd Little Princess;  Jasmine Tomines, 3^rd Little Princess,

The Filipino Day was attended by community groups and leaders in the community; Tess Cusipag, Chair Miss Manila Pageant and publisher “Balita” newspaper; Loo, publisher of  Filipiniana newspaper;  Filipino Seniors headed by Roy Sumabat;  Professor Frank Miele of York University;  Lito Dizon, choreographer and designer, Filipina Fiesta Dance Troupe,  and residents of the City of Vaughan.

The Filipino Day in Vaughan was made possible by the coordinated efforts of Erlinda Insigne (FCAV), Carol Banez (PHB), Auring deLara (PHB), Lurvie DeBlois (FCAV), Rey Tolentino, (Greenhills Christian Fellowship), Marilyn Baguilod (Solid Rock Indigenous) and Dave Montoya (Maple Baptist Church).