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FCAWI 35 YEARS IN THE MAKING

(Narrative Part of a Video Presentation presented on October 29, 2011 at the 35th FCAWI Anniversary)

A.Introduction
Three decades and-a-half in the making and the ENERGY and VITALITY is as strong as ever. Thats the picture of the Filipino-Canadian Association of West Island (FCAWI) in short. Founded in 1976 through the initiative and joint effort of two community-minded gentlemen namely Dr. Florentino Rosario and Mr. Remigio Cruz, it was registered and incorporated with the Federal Government a year after. As its base of operation is in Dollard Des Ormeaux, the bulk of its membership is centered in the West Island. However, you could also find members that reside in Montreal, the suburbs of Laval, Ile Bizard, Ile Perrot, Vaudreuil-Dorion, St. Lazare, the South Shore, across the border of Ontario and as far as Florida and across the ocean, in the Philippines. B. Presidents & Chairpersons (Past & Present)

FCAWI Presidents picture (see attached) from left to right Mrs. Salve Desprez, Mr. Ador Bolusan, Mr. Almario Bamba, Mr. Peter Sanchez Special Guest Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia, Mrs. Aurora Soriano, Mr. Felix Salazar, Mrs. Ester Vicente & Mr. Ramon Vicente Jr.

The Chairpersons of the Board are: Dr. Florentino Rosario 1976-84, Manny Lorezca 1985-86, Dr. Jean Viloria 1987-91, & the incumbent, Aurora Soriano 1992-to Present. Founders: Dr. Florentino Rosario & Mr. Remegio Cruz.

C.Major Programs 1) The major programs of the Association that were organized in the past two decades such as the Cultural Heritage & Sports has kept its popularity till now. The Cultural Heritage Program offers classes every Sunday afternoon at the Lake Road Chalet in Dollard Des Ormeaux. Students are taught Philippine folk dances, language, history and literature. Our Cultural Heritage students have been FCAWIs Ambassadors of goodwill with the community carrying the banner of FCAWI at every event where they performed. Aside from FCAWI functions such as Family Christmas, the annual opening and closing programs of Sports & Heritage where the FCAWI family gathered together to celebrate their yearly achievements, they also brought good cheer to Senior Citizens homes and hospitals in the West Island and downtown Montreal during the Christmas holidays with their performances of Philippine folk dances and songs. For the past decade, they represented FCAWI in the Annual International Day celebration organized by the City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, where a good number of countries residing in the City are represented. They have also been part of the annual Multicultural Event of St. Lukes Church in DDO in the summer. 2) The Sports Program on the other hand, continues to attract schoolchildren from age 6 to 17 to join in this athletic activity. Basketball practices are held every Saturday afternoon at the gym of the Lakeside Academy in Lachine. They join basketball tournaments organized in Montreal by the Philippine Basketball Association, and consistently brought home awards every year. A Sports Committee headed by a member of the FCAWI Board along with volunteer coaches, managers and parents oversee this project of the Association. 3) Adding a big branch to the FCAWI family is the FCAWI Seniors Wisdom 50+ born three years ago and revitalized last year with the support of Hon. Pierre Marsan, Liberal MNA for the Riding of Robert Baldwin and Hon, Francis Scarpaleggia, Member of Parliament representing the riding of Lac-SaintLouis. A delegation of FCAWI Seniors headed to the National Assembly in Quebec City in May 2010, upon the invitation of Hon. Marsan. Obviously our FCAWI Seniors are on the move, they just concluded their field trip to Mt. Tremblant to enjoy the open air and the colors of autumn. And to date,

arrangements have been finalized for their trip to visit our very own Hon. Francis Scarpaleggia at the Parliament in Ottawa next month . The FCAWI Seniors have their own little nook where their weekly gathering is held, thanks to the generosity of the City of Dollard Des Ormeaux through Mr. Jim Beis, Division Head, Sports & Recreation, who gave them the Spring Garden Chalet for their weekly gathering. Its a wonderful opportunity for these Seniors to engage with their peers in meaningful activities that will promote their physical, mental and social well-being one afternoon a week. And, tonight, we join them in their celebration of birthday celebrants of August, Sept. and October. 4) Another FCAWI branch grew this summer, the Youth Group calling themselves the FCAWI Hip-Hop Party Rockers. With the ever-increasing popularity of this dance movement globally, our FCAWI children that are registered and those joining later in the Program are not left out of the band wagon. Theyre just starting to bud, and with Viber Salazar at the helm of this latest major project of the Association, needless to say theres a bright future in store for them. Viber happens to be the champion of the International Hip-Hop competition in Las Vegas in 2009. Dont be surprised if youll soon see our Hip-Hop youngsters entertaining here and there in the community. Even now, children who have watched the group at their dance class at the Lake Road Chalet, are starting to show great interest in joining the program. Their entry in the Association completes the FCAWI family age spectrum from the children, the youth, the adults, and the seniors. Thats what FCAWI is all about, a family community, a family that is the backbone of the Association. 5) Community Involvement To date, FCAWI is very much involved in the community such as its participation in the Annual International Day celebration of the City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux usually held in the summer The whole FCAWI family participates in this event by joining the Parade of Nations to start the celebration. Our Heritage children perform some Philippine folk dances as the Associations contribution to the Cultural Presentation while some members of the Board of Directors and Seniors group serve some Philippine food for all the guests that attend the event. For the past 15 years, the students of the Cultural Heritage Program consistently brought good cheer to their annual visit to the residents of the

Father Dowd Home by entertaining them with their folk dancing, carolling and sharing them goodies at Christmastime. The annual Tri-City Picnic held every second Sunday in July at the Woodland Park in Long Sault, Ontario continues to be a popular gathering of Filipino associations from Ottawa, Kingston and Montreal. Organized by FCAWI in the early 80s, each City take turn in hosting the event every summer organizing softball and volleyball competitions for men and women as well as relay games for the children. Picknickers dont miss their Church Sunday duty as Mass is celebrated at the Park by a priest from Ottawa. The title of Miss Tri-City wherein a muse from every City competes was initiated four years ago as a means of fundraising for the sports needs of this annual event. Miss Tri-City 2011 is our very own Andrea Mae Taruc.

D. Conclusion The road to success for FCAWI hasnt always been that smooth. It has weathered at least three major struggles during its 35 years of existence and came out unscathed, all because of the strength, cooperation, unity and determination of its Executive, Board of Governors, volunteers and members. As we move forward to the Fourth Decade of its foundation, may we continue to channel our Energy and Vitality towards constructive activities, participation in the community and a continuity of the major programs of the Association. Last but not least, may we also continue to have a Solid, Dedicated, Positively Charged, Cooperative and Loyal members of the Board of Directors who are Mandated to Serve the FCAWI community Faithfully and whom we can all be proud of, and, Who Will Lead Us On to the Next Decade.