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Spring First issue of theBayanihan with KathleenReyes as first editor wasdistributed.

Feb. 6th AdHoc Committee was formed

to put into action the idea anddream of building a culturalcentre for the Filipinocommunity of Calgary.

Feb. 8th Draft of the

Constitution & By-lawswas completed by theConstitution & By-lawsCommittee composedof Clem Tigley,Richard Tumanon,Rose Geonzon & MariaBelinda Tumanon.

Dec. 3rd PCCF Caroling Group was

established under the musicaldirection of Lito Bautistaraising $2,265.00.

Nov. 3rd Interim Board ofTrustees wasappointed.

Jun. 13th Signing of the PCCF

Constitution at theCNIB.

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May 31st First election of thePCCF Officers and Boardof Trustees was held at theForest Heights ChildcareCentre.

M a y 16/17th First Casino

Fundraising held atElbow River InnCasino.

Jun. 6th Kasayahan ’98, a musicalextravaganza showcasingFilipino talents, wasproduced for thebenefit of the Foundationraising $4,409.67.

Dec. 19 Final Draw of the FirstPCCF Raffle held atCrossroad Hotel.

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M ar. 25th First Fundraising Gala Night

celebrated at Sheraton SuitesCalgary Eau Claire.

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Feb. 15th Possession date ofthe PhilippineCultural Center.

Feb. 24th Blessing of the PhilippineCultural Center.

Feb. 24/25th Open House to celebrate the acquisition of ourvery own cultural center.

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The first milestone of the PCCF’s ( Calgary ) mandate to establish a culturalcentre has been successfully met. What logically follows is the facilitation of a suite ofprogram offerings relevant and useful to the Filipino – Canadian community. Thisapproach is built on the philosophy of harnessing and optimizing the numerous andprevalent talents, skills and competencies. Common good of the grassroots andmainstream community members is the chief goal. Add to this the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’,volunteerism and ‘winners-all’

The following are proposed programs the Foundation intends to implement. Thisis in partnership with community associations and individual contributors / volunteers:

Educational Programs for the youth focusing on:• Leadership training and activities for professional and personal development• Pilipino language instruction• Philippine geography and history• Arts and Culture• Sports and various recreational functions

Activities for adults and seniors include:• Employment assistance• Canadian Culture awareness classes to orient immigrant Filipinos• Support and friendship groups for socialization• Informational meetings on health, nutrition and holistic intervention• Regular fitness classes for spiritual and physical health e.g. tai chi, yoga• Dance classes & a healthy variety of other recreational activities

We invite everyone to share with us other programs that you see fit. Activities arenot limited to those that the Foundation promotes. All of Calgary’s Filipino organizationsare encouraged to help these activities prosper. The cultural centre as a focal point is tofacilitate personal empowerment services to all Filipinos and their cultural organizationsat large. Let it be the common symbol that will unite our diverse Filipino associations instrength and harmony.

Together, let’s light the way to a strong and united Filipino community!Together, let’s light the way to a strong and united Filipino community!

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Our sincerest thanks go the following sponsors who provided funding for the publication ofthis newsletter magazine. May you all continue to spread the good news of our cultural

center to our kababayans and inspire them to be united in the spirit of Bayanihan.

Adriano, Adriano, Armand & ShirleyArmand & Shirley

Aguilar, Bernie & IreneAguilar, Bernie & Irene

Almazan, Almazan, Roly & Roly & DorinaDorina

Alves, JoshuaAlves, Joshua

Amante, Tony & EllenAmante, Tony & Ellen

Andalis, Andalis, JossieJossie

Antolin, Adrian & Antolin, Adrian & EncarnacionEncarnacion

Aragon, Dick & RoseAragon, Dick & Rose

Argota, Argota, Orly & Orly & OfieOfie

Argota, Eddy & Pom-pomArgota, Eddy & Pom-pom

Bagay, JoseBagay, Jose

Bagay, LyndaBagay, Lynda

Bautista, Bautista, AljohnAljohn

Bernardo, CesarBernardo, Cesar

Bernardo, Bernardo, EstrellaEstrella

Bigornia, Terry & Bigornia, Terry & ErnestinaErnestina

Bleile, Simon & Jennie Bleile, Simon & Jennie SteadmanSteadman

Bragas, Dexter & Bragas, Dexter & AlamaAlama

BruhBruh, , AllyssonAllysson Therese V. Therese V.

Cabrera, Cabrera, BessieBessie

CalangiCalangi,Rey & Evelyn,Rey & Evelyn

Caring Hands of JesusCaring Hands of Jesus

Casuga Law OfficeCasuga Law Office

Cay, MarCay, Mar

Co, Co, Choly, Brian & ChristinaCholy, Brian & Christina

Collantes, AnthonyCollantes, Anthony

Cruz, Jose Sr.Cruz, Jose Sr.

Cruz, Noel & WilmaCruz, Noel & Wilma

Cruz, RogerCruz, Roger

Dacanay, Joe & Dacanay, Joe & AuringAuring

Dacanay, GeraldDacanay, Gerald

Dacanay, Jo-AnneDacanay, Jo-Anne

Dait, Mr. & Mrs. HermanDait, Mr. & Mrs. Herman

De De Guzman, Al & Guzman, Al & MariletMarilet

De De Luna, Luna, AntoniaAntonia

De De Luna, JoelLuna, Joel

Del Del Corro, Corro, Jess & EstherJess & Esther

Del Del Valle, Valle, NilaNila

Deloria, Ruben & CynthiaDeloria, Ruben & Cynthia

Diaz, JoeDiaz, Joe

Dino, Leo & Dino, Leo & CelerinaCelerina

Dumolong, Dumolong, Orlane & Orlane & AylenAylen

Enriquez, DoloresEnriquez, Dolores

Espina, Espina, Gil & Gil & LiliaLilia

Estrada, Andy & CynthiaEstrada, Andy & Cynthia

Estrada, Joe & Estrada, Joe & PrescyPrescy

Fajardo, Fajardo, Gilda, Nathan, Norman, Natalie & NicoleGilda, Nathan, Norman, Natalie & Nicole

Garbino, Garbino, LitaLita

Garcellano, El & Garcellano, El & NelaNela

Geronimo, CecileGeronimo, Cecile

Gonzaga, Jenny & DaleGonzaga, Jenny & Dale

Global Enterprises Support Global Enterprises Support GrpGrp..

Jamorol, CarlaJamorol, Carla

Juan, Juan, Nemy & CoryNemy & Cory

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Isang mataos pusong pasasalamat sa mga sumusunod ng mga kaibigan na nagbigay daan sapagpapahayag ng “Bayanihan”. Naway magsilbing inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan ang

inyong paniniwala sa katuparan ng isang pangarap na Philippine Cultural Center

Le Le Geyt, Graham & MariaGeyt, Graham & Maria

Legaspi, Greg Legaspi, Greg Jr. & FamilyJr. & Family

Leskowicz, Leskowicz, WivinaWivina

Lloyd, Lloyd, AnntonietteAnntoniette

Lungsod, Marilyn Lungsod, Marilyn DuhayDuhay

Macaraeg, John & RoseMacaraeg, John & Rose

Macaraeg, LawrenceMacaraeg, Lawrence

Macaraeg, Julius MarkMacaraeg, Julius Mark

Manaloto, DavidManaloto, David

Marcelo, Roger & EvelynMarcelo, Roger & Evelyn

Mayuga, Val & Mayuga, Val & LitaLita

McKinnon, John & DaisyMcKinnon, John & Daisy

Middleton, Frank & EdithMiddleton, Frank & Edith

Molina, ArleneMolina, Arlene

Nagera, Nagera, DoringDoring

Oriel, Mike, Oriel, Mike, Paulie & FePaulie & Fe

Ogden, Brian & KathleenOgden, Brian & Kathleen

Ogden, MatthewOgden, Matthew

Pinter, MaryPinter, Mary

Polintan, Jonathan, Ellen & JamiePolintan, Jonathan, Ellen & Jamie

Ramos, Ramos, Engran & HelenEngran & Helen

Reddy, Reddy, CresCres

Rosales, Rosales, Abner & Abner & LizaLiza

Roxas, Roxas, Caloy & CaringCaloy & Caring

RoxasRoxas, , LiliaLilia F. F.

Sajoo, Sajoo, AnarAnar

San San Agustin, SusanAgustin, Susan

Santarina, Santarina, DinoDino

Santerva, Santerva, ZelphaZelpha

Santos, Francis, Santos, Francis, Rufina & LeanneRufina & Leanne

Sayson, Sayson, WilfredoWilfredo

Segovia, RobertSegovia, Robert

Selski, John FredrickSelski, John Fredrick

Selski, VirginiaSelski, Virginia

Serrano, Serrano, Mandee & JesseMandee & Jesse

Serquina, Joy & GlenSerquina, Joy & Glen

Siapno, Siapno, Pepe & LydiaPepe & Lydia

Smith, MyrnaSmith, Myrna

Sobrino, Sobrino, Euben & Euben & MaridelMaridel

Soria, Tony & Soria, Tony & MalouMalou

Soriano, Carlos & RosemarieSoriano, Carlos & Rosemarie

Stickney, Daniel RaymondStickney, Daniel Raymond

Stickney, Jason PatrickStickney, Jason Patrick

Strickland, MollyStrickland, Molly

Tamayo, Ricky & Tamayo, Ricky & CoihCoih

Tan, GraceTan, Grace

Tandoc, TedTandoc, Ted

Timbit, Timbit, Poochie & Poochie & ShaqShaq

Tsang, JohnnyTsang, Johnny

Tumanon, Richard, Maria & PeterTumanon, Richard, Maria & Peter

Vivas, AnnieVivas, Annie

Yap, ElisaYap, Elisa

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Natigil na, kokak ng palaka,maging tahol, ng asong mausisa,taksil na surot, animo nabahala,pagkat tumugtog, kampana’y nagbadya.

Halina irog, amuki ng pusa,sa kabiyak, bantulot sa paniniwala,totoo ba ito? Tanong na mapayapa,oo nga, ang sagot, ikaw ay tama.

Cultural Centre, na kaytagal na pithaya,ganap na katotohanan, mistulang himala,nagsayaw ang lahat, sa galak at tuwa,pagkat naganap na, ilan lang ang humula.

Bagama’t maliit, bantayog na natindig,pinakamalaki naman, sa puso’t sa isip,pinuhuna’y pagod, pawis at hinagpis,matayo lamang, dambanang ninanais.

Sa muling pagtugtog ng kampana,gusaling sadya’y, titindig sa madla,dahil ang lahat, tutulong na kusapagkat tatak ng lahi ang nakataya.

Si Mang Juan ay di pa gaanongkatagalan sa pangangalesa, kungkaya’t hindi siya maaaring ihanay samga batikang kutsero. Bagamat siya aybago, siya ay napupuri ng maramidahilan sa kanyang kasipagan. Siya aymatapat at maasikaso sa kanyang mgapasahero, lalung-lalo na sa pagbibigayng katiyakan na ang lahat aymakararating sa patutunguhan, satamang oras at ligtas pa sa anumangkapahamakan.

“Ang aking kalesa ay ituring ninyongtahanan na laging laan at handa, parasa lahat. Si John-John ko nama’ylalaging masunurin sa anumang gustonatin, na di na kailangan ang hampasng latigo” wika ni Mang Juan.

Mga kababayan, sa ating paglalakbay,ang ating patutunguhan ay angkaganapan ng ating pangarap… angmagkaroon ng tunay na gusali, nasalamin ng ating lahi. Isang bantayogna magpapanatili at magpapayaman ngating kultura’t tradisyon. Isang simbulona magsisilbing gabay at inspirasyon saatin at mga susunod na salinlahi.

Magtiwala tayo sa ating kutsero (Boardof Trustees) na nagpapatakbo ngkabayo (PCCF).

Sa tulong at pagtitiwala ng lahat, samatalinong kutsero at masipag nakabayo… the Philippine CulturalCentre will soon rise, with dignity andpride.

Panitik ni Mario dela Cruz

Panitik ni Mario dela Cruz

Dinrowing ni Billy Burgos

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Tuwing mababanggit ang malawak na pangarap ng isang “Philippine Cultural Center” aymabilis ang pagbasag sa pangarap ng mga katagang “Narito na naman kami, isang ningaskugon”. Bakit kaya sa halip na ganito ang reaksyon ay palitan natin ng mga katagang“Magandang ideya iyan, paano kaya ako makakatulong?”

Nagsisimula sa guni-guni ang magandang ideya. Kung sa pagpapailanlang nito ay suportaang sasalubong, tunay nga itong yayabong at magiging katotohanan or realidad. Angsuporta ay maaring mga salitang positibo, mga gawaing bumabangon sa ideya imbes nanagbabaon nito or pagkukumbinsi sa ibang mga ‘di naniniwala sa ideya. Mahirap mangawin ay tiyaga ang kailangan upang ang ideya ay magwagi at maging realidad.

Tayong mga Pilipino ay matiyagang mga tao. Katutubo sa atin ang mangarap atumaksiyon. Kung gayon ay tayo na at palaganapin natin ang magandang balita tungkol saating pagtataguyod ng isang “Philippine Cultural Center”.

Maligaya at masidhay nating ipinamumudmud na ang ideya ng isang pisikal na“Philippine Cultural Center” ay nagwagi at naging realidad ngayong taon na ito. Naritona at iyong nakikita, nahihipo at napapasok ang kabuuan ng ating Center. Paghanga atgalak ang naghahari sa sinumang kapwa Pilipino, ngayon na ang abstraktong ideya ayKatotohanan.

Mga komentong namumutawi sa mga labi ng bawat Pilipino, matanda o bata, babae olalaki, galing sa mga probinsyang Hilaga o Kanluran:

“Abaw, porbida gid, katahum sa atong center.”“Masanting ya.”“Patsada gyud ang naay atong matawag nga atong center.”“Oras na upang maghawakan tayo, bisig sa bisig, at itaguyod natin ang simbolo ng atingcenter.”“Wow, fantastic, nakakaiyak naman.”“Ma, does this mean we now have our very own center to practice our native dances?”“Maaasahan ninyo po ang aming tulong, pwede na po ba ang mga luma ngunit matibaypang mga silya namin sa garahe?”

Lumiwanag ang paligid at ang Katotohanan ng isang Center ay nanaig. Mas maramingayon ang mga positibong reaksyon kaysa negatibo. Ito’y nagsasaad na nagwagi angating iwing pag-ibig sa ating kaugatan at pinanggalingan sa pamamagitan ng “PhilippineCultural Center”.

Sinulat ni Dolly CastilloDinrowing ni Billy Burgos

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Today, May 26, 2001 marks a very exciting day for members of the Communications Committee as we formally launchPCCF’s very own webpage. The generosity of donors and sponsors, the expertise of web designer Bert Dilan, thepersistence and ambition of the Communications team have made it possible to establish another venue for PCCF to getexposure not only in Calgary, Alberta but potentially all over the world.

The webpage features information about the PCCF, important links to news around the world, links to other sites andoffers an opportunity for our local businesses to advertise their products, trade and service. It will also offer anexcellent venue to reach out to your loved ones whether they are located locally or on the other side of the globe, youcan send your message of greetings via our website.

As the Foundation continues to grow and our public relations and communications activitiesincrease, it is inevitable not to change with the times, therefore we embrace technology withopen arms and heart.email us: admin@pccfcalgary.com

Along with the PCCF’s inception came the Bayanihannewsletter in 1996. The mandate of this periodical hasalways been to communicate the PCCF’s events, vision andprogress to its readers with the hope of encouragingothers to join. Originally spearheaded by Kathleen Reyesas the publication’s first editor, the Bayanihan hascontributed to the growing awareness of the Foundationand in the 5 years of its existence has become anessential element in the organization’s identity. The firstset of contributors guided by Kathleen included: EvelynSerrano, Mayer Reyes and Roger Encarnacion. For theirefforts, the PCCF commends them in taking the initiativeto start this periodical which since then has beenproviding the community with updates on the PCCF’sprogress. The Bayanihan’s contributors have also beenrewarded with the excitement of publishing thenewsletters and working with a variety of people alldeeply interested in the PCCF’s progress. Thisnewsletter has had a few facelifts throughout the yearsand its current core team are extrermely optimisticabout the future of this publication and are expectingmuch more growth in the years to come.