FIL-CAN FEATINEANS CELEBRATE PRE-CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Photos: Eddie and Cristy Baruela
Scarborough-Canada
November 24, 2021
The Filipino -Canadian Featineans of Ontario, Canada
After almost two years of prohibitive social gatherings due to the pandemic crisis, the officers and members of The Featineans Association of Toronto( TFAT) significantly celebrated the onset of the Christmas holiday season. Armed with their individual "vaccine passports" & official IDs, and observing government health and safety protocols, they trooped to a popular Chinese restaurant for an early dinner meeting in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
Counterclockwise- Bert Pabustan, Rolly and Elizabeth Balangue, Oliver and Darlene Rey, Moises Ga, Virginia Muscoso, Ed and Evelyn Birondo, and Rory Pabustan
Tom Flores, Rose Flores, Joy San Juan and Tony San Juan
Led by TFAT President Eddie Baruela and Secretary Rudy Ortiz, twenty-eight Featineans braved the rain poured-cold weather to meet and share reflections and reminiscences focusing on catch-up exchanges of "how are you? and how are you doing?" amidst the "pandemya" and their "advancing ages". Nonetheless, they certainly enjoyed the group fellowship atmosphere, the ambiance of the buffet eatery, and the diet-busting food selections including tete-a-tete, and photoshoot selfies.
Cristy Baruela, Annie's guest, and Annie T. Buiza
Amongst those who joined in were Rolly & Elizabeth Balangue, Eddie & Cristy Baruela, Ed & Evelyn Birondo, Annie Buiza, Tom & Rose Flores, Tony & Mary Ann Gatongay, Moises Ga, Virginia Maruso, Rudy & Zeny Ortiz, Bert & Rory Pabustan, Max & Nita Recaido, Olive & Darlene Rey, Tony & Joy San Juan, and Har & Lina Tawatao.
Counterclockwise- Zeny Ortiz, Lina and Har Tawatao, Nap & wife, Nita and Max Recaido, and Rudy Ortiz
Hoping that the health crisis returns to the normal situation next year, the attendees have decided to conduct its twice-suspended Association annual picnic and elections. They agreed to hold the summer gathering on June 26, 2022( Sunday) at the Thompson Memorial Park in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario.
TFAT, formed in 1989, is remarkably proud of its established and purposeful programs & projects in Canada and in the Philippines. It has a continuing partnership at FEATI University, the alma mater, supporting scholars and recognizing outstanding graduates for the past 22 years. In Ontario, TFAT is a leading Filipino Canadian alumni-focused entity and is productively engaged in cooperation and collaboration with social, professional, and college alumni organizations on notable community initiatives. (Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired).