Toronto FilCan Catholic Parents Group Holds 5th Anniversary Gala

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT
Toronto-Canada
April 3, 2019
 
 


Faithfully committed to its purposeful commitment and desire to celebrate and support Catholic education, FCPACE - Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education meaningfully conducted its 5th Founding Anniversary with a Post-Valentine's Dinner-Dance and Induction of Newly Elected Officers on February 22, 2019, Saturday, at 7:00 pm. at JCs Banquet Hall, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario.

Organized in November 2013, the faith-focused, non-profit, volunteer-run and community- based organization celebrated its purposeful partnership and participation in the ever-growing Filipino Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area. It was formed in order to promote and foster among parents, guardians and community members the meaningful practice and advocacy of authentic Catholicism through Christ- centred love, devotion, and understanding. The organization, through its established programs and projects continuously supports, advocates and contributes to the achievement of student success and well-being in Toronto Catholic schools. 

Under the excellent leadership of president Manny Lim, executive vice-president Kit Galema, and vice- president Joseph Redoblado, the FCPACE officers and members offered an evening full of fellowship, fun, food, entertainment, prize raffles and social dancing activities. Those who attend were family members and friends as well as invited guests from the educational, civic, religious, social and community sectors in the Greater Toronto Area.

The members of the Board of Directors for the 2018-2019 term are Rose Apilado, Ben Corpuz, Paulina Corpuz, Cielto Drapeza, Kit Galema, Gina Lim, Manny Lim, Christine Manrique, Zinnia Milburn. Jeffrey Oliveros, Joseph Redoblado, Lorelei Redoblado, Tony A. San Juan and Marla Tanuan, with TCDSB Trustee Garry Tanuan, as the executive adviser.

One of the main highlights of the celebration was the special citations given to the Association's 4 past and current chief executives, namely: Marla Tanuan, Francisco Galema, Paulina Corpuz and Manny Lim who were presented with "Certificates of Recognition". Long-serving Filipino Canadian community leader and retired Toronto educator, Tony A.San Juan has been honoured with a "Lifetime Achievement Award". T. San Juan, a founding member of FCPACE, was recognized for "his lifetime achievement and selfless, extraordinary service & dedication to our shared mission and vision". The organization expressed its " appreciation of his enduring commitment of time, support and inspiration for the common good of the parents, students, teachers in Catholic education in the Filipino community and the greater Canadian society." 

FCPACE, since its inception, has been the "leading light" and steadfastly helped in the creation of the Filipino Advisory Committee -FAC in the Toronto Catholic District School Board in 2014 as well as  the passage and proclamation in 2018, of "June as Filipino Heritage Month" as well as the official celebration of  Philippine Independence Day every June 12 in all Catholic elementary and secondary schools in Toronto. The Association is registered with Service Ontario with the mission of providing support, guidance and advice to parents, students, and youth especially to newcomer-immigrant familiesin the GTA.

For membership, please contact FCPACE secretary Gina Lim & president Manny Lim at . , Tel. 416-315- 0226 or veep Joseph Redoblado at Tel. 416-728-1964. ( Tony A. San Juan, OCT.)