Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians

The Seniors of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) have a lot to celebrate!  Their application for Community-Based Projects for Seniors has been approved in the amount of $ 20,719 and activities are now in the works starting March 1, 2018 until February 28, 2019.

Dear Kababayans,

In line with the Philippine Consulate General's objective to reach out to more Filipinos in need of consular services, click here for a copy of its Advisory dated 14 December 2017 informing that the Consulate will open for consular transactions to the public on the first Saturdays of February, May, August and November 2018 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

The Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians held their general members’ meeting on Friday, December 8 at the MFFC Centre. The members welcome the newly elected officers for 2018 namely:

• Dr. Bina Comendador (3 year term)
• Ysmael Dalmacio (3 year term)
• Alicia Chiu (3 year term)
• Chit Bulos (3 year term)
• Myrna de Leon (3 year term)
• Karen Tan (2 year term)
• Gary de las Alas (2 year term)
• Jane Avila  (1 year term)
• Anna Torres (1 year term)
• Emma Guerzon (1 year term)

A new set of officers will be chosen at the next board meeting. 

After a gruelling 18 months of planning, rehearsing, preparing and finally performing, the curtains cameup and the crowd went wild! The 4 th installment of Taste of Broadway shown on October 7 and 8 at theFlato Markham Theatre was greeted with hoots and applause. The 2 night show was a raving successand everyone cheered as the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians Youth Performing Arts Groupsang and danced their way into everyone’s hearts!

An application to the Government of Ontario‘s Seniors Community Grant program was approved for the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) for a maximum of $8,000.  The grant for “Seniors’ Health, Fitness and Trip Project” will allow our ever growing membership of seniors to go on trips, learn brain games, Zumba and ballroom dancing. 

The project objective is to explore Ontario’s historical places, promote/ maintain quality of life, self-worth, mental stimulation, physical activity, link to the outside world for seniors while providing opportunities for them to participate in the community through performances at cultural/fundraising events and at senior homes.  The funding will enable up to 56 seniors from Markham and neighbouring communities to attend two trips, brain games, Zumba and ballroom lessons and perform at milestone events and senior homes.

Their first trip will be to the Hop on–Hop off Toronto trip on July 26-27, or July 28-29, or July 29-30, 2017.

By Victoria A. Torres

Despite the clouds and cool temperatures, the Markham Civic Centre was warm with colours and an overwhelming sense of Philippine national pride as the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) celebrated Philippine Independence Day on Sunday, June 4, 2017. The singing of O Canada by the Youth Performing Arts Group (YPAG) and Lupang Hinirang by the Seniors’ Choir was accompanied by the raising of the flags. Though Mayor Frank Scarpitti was unavailable due to an appointment in Ottawa, speeches from officials such as Member of Parliament Michael Chan, Markham Councilor Alex Chiu, and many others graced the crowd.

Following the flag-raising ceremony and speeches, the celebration moved to the MFFC Centre at 1151 Denison Street in Markham for an afternoon of food and music. The Youth Performing Arts Group and the Seniors’ Choir were among the performers for the afternoon, along with many other group and individual songs and dances, ranging from traditional Filipino songs to current Top 40 hits.

By Victoria A. Torres

Nine members of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians were among the recipients of the 2017 Volunteer Service Awards, presented on May 11th, 2017 at the Crystal Fountain in Markham. Youth Awards for 2 years of service were given to Joelle Mansueto, Julianna Garvida, and Chloe Musca, and Adult Awards for 10 years of service were awarded to Gloria Mariano, Florence Paras, Luz Lim, Jeannie Todas, Elsa Hung, and Vince Masongsong.

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, presented by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat, recognize volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service to an organization. Every year, Ontario’s youth - 24 years old and younger - are awarded for two or more years of continuous service, while adults are awarded for five to 65 years of continuous service, as nominated by their organization.

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from Philippine Consulate General in Toronto.  
Attached for your information and guidance is the Advisory on Registration of Filipino Citizens For Philippine National Elections.  You may wish to disseminate the Advisory to your members and to other interested individuals in your community.
Maraming Salamat po.
Consulate General of the Philippines

Through the generous funding of the City of Markham's "Celebrate Markham" grant program, the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians held their 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration with a flag raising ceremony, greetings from dignitaries from different levels of government, picnic and entertainment provided by the MFFC Performing Arts Youth Group and the MFFC Seniors.

The raising of the Philippine Flag which will be displayed at the Civic Centre grounds for one whole week, as in past years. Present were Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan, Markham Councillor Alex Chiu, Philippine Consul General Rosalita Prospero, York Region Catholic School Board Vice-Chairperson Marlene Mogado, MFFC Co-chairperson Yolly Ladinez and other dignitaries.

The following were elected as board members at the Annual General Meeting held on March 10th 2016 at the MFFC Centre:

For a term of 3 years:

• James Abanado
• Art Canseco
• Marian Cusi
• Joe Ragual
• Ester Toribio

For a term of 2 years:

• Yoly Ladines
• Ramon Ombao