Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
by CK May is the month of flowers not just in the Philippines but also here in Calgary. A lot of my neighbors have done their spring cleaning and unfortunately I cannot cope up with them. I remember that during this time of the year my husband, Hank gets busier day by day. He takes care [...]
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Elvie Valeroso – Featured Filipino Calgarian

She began her career in 1967 as a young Catechist volunteer, working with the Franciscan Sisters in Guimba, Nueva Ecija where she found her passion for teaching. Just sixteen, she inspired the grade school students in the public school. She developed a teaching plan that extended beyond the theology class, dwelling more on the application of one’s faith.
As she went to the university, UE, Manila, she participated in small time fundraisings under the Student Council like an essay writing contest. But she mounted her first– and possibly an audacious– major fundraising project at Centro Escolar University where she was a member of the Faculty of the College of Medical Technology. She managed to solicit donors with goods that filled a military ten- wheeler truck for the Mt. Pinatubo victims in Zambales. The experience changed Elvie’s life, spawned her commitment to voluntary work for equity and motivated her to pursue with this role in community service.
Her teaching career ended up too soon, when she sojourned to Canada on November 4, 1993. A Calgary based immigrant, she found her way to the St. Thomas More Prayer Group, now Shepherds of Jesus where she became one of the elders, on community outreach tasks. Until she got herself involved with the different clubs namely Filipino Political Association, PRESAF, PASOC, Zambales Association, Filipino Catholic Society of the Diocese of Calgary, Filipino Calgarian Seniors Club, Filipino Lions Club, Wildrose Lions Club, Pioneers Club, Philippine Cultural Center Foundation, Philippine Canadian Seniors Society, Golden Generation Seniors, Young Ones Seniors Club, Coastal Protection Foundation, Tamaraw Seniors, Visminsa Charities Foundation, and now, with the Council and Assembly of Filipino Foundations and Associations (Calgary), as president.
With her are the following community leaders of their respective associations/companies: Connie Genilo, New Sunrise, Pete Calica-New CASA, Mario dela Cruz, Filipino Political Association of Calgary, Ben Isidro-Friends of St. Mark, Tigs Tidalgo-Golden Generation Seniors Club, Pepe Siapno-Young Ones Seniors Organization, Nestor Sun, Caring Hands of Jesus, Ester Vergara-Philippine Rural Economic and Social Assistance Foundation, Angelito Viray, Capampangan Association of Calgary (Aguman) Mar Aquino-Pangasinan Society of Calgary, Bernadette Stamile-Tamaraw Seniors Club, Rex Elumir-Visminsa Charities Foundation, Richard Tumanon, Yes Foundation, Foundation, Sherrisa Celis-Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, Eric Sit-Rotary Club, Calgary, Ruel Santos-Wildrose Lions Club, Eugene Sicat/Dom Tolentino, Mapua Alumni, Calgary Chapter, Ben/Lou Ang, Solid Industries, Pepito Magpayo, TV Pilipino, Reth Barnachea, Radio Pinoy and Rollymie, Soccy Galai, Pinoy Village, Winnie Sit, Home Food Inn, Bert de Guzman-Fatima Prayer Group, Joey Lapuz, Arc Digital Printing, Joel Valderrama, DHQ Printing, Fred Sayson, IDM, Lottie Brar, Manila Capital Ltd. Energy Companies have come to the rescue whose contact persons will be published at the next issue.
On Friday, the 13th of November, CAFFA is presenting a concert, a major fundraising for the calamity victims in the Philippines, produced by Tamaraw Seniors Club in cooperation with Visminsa Charities Foundation. Talented performers under Rex Elumir’s Directorial expertise with Bernadette Stamile, Program Coordinator, Pepito Magpayo, the overall media promoter and TV producer, tying up with Shaw TV, plus a strong back up promo posters done by Joel Valderrama, DHQ Printing. Managing the stage for props and decors are Boy Franco, Dina Santos and Lydia Siapno. Ticket masters are Pepe Siapno, Fil Donque, Lourdes Ang and Connie Genilo whereas set-up volunteers are Ben Isidro and Connie Genilo. Ushers and usherettes are Ruel Santos, Flor Viray and Eugene Sicat and Teofy Buluran. By the door for admission are Paz Franco, Ben Isidro and Ester Vergara.
As Elvie champions the cause that leads to “helping the needy” back home, she strives to seek the help of Canadian Government Officials that resulted to the participation of MP Deepak Obhrai, Calgary East, with the good news on 5 million dollars aid sent to the Philippines, shortly after the appeal for a grant and MP Devinder Shory, Calgary North East, on the Federal level, whereas Deputy Speaker Wayne Cao whose extra special participation started from the time of the fundraising conception, MLA Carl Benito of Millwoods Riding in Edmonton, making distance immaterial have sincerely put their best contributions, monetary and morally.
Elvie’s voluntary works has grown in scope and determination over the years. From the Philippines to Canada, networking has revived for this noble cause. Hence, with the approval of CAFFA executive board, a bank of account with Bank of Montrealis made available for donations, at Marlborough Branch Transit No. 0590, Account Number: 8149-131 with Fil Donque, Pepe Siapno and Elvie Valeroso serving as the signatories.
On the funds receiving end, the Board agrees to have ABS CBN Kapamilya with DZMM anchors and volunteers in direct coordination with ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya to distribute our donations in kinds.
Ahwel Paz as our official coordinator, whom we have personally known due to his presence and support in 2004 to the Coastal Protection Foundation Project then under Riza Santos, (Miss Earth Canada 2007) has provided the following details of their ongoing project, soon to be us…

1. Kapamilya Shower Van-provides a mobile van transformed into a shower area for the evacuees because portalets and restrooms are scarce. Thus far, it has served almost 10 thousand people. They give out free shower kits including brand new towels, soaps, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo etc.

2. Mobile Surgical Unit-provides medical, dental and surgical missions to evacuees with free medicines. It is a mobile van transformed into an operating room.

3. Relief goods distribution

4. Entertainment during relief operations.
5. Feeding operations and food distribution to evacuees

Details of these activities are reported live on TV and radio via DZMM and ABS CBN.

The above programs ought to be sustained, catering more to far flung areas that are hardly reached for grants
Video tapes and photos will be sent in due time, as the team delivers our aid on their relief and REHABILITATION activities.

Further, this group will send CAFFA an acknowledgement receipts for groups and individuals that have donated. The receiving bank account in the Philippines is-
PHILIPPINE ANGELS FOUNDATION INC.
Bank of the Philippine Islands
Account No.: 0171-02583-4
1792 A. Mabini Street Malate Manila
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
In July, MCLtd. hired Elvie as an Executive Assistant to help shape the peoples’ approach to finance management as per loan application for clients with financial difficulties.
Today, Elvie’s community building efforts has not only mobilized the leaders to provide financial support but has also galvanized the huge number of Filipinos to get together. Let’s support the concert with the best of our young Filipinos whose talents have become profound from the local to the international level. Heather Natividad Liscano of Calgary Flames National Anthems singer leads the group of performers- a night to enjoy as CAFFA raises funds for the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng.
For all the success and challenges her career has brought, Elvie has never lost her zest for giving back to the community without sacrificing the needs of her siblings and their families: Rey & Zheng with children Dave Rhenz, Jayson and Emmanuel; Lea (Tony deceased) children: Frederick Avel, Fatima and Michael; Bert & Gloria, children: April Chloe, Joseph and Joshua (twins) and Adam.

Elvie Valeroso – Featured Filipino Calgarian

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