Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Association of Batanguenos in Alberta – Edmonton Paskuhang Ala-eh A Big Success!!!

The recently concluded Paskuhang Ala-eh Dinner and Dance by the Association of Batanguenos in Alberta (ABA)-Edmonton Chapter is a big success for so many reasons. It marked their 10th year anniversary as a group. They have come a long way from their humble beginnings when they hold their meetings at the corridors of Royal Alex Hospital in downtown Edmonton. ABA as they are fondly called in the Edmonton Filipino community is now considered a well-established organization and one of the most recognizable Filipino Association. The group thru the leadership of their current president George Aguilar, commemorated this milestone by giving tribute to all the ABA’s past presidents for their astounding contribution to the association. Phillip Aseron, Ruben Gutierrez, Julio Lopez Jr. and Ben Carandang were each handed out a plaque of recognition. Truly without the leadership and dedication of these men, the group will not be where they are today. The association is truly blessed to have visionary leaders and dedicated members that keep the organization moving forward.

It has been an annual tradition of ABA to have a Christmas party for all its members and friends to celebrate the joyous yuletide season together. Each year would have a theme and this year’s Paskuhang Ala-eh is extra special because all the proceeds from the party will be donated to the Typhoon Yolanda victims in the Philippines. Initially, the group had a dilemma whether to continue the fund-raiser and risk not having any profit or to cancel the event and donate the budget earmarked for this occasion. After an emergency meeting, the group arrived at a consensus to go ahead with the Christmas party and work doubly hard to make sure that it will be a success. Tied up to the Christmas party, “Sabon (soap), Sepilyo (toothbrush) at Tutpeyst (toothpaste)” campaign was launched. The group asked for donations of bath soap, toothpaste or toothbrush from everybody they know be it friends, officemates or acquaintances. They accepted and collected these donations during the affair and every donated item entitled the donor to a ticket for the special raffle that was drawn that night. The support of the Filipino community to this Batangueno event is overwhelming. Party-goers braved the bitterly cold night to attend the festivity and brought their toothpaste, toothbrush and bath soap donations with them! The party is sold out despite the fact that there are at least three more fund-raising events happening simultaneously with Paskuhang Ala-eh. The association will always be grateful to all of the people that rallied behind all their worthwhile undertakings. ABA members donated prizes and volunteered their time to make things happen. Corporate sponsors swamped the group with raffle prize donations such that the raffle draws cut so much dance floor time from our guests.

Paskuhang Ala-eh was able to collect two balikbayan boxes of toothpaste, toothbrush and bath soap donations. These will be shipped directly to Leyte thru Dr. Cecille Cayetano-Angelia, a Batanguena from Ibaan conducting her own relief operations in Leyte. The main fund-raising event generated a net profit of $3000.00 which will be donated thru the Red Cross before the December 24, 2013 deadline for the dollar-for-dollar donation matching by the provincial and federal governments. The monetary donation from the ABA-Edmonton members’ personal contribution is $_____________. This mount combined with the group’s fund-raising efforts is a total of $_____________. Kudos ABA-Edmonton, to its leaders, members and generous supporters for a job well done.

Association of Batanguenos in Alberta – Edmonton Paskuhang Ala-eh A Big Success!!!

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