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Publisher’s Note
Hello dear readers, Where did the time go? We’re not on the 2nd month of the year 2019 and we are still experiencing winter weather lately. It’s not just an ordinary month but a month full of love because of Valentine’s day. So let’s spread love not just to our significant others but also to our [...]
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Featuring a Filipino Community leader of Calgary

FRANCISCO “PEPE” SIAPNO

By: Tigs Tidalgo

He is commonly called ‘Pepe’. He is a down to earth person. A friend to all and a warm hearted man. His likes are simple. He doesn’t smoke. He won’t get drunk. He does not gamble nor fool around. He however is far from being boriing. His smile is so abundant and his generosity so abounding on those who are in need. He too is a loving and caring family man.

He has his own brand of leadership. He is constantly working towards common goal; an excellent team player and easy to get along. He is a serious no nonsense leader who demands integrity and condemns dishonesty. He is perpetually on the side of correctness and intensely against deceitfulness. Pepe is a community leader whose respectability as a person is beyond question.

His strong character is solidly resting on his desire to serve. His intention is centrally correlated with hard work. He is tirelessly on the move to help and serve others. Pepe is a dedicated compassionate person whose vocation in life is to make people happy.

He indeed is a suitable person to hold the responsibility as president of the Young Once Seniors Association with a membership of 250 senior citizens. His record and service to the elderly as president of his association has been commendable for the last 18 years.

Pepe Siapno has massive community involvement. He was once the president of Pangasinan Society (PASOC), Calgary Federation of Filipino Associations (CAFFA) which served as the umbrella of Filipino associations. He organized and the first president of the Calgary Wildrose Lions Club. He too was the president of the Calgary Seniors Connection which was composed of multicultural seniors associations in the city.

The time has come that lately, Pepe Siapno decided not to re-elect as president with the Young Once Seniors Association. He labored hard to father this association from infancy to maturiy. He surely will be missed.

Pepe Siapno was born and raised in Malasiqui, Pangasinan amongst the family of seven. He earned his degree in agriculture

at Central Luzon Agricultural College in Nueva Ecija. He worked as a mechanic with Pantranco and later became a machinest at the US Naval Base in Olongapo City. He got married to Lydia, a class-room teacher and was blessed with a son and daughter.

Pepe and his family have gone to several places. He once lived in Brunie, Iran and four years in Guam.

In 1978 Pepe and his family were in Calgary as tourist. Coincedentlly, he met the manager of Mantis Transport Ltd and offered him to work with the company. The manager sponsored Pepe and his family and were converted to landed immigrant status. It was few years after that all in the family became Canadian citizens.

Working outside in the midst of winter encouraged Pepe to look for indoor job. He was hired by the Canadian Paific Railroad (CPR) shop in Ogden, Calgary until his retirement.

Pepe’s 42 years of service to the Filipino community in Calgary can’t just be taken for granted. His untiring effort and care towards the wellbeing of Filipinos will stand as good example for new leaders to follow.

HAPPY RETIREMENT………..

AND THANKS TO THE WORK WELL DONE.

Featuring a Filipino Community leader of Calgary

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