may 2006 - working copyzbk.qxp - Filipino Star

Page 8 The North American Filipino Star
May 2006
Community News
PFASQ: A Look at the Last
Two Years
By Lira Lou Feliciano
With the new term of the
Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec
quickly approaching, it is only fitting
that the undertakings of the Society be
highlighted. During the last two years,
the goals of the Society have been kept
up through its diverse activities,
promoting our Filipino culture.
Every year, during the holiday
season, the Society’s Parol workshop is
held at the Philippine Center. Children
adorn parols, our traditional lanterns.
This is enjoyable for the kids, and at the
same time, they learn about the
decorations used back home in the
Philippines, during the month of
December. The children take great
pride in their creations, which they can
bring home with them at the end of the
day, to hang in their own homes. The
Society also sponsors the Parol contest
at our annual Paskong Pinoy, which
was held at the Holiday Inn in 2004. In
2005, the Society’s more traditional
Paskong Pinoy was held at the Auberge,
St. Joseph’s Oratory. The program for
this more intimate affair included a
modern performance from the
Kalinangan Dance Troupe; two hip hop
performances and children singing
Christmas songs with Santa Clause.
The PFASQ is always
successful in its involvement with the
annual Fête des enfants. Every year,
children scurry around Parc de
Maisonneuve for their next leisure
pursuit where they can learn about
different customs and traditions
practiced around the world. It is not
surprising that the Society never ceases
to entertain a large crowd of children at
their booth. The children decorate
sinamay hats, fans and abaniko made
from anahaw. Officers and volunteers of
the PFASQ guide and help the children,
while teaching them about the names
and origins of the raw materials being
used.
DR. EMILIA ESPIRITU
CHIRURGIEN DENTISTE / DENTAL SURGEON
5790 COTE DES NEIGES RD.
SUITE A-024
MONTREAL, QUEBEC
H3S 1Y9
Keeping up with its mandate of
promoting and preserving our Filipino
culture, the Society has introduced a
new element to its repertoire. Last May’s
first ever Terno Ball proved to be
successful as guests arrived looking
very sharp in their Ternos and Barong
Tagalogs. One of the performances that
took place that night was the Rigodon
de Honor. This graceful ballroom dance
starred various leaders of the Filipino
community in Montreal. Also involved
in the Terno Ball, was the Kaibigan
Chorale group. The Society was
thankful to be graced with their
presence and is very proud to say that it
was able to donate over $2 000 to this
non profit organization, in order to help
the street children of Manila.
On April 1st, 2005, President
Annie Miaral, representing the Society,
attended the official launching of the
“Quilt of Belonging” at the Museum of
Civilization in Hull, Gatineau. The block
representing the Philippines shows a
couple dancing the tinikling, the
national dance of the Philippines. This
textile art project will be displayed in
the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts this
coming October.
In 2005, the Society held their
annual picnic at Beaver Lake. In 2006,
the PFASQ joined its very own
Kalinangan Dance Troupe at Yamaska
Park. This is the time of year where
everyone is rewarded for all of their
hard work. Every summer, the
members of the board as well as all of
the volunteers get together at their
chosen location to relax, have fun and
of course…eat!
The Society’s general assembly
held every two years took place at the
Appleton Center on April 8, 2006. The
officers were elected with four new
directors on the board: Maya Duvage –
Associate Secretary, Daniel Santander –
Communications, Christine Periquet –
Language and Literature and Gemma
Domacena – Membership. Riza Trillanes
Esmeralda-Sarto, former Executive
Vice-President, will be taking on the role
of Annie
The Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec inducted its new officers and celebrated its
14thanniversary last May 12, 2006 at the Living Room restaurant in TMR.
PHONE: 54-340-8222 (4077)
E-Mail: dr_e_pin@yahoo.ca
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