FANB raises over $300 in silent auction
By JOSIE LIVINGSTONE
The Filipino Association of New Brunswick has successfully launched its first fundraiser in a Christmas for a Cause event held on Saturday, December 8.
The silent auction of wildlife photos and Filipino Christmas stars or parol raised $323.
The fundraiser was held during the association's Christmas party at St. Dunstan's Catholic Church.
"We are very happy to be able to raise this amount of money that will help us fund our projects in the coming year that are geared towards helping newcomers integrate themselves into the community. We are also looking into projects that will enable us to give back to the community which has been very welcoming to us," said Clevan Lamason, FANB president.
The group was able to sell 11 wildlife photos donated by George Hachey of Capital Photography and four parol.
Hachey said he was happy to be part of the association's first fundraiser.
"I just enjoy doing it for charity...it was for a very good cause. It's nice to see I was the first to come up with any type of fundraising for the association. I appreciate charities," Hachey said.
Luisa Misa-Toyer, the treasurer of the association, crafted the four parol. She said the successful fundraiser encouraged her to sell the Filipino Christmas ornament on a regular basis as a fundraiser for the association.
"I have received three more orders for the Christmas stars. I am excited to volunteer my services. I am planning to sell the ornaments through our website and in different craft events to raise more funds" Misa-Toyer said.
More than 100 people attended the event. They were from Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, and other parts of the province.
Aside from promoting its culture in the province, the association also aims to help newcomers get settled in the community.
Mae Ghanem has arrived in Fredericton almost three months ago. She said the association has been helping her adjust to her new environment.
"It helps me be exposed to a lot of things around town that I was able to find my way around and know a lot of people even if I'm a newcomer here. They're so friendly and everybody has been giving me assistance as to what I'm supposed to do, how I could adapt to life here in Canada," said Ghanem.
Related Article on the Daily Gleaner, December 20th page C4 by Josie Sison-Livingstone.
FANB launches own logo
By JOSIE LIVINGSTONE
FANB has launched its own brand identity with the announcement of a winning entry in the logo contest.
Duane Orozco who works as a graphic designer at Co-op Atlantic was declared winner of the logo contest during the FANB's Christmas party on December 8. He received a certificate and a cash prize.
Orozco's design was chosen over 12 other entries by the selection committee composed of Keshia Ancheta, Dr. Moises Cabatu, Dr. Marlon Cruz, Lolita Gunther, and Dr. Merle Vojdani.
Orozco made use of a maple leaf and the sun in the Filipino flag, fusing them into one to signify the unity of Philippines and Canada. He included the NB ship in the middle to associate the logo with the province. He also used the yellow, red and blue colours of the Philippine flag.
Clevan Lamason, FANB President, was the one who came up with the idea of a logo contest.
Aside from originality, the entries were judged based on how they portrayed the integration of Philippines, NB and Canada, and the three major themes representing the goals of the association - unity, peace and diversity.
FANB donates to Food bank
By JORGE GERONIMO-VANSLYKE
Christmas season usually means giving gifts to one another and taking time to appreciate families and friends. It means having parties left and right, maximizing the good old jolly cheer that the holidays bring.
FANB understood this need to celebrate but also recognized the importance of giving back to the community, hence the donation to the Fredericton Food Bank.
The Christmas for a Cause held on December 8 was free admission and the food was contributed by the officers and some members of the association. The only requirement was for people to bring non-perishable food items.
FANB members stepped up to the plate and brought in their donations.
The association turned over boxes of goods to the food bank through Elizabeth Crawford Thurber, the Executive Director of the Fredericton Community Services, who was present at the event.
She said she was grateful for the association's support.
"We had such a great time Saturday night. It was wonderful to be a part of your group, and learn more about your culture," Thurber said.
"I hope that you will invite us again to other functions, it was lovely to see everyone so kind, and anxious to please. The food donation was indeed quite a bit.
Thank you to those who contributed. If you wish to donate more, you may contact the Fredericton Community Services, Inc. at 506-459-7461 or at 506-450-9076 (fax).
FANB Christmas party draws more than 100 people
By JORGE GERONIMO-VANSLYKE
Many hands make light work. In this case, innumerable voluntary contributions made the first FANB Christmas Party a whopping success.
That's right, folks. The space graciously provided by St. Dunstan's Church, meant for over 100 people was almost filled to the brim. The efforts of those who decorated the place were not in vain as the place blazed with warmth and it was almost unrecognizable. The Filipino Christmas lanterns or parol hanging around gave the place a touch of home that all of us crave especially at this time of the year.
Filipinos from all over New Brunswick joined in this special occasion with boxes of non-perishable goods that were later on turned over to Elizabeth Thurber, Executive Director of the Fredericton Food Bank.
Not only that, Filipinos were able to share this special night with families and friends of different cultures, who avidly joined in the program.
The party kicked off at 5:30 p.m. The national anthems for both the Philippines and Canada signalled the beginning of the program and then a prayer led by Jocelyn Weirathmueller.
Dexter Noel, President of the Multicultural Association of Fredericton and Humphrey Sheehan, CEO of the New Brunswick Population Growth Secretariat gave brief messages.
Beverly Woznow and Ashraf Ghanem also from the Population Growth Secretariat attended the party.
During the event, Emilio Ancheta was also inducted as vice-president by board trustee Dr. Moises Cabatu.
George Hachey donated 20 wildlife photos, and FANB treasurer Luisa Misa-Toyer contributed her four handcrafted parol for the silent auction. A total of $323 was raised from the fundraiser.
The FANB winning logo was also announced and the winner from Moncton received a cash prize.
The food was overflowing. The long tables were filled with goodies prepared by individuals whose hearts were as big as their kitchens. There were bowls of pancit or Filipino noodles, spaghetti, Iranian rice, chicken adobo, pork menudo, and more.
The dessert? Oh, please. Diet regimens for weeks and months were thrown out of the window with the mouth-watering cassava cake, leche flan, tiramisu, puto, biko, sapin-sapin and assorted squares. I'm pretty sure I forgot to mention some but I would have to stop if I value my sanity, or my health. It was a sumptuous feast fit for the monarchs globally.
While people were enjoying the food, guests were serenaded by John Farkas, Alex Bailey, Mark Currie, Jessica Curwin, James Thomas, Wess Herzog and Criya Herzog.
Jazz and blues strains lent a cordial and wistful atmosphere.
Special numbers were also given by Jun Ancheta and his lovely daughter, Keshia. Violy Vautour pulled off an amazing feat by organizing a choir presentation.
The children played the musical chair and joined the pabitin, a Filipino game where kids crowd under a square frame with wooden dowels then jump and grab goodies while the frame is lowered. Misa-Toyer also handed gifts to the children.
Adults were not far behind with their charades and how well do you know your partner game.
Clevan Lamason, FANB President thanks all the volunteers who made the event possible.
"This is truly about coming together in unity," Lamason said. "The support of the community and the tireless efforts of the volunteers made the endeavor a success."
