FIL-AM MEETINGS

    OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING - EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

   EVERY OTHER MONTH GENERAL MEETING - On the THIRD SATURDAY OF FEBRUARY, APRIL, JUNE, AUGUST, OCTOBER, DECEMBER from 1 pm to 4 pm - Members and guests are encouraged to attend this meeting with the officers and directors of the association.

    VENUE FOR ABOVE MEETINGS: COMMUNITY ROOM OF MISSION BRANCH LIBRARY located at 3861 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92055
(between library entrance and Oceanside Police Department)

President Belle Limoge inducted Alexis Plaisted as recording secretary at the 1st official FACO board meeting of the newly elected executive directors last January 5, 2015 at the Mission Branch library. At the same meeting the officers sang a resounding happy birthday to the January celebrants Director Dori Harris and Director Virgie Flemming. It was a productive and successful meeting.

   

FACO Cultural Dance Group Performs at Escondido Public Library

Escondido Public Library presents the Filipino-American Cultural Organization (FACO) Dance Group on Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Turrentine Room. The FACO Dance Group promotes an appreciation and celebration of Filipino culture by performing classic Filipino dances in colorful, traditional costumes.

This event is a highlight of Escondido Public Library’s partnership with KPBS to promote 2014’s One Book, One San Diego selection, Monstress, by author Lysley Tenorio, a San Diego native. Monstress describes the Filipino experience through a series of heartfelt short stories.

The FACO Dance Group shares their talent, serving as ambassadors for Filipino culture through dance. Their performance includes traditional Filipino dances such as "Bulaklakan" and “Tinikling.” The Bulaklakan is the dance of flowers, usually done during the month of May in the Philippines when flowers traditionally bloom. In the Tinikling, dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed as they dance between a pair of snapping bambo Escondido Public Library also presents the following upcoming events in celebration of the 2014 One Book, One San Diego program

Aside from Tinikling and Bulaklakan, the FACO Dance Group also performed other dances like Uyaoy, Banga, Bumayah, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Salakot, Carinosa, T'boli, and "Salidumay" dance. Performers are : Enri Fulmore, Belle Limoge, Cita Lime, Esther Adversalo, Rose Wallace, Malou Hamto, Jonathan Enerva, Janice Ureta-Sanchez, Sheila Cabuco Butler and JM Ureta.

MRS. FIL-AM 2014 TOGETHER WITH OTHER BEAUTY QUEENS AND CELEBRITIES GRACED THE GRAND OPENING OF IMAGE SPA IN ENCINITAS, CA

Mrs. Fil-Am 2014 Criscelle Santiago together with other beauty queens like Miss Philippines USA 2014, Bb. International 2010 Krista Kleiner (who was also one of the Top 10 in Miss International Pageant in 2010) and other celebrities were guests at the August ribbon cutting of Image Spa in Encinitas, California. Entertainment was provided by renowned singers like Pops Fernandez, Geneva Cruz and Krista Kleiner while Ms. Garrie Concepcion hosted the show. To represent the organization aside from Mrs. Fil-Am 2014 Criscelle Santiago were Directors Zucette Lumabas and Rica Derosier, members Alexis Plaisted, Virgie Martin and Pat dela Rosa.

FACO Cultural Dance Group was Invited to Perform in Several Events

On Oct. 3rd, the FACO Cultural Dance Group was invited to perform at a wedding reception in Sheraton Hotel Harbor Drive in San Diego, to add entertainment to the celebration.

On June 12th, in a big celebration of the Philippine Independence Day in the US, Sycuan Casino invited the FACO Cultural Dance Group to perform several Philippine folk dances at their lobby.

Another event, on May 30th, the Bonsall Elementary School in Oceanside invited the FACO Cultural Dance Group to perform during their Multi-Cultural Night. The dance group performed cultural dances like Banga, Uyaoy, Bumayah, Salakot and Tinikling to the delight of the audience.

PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION WAS AWARDED TO DEBBIE NICASTRO

During FACO's May 5, 2014 Executive Board Meeting, Debbie Nicastro, who is a strong supporter of FACO, was awarded with a TROPHY OF APPRECIATION for her dedication as co-chair of fund-raising event for Typhoon Haiyan victims named "Through the Storm: A Concert of Hope" which was held on April 12th at Star Theatre, and for her outstanding services to the organization. Aside from being in charge of entertainment, she also performed as member and soloist of the Through the Storm Gospel Choir and the band Network. She has been providing her time and talents to the organization over the years as guest performer and emcee at FACO's different events. Although, she is not a Filipino-American or married/affiliated to a Filipino, she had shown interest in the Filipino culture and rendered wonderful services to the association.

FACO RAISED FUNDS FOR TYPHOON HAIYAN'S VICTIMS through "THROUGH THE STORM: CONCERT of HOPE" held on APRIL 12, 2014 AT STAR THEATER

On April 12, 2014 at Star Theater, two concerts were held - one at 2:00 - 4:30 pm and the other one at 5:30-9:00 pm. The first concert featured Filipino cultural skit and dances and Through the Storm Choir. The second concert started at 5:30 pm which showed three bands performing - Radio-Active, City Reef and Network. Aside from these performers, guests came like Oceanside City Mayor Jim Wood and the Oceanside Sea Lions' Miss Oceanside and Miss Teen Oceanside and their court. More pictures and write-up to follow at the website's gallery page

THROUGH THE STORM: A CONCERT OF HOPE was promoted at the Oceanside City Council Meeting

The Oceanside City Council during its council meeting had given the opportunity to FACO, through its representative Sec. Belle Limoge, to promote its fund-raising concert called THROUGH THE STORM: A CONCERT OF HOPE to benefit the Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines. Chair Marilou dela Rosa and Co-Chair Zucette Lumabas also attended the meeting to promote the event.

FACO ADOPTS A ROOM IN THE PHILIPPINES' UP INTEGRATED SCHOOL (UPIS)

The Filipino-American Cultural Organization (FACO), through the generosity of its Hiyas Awardees composed of outstanding men and women in North San Diego County in their field of study, adopted a room in the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) . Since the school is moving to its new location (inside the campus of the University of the Philippines) and with limited budget, there is a need for donation for various fixtures of its classrooms/offices, thus the ADOPT-A-ROOM PROJECT of the UPIS was conceptualized. To adopt a room is to provide the various equipment and furnishings needed for the certain classroom. FACO adopted a room by sponsoring the CA FILIPINO ROOM 1 (Grades 3-6) Room 320. As an acknowledgement, the room was labeled after FACO thru an 8" x 11" bronze plate installed near the door.

There are about 10 classes held in the room every week and each class has 35 students. The room was furnished with 46" LED TV, magnetic whiteboard, bulletin cork board, teacher table, 35 pcs. of monobloc chairs, teacher's table and refurbished cabinets. It will also be furnished with computer desktop laptop and display cabinet bookshelf.

FACO SUPPORTS EDUCATION

In line with the mission of the organization to support education, FACO donates another $1,000 dollars to Oceanside Civic Library to renovate its branch, the Mission Oceanside Branch Library located at 3861 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California. The branch will be renovating its facilities this month of March.

Aside from this donation, the organization donates annually $1,000 to Oceanside Library which is awarded during its Annual Filipino Cultural Day celebration.

In addition to monetary donation, the organization donates books to the library procured from the Philippines. The books also come from different Philippine agencies like Department of Tourism, National Historical Institute and others; while most of the children's books in Filipino and English are purchased from Philippine book stores and book fairs.

FACO CULTURAL DANCE GROUP PERFORMS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR TYPHOON HAIYAN VICTIMS

The dancers were Jonathan Enerva, Enri Fulmore, Dulia Candelaria, Esther Adversalo and Belle Limoge.

FIL-AM HELPS PHILIPPINE YOUTH BASKETBALL TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN APRIL 5TH * 6TH GOODWILL GAMES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
   


The association gave a donation to help teams of young basketball players from the Philippines to participate in a Goodwill Basketball Tournament in North San Diego County, particularly Carlsbad and Oceanside on April 5th and 6th, 2013. The Philippines National Boys 13U & 14U are coming to Carlsbad to participate in this Goodwill Basketball Games to reach out between this city and the Philippines. Nicanor (Nic) Jorge is the director and founder of the largest basketball program in the Philippines, who brought these two teams to play a few teams from North County.

FIL-AM YOUTH CULTURAL DANCE GROUP PERFORMS AT THE 2nd ANNUAL FEAST OF SAN LUIS REY DE FRANCIA ON AUG. 24, 2012
   
Another great performance of the Fil-Am Youth Cultural Dance Group was on August 24, 2012 at the San Luis Rey grounds in celebration of the 2nd Annual Feast of San Luis Rey de Francia. They performed three Philippine folk dances representing the southern part of the Philippines - "Kapiil sa Munsala", "Pangalay" and "Singkil". Dancers for the "Kapiil sa Munsala" were Maria Concepcion, Melanie Pagayonan, Sage McCray and Tess Concepcion. Solo dancer for "Pangalay" was Felicia Lime Ramos and "Singkil" dancers were Mina Giles, Gloria Giles, Maria Concepcion, Conrad Giles, Marshal Giles, Richmond Pagayonan and Sage McCray. The group was headed by Toni Lime as choreographer and Malou Hamto as co-chair for YDP. The organization has been very active in this festive activity of San Luis Church in Oceanside, California..

FIL-AM YOUTH CULTURAL DANCE GROUP PERFORMS AT THE CLOSING AWARDS OF THE OCEANSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AT THE STAR THEATRE

   
The Fil-Am Youth Cultural Dance Group was invited to perform during the closing ceremonies on August 19, 2012 at the Star Theatre in Oceanside, California. The group performed beautifully to the delight of the audience the Philippine folk dances from the southern part of the Philippines. They performed "Kapiil sa Munsala" and the Muslim-inspired wedding dance called "Singkil". The dancers for the first dance were Maria Concepcion, Melanie Pagayonan, Sage McCray and Tess Concepcion. "Singkil" dancers were Mina Giles, Anthony Pagayonan, Gloria Giles, Maria Concepcion, Conrad Giles, Jr., Marshal Giles and Richmond Pagayonan. The group was inspired and chaperoned by their choreographer Toni Lime and co-chair of Youth Development Program (YPD) Malou Hamto.

2012 APPRECIATION LUNCH TO ALL FIL-AM OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

   
An appreciation lunch was given on August 12, 2012 at the West Buffet in El Camino Real, to all the officers and directors who worked so hard for the past year up to the most recent June 9th Annual Filipino Cultural Celebration and July Parade. It was a refreshing time for a relaxing get-together among these hardworking executives with their spouses or guests.

FIL-AM CULTURAL DANCE GROUP PERFORMS AT THE CAMP PENDLETON'S NAVAL HOSPITAL'S MULTI-CULTURAL DAY

   On July 25, 2012, the FIL-AM Cultural Dance Group performed at the Naval Hospital of Camp Pendleton, CA in celebration of its 18th NHCP Annual Multi-cultural Day. The group was led by Chair/Choreographer Enri Fulmore, together with Jonathan Enerva, Cita Lime, Dulia Candelaria and Esther Adversalo. A booth for Filipino food was also put up to the delight of consuming public.

FIL-AM CULTURAL DANCE GROUP performed at the Library of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

   On May 17, 2012, the Marine Corps Community Services for Lifelong Learning/Libraries at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA 92055 held their Annual Customer’s Appreciation Day and also celebrated May as ASIAN PACIFIC Heritage Month. To celebrate the occassion, they invited the FIL-AM Cultural Dance Group to perform different Philippine folk dances for their patrons to experience the Filipino culture, among the different cultures in the Asian Pacific region. The group composed of, from left to right, Belle Limoge, Esther Adversale, Dulia Candelaria, Cita Lime and Jonathan Enerva. They peformed Uya-oy, Banga, Bumayah, Itik-itik and T'boli. Joining them as narrator and sound manager is Zucette Lumabas. Also in the picture is Ella G. Fritz, library technician of Mainside Library in Camp Pendleton.

FIL-AM JOINS SAN LUIS REY CHURCH IN ITS FIRST MULTI-CULTURAL EVENT ON AUG. 26TH

FIL-AM members and Cultural Dance Group joined the San Luis Rey Church in its first multi-cultural event on August 26, 2011 at the grounds of San Luis Rey church in Mission Avenue, Oceanside, California. The FIL-AM members joined the procession of San Luis Rey de Francia wearing Filipino costumes to represent the Filipino community. The Fil-Am Cultural Dancers performed seven (7) Philippine folk dances representing the different regions of the Philippines from north to south. The performers are, from left to right, Jonathan Enerva, Cita Lime, Michelle Rotulo, Belle Limoge, Enri Fulmore, Dulia Candelaria, Malou Hamto and Esteven Gombio. Other performers but are not in the picture are Darrell Fulmore and Ted Lintan. The kids who also performed but not in the picture are Mina Giles, Gloria Giles, Conrad Giles and Angelina Flemming.

APPRECIATION LUNCH

An appreciation lunch for the association's officers and directors was held on August 21, 2011 at West Buffet Restaurant located in El Camino Real, Carlsbad. This is in recognition of the time, effort and even monetary contribution that the executive officers had been donating to the association.

ANOTHER CULTURAL DANCE PERFORMANCE

The FIL-AM Cultural Dance Group performed for the 80th birthday of Julie Gilchrist held on Aug. 14, 2011 at the Oceanside Counry Club Senior Center. In the picture are (from left to right) Mark Jones, Belle Limoge, Enri Fulmore, birthday celebrant Julie Gilchrist, Jonathan Enerva, Cita Lime and Anthony Fulmore.

Another Fil-Am Member Made it to the Top
Source : North County Times, Sunday, June 16, 2011

For more details, please click image 1 and image 2 .

FIL-AM CULTURAL DANCERS PERFORM AT BONSALL WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON JUNE 3, 2011

     The FIL-AM Cultural Dancers performed at the Bonsall West Elementary School in Oceanside, California, on June 3, 2011 during the school's Multi-cultural Day. Pres. Mely Sivage represented the group as she did the introduction about the organization and the history and origin of the Philippine folk dances to be performed. The dances that were performed are Banga, Carinosa, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Itik-itik, Tinikling and T'boli. Kids who performed were Angelina Flemming, Conrad Giles and Divina Saguing. Adult performers were Jonathan Enerva, Anthony and Enri Fulmore, Estiven Gombio, Malou Hamto, Mark Jones, Cita Lime, Belle Limoge and Mitchelle Rotulo.

FIL-AM AT THE OCEANSIDE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON
JUNE 1, 2011

     The FIL-AM kids, in Filipino costumes, were given the honor by the Oceanside City Council to lead the Pledge of Allegiance during its June 1st council meeting. It was also an opportunity for the association, represented by Pres. Mely Sivage and Sec. Belle Limoge, and the Oceanside Public Library represented by Brad Penner, to promote the forthcoming June 11th Annual Filipino Cultural Day to be held at the Oceanside Civic Center. The children in colorful Filipino costumes are Angelina Flemming, Mona Abrazado, Sivage, Conrad Giles, Mina Giles and Divina Saguing.

FIL-AM CULTURAL DANCE GROUP PERFORMS AT CAMP PENDLETON'S MULTI-CULTURAL DAY ON MAY 25, 2011

     The FIL-AM Cultural Dance Group was invited to perform at the Multi-cultural Day event of Camp Pendleton on May 25th from 11:00 - 1:30 pm, at the Mainside Library. The performers were Enri Fulmore, Belle Limoge, Cita Lime, Mark Jones, Anthony Fulmore, Mitchelle Rotulo and Estive Gombio. Pres. Mely Sivage gave an introduction about the association and the dances to be performed, namely - Carinosa, Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Tinikling.

Fil-Am Donates More Books from the Philippines to Oceanside Public Library

     On May 12, 2011, during one of the organizational meetings between the Fil-Am Cultural Association of North San Diego County and the Oceanside Public Library in preparation for the June 11th Annual Filipino Cultural Day, the officers and directors of the association presented to the Oceanside Public Library headed by Deborah Polich, the donation of historical and cultural books imported from the Philippines to be added to its Philippine collection of books, DVD's and literature. On the picture (standing from left to right) FIL-AM Dirs. James Viado, Dulia Candelaria, Zucette Lumabas, Aida Viado, Enri Fulmore, Sec. Belle Limoge, Library Staff Brad Penner and Marie Town. (Seated from left to right) FIL-AM Pres. Mely Sivage, Library Head Deborah Polich, Staff Monica Chapa-Domercq and Kristine Moralez.

THE FIL-AM CULTURAL DANCE GROUP PERFORMS AT UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ON APRIL 2, 2011

     The Fil-Am Cultural Dance Group performs at the Filipino Cultural Night of the University of San Diego on April 2nd at USD Shiley Theatre . The event was hosted and organized by a young group of Filipino-American students of the university called Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization (FUSO). The dance group performs the dances - CARINOSA, ITIK-ITIK and T'BOLI. Performers are Enri Fulmore, Belle Limoge, Jonathan Enerva, Mark Jones, Anthony Fulmore, Cita Lime, Malou Hamto, Mitchelle Rotulo and Esteive.

     Aside from this, the FIL-AM Cultural Dance Group also performs at wedding, birthday and other special occassions. They were last seen performing at a wedding on April 16, 2011 at Pala Casino and Resort in Pala, California.

     To contact the group, kindly leave you feedback or inquiries on our website.

FIL-AM DONATED TO OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY ON
JAN. 11, 2011

     The FIL-AM association gave its annual donation of $500 to the Oceanside Public Library during the Jan. 11th Board Meeting of the Friends of the Oceanside Library. Receiving the check in behalf of the Oceanside Library is Library Director Deborah Polich and Suzanne Williams, President of the Friends of the Oceanside Library. Representing the FIL-AM association are Past Pres. Rica Derosier, Pres. Amelia Sivage, Sec. Belle Limoge, Auditor Dulia Candelaria, Sgt.-at-Arms Buddy Martin, Directors Suzette Lumabas and James Viado, and members Aida Viado and Genevieve Wunder.

AD HOC COMMITTEE AT WORK

     On January 8, 2011, the Ad Hoc Committee (comprised of Chair Jun Juguilon and members Dee Weber, Wendy Thrower, Elwin Derosier, Hank Limoge and Asst. Sec. Mark Jones) conducted a mock election at the residence of Hank and Belle Limoge, to put to a test the guidelines and procedures the committee had formulated. It was also a post-Holiday gathering of the officers, directors and members where they had fun at the same time!

FIL-AM JOINS SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE'S CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL AWARENESS DAY

     The organization and its Cultural Dance Group was invited to join and perform at Mesa College's Cultural Awareness Day on Dec. 2nd from 11 - 2:00 PM, organized by Filipino-American Cherie Deogracias, Senator/Student Leader of Associated Student Government of San Diego Mesa College. The celebration aims is to inform the students and public about different cultures in the community whereby the association promoted the Philippine culture by putting up a booth with Philippine handicraft and through dance performances. The association's representatives are Dirs. Zucette Lumabas, Dulia Candelaria, Jun Juguilon and the FIL-AM Cultural Dancers composed of Auditor Enri Fulmore, Sec. Belle Limoge, Dir. Cita Lime and Miss Fil-Am 2009-2010 1st Runner-up Tatiana Robinson. Miss Fil-Am 2009-2010 Dejah Urbanovitch was the emcee/narrator for each dance. The cultural dance group performed five Philippine folk dances namely Banga, Itik-itik, Carinosa, Pandanggo sa Ilaw and T'boli.

OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

     FIL-AM monthly executive meetings are not complete without the celebration of its executives's and active members's birthdays. There would always be a personalized cake made out for the celebrants. Birthday celebrants for October are Dirs. Dee Weber, Dulia Candelaria, Jun Juguilon and Wendy Abon-Thrower; for November - active committee members Aida Viado, Jonathan Enerva and Mrs. Fil-Am Runner-Up Lucy Awde-Dickson and for December, active committee member James Viado and members Rolly Hamto and Vangie Soliman. It's also one of the many ways the association develops strong bonds and camaraderie among its members.

Birthday celebrants like Dir. Wendy Abon-Thrower shared their special moments with their family, friends and loved ones in more ways than one!

FIL-AM 2010 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NEWS

     Five (5) deserving FIL-AM scholars received their cash awards on June 12, 2010 from the association - (left to right) FIL-AM Scholarship Committee composed of Asst. Sec. Anthony Fulmore, Dir. Dee Weber, Nelly Taguba, 4th placer Audrey Foronda, 5th placer Isaiah Luzon, 3rd placer Oliver Hamto, 2nd placer Alexandra Tuazon, 1st placer Wade Licup, and FIL-AM Pres. Rica Derosier.

The Committee did some fund-raising activities solely for this project like the May 1st and May 29th Rummage Sale.