Friday 27 January 2012

The FANS ACCOMPLISHMENTS by Dr. Jacobo R. Asuncion,Jr.




                                  



 The FANS -THE FILIPINO ASSOCIATION
  OF NOVA SCOTIA- is a voluntary, not-for-
  fit organization  which has accomplished the
  following over the years :


  * The FANS was the FIRST EVER organiza-
     tion of Filipinos in the History of the
     province of Nova Scotia. Yes, we were
     the  "Nomero  Uno", or Number One !
     Therefore, we can rightfully  call our
     organization as :


---   THE ORIGINAL FILIPINO ASSOCIATION  ---
                OF NOVA SCOTIA  (FANS)


* * The FANS was FOUNDED ON  9, 1968   **
     at EXACTLY 7:35 PM   A.S.T.  in ________
     Brenton Street, Halifax , Nova Scotia. 
     Founder :  Dr. Jacobo R. Asuncion, Jr.,
     M.D.,C.M.
    
     The FANS founding was one year before
     the FIRST MOON LANDING.  Astronaut
     Neil Armstrong said: " One small step for
     men, one giant leap for mankind !"  And
     the American flag was planted!


 * The FANS was incorporated as a SOCIETY,
     under the Society's Act of the Revised
     Statutes of Nova Scotia, on June 10,1974.



 *The FANS MAIL, the Official Newsletter of
   the Society was at the peak of its productivity.
   Mr. Amado Foronda, the Editor-in-Chief from
   1965 to 1977, published more than eight(8)
   issues of the newsletter including a Special
   Magazine- A Souvenir Edition.




 * The FANS MAIL, the Official Newsletter of
     the SOCIETY was at the peak of its produc-
     tivity :  Mrs. Gloria B. Sangalang, the Editor-
     in-Chief published  six(6) issues of the
     Newsletter(1973-1974).


 * The FANS became an official member of the
     United Council of the Filipino Associations
     in Canada.  Dr. Bayani Ignacio,M.D. was
     the 1st Delegate to the UCFAC National
     Conference in Ottawa, September,1973.


 * Since the early 1960's  to the present, the
    Filipino Community in Nova Scotia has been
    part of the continuing evolution of the
    Canadian Society.


 * Canada is a Multiculturally Diverse Country.
    Consequently,the FANS respects the cultural
    rights and freedom of all Canadians.


 *FANS participates in many local,provincial,
   and national events.


 *FANS has sponsored professional entertain-
   ers on the stage such as " The Sarsuela",and
   " Rosalia in Concert".


  *1972
    The "Bayanihan" System  of Mutual Assis-
    tanceship was proposed and organized by
    Dr. Jacobo R. Asuncion,Jr. It was practiced
    effectively through  the Bayanihan Standing
    Committee Chaired by Engr. Edwardo Guinto.
    what is the Bayanihan System?  Should you
    be moving your household either across the
    street, or across the province of Nova Scotia
    ... all you need to do is to make one(1) phone
    call.  And help is available.  For Society   
    members only.


    *1972
    The " Hermano-Hermana" System of Sponsor-
    ship was proposed and organized by
    Dr. Jacobo R. Asuncion,Jr. What is Hermano-
    Hermana System ?  The system consisted
    essencially of a rotating sponsorship of social
    functions. Itwas organized and financed by
    the group " on deck". The Society was divid-
    ed into five(5) groups,headed by the "H-H
    Leader".

    *1974
      The Society participated in the Joseph
      Howe Festival. An organized Variety
      Program was presented at the Nova Scotia
      Hospital Auditorium with Mrs. Gloria B.
      Sangalang as the Emcee  Dartmouth,N.S.,
      August,1974.

    *1975
      The Society participated in the Halifax
      Natal Day Parade. On board a well deco-
      rated float,  a huge beautiful replica of the
      Majestic Mayon Volcano with a peerless
      cone was displayed about to erupt.   The
      FANS BAND on board provided the live
      music.  The float was EXOTIC. MAJESTIC
      and SPECTACULAR !

      *1975
      Multi-Ethnic Christmas.  The FANS in
      cooperation with the MANS presented:
      " Christmas in Many Lands".   Q.E. High-
      School Auditorium. Halifax,N,S.   1975.


   


 *In the Multicultural Festivals of Nova Scotia,
   The FANS has received many  Excellence/
   First Prize Awards for overall presentations.
   Overall presentations include: Folkdances,
   Cultural booth, Food booth, and BBQ Booth.
  
   The awards were presented by the Director
   of the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia,
   consecutively in the following years:
                        
                        1995
                        1996
                        1997
                        1999
                        2002
                        2003
                        2004

    *1983  Dr. Jacobo R. Asuncion,Jr. was a
                  contributor to Mr. Tes de Guzman's 
                  book entitled: " Filipinos in
                  Canada", December, 1983.


   * 2012
                  FUND RAISER FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
                  OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES:
                  The Management,and Filipino Cooks
                  of Durty Nelly's Irish Pub prepared a
                  DELICIOUS BUFFET DINNER for the
                  members and guests of the Filipino
                  Association of Nova Scotia. Karyoke
                  participation was enjoyed by        
                  everyone.  Tickets: $15.00 
                  Proceeds and Donations were given
                  to the Canadian Red Cross.   
                  The Pub was filled to its capacity.
                  Halifax,N.S.  February 11,2012.
                  The event was organized through
                  the cooperative  effort of the FANS
                  Representative & Chair, Dr. Elizabeth
                  Eustaquio-Domondon.

     ---------------------------------------------
                         ***
    PHILIPPINE EMBASSY'S CONSULAR
    OUTREACH SERVICE

                     and

    THE PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO
    CANADA'S   HALIFAX VISIT
            APRIL  12, 13 & 14, 2012 

The Philippine Embassy's Consular Office in Ottawa, in partnership with the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia (FANS ), once again came to the City of Halifax to conduct a Consular  Outreach Service. This is a program that started in 2009  under the initiative of Dr.Elizabeth Eustaquio-Domondon,when the demand for Consular Services increased due to influx of new immigrants and temporary  workers in the Province of Nova Scotia.

In keeping up with the advancement of new technology,the procedure for the application and renewal of the  E-PASSPORT  requires that, the spplicant has to make a personal appearance to the nearest Consular Office -Ottawa or Toronto.

This became very difficult and equally challenging to most of the new workers requiring these services,mainly to some factors  like:hard to get a day off durind weekdays,travel expenses to and from Ottawa 
or Toronto and of course,accomudation expenses as well. The number of individuals making the request kept growing as well  as the demand for the services,hence, Dr. Elizabeth  Eustaquio-Domondon,then the FANS President , opened up a communication with the Embassy in Ottawa.  

The FANS coordinated with the logistical requirements of holding a "Temporary" Consular Office in Halifax. The last two(2) Consular Outreach in Halifax, that was held at the Melville Nursing Home Facility of Mrs. Gloria  Hussain, had help  a lot of the Filipinos from as far as New Brunswick, PEI, the Valley Region and of course the HRM.

                       ---------------

In coordination with the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia (FANS ),the Philippine Embassy was in Halifax on April 12-14,2012, for another Consular Outreach Mission.  The Philippine Ambassador to Canada, the Honourable Leslie B.  Gatan and Labour Officials travelled to Halifax and the Maritimes as well ,on business meetings, and have a Forum with the Filipino
Community, together with local labour and immigration officials. This is a great opportunity for everyone in the community to participate in events like this  to avail of the services especially those who doesn't have the resources and flexibility to travel to Ottawa, or be a part of the forum to be updated with the
latest information and news from back home
in the Philippines.

       ----------------------------------

         THE FOLLOWING IS THE
         SCHEDULE OF THE VISIT


 CONSULAR  OUTREACH SERVICE

 NOTE : For e-Passport renewals: Applicants have to   call and book an   appointment  with Philippine Embassy in Ottawa at: 16132331121

Other Services: Notarials, dual citizenship and NBI clearance, is on a first come- first served 
basis within the specified office hours.

Bring all the necessary documentation. Please check list of requirements @ the Philippine Embassywebsite.
                      -----------

SCHEDULE:

. April 12-13,2012( Thurs/Fri)
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM  Consular Outreach            Service
Venue : Atrium of the World Trade and
Convention Center (WTCC )
1800 Argyle Street,( besides Metro Center)
Halifax, Nova Scotia.

. April 12,2012 (Thurs ) Filipino Community Forum @ St. John the Baptist Parish Hall,Purcell's Cove Road, Halifax,NS

6:00-7:00 PM  Meet and greet

7:00 PM Forum Starts 

with the Ambassador, Consular Officials, Labour and Immigration Officials, invited guests and the Filipino Community.

. April 14,2012 ( Saturday )
 Continuation of the Consular Outreach Service
 900 AM to 2:00 PM
 World Trade and Convention Center(WTCC)
 Argyle Street, Halifax,NS

. April 14, 2012 ( Saturday )
 Social Reception : Philippine Ambassador,
 Embassy Officials, Filipino Community and
 guests.

 Dinner and entertainment: Featuring our
 very own Filipino talents, Nadia Moore and
 Leander Mendoza who are gaining popularity
 in the music industry.

 Venue: ESTIA Restaurant @ Spring Garden
 Road ( beside Shopper's Drugmart).
 Limited Seating.

 $30.00 per guest (includes    dinner/entertainment )

 6:00 PM-7:00 PM Meet and greet.

 7:00 PM Dinner

 8:30 PM-10 :00 PM  Entertainment

 For ticket info/reservations:

For further inquiries: Consular Visit Halifax

 Contact:

. April 15, 2012
  The Philipine Embassy Delegation hopes to
  see and enjoy the sights and sounds and
  and events happening around town in the 
  remembrance of the Titanic.  They departed
  for Ottawa Sunday 15, 2012.

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