Philippine Center

In October 2017, under past President Becky Quemado, the FAAP closed on the purchase of the old Fellowship Hall of Resurrection Church in West Mifflin. The next three months were devoted to cleanup and restoration work in order to bring the facility to move-in condition. Thanks to our donors and the tireless efforts of our volunteers, the Philippine Center was inaugurated on Feb 17, 2018. Quoting from the remarks of Becky: 

 “For the past 40 years, it has been our dream to have a home for the Filipino American community in Pittsburgh. A place where we can have offices for our staff; conduct business meetings, social gatherings and community service events; a Filipino school, community kitchen, storage for costumes, cultural exhibit, and library among others”

Today, just nine months after inauguration, the FAAP under its current President Fanny Spanos, has not wasted any time in making full use of the facility that it now calls home. Going through the list:

• The facility has become the place for meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees ;
• It is now the home of the FAAP Dance Troupe for its rehearsals and storage of Costumes and Props;
• In August, the biennial Consular Outreach of the Philippine Consulate of New York was held at the Center. On November 17, the FAAP-sponsored Multicultural Event – with participation from 5 nationalities ( Filipinos, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Bhutanese) – will be held at the Center;
• The social gatherings held include:  The FAAP Valentines Party, Mother’s Day, Philippine Independence Day;  and Halloween. On Dec 15, the FAAP Christmas Party will be held at the Center.

A Capital Investment Program (CIP)  was started to address facility improvement projects for the Center. Thanks to a generous donation from a member, the top priority project to renovate the parking lot was completed in August. Future projects include :

• Getting the existing kitchen certified as a commercial kitchen;
• Installation of the Bayanihan Wall of Fame to honor our donors
• Converting the existing stage into a multipurpose Filipiniana Room for stage, library, and Philippine exhibit area.

Again , the FAAP would like to thank all our volunteers and donors for their help. As the organization goes through the learning process of running and improving its own home – the Philippine Center – , we hope the FAAP  can count on your continued support.

Maraming , maraming salamat po!

By Jun Calejesan 111518

Thank you so much for your generosity and for continuing to patronize the Filipino culture!