What is in store for the Filipino Community of Seattle

What is in store for the Filipino Community of Seattle, Inc. in 2008?

By Bert Caoili

I could think of two very important events in 2008 that will be a very important if not memorable not only for the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS) but also for me personally:

1. Completion of the Renovated Filipino Community Center (FCC)

Having a community center is what separates the FCS organization from other organizations. We owe our existing community center to our elders who had the foresight to think of the future of the FCS organization, and to all past presidents who have worked so hard to slowly but surely transform the former bowling alley to what it is now.

In late spring or early summer of 2008, we will finally have a community center – our very own center that all of us will be very proud of. It will definitely be a dream come true! The completion of the Phase I – Renovation of the FCC Main Hall in November, 2004 and now the Phase II - Renovation and a Two-story Addition to the FCC will be the greatest accomplishment of the Caoili-Kern administration. Thanks to God, and to all the support of the FCS board, officers, members, individuals and other organizations, the City of Seattle, King County, State Government, public and private foundations who made the realization of this “dream” possible.

2. FCS Election

My term as FCS President ends on December 31, 2008. Election Day is on October 19, 2008 (2^nd Sunday of the Election year).

Who will take-over the reins of the Filipino Community of Seattle? I firmly believe that the best candidate to serve as the next FCS President will of course be the current Vice-President - Alma Kern! Continuity of the goals and projects of the present administration is a must! Under Alma’s leadership, our dream to expand the boundary of the FCC in order to have a “Philippine Village” will continue. I just hope and pray that she will keep the promise she gave to Maj. Urbano Quijance that she will run for the FCS Presidency.

Who would run for Vice-President? I believe that there are individuals out there who are capable of serving as Vice-President. Now is the time to step forward and be counted.

The same is true for all those who would like to run for a seat on the FCS Board. I am very proud of the current board members in my administration, and I hope that all of them will consider serving again, as they are not bound by term limits.

It is time to get those Candidacy Forms filled out. Those elected would serve from 2009 through 2011. Just think, wouldn’t the newly renovated FCC be a very good incentive or motivation for someone to run for an FCS office?