The birth of UFCSAH website is a dream come-true. In this day and age, I believe it is important not only to have a newsmagazine but also a website that will allow members to be informed on the progress and success of UFCSAH. The administration will have the opportunity to communicate with the membership and the public at large. The newsmagazine and website will enhance the associations’ image in the eyes of the public and introduce the association via printed media to different organizations and levels of government and elected officials. At a later point in its existence, a website can also generate advertisement income for UFCSAH.
In my efforts to surround myself with very good, highly committed, well-respected, and capable people to run UFCSAH, I was very fortunate, excited and happy when Ruby Sarmiento Amog agreed to be in-charge of launching and maintaining the website. Ruby is an Executive Director and President of many Hamilton civic non-Filipino organizations and has been awarded many accolades for her valuable contributions in Canada and abroad. She was the first Filipino-Canadian in the City of Hamilton to be awarded the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for her significant contribution to our community and for bringing credit to Canada through an achievement abroad. Ruby together with Ms. HooJung Jones are donating their time and services in the creation of the UFCSAH website, its implementation, website hosting and website maintenance. There will be no financial cost to UFCSAH. Ms. Jones is a webmaster and President of Websitegate company. We are truly grateful for HooJung and Ruby’s generosity. I sincerely thank both of them.
UFCSAH’s mission and objectives are to assist the Filipino-Canadian seniors residing in Hamilton and suburbs enjoy retirement, lead a productive life, prevent social isolation and grow old with grace and dignity; to improve the quality of life for the Filipino-Canadian seniors through offering educational and informational programs, participate in community activities and special projects (raise funds for charitable donations and donate to victims of calamities; provide assistance to Filipino-Canadian seniors experiencing difficulties, i.e., in accordance with UFCSAH’s mandate); and to actively work in strengthening the relationship between members and to promote and support the Filipino-Canadian seniors and culture. UFCSAH’s projects also include providing financial assistance to deserving high school graduates entering College or University through the Annual Textbook Grant Award.
In the spring of 2005, a compatriot and friend Mr. Tony Viquiera asked me and my friends to attend an UFCSAH meeting. To our surprise, an election for Directors was conducted at the meeting and I was elected Director and President. My friends and I who attended the meeting were prepared to help the association and so we agreed to take over the administration. At the time, UFCSAH’s membership was declining. There were forty three members and $1000.00 in the bank, no strong leadership and no line-up for annual activities. Currently, UFCSAH has more than two hundred members, is known in the community, is recognized by other associations and has a working operational budget. This website is another step forward for UFCSAH.
My message to our members: Contribute meaningful articles regularly to this website to ensure its success and continuity.
Sincerely yours,
Rolly Tanglao