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In 1935, the Philippine Commonwealth
Council of Seattle (PCCS) was first formed under the
leadership of Pio De Cano. PCCS was renamed the Filipino
Community of Seattle and Vicinity. The word “vicinity”
was eventually dropped because of the influx of the
third wave of Filipino immigrants settling in Seattle.
The new name became the Filipino Community of Seattle,
Incorporated.
To
serve as the Filipino Community Center (FCC), a bowling
alley building located along Empire Way South was
purchased and renovated under the leadership of Major
(Ret.) Urbano Quijance. With Silvestre Tangalan, Sr.
at the helm and with the continuous support of dedicated
members, the building was paid in full on November
16, 1973. Finally, on February 2, 1974, a big celebration
was held to burn the mortgage papers. The symbolic
ceremony was a historic moment to mark Filipino solidarity.
As
reported by historians, the FCC has been the hub of
many Filipino American activities. Through the years,
the Filipino Community of Seattle has evolved from
a strictly social organization to a service organization,
starting with the Senior Services Nutrition Program.
Under the leadership of Bert Caoili as president,
the continued renovation of the FCC included a Reader
Board and a mural at the south and north walls of
the building. The FCC attracted visitors and renters
from all segments of society, keeping the center financially
sound. The introduction of more services and programs
enabled the FCC to reach out to more of its members.
Under
the leadership of Bert Caoili and vice-president Alma
Kern, the number one priority of their administration
in 2003-2005 was to maintain, repair and renovate
the existing FCC until they could build the new Community
Center.
Grants,
donations and fund-raisers
The
Main Hall was renovated under the first phase of the
construction. The Federal Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) provided a $199,000 grant, while the Muckleshoot
Tribe donated $45,000. The renovation was completed
in November 2004.
Design
work on Phase II was estimated to cost over $2 million.
FCC’s Kern led a fund-raising campaign that
generated a total of $2.5 million.
On
May 30, 2008, Merle Camerino and I were among the
100 ninongs and ninangs who witnessed the dream come
true. To mark the completion of the renovations, Mar
Murillo and Atty. Rommel de las Alas raised the U.S.
and Philippine flag respectively during the ribbon
cutting ceremony. Dr. Nicole Serra Van Mieghaem and
Dolly Castillo led in singing the national anthems
of both countries. FCS president Bert Caoili delivered
the welcome address followed by an ecumenical invocation
by Reverend Art Gramaje and Reverend Allan Ocampo.
Guest
speakers included Governor Christine Gregoire, U.S.
Representative Jim McDermott, King County Ron Sims
and Mayor Greg Nickels. Gregoire, Nickels and Sims
issued a Proclamation declaring May 30, 2008 as “Filipino
Community Center Day.”
Governor
Gregoire herself cut the ceremonial ribbon assisted
by Caoili and Kern. They were welcomed by the ninongs
and ninangs who ushered them to the Main Hall where
the reception was held. Merle Camerino of the Filipiniana
Dance Troupe entertained the guests with the tinikling.
The
merrymaking continued in the evening with a gala reception.
Archbishop Alexander Brunett of Seattle blessed the
new building. The Mabuhay Cultural Dance Group performed
the singkil before guests.
Kabayan, Mabuhay tayong lahat! |
