History (through the years)
Memories
Yes, the UPAABC is still around. In its early years, we were described by a local journalist as one of the spark plugs of the Filipino community. We sponsored Filipino cultural shows as mentioned by Bert including high brows like Redentor Romero (violinist) and Raul Sunico (pianist), deliberately avoiding others like Pilita Corales and Gary Valenciano. As a small organization we were first in the community to use the Queen Elizabeth Theater and the Orpheum as venues. Thus, we elicited the all too common monicker of being elitists. Elitists??? Of course!!!
- Ruben Versoza
Fond memories? Lots of those. A project that I'm very proud to be involved in was the Casino/Disco Night which we did for two consecutive years, and the Blood Donation Drive which we did with the Canadian Red Cross, now Canadian Blood Services. UPAABC was the first Pinoy organization to hold a Casino Night in those days when big time casinos were unheard of in BC. We got the necessary permits, rented a hall, rented casino gaming tables, trained our own female members to deal 21 (I was the trainer and Casino Pit Boss), provided food and bar service, hired a good band (two of the band members are UP alumni, Vic Zalamea and Nonie Bauzon). People who didn't gamble went dancing, and the whole thing was a huge success.
- Bert Quibuyen
Stuff we can be proud of:
UPAABC sponsored performances by the Bayanihan Dance Co., Himig ng Lahi, UP Concert Chorus, UP Madrigal Singers, and some more I cannot remember.
UPAABC sponsored Tagalog tutoring to Canadian-born Pinoy kids. The tutors were Dan Isaac (then the Principal of St. Mary's School) and Mrs. Josefina Serion (former Educator in the Philippines).
And one more thing we can all be proud of: WE'RE STILL AROUND after 32 years. Many Pinoy organizations have come and gone, but not UPAABC.
Yes, the UPAABC is still around. In its early years, we were described by a local journalist as one of the spark plugs of the Filipino community. We sponsored Filipino cultural shows as mentioned by Bert including high brows like Redentor Romero (violinist) and Raul Sunico (pianist), deliberately avoiding others like Pilita Corales and Gary Valenciano. As a small organization we were first in the community to use the Queen Elizabeth Theater and the Orpheum as venues. Thus, we elicited the all too common monicker of being elitists. Elitists??? Of course!!!
- Ruben Versoza
Fond memories? Lots of those. A project that I'm very proud to be involved in was the Casino/Disco Night which we did for two consecutive years, and the Blood Donation Drive which we did with the Canadian Red Cross, now Canadian Blood Services. UPAABC was the first Pinoy organization to hold a Casino Night in those days when big time casinos were unheard of in BC. We got the necessary permits, rented a hall, rented casino gaming tables, trained our own female members to deal 21 (I was the trainer and Casino Pit Boss), provided food and bar service, hired a good band (two of the band members are UP alumni, Vic Zalamea and Nonie Bauzon). People who didn't gamble went dancing, and the whole thing was a huge success.
- Bert Quibuyen
Stuff we can be proud of:
UPAABC sponsored performances by the Bayanihan Dance Co., Himig ng Lahi, UP Concert Chorus, UP Madrigal Singers, and some more I cannot remember.
UPAABC sponsored Tagalog tutoring to Canadian-born Pinoy kids. The tutors were Dan Isaac (then the Principal of St. Mary's School) and Mrs. Josefina Serion (former Educator in the Philippines).
And one more thing we can all be proud of: WE'RE STILL AROUND after 32 years. Many Pinoy organizations have come and gone, but not UPAABC.
