Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc.

Announcements

• June 20 - 3rd Quarter Board Meeting
• July 25 Saturday - FAAP Picnic and Elections. picnic@theFAAP.org
• September 13 Sunday - FAAP 2nd Annual Fall Classic 5k Race/Walk.
• September 27 Sunday - Philippine Madrigal Singers in Concert, a Tradition of Choral Excellence. Heinz Chapel, University of Pittsburgh. Read more here.
• FAAP 2nd Quarter Newsletter is available here
• Pickup basketball games every Sunday. basketball@theFAAP.org

About FAAP

The Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc. is an association of Filipinos, Americans and friends whose primary purpose is to develop, promote, and preserve the Filipino cultural heritage among its members and the general public.

The association started out as an informal social group in 1957. It was formally organized as the Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh in 1964 and renamed the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc. in 2000 when it was incorporated as a non-profit organization. It has been granted public charity status and classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The FAAP is a strong and dynamic organization, thanks to its hard-working team of volunteers and supportive members. There is no paid staff and all FAAP funds are directed towards its programs.

A Message from the FAAP President

The growing Filipino American community is proud to take its place alongside the many ethnic groups that contribute to the richness and beauty of Pittsburgh. In 2000, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc. (FAAP) launched a project to construct the Philippine Nationality Room (PNR) at the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning. The FAAP, with the support of its members, friends, other Filipino American regional leaders and various foundations, will build a classroom that will commemorates the history, culture, tradition, and the people of the Philippines. This will be a great addition to the existing 26 museum quality Nationality Rooms.

On behalf of FAAP, I express my appreciation to Warren Bulseco and the 2008 officers, committee chairs, and board members. I give credit as well to all the leaders and members of the former Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh (SPNP) who worked so hard to create an organization that has lasted 52 years. The FAAP would surely not be here without them. Thus, I would like to appeal to each and everyone of you to participate and please get involved with the varied activities of our organization to ensure that it will continue to thrive.

Priorities for the next two years:

Philippine Nationality Room. The PNR is our top priority and we have to double our fundraising efforts in order to see the completion of this project. The PNR will be our lasting legacy to the Filipino people, the University of Pittsburgh, and the community at large. It will provide a sense of identity for our children and the generations to come

Philippine Center. The Center will establish a Filipino educational program that will provide participants ( Filipinos, Americans and other ethnic groups ) with a deeper understanding of the Philippines and its unique history, language, culture and traditions. We shall start with conversational Tagalog classes this year.

The Center will be the home of the FAAP Dance Troupe which is the artistic and cultural pride of the our organization. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to the long line of talented and dedicated dance instructors over the years. (By the way, The YFAP Dance troupe is in need of a dance choreographer, just in case you know of one ) Besides being the practice place for the dance troupe, the Center will also teach folk dances and other traditions to young and old alike.

The Philippine Center will give the FAAP a home. There we will teach our children to be proud of their identity and take their rightful place in the world, knowing that we are a gifted, hard working, and talented people. The Center will be home to a Philippine Library that we hope will someday house a Filipiniana collection -- books and artworks by our great writers, poets, historians and national artists. Once children know their roots -- the collective hearts and souls that nurtured them -- then they will be able to overcome any adversity in their lives.

The future of our organization and the realization of these projects will depend on the active role and support of each and everyone of us. My vision and dream is for the younger generation to step up to the plate and continue what we have started. With our commitment we are laying the ground work to secure the future of the FAAP, its continued existence and vitality for the next 50 years and beyond.

I feel very blessed to have your support, trust and gift of friendship. With your help, I firmly believe nothing is impossible. Aside from FAAP's fund raising events I will try to obtain grants for the Philippine Nationality Room and the Philippine Center. Let us embrace this chance to make a difference. I was fortunate enough to serve as board member and treasurer of FAAP which enabled me to know the organization better. I was also able to participate in charity work that not only helped me find the spiritual dimension in my life but also gave meaning to my very existence. Thank you for this opportunity to serve FAAP and our community. I look forward to meeting all of you and working together for the betterment of our community and the continued glory of the FAAP!

Teodora Gaite Schipper
FAAP President 2009-2010