Members of Filipino CommUNITY of New Brunswick (FCNB) had actively participated in Asian Heritage Society's Asian Food Festival on August 29th at Capital Winter Club in Fredericton.

The event was a an opportunity to showcase and promote the Asian Communities and a fund-raising effort in benefits of affected Pakistani flood victims.

The CommUNITY had prepared and served the Filipino Beef  Lumpia (Spring Rolls) and Filipino Pansit Bihon (ChickenRice Noodles) to the public.

Our volunteers, Edlyn Laxamana and Luming Cusi demonstrated and served Lumpia with sweet and sour sauce presented in traditional  bamboo tray and with banana leaves. In addition, Gina Moreno and Evellyn Bauzon who recently migrated to New Brunswick demonstrated and served the Pansit Bihon.

The participation was a inspired with two of seven CommUNITY objectives to 1. preserve and promote the Filipino culture and ethnicity among its members as well as promote awareness of this heritage in the Canadian community 2. extend charitable efforts not just to Filipino nationals and Filipino Canadians in New Brunswick but to all who are in need here and elsewhere in the world.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53428928@N05/sets/72157624711919253/show/

Kabayan,
    
    In behalf of the CommUNITY Council, let me thank you all for coming and celebrating the Annual Filipino CommUNITY Family Fun Day. There were close to 90 individuals attended the picnic from Shediac, St. George, New Maryland, Fredericton, Woodstock, Miramichi, Grand Falls and other surrounding areas.

This was our 4th annual celebration demonstrating the importance of family activities, celebrating the accomplishment of the CommUNITY and providing an opportunity to meet and greet everyone.

      Our theme,"Fiestang Pinoy" brought back memories of our native land and allowed us to share our tradition and culture to our kids and our Canadian friends.  The picnic area was decorated with Filpino ambience featuring Nipa Hut with banderitas (colorful hanging decorations), lechon (pig roast) and family fun games. The kids enjoyed the slip 'n slide while the ladies enjoyed their victory over men on the tug of war game.

   Thanks to Honorable Minister of Finance, Greg Byrne who brought greetings from the government and spoke about the program they made in the lives and status of immigrants when he was the minister responsible for the Immigration and Repatriation Secretariat and minister responsible for the Population Growth Secretariat. Dexter Noel, president of New Brunswick Multicultural Council (NBMC) also brought greetings from the council and spoke about our CommUNITY as one of the vibrant community in the province.

    Special thanks to the Social and Food Committee, Fitness and Sports Committee, Socio-Cultural Committee and Membership and Recruitement Committee for their demonstrated involvement. Thanks to the artistic hand of Jennifer Chiva for an impressive poster design. Also, want to recognize Joey, Ed and Choy and Rudy Morales for their assistance on pig roast, Lowella, Evelyn, Gina, MARJORIE,HEIDI for site decorations and preparation and to all volunteers who help out making banderitas, nipa hut transportation, and site decoration and of course the site clean up.

   It is nice seeing you all on this event and we are looking forward having you again next year. So, mark your calendar for next year's CommUNITY Family Fun day.

Rudy Morales and his family, sends the appreciation email below:

   "Our pleasure, thank you for the privilege you gave us to be part of it. The hospitality and thoughtfulness exhibited by the FCNB staff was great!

It was tiring but we had lots of fun. It was just lovely to meet some more of our kababayans here  at NB.

More power to FCNB!  MABUHAY!!

Rudy & Family"

 Check out our website for pictures of the event. As I indicated in my greetings, it takes everyone to build the CommUNITY, so let's build our CommUNITY together!!!

Mabuhay kayong lahat,
Roland Moreno, President
Filipino CommUNITY of New Brunswick (FCNB)
Building Our CommUNITY Together!

The Filipino CommUNITY of New Brunswick (FCNB) invites you to our Annual Family Fun Day on August 21th, Saturday from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM  at the Potato Research Center Picnic area on Lincoln Road, Fredericton. This is an annual event demonstrating the importance of  the family, celebrating the accomplishment of the CommUNITY and  providing opportunity to meet and greet everyone.

The CommUNITY will be roasting and providing the 'lechon' (Filipino pig  roast) on site. This is a potluck picnic and we are encouraging  everybody to bring a special dish, dessert and non alcoholic beverages to share with everyone. We are preparing games and water activities  (slip 'n slide) for all, so bring sun screen lotion and extra clothes  (bathing suits, towel, etc.) and share a family fun day with us.

MARK your CALENDARS - Annual Family Fun Day - August 21 (Saturday).

Please RSVP on or before August 18th.

Further details will be circulated at a later time or you can visit  the CommUNITY website at http://www.pinoys.org or http://www.fredericton.filipinocommunity.ca.

Expecting you there!,
Roland Moreno, President
Filipino CommUNITY of New Brunswick (FCNB)
Building Our CommUNITY Together!

An Overseas Filipino  is a person of Philippine origin who lives outside of the Philippines. This term applies both to people of Filipino ancestry who are citizens or residents of a different country and to those Filipino citizens abroad on a more temporary status. Most overseas Filipino migrate to other nations to find employment or support their families in the Philippines. As a result of this migration, many countries have a substantial Filipino community. Often, these Filipinos are referred to as "Overseas Filipino Workers" or "OFWs". The term "Global Filipino" is another term of more recent vintage but less widely used. There are about 8.7 to 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide, equivalent to about 11% of the total population of the Philippines.

Each year, more than a million Filipinos leave to work abroad through overseas employment agencies and other programs, including government sponsored ones. Others immigrate and become permanent residents of other countries. Overseas Filipinos often work as accountants, IT professionals, engineers, architects, entertainers, technicians, teachers, military servicemen, seafarers, students, caregivers, domestic helpers, doctors, physical therapists, nurses, and household maids.

Canada only had a small population of Filipinos until the late 20th century. To date, there are currently around 400,000 Filipino Canadians in Canada, most of them living in urbanized areas. This number is growing yearly due to Canada's more liberal immigration laws to compensate for their low population growth. Filipino-Canadians are the third-largest Asian-Canadian group in the nation after the Indian and Chinese communities. They are also the largest Southeast Asian group in the country. Between the years of 2001 and 2006 the Filipino community in Canada grew from 308,575 to 410,695 or a growth of about 33%, compared to the rest of Canada which only grew by about 5%. On average, Canada received about 20,500 Filipino immigrants every year between 2001 to 2006. Assuming this annual growth, the population is expected to hit 500,000 by 2010. As of December 2008, Filipinos overtook China as Canada's leading source of immigrants.

Data from the 2006 Canadian Census

References:
     1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_Canadian