The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers, Inc. (MAFTI) held their general membership meeting and elections at the Maples Collegiate on February 29.
Elected as officers were Genalyn Tan, President; Ma. Cecilia De Guzman, Vice President; Marilyn Gomez, Secretary; Emelita Baldonado, Treasurer; Nelia Romero, Auditor; and Mary Jane Napolitano, PRO.
Also elected were the members of the MAFTI Board, namely: Cherry Abad, Carrie Barroga, Carmina Lyle Binua, Vicky Cabrera, Rene Castro, Michelle Feliciano, Jon Malek, Julie Mandac, and Clarita Manzano.
After the half-hour dinner that followed, PRO Mary Jane ‘MJ’ Napolitano took the stage to emcee the presentation of the candidates of the Ginoo at Binibining Wika 2020, described as the search for MAFTI ambassadors among Winnipeg elementary students of Filipino descent. Gracing the occasion were Jennifer Chen, Ward 6 Trustee, who brought greetings from the Winnipeg School Division; and this writer who commended MAFTI for its efforts at preserving Filipino culture and heritage among the younger generation.
The gala night of the Ginoo at Binibining Wika 2020 will be held at the Viscount Gort Hotel. As of press time, the MAFTI organizers have yet to announce a time and date, due to the impact of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Kris Ontong is an awardee at the 2019 National Filipino-Canadian Heritage Event. He is the presenter of Barangay Manitoba on Facebook, and sits on the Executive Board of the Filipino Music & Arts Association of Canada, Inc. (FMAACI)
