Reynaldo Cruz, President , Pangasinan Group of Manitoba, leads the inducted new set of officers

Reynaldo Cruz, President , Pangasinan Group of Manitoba, leads the inducted new set of officers

Founded in 1986, the Pangsinan Group of Manitoba has been in the front and centre in the Filipino community as the officers and members have been active in strengthening and enhancing the preservation of the Filipino heritage, culture and traditions, focusing in particular of those of Pangasinan.

Recently held at Kum Koon Garden, a new set of officers was inducted by Rowena Oquendo, past president and a guest speaker, giving the officers and guests some inspirations on volunteerism.

The newly inducted officers include Reynaldo Cruz, president; Freddie Sion, vice-president; Virgie Bayuga, secretary; Orlando Buduhan, financial secretary; Jean Buduhan, treasurer; Melvin Arabe, auditor; directors include Jun Oquendo, Roger Valdez, Andrea Lafiguera, Dennis Peralta, Lina Tamondong-Soriano, Annie Barte, Jose Lafiguera, Carlo Peregrino, Amante Bayuga, Nida Sion and Maximo Manangan; Peter Estrada, Ben Ahorro and Ellen Chua, ex-officio directors and advisers; Sally Soriano and Nerio Bautista, ex-officio directors; and Councilor Mike Pagtakhan, adviser.

The induction ceremony was graced by special guests, Letty Antonio, president-OFSAM; Flrorencio ” Tony” Antonio, treasurer (MaCCFA) and immediate past president of OFSAM; Julie Javier, candidate for Winnipeg School Division Trustee Ward 6, vp (MaCCFA) and member, City of Winnipeg’s Equity Committee, Manitoba Fil Street Festival and Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba; Ron Cantiveros, CEO/Publisher of Filipino Journal and president, Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros Foundation; Rod E Cantiveros, president (MaCCFA); Aida Champagne, chairperson, Manitoba Fil. Street Festival and president of FSGW; Ley Navarro and his wife Azel, publisher of Artista and board member of Manitoba Fil Street Festival; Jaime de la Cruz, past president of FCTPAM; Noel Regalado, worshipful master of Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No. 189; Kevin Lamoureux, MP, Winnipeg North and Brian Bowman, candidate for mayor of Winnipeg.

Public dance and raffles followed.

Photos by Rod Cantiveros | Filipino Journal