History
COMMUNITY WITH PURPOSE
The Association was formed by people who knew each other as relatives, friends or co-workers. Some met at Church or were treated medically in a hospital or doctor’s office. Formerly strangers, the “charter members” began to encounter each other at other functions, primarily baptismal parties or birthdays. The “charter members” were from families in Mercer County, in townships of Ewing, Hamilton, West Windsor, Princeton, Pennington and Hopewell. Most of them were doctors, nurses and engineers. Living in a “foreign country” with its pressures and new culture, they chose to support one another in strengthening their Christian values, maintaining their Filipino traditions and strengthening national pride as one people. Networking among Filipinos was considered of utmost importance if they were not only to survive but succeed in their respective professions.
There arose a determination to use their talent, time and treasure to improve the community and country in which they lived so that they could say at the same time, “Tunay na Pilipino kami” (We are truly Filipino) and “We are patriotic Americans”.
AUGUST 1983 – CHRISTMAS 1986
The FFACNJ had its beginnings at a picnic. A small group of friends were invited to the home of Dr. Wilfredo Causing and his wife Lynn. The preparations were magnificent. There were two lechons (roast pigs), when ordinary picnics would only have hotdogs and burgers. “Oh…I forgot that I was attending a Filipino picnic!” The picnic was supposed to be held at their beautiful lawns, but it showered on and off. So, the picnic food was set out on long tables in their large 3-car garage. The lechons occupied the head of the table with other Filipino dishes crowding the rest of the tables. There was so much food – all really delicious (talagang masarap). There must have been close to a hundred in attendance including children who scampered around the house all day. “Remember…we are Filipinos! We have children and usually more than one.” The adults gathered in small groups and had a good time chatting and laughing. As the skies cleared up early afternoon, the parking area with basketball hoop, was soon dominated by a large web of candies, locked in small plastic bags that hung from decorated wooden trellis festooned with balloons, suspended from the basketball hoop with rope. Children gathered under the hoop and grabbed candies. The small children were let in first, then older children and adults. Everyone was able to grab candies. How happy the children looked. What a great picnic!
Yes! It was here at this first picnic that the organization of Filipino American Association of Central New Jersey was set in motion. Dr. Causing suggested a date for the first formal meeting and extended the invitation to those who would might be interested in joining other in planning for the next event, the family Christmas party. This first Christmas as an unofficial association was celebrated at the Banquet Hall of the Nottingham Fire House in Hamilton, New Jersey. The first administration of the association was made up primarily of the following Board of Trustees and their spouses: Fred Causing, M.D, (Chairperson), Zenaida Mangonon, MD, Reynaldo Obed, Romeo Laurente, MD, Ligaya Simkins, Honesto Poblete, MD, and Arthur Amaral.
1984-1986 Charter Members:
The next three years were formation years, during which the charter members organized the 2 yearly events and set the Constitution and By-Laws of the Filipino Association of Central New Jersey. The picnics were held at Rosedale Park in Hopewell and Christmas celebrations at the Nottingham Fire House in Hamilton. Finally on July 27, 1986, these were filed in the township of Princeton, New Jersey Constitution and By-Laws by Arthur Amaral, Romeo Laurente, Rey O Bed, Zenaida Mangnon, and Ligaya Simpkins. Under the astute and paternal leadership of Dr. Fred Causing, we elected our first President – Dr. Honesto Poblete.
1987-1990 Cultural Revival:
There are six objectives under Article II of the FAACNJ Constitution and By-Laws. The first one reads: To promote the cultural heritage and the traditions of the Filipino people. This objective was amply fulfilled by the wonderful presentations of Philippine folk dances and music during the presidency of Dr. Honesto Poblete (1987-1988) and Dra. Magdalena Jurado (1989-1990). In 1988, under the tutelage of Mrs. Helen Almazor, the children of the association performed dances such as “Little Hula Flirt” and songs by the “Maya” choral group to the delight of all. In 1990, the Mutya Dance Company performed skillfully Mazurka, Singkil, Tinikling and Pandango sa Ilaw in an impressive cultural production.
1991-1994
Social Activities & Charities
As the years passed, we all got older and so did our children. We left the halls of the firehouses and moved to banquet halls and various hotels where the theme of the affair went from Christmas Party to Christmas Ball. These events had become adult affairs – a time away from our children for a chance to socialize. Planning became more complex and expensive. Previously, the association asked each family for a membership fee to cover the expenses of the 2 events each year. But the membership fees never worked. We had much more success charging for each event and raising funds for our charities by publishing a souvenir booklet with paid ads from generous members and donors. The charities benefitted from countless generous members that supported the association’s festive events.
1995-1998
Growth & Camaraderie
The annual picnic venue moved from Rosedale Park to the picnic grounds of the Mercer County Park. Wide open spaces, beautiful vista and hiking along the lake made this place an instant favorite. No longer did the families have to take turns tending the fires of the barbecue grill and cooking food for the growing number of attendees. The food was prepared a Filipino caterer so the members can roam free around the spacious grounds of the park and enjoy the clean fresh air and warmth of the summer sun. In 1996, the Christmas Ball was held at the Princeton Marriot Hotel. The affair was labeled “Elegance”. Unlike previous events, there were no walk-ins and attendees were pre-paid and pre-registered. This restriction meant that we did not have to worry about how many would show up at the Ball. The affair was much anticipated and well-attended. The affair held its distinct elegance uncommon to others. The theme was Pagkakaisa at Pakikisama (Unity and Camaraderie). This theme became the hallmark that defined future events.
1999-2022
Prestigious Functions
The FAACNJ had grown no only in the number of members but also in prestige. At the 1999 Christmas Ball, the guest of honor was his excellency Ernesto Maceda, Philippine Ambassador to the United States, who gave a sterling talk about the contributions that Filipinos were making to this country. In 2000, the Ball was held at the Marriott Hotel in Princeton Forrestal Village. The theme was Pasko Sa Nayon. The attendees arrived in Barong Tagalogs, Maria Claras, Kimonas and Ternos. The “Foremost Quartet” serenaded the members with Filipino melodies. The Christmas tree was festooned with special Filipino ornaments. The association awarded scholarship grants to selected students from the Filipino community and donated medical supplies to the Philippine Medical Women’s Association, one of the many charitable endeavors. The Ball of 2001 was memorable for the song renditions of guest celebrities like Miss Gloria Papin and invigorating master of ceremonies, Miss Grace Rustia – TV and Radio personality. The picnic of 2001 was held at the Princeton Picnic Park, adjacent to the Princeton Golf and Country Club. This park had become the association’s regular picnic venue. The Christmas Ball was held at the Princeton Hyatt Hotel and soon became the association’s regular venue.
“Over the years, the association that has been transformed into a vibrant, cohesive, goal-oriented community of young Filipino-Americans shaped by its succession of its dedicated and dynamic slate of officers.” – Ruben T. Bobilla, MD
2005-2006
Youth & Cultural Expansion
The projects during this period focused on Scholarship Grants and the Youth Talent Awards. Participation extended to Trenton Soup Kitchen and Home Front for homeless and indigent people of Central New Jersey. At a Christmas festivity at the Princeton Hyatt Hotel, themed Pista sa Nayon, an authentic Bahay Kubo was constructed at the reception area of the ballroom. Authentic Filipino cuisine was catered for the evening including favorite desserts like puto bumbong, patitaw, kutsinta, bibingka and puto with dinuguan. Children were taught traditional Filipino gams and participated in the pabitan and piñata. Tables were also set up for face painting. The adults were not left out as they dance the night away to the sound of the “Music Boulevard Show Band, including line-dancing.
2007-2008
Community Outreach
An energetic group of nurses who were working at the hospitals of Mercer and Middlesex counties defined this period. They volunteered to serve the Central New Jersey communities to promote health and well-being among all Kababayans with medical missions and education. At the Christmas Ball of 2008, the guest speaker was Ms. Marsha Browne, active executive board member of the “Friends of Alouette International”. She spoke about the great collaboration to fund the education of 300 children in Metro Manila, Abra and Mountain Province; as well as shelters for abused girls in Palawan. Several members of the FAACNJ were also in the Executive and Advisory Board of the organization.
2009-2010
Charities & Lifetime Achievement Awards
It was during these years when a health fair was added to the annual picnics. Introducing sponsors/vendors, this provided opportunities FAACNJ members to learn valuable health information and access to healthy living throughout the community. The association contributed to the victims on typhoon Ondoy in Northern and Central Luzon, Philippines. Other charities included donations to fire victims in the communities of Mercer, participation in American Heart Walk and alms-giving through the collaboration with the Aloutte International Foundation. The Christmas Ball of 2009 and 2010 were titled “A Cultural Heritage Celebration of Unity, Charity and Fellowship”. Both events introduced the “Humanitarian & Lifetime Achievement Award”. The first honoree was Fred Causing, MD, the founder of FAACNJ in 2009 and Honesto Poblete, MD in 2010. Both gentlemen have distinguished themselves in their professions as well as in their communities – largely through the various activities and charities of the FAACNJ. For the first time, FAACNJ participated in the Independence Day parade in New York City in 2010. This was facilitated by the Consulate General in New York and Philippine Independence Day Committee, as the largest Filipino-America celebration in the United Sates.
2011-2022
Leaders Building Upon Strong Legacy
The legion of leaders that followed spent time an energy propagating the FAANCJ traditions. The officers took great pains to maximize participation at the annual Summer Picnic and Christmas Ball with festive entertainment. While the activities are grand, they strengthened common sense of belonging to a community of people who truly support each other. The love, compassion, friendship and concern for one another have transcended the boundaries of Mercer County. Thousands of people from the US and the Philippines have benefitted from the donations provided by the FAACNJ and individual donors. Love has been expansive. “Love never draws into itself but out of necessity to expand outward.” Each set of officers continued the strong legacy of FAACNJ for which the association was founded. Camaraderie at events. Cultural appreciation. Charitable endeavors that benefitted our most disadvantaged fellowmen.
2023
Celebrating 40 Years of Rich Cultural Tradition
The organization took its members into a journey in time with Pilipinas 1898 to immortalize Jose Rizal with the reenactment of Noli Me Tangere, that instilled courage among the Filipino race to emancipate from colonial rule. The celebration dance revelry commemorates 125 years of Philippine Independence. The Summer Picnic honored our Healthcare Frontliners for their sacrifice during the Covid 19 crisis. Minda Allarde started speaking engagements on Philippine history, culture and arts supported by a showcase of Philippine fashion and folk dancing of FAACNJ officers to the delight of the residents of Navasink, Red Band. The December Gala called LUZVIMINDA brought together all Philippine regions into a showcase of national costumes, iconic dance extravaganza representing the 3 major islands and Live Band dancing reprising the golden age of Philippine music with the Manila Sound of 70’s and 80’s. All these events celebrated FAANCJ’s 40 Years of Rich Cultural Tradition under the direction of their chief creative mastermind – Rich Usuquen. The 2023 charities include ChildHope Asia (supports street children in the Philippines) and HomeFront (supports Homeless families in Central New Jersey).
