Mabuhay!!
The pioneer Philippine American International Club started out as a group of about 30-40 people who met for socialization purposes in their respective member’s homes. It was then formalized in December of 1984. What followed thereafter was the establishment of a set of organizational goals and the drafting of our by-laws.
“We welcomed non -Filipino members to join us because our main intent was to foster genuine intercultural fellowship”, says Ken Bowles, one of our club’s first past presidents. Additionally, he recalls that the earliest participation of the Philippine American International Club in the local Sierra Vista Christmas Parade was a float with a presentation of Filipina dancers in their native costumes who actually performed the dances all throughout the parade route.
According to Manang Fe Favor, wife of one of our past presidents, Rosendo Favor, there were picnics and celebrations for July 4th and one of our principal food offering was the perennial “lechon” (roast pig). We also launched the “Little Miss Philippine-American Pageant”. Trophies were awarded to each little participant.
An album of activities was started by Esther Bowles, a Filipina and wife of Ken Bowles. Tradition was to pass it along to each interim president. This album was to be filled with photos and documents of activities depicting their respective terms. However, this album is almost nonexistent right now. We are asking everyone to please join us in locating these precious momentous so we could build a historical background for our current club.
The induction of officers was then held during the Christmas Party. Among the past presidents that served were: Gerry de Vera, Kenneth Bowles, Ben Meservey, Abraham Gatmen, Bill Cox, Rosendo Favor, Liwanag Collins, Lulu Morales, Jovie Joven, Eddie Guevarra, Annabelle Judd, Bobby Barrios, Andy Guevara, Yolly Blanton, Mila West, and Zeny Nelson.
During President Lulu Morales’ term , meetings started to be held at the St. Andrews Hall. For this kind offer, we are truly appreciative to St. Andrews Church.
It was in 2000 that the Club’s name was changed to the FILIPINO-AMERICAN CLUB OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA under Eddie Guevarra’s presidency.
For the past few years, the feasts of Santa Cruzan and San Lorenzo de Ruiz, our first Filipino Saint are celebrated by the club yearly. A procession usually follows after the Mass and ends with a reception at the Parish Center.
Several cultural presentations are performed at these “fiestas”, as well as during the Christmas Party, Asian Pacific Festival and the Diversity Fair which is sponsored by the City of Sierra Vista.
