FCT Update: President’s Gala, Feb. 12

FCT Update: President’s Gala, Feb. 12

By Aida E. D’Orazio

Filipino association presidents will be feted in style by the FCT at the posh Fairmont Royal York Hotel in the evening of February 12.

There will be elegant dining and a live band. The women will be attractively dressed in glittering formal gowns or mestiza dresses, while the men will look dapper in black and white formal attire or in barong tagalog.

The Presidents’ Gala is the FCT’s special way to say thanks to the hardworking association presidents for having done a lot for the community. This celebration, however, will not be an annual event, but will take place every two years, according to FCT president Lynda Javier.

The main attraction will be the rigodon de honor, the elegant Spanish-inspired dance, which has become the traditional opening performance at formal social affairs.

The rigodon participants, composed of 22 pairs of dancers – all association presidents, vice-presidents or FCT board members – have been rehearsing every Sunday afternoon at the Rizal Hall since the beginning of December. The following are the featured rigodon pairs and their affiliation:
Ben and Cristina Ferrer, Order of Knights of Rizal, Toronto Chapter; Minerva and Petee Garcia, AFCA Toastmasters; Marlo and Carolyn Mallari, Cariñosa Club; Rene and Beth Galvez, Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Association; Bayani and Daisy Bernabe, U.P. Alumni Association; Lolit and Ric Tablanga, Pangasinan Association of North America; Julito and Minda Longkines, Association of Filipino-Canadian Accountants; German and Melly Solis, Negrosanon of North America; Fely Castelo and Bobby Gonzalez, University of the East Alumni Association; Rose and Nady Cruz, Kababaihang Rizalista; Belle Tumbokon and Ric Caluen, Ati-Atihan and Iliganon; Dr. Liberty and Bong Bellido, Philippine Dental Association; Dr. Vicky Santiago and Mike Saavedra, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Alberto and Corazon Saavedra, Zamboanga Hermosa Canada; Resty and Luz del Rosario, Culture Philippines, Ontario and Kalayaan; Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Achacon, Bicol Canada; Suzette and Ted Cresencia, Philippine Pharmacy Alumni Association of North America; Dr. Dulce Bismonte and Dr. David Sarili, Filipino-Canadian Medical Association;Wendy Arena and Odie Arena, Folklorico Philippines; Edwin and Gilly Galutira, Centro Escolar University Alumni Association; Helen and Phil Cabab, Samahang Ilocano; Florencio and Viollie Lim, FIL-ACT.

Depression Seminar, Jan. 30

What is depression? What are its symptoms? Is there a cure for it?

According to a survey, those who are clinically depressed can go feeling this way for weeks, months, and often years. Six per cent of the world’s population has had an episode of severe depression, while 15% of depressed people have committed suicide.

Dr. Mario Andres, director of the FCT Wellness Program, hopes that the forthcoming Depression Session will enlighten those of us who don’t have the answers to this malady. Below is the announcement he submitted regarding the free seminar. (Refreshments will be served after the session.)

Learn more about it at the FCT, 597 Parliament St., Toronto,Jan. 30, 2005, Sunday, 2:00 PM. Medical staff available to check your BP and glucose level prior to lecture. Guest Speaker: Dr. Dulce Bismonte, Psychiatrist

Depression is one of the most common medical-psychiatric problems, yet unrecognized by many. Join us to hear a well-known Filipino Psychiatrist in Toronto talk about the early signs of Depression, and how to deal with it from personal or close personal level.

PRESS RELEASE