Student associations partner with RSO over Simbulan lecture

Student associations partner with RSO over Simbulan lecture

Toronto’s three leading Filipino student associations are giving their all-out support in helping the Rizal Society of Ontario organize the lecture and book signing by Dr. Dante C. Simbulan on November 27, 2006 at Munk Centre. Widely recognized as a political scientist, professor, activist, and mentor to generations of Filipino nationalists, Dr. Simbulan is embarking on a four-event tour of Toronto to promote his new book, The Modern Principalia-Historical Evolution of the Philippine Ruling Oligarchy.

“It is an honor….and quite exciting….for us, Filipino students, to play a major role in the holding such a major and noteworthy undertaking,” says Benjamin Bangolan, External Affairs Coordinator, Filipino Student Association of Toronto (FSAT). President Kristine Flores and Michelle Ramos of the Filipino Students at York (FSAY) expressed a similar enthusiasm during the initial meeting between the student associations and the RSO. Also present at the said meeting was Ms. Rhoda Reyes, Director of the York Center for Asians (YCAR) which is a co-sponsor of the November 27 lecture. The Asian Institute (University of Toronto) is another major sponsor of the lecture which will be held at the St. George Campus of the Univ. of Toronto (Munk Centre, Room 208N & 202N, 1 Devonshire Place, Toronto M5S 3K7).

FSAT is mandated to represent Filipino students and embody Filipino culture at the St. George Campus of the University of Toronto. It aims to increase awareness of the Filipino community and of Filipino culture. FSAT acts as liaison between the Filipino community and the University of Toronto in an effort to encourage young Filipinos to further their education and for the University of Toronto to become more aware of the Filipino community at large.

Dedicated to promoting an understanding of the Filipino culture within the York University community and elsewhere, the over-all goal of FSAY is to build a community— where anyone and everyone can be a part of—through wholesome and fun-filled activities.

Similarly, the Filipino-Canadian Association of Ryerson (FCAR) aims to promote an understanding of Filipino culture on campus as well as address the concerns of its membership.

It will be a very hectic four days for the once major critic of the Marcos regime. The lecture series kicks off with a welcome “Meet the Press” forum (Philippine Press Club-Ontario, co-sponsor) on Saturday, November 25 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cusina Restaurant, 288A Wilson Ave. at Bathurst ). The day will be capped with a ticketed fellowship dinner ($15) at the Kalayaan Hall, 5546 Timberlea Blvd., Mississauga L4W 2T7 hosted by Friends of Rizal Society. The following day, Sunday, November 26 (2-5 p.m.), Dr. Simbulan will address the members of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians, co-sponsor of the forum which be held at the Markham Town Centre (Council Chamber), 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham L3R 9W3. The Asian Institute, YCAR, and the student associations co-sponsor the final lecture (and book signing) at the Munk Centre on Monday, Nov. 27 (4-7 pm).

For guaranteed seats, email: rso.toronto@gmail.com ? ofcamc554@rogers.com; or phone: 416-778-7383 ? 905-270-2684. (RJSC)

(PRESS RELEASE)