Global Bayaning Pilipino Awards in North America 2014

INSTITUTION CATEGORY

Filipino-American Community & Development Center of Ocean Country, Inc.-FCDC (Country Winner)

• New Jersey, U.S.A.

The Filipino-American Community and Development Center or FCDC is a relatively young but very dynamic organization in a small town in New Jersey called Toms River.  Established in 2008, the group now has around 300 members composed mostly of doctors, nurses, lawyers and all other professions in their community.

The organization’s logo is represented by the narra tree, the national tree of the Philippines.  They planted a narra tree in American soil to remind them of their strong heritage and what it means to be Filipino-American.

FCDC aims to build a community center where Filipinos can gather to celebrate culture and hold their community and fellowship activities.  They currently have an enrichment program for Filipino-American children called FACES or Filipino-American Cultural Enrichment School.  It teachers children and teens aged 5 to 17 the Filipino language, culture and values to give them a firmer grasp of their roots.

After sup[er typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), FCDC held a massive fund and relief drive which included a concert.  It was held to raise more funds to help the victims.  Ina month’s time they were able to gather and send 40 boxes of relief goods to the Philippines and donated thousands of dollars to various organizations helping in the relief efforts.  Apart from their immediate aid, they also intend to continue supporting their chosen organizations in the long-term rehabilitation of the calamity-stricken areas.

By uniting the Filipino community in Orange County, the Filipino-American Community and Development Center strive to preserve the Filipino heritage and culture for generations to come.

Aksyon ng Ating Kabataan-ANAK (Country Winner)

• Winnipeg, Canada

Filipino youth immigrants, born and raised in a foreign country, are often faced with identity issues.  They struggle to find their identities and the culture that they should embrace.  These are the issues that Aksyon ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK), Inc. would like to address.

Established in Winnipeg, Manitoba, ANAK is headed by a group of young Filipino professionals in Canada.  It aims to provide social and emotional support for the Filipino youth immigrants of Canada.  By providing them a community that would guide and educate them about the Filipino culture, these young Filipino immigrants are led to a better path.  Mentorship programs facilitated by fellow Filipinos act as a powerful support system and greatly help them survive their daily struggles as immigrant children.

Cultural integration has been a key driving force in ANAK’s cause.  Exposing them to the rich Filipino culture and heritage gives them a better understanding of their roots and who they are as a people.  Apart from the successful mentorship programs, ANAK also holds several conferences open to all Filipino youth and their families, from all across Winnipeg, to celebrate Filipino culture.  These conferences hold activities that keep both the youths and adults engaged in their community and foster solidarity within the group.

At present, ANAK continues to provide Filipino-Canadians the opportunity to share, learn and uphold their culture through education, resourcing and mentorship.  Through organizations like this, we are assured that no matter where Filipinos are, they will remember their roots and remain proud of who they are.

Carolina Medical Mission (Country Winner)

• North Carolina, U.S.A.

Carolina Medical Mission (CMM) is a humanitarian project of a non-profit organization, Philippine American Association of North Carolina (PAANC).  It provides free and quality medical, surgical and dental services to underprivileged areas in the Philippines.

Founded in 1993, CMM started with only six volunteer health professional.  Today, aside from Carolina, volunteers from other states like Texas and California have joined the mission.  Through the years, CMM have treated 47,000 patients, performed 1,800 surgeries, 4,000 dental treatments and extractions and 350 cases of cataract surgeries.

With more than 2 decades of operations, what sustained CMM through the years is teamwork and commitment among its volunteers and their deeply-rooted faith in the Divine Providence is integral in their continues pursuit for healing and touching lives of their fellow Filipinos back home.