ANNUAL REPORT 2014PHILIPPINE CANADIAN CENTRE OF MANITOBA INC.

737 Keewatin StreetWinnipeg MB CANADA R2X 3B9Telephone 204-775-4928Email: phicancenmb@yahoo.cawww.pccm.ca

A MESSAGE FROM THE PCCM PRESIDENT

A warm welcome to new and returning PCCM members to this year’s Annual General

Meeting. I welcome you with great pride to a celebration of PCCM’s continuing service and

commitment to the Filipino Canadian Community and beyond.

It has been an honour and privilege to have been an elected as your PCCM President for the

2014 calendar year. As your volunteer who has sacrificed valuable personal time, I am very

grateful to the Board of Directors who have offered their continued support & confidence all

through the year. This year is no different than the last three years that I witnessed where

we have experienced great challenges and unpleasant treatment by some members of the

Filipino community. Despite the dedicated commitments and volunteer work of recent past

and current Board of Directors, PCCM appears to continue being regarded as an organization

with unpleasant image & branding. The integrity and professionalism that many of the Board

of Directors has brought to PCCM appears to have been overshadowed by destructive

criticisms and unfounded allegations. While this may continue as a challenge, as volunteer

Board of Directors, we submit ourselves to work harder in earning your trust for a united and

vibrant PCCM. We welcome anyone who wants to be a part of a team that can lift PCCM to

greater heights. Let us join hands in embracing the ideals of an open, honest, and caring

organization for many and not just a select few.

And so today, as we elect another set of Board of Directors, I would like to again welcome

and thank all members for your attendance tonight. Your continuing volunteer work and

support to PCCM’s mandate is always valued and appreciated. Your presence and

participation means a lot to me as my term as this year’s President draws to a close. To my

fellow Board of Directors and volunteers who have provided their unwavering support during

the year, thank you and God Bless PCCM.

Lou FernandezPCCM President – 2014

THE PHILIPPINE CANADIAN CENTRE OF MANITOBA

EARLY BEGINNINGS

The settlement and integration of newly-arrived immigrants to the wider community were mainly led by ethno-cultural groups themselves. They have established community centres or housing facilities, as means of fulfilling their roles in welcoming new arrivals. Through the activities of the community centres and socials halls, the wider community have learned to appreciate the culture that newly-arrived immigrants brought with them and how each culture would enrich the social, economic, political, and cultural life of Manitoba and Canada.

The first Philippine Centre, formerly located at the corner of Juno Street and McDermot Avenue was established by the Philippine Association of Manitoba, Inc. (PAM) in 1984. Since the establishment of this community centre, it has provided both a venue where settlement services were delivered. Similar to the pattern that has

been experienced by the Italian and Portuguese communities, most newly-arrived Filipino immigrants have settled in the inner city within close proximity of the then Philippine Centre. The influx of large numbers of newly-arrived Filipino immigrants in the mid-1990’s has made it inaccessible to many of the activities of the Filipino community. The then Philippine Centre has limited space and the poor configuration of the rooms and hall has made it difficult to accommodate more than one activity at a time. The deteriorating state of the building has made repair costs prohibitive and wasteful. Among others, it is for this reason that a larger and more accessible community centre is required.

PHILIPPINE CANADIAN CENTRE

In early 1989, a public meeting of the Filipino community of Winnipeg was unanimous in the relocation of a Philippine Centre into a new and larger facility. The commitment and with the strong representations made by PAM, other Filipino organized groups, and individual members of the Filipino community – the City of Winnipeg leased 2.9 acres of city property at $1 per year for 50 years, at the southeast corner of Keewatin Street and Burrows Avenue to PAM as a site of today’s Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM). The location of PCCM became an ideal location as it is accessible and central to a large portion of the Filipino community that is largely clustered in the Northwest quadrant of the city. The construction of new housing developments west of Keewatin and north of Inkster has resulted in a population base of many users of PCCM’s facilities, programs, and services.

The construction of PCCM has been made possible through funding by the three-levels of government and donations from Filipino organizations and individuals. It’s original plan was to build a self-sustaining Philippine Centre with Multi-Purpose Room, a city library and adjacent housing complex. The city library and the housing complex were planned to be the source of revenue for its

maintenance. This plan did not materialize for reasons that the City of Winnipeg cannot build a city library that is attached to a particular ethno-cultural group. As a result, the original acreage that the City of Winnipeg planned to donate shrunk, and in the end losing a space for the housing complex. Having lost the original plan for a self-sustaining facility, the need to draw a mortgage loan to establish a commercial wing of the facility became a necessity. The revenues from the commercial wing have been a source for payment of monthly blended mortgage payments and maintenance of the entire facility. The organization of PCCM was originally an adhoc committee of PAM in the 1990’s, with a fundraising mandate. Immediately before the facility was built, the same adhoc committee eventually became a duly-registered corporation, with 15 elected board of directors that continues to manage the property today.

Since the completion of the construction of the PCCM facility in 2004, it has maintained a steady number of long-term tenants, including Pearl Dental Clinic, Sarbit Insurance, Sarbit Travel, PNB Remittance, Salon De Manila, Salakot Restaurant. The proceeds of rental income from these businesses were initially planned to sustain monthly mortgage payments and maintenance and upkeep of the facility. Unfortunately, this is not the situation today. The monthly mortgage payments and cost of maintaining the facility such as hydro, water, air conditioning & heating, snow removal, garbage disposal, and maintenance supplies are significantly higher than rental income. This current difficulty appears to be the result of poor planning when a decision to build a facility with a commercial wing was made. The other issue that contributed to the shortfall or ongoing deficit is the low rental rates that appear to be below average market rates in the area. Without the tireless efforts of Board of Directors and members who willingly volunteer their time, maintenance costs would have been higher. Today, PCCM continues to be managed, operated, and maintained by volunteers.

Today, PCCM is a facility that is used for workshops, programs & services, arts, music, athletics, cultural activities, classroom for heritage language classes, banquets for various celebrations, and recreation for the benefit of the Filipino community and the community-at-large. This primary objective supports the settlement and adjustment needs of newly-arrived Filipino immigrants. PCCM prides itself in providing a venue where Filipino culture and heritage is preserved and shared to the wider community.

In recent past, many of our “kababayans” seem to have confusion as to the existence or mandate of PCCM. This organization is no different than any other organization or association in the Filipino community. Unlike regional organizations, PCCM is regarded as an organization that is open to any individual with Filipino ancestry regardless of their home town, city or province. PCCM take pride in welcoming members of the Filipino community regardless of their dialects. More importantly, it should be regarded as an organization that does not dwell on past mistakes or shortcomings but an organization that moves forward with a commitment or resolve to serve the Filipino community and beyond with transparency, integrity and accountability.

Members of the Filipino community are welcome to join us. Talk to any current Board of Director or member in good standing who can hopefully provide you with better information about PCCM today. Don’t restrict yourselves to second-hand information. For more information about PCCM today, you are invited to call or leave a message at 204-775-4928 or.

PCCM - PROGRAMS AND SERVICESThrough efforts by the Program & Services Committee, PCCM continues to provide its members and the Filipino community and beyond, SOME OF WHICH WERE COMPLETED DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR, the following:

INFORMATION SESSIONS

IMMIGRATION STARTING A BUSINESS JUSTICE, LEGAL & POLICE SERVICES MANAGING YOUR MONEY / FINANCES DIET & NUTRITION / PREVENTIVE HEALTH

YOUTH CAMP & RETREATS

SUMMER BREAK WINTER BREAK

JOB FAIR

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

FOR SENIORS: FIELD TRIPS SPORTS CLINIC – LEARNING HOW TO PLAY

o TABLE TENNISo 10-PIN BOWLINGo BASKETBALLo CHESS o ICE SKATING

CONSULAR SERVICES

PASSPORT APPLICATIONS – NEW & RENEWALS AFFIDAVITS, AFFIRMATIONS, & POWER OF ATTORNEY

RENTAL OF FACILITIES

LONG TERM RENTAL TO BUSINESSES & SERVICE PROVIDERS OCCASIONAL /SHORT TERM RENTALS

o Multi-Purpose Roomo Boardroom

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACTIVITIES DURING THE 2014 CALENDAR YEAR

TURN-OVER OF PCCM.ca

PCCM has finally received its domain name (pccm.ca) from the Cantiveros. Since the PCCM website was turned on, its domain name has been under the control of the Cantiveros. It was registered not in PCCM’s name but with them. This was one of the items that have been requested to be turned-over to PCCM by the administration of Mr. Rod Cantiveros, the Past President of 2010. Two (2) formal letters requesting for proper turnover were sent to Mr. Rod Cantiveros that were left unanswered until PCCM decided to engage the services of a Legal Counsel. Without the services of a paid Legal Counsel, PCCM.ca will still be under the control of the Cantiveros. PCCM has to pay a Legal Counsel for a simple matter that could have been made voluntarily. As a courtesy to an incoming administration, the outgoing administration has a fiduciary responsibility to initiate proper turn-over. Unfortunately, this was not the case in 2011. On the week of December 1, 2014 PCCM finally received the domain name from the Cantiveros.

COLLECTION OF OVERDUE RENTAL ACCOUNTS FROM WSAA

This is another task that has been resolved during the calendar year. Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy is a regular user of the Multi-Purpose Room. This is a private organization that offers martial arts training to young people on a weekly basis. Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy is managed and operated by the Legaspi Family. Similar to other training school their existence is sustained by tuition fees that they collect from participants. It is also known to the community that they organize fundraising events as another source of income. They have continued to conduct their activities at the Multi-Purpose Room of PCCM with unpaid accounts as far back as 2010. Since 2010 PCCM has continually made several attempts in demanding payment but to no avail. After four years and through the services of a paid Legal

Counsel, Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy has finally settled their delinquent accounts. Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy is now guided by a new Rental Agreement, with fair & reasonable terms and conditions.

THE HONORARY PHILIPPINE CONSULATE IN WINNIPEG The Filipino Community in Winnipeg and Manitoba continues to enjoy the services of the Philippine Consulate at the PCCM facility. The Board of Directors have unanimously approved the Honorary Consul to conduct its activities at the PCCM from Tuesday to Friday at NO RENTAL CHARGE. The Honorary Consul and the Board of Directors will be sharing the use of the PCCM Boardroom. Again, PCCM proudly welcome Mr. Orlando Marcelino, the new Honorary Consul for Winnipeg and Manitoba.OUTREACH SERVICES – PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL OF TORONTO

As a result of formal arrangements with the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto, the Filipino Community in Winnipeg and Manitoba had the opportunity to access passport and other consular services. The Board of Directors have allowed the use of the PCCM facility on a periodic basis. Schedule of Outreach Services are solely the responsibility of the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto and the Honorary Consul in Winnipeg.

During the calendar year, three (3) Outreach Services by the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto was completed at the PCCM facility. About 6,000 Filipinos had the opportunity to meet officials of the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto to apply for new and renewal of Philippine Passports.

Upcoming Outreach Schedules may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Honorary Consul, Mr. Orlando Marcelino. His office is located opposite the PCCM administration office.

HERITAGE WEEK CELEBRATION

Through partnership with the Philippine Heritage Association of Manitoba, PCCM had the opportunity to participate in this year’s celebration of Philippine Independence. Flag Raising Ceremony and related activities were held at the PCCM facility last June 2014. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the leadership of Ms. Perla Javate for their confidence in engaging PCCM in this year’s celebration of Philippine Independence.

OVERNIGHT CAMP-OUT SKILLS TRAINING FOR TODAY’S YOUTH

Last August 2014, PCCM had the opportunity of providing a Skills Training for Filipino Youth and other members of the ethno-cultural community. This undertaking was made possible through active partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service, Winnipeg Paramedic & Fire Department, and Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation. It was an activity that was

designed to provide survival skills, useful information, and an opportunity to meet new friends and renew acquaintances. It was a 2-day overnight camping and sessions that were conducted by PCCM and its partners. As part of PCCM’s plan to introduce new changes to the structure of the organization, this event was meant to be a first-step on efforts to involve Filipino-Canadian youth in future dialogues or series of consultations. PCCM would like to seriously consider opening its doors to the youth who would become as active members, volunteers, and more importantly, as potential members of the board or executive. While it may be challenge in many ways, time has come for past and current PCCM Board of Directors to allow the youth to participate. It is about time that the young generation has an active role in the community.

ZUMBA CLASSES

This fitness activity is currently being conducted at the PCCM facility. It is one of the ideal activities that PCCM would like promote either as a partner or supporter. Similar activities are always welcome to conduct their activities on a periodic basis.

TABLE TENNIS

Table Tennis (Ping Pong) enthusiasts hold their sessions on a regular basis at the PCCM facility. It’s currently organized and conducted by an active sports organization whose mission is to promote recreational activities at the PCCM facility.

PLANNED INITIATIVES FOR 2015

HIRING OF TWO (2) PART-TIME ADMINISTRATION STAFF THROUGH GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS.

RE-DESIGN AND UPDATE OF THE PCCM.ca WEBSITE

POSSIBILITY OF ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF THE FACILITY BY CREATING STORAGE SPACE THROUGH GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND MPR INTERIOR PAINTING & FLOOR CLEAN-UP / WAXING WORK THROUGH VOLUNTEER EFFORTS.

REVIEW OF RENTAL RATES AND RENEWAL OF RENTAL AGREEMENTS

MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS WITH CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS

REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

DISCUSSIONS WITH INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN DEVELOPING A FIVE YEAR BUSINESS PLAN

DEVELOPING POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL THAT CAN ADDRESS OPERATIONAL NEEDS WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

DISCUSSIONS WITH INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR A POSSIBLE MERGER OF THE CORPORATE EXISTENCE OF THE PHILIPPINE CANADIAN CENTRE OF MANITOBA INC. (PCCM )AND THE PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA INC. (PAM).