As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we again remember with fondness and gratitude seven founding members (Beatriz Abuyuan, Amalia Bernardez, Angelina Baluyot, Flordeliza Umengan, Rosalina Caceres, Jovelio Espejo, and Socorro Trinidad) who have all gone to the Great Beyond. They left a legacy of an organization that has played a significant role in the lives of our seniors and the community. In 1982, these seven seniors went to see Mayor Hazel McCallion to request a room that elderly Filipinos could use on weekends to gather themselves. Their request was granted and to this day a room at the Mississauga Valley Community Centre would be their meeting place.

The Filipino Seniors of Peel Region was registered in 1985 with patent number 604391. It is non-profit, non-stock, non-partisan and non-sectarian. The Constitution was amended in 1988 to meet city requirements limiting membership of non-residents of Mississauga to 20% and changed the name to Filipino Seniors of Mississauga (FSM). The organization is affiliated with Recreation and Parks Mississauga and as such is entitled to some privileges such as free use of meeting rooms, free use of equipment, insurance coverage, and many more.

The organization under the leadership of its first president Rufino “Pinong” Casino was the first community group that contributed to the Credit Valley Hospital building fund and the only Filipino organization that helps the YMCA and the Living Arts Centre fundraising.

Dedicated leaders and loyal members have made the Filipino Seniors of Mississauga achieve its aims of promoting camaraderie among its members and providing for their recreational and social needs. They also improved their lifestyles, helped the community, and promote Philippine cultural heritage. Their various activities include choral singing, folk and line dancing, Zumba Gold fitness, participating in multi-cultural events, attending lectures and seminars, field trips, fundraising for community projects, picnics, bingo, and mahjong. They continue to have the monthly birthday celebrants and yearly Miss Valentine’s celebration.

FSM’s relationship with other associations like the “Kalayaan” (KFCO) and the Kalayaan Cultural and Community Centre (KCCC) has been a mutual one. They supported and participated in their annual celebration of the Philippine Independence in their Gala Nights and Picnics and at the Philippine Festival at Mississauga Celebration Square. Of special note has been the assignment to take charge of the flag-raising ceremony and present tableaus and dramatization of historic events with the cast from its members.

On a sad note, we have lost some of our beloved members. One of them is Mama Ching Quejas, the longest serving president of the organization who died on July 21, 2015. She has been a role model to all and as a leader. She led and guided FSM through her term that started in 1988. In 2013, because of poor health, she relinquishes the presidency to Ningning Liwag who took over the position. In 2014, Vangie Alcasid was elected to become the new president who strived to improve the senior’s lot. As one of her projects, she was able to secure a government grant program that enabled the association to acquire equipment for their use and added new programs. She continued to organize the various activities and programs that enabled the seniors to join and actively participate. She was instrumental in the amendment of the Constitution which was ratified in November 5, 2016, to align the association with the times. After 4 years at the helm, Cesar Cruz took over after being elected as president and lead the association from 2018 to 2021.

Cesar Cruz continued to promote the ideals and aspirations of the association where Vangie Alcasid has left it. The beginning of his term started with a lot of promise for the future. Unfortunately, on March 17, 2020, Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency for the Province of Ontario due to the Covid-19 outbreak. It was difficult for the association to organize and meet, let alone use the facilities of the Mississauga Valley Community Centre for their drop-ins. In short, the lockdowns and protocols of the pandemic have limited everything to keep the association going.

The recent election of Peter Santos in 2022, in the waning moments of the pandemic, has added another chapter to the life of the association. Again, it promised to be a bright future with his leadership. He had high hopes with the confidence that it will continue to flourish in his term.

Through the years, the Filipino Seniors of Mississauga have earned public recognition and respect. They have established themselves as a visible and strong presence in the community. We have set a good example to all and we stand tall and proud to have our lives worthwhile and enjoyable – growing old graciously.