MAFTI 45th Anniversary

by Gemma Dalayoan

The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Association Inc. celebrated its 45th Anniversary at the Hilton Hotel on Wellington on Saturday, January 21, 2023. One hundred 132 guests entered the beautifully decorated hall in gowns and formal attire and walked on a red carpet before going to their assigned seats.

Programs were distributed that entail the activities of the night.

The program opened with the playing of the national anthems

O Canada and “Lupang Hinirang” led by Ariel Fernando. A doxology was rendered by MAFTI singers and the opening prayers led by Roldan Laguerta, MAFTI’s Public Relations Officer. The Treaty and Land acknowledgement was done by Ernesto Ofiaza Jr., Board member.

MAFTI’s vivacious and energetic president, the opening remarks. Three greetings ensued from the following:

Treasurer – Carrie Barroga

PRO- Roldan Laguerta

Auditor: Jasmin Masangcay

Board of Directors:

Ernesto Ofiaza Jr.

Fredis Vinza Bautista

Michelle Feliciano

Clarita Manzano

Jon Malek

Gloria Agravante

Gloria Ortiz

Past President: Genalyn Tan

Dinner was served at 8:00 p.m. with entertainment from

Rodel Olesco

Catherine Manuel Ferrer

Elmer Aquino

MAFTI Singers

MAFTI dancers

Ariel Fernando her husband Nemesio Juan were also present to cheer Gemma.

Immediate past president Genalyn Tan was given the Exemplary Leadership Award. In her term she pioneered the teaching of Bilingual Filipino Program with Mary Jane Napolitano and the online teaching of Filipino to children, teens and adults.

Special Awards were handed out to very active outstanding members. Recipients were Victoria Cabrera, Jasmin Masangcay ,Carrie Barroga ,Clarita Manzano, and Julie Mandac

Closing remarks was given by Michael Valdez, MAFTI’s vicepresident and a co-emcee of Michelle Feliciano, a Board member.

Dance followed with the dance floor full of teachers and their guests.

Guests:

Member of Parliament

Kevin Lamoureaux

His Worship Mayor Scott Gillingham

Charles Cochrane Executive director of MFNERC

Jonathan Malek gave a brief history of MAFTI

His Worship Scott Gillingham inducted all the executive officers and Board of Directors.

They are as follow:

President: Mary Jane Napolitano

Vice President: Michael Valdez

Secretary- : Loreta Genota

Highlight of the Event was the giving of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Gemma Dalayoan, one of the founders and 3 times president of MAFTI . Every year since MAFTI’s inception in 1977 to date, she has always been active in MAFTI.

MP of Parliament, Kevin Lamoreau, His worship Mayor Scott Gillingham, Genalyn Tan, immediate past president, and Mary Jane Napolitano, current president gave the award to Gemma Dalayoan. After receiving the award, she delivered her speech of gratitude and later she was ushered to sit on a white covered chair in the middle of the dance floor as Paul Ong serenaded her.

Lolita Oandasan, founder of MAFTI and her husband Cesar, as well as Cory Juan, co-founder and

Cindy Lamoreaux, MLA for Tyndall Park Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame Perla Javate, Dante Aviso, and Ann Evangelista, Winnipeg School Division school trustees.

Service award was given to Filipino Heritage teachers who served from 2018- 2022. MAFTI Officers from 2018-2022 were given the recognition award. The grandiose and memorable event ended at 12:00 a.m. with very happy attendees, especially teachers from the north who are looking forward to next MAFTI’s event.

MAFTI gives our cheers and congratulations to Mary Jane Napolitano, MAFTI president and her planning committees.