WOMEN IN UNITY SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Fostering unity, diversity, and inclusivity for a vibrant community.

About Ontario Filipino Women's Club

Our Mission

Our goal as women of Filipino ethnic descent living in Ontario, Canada, is to integrate into the diverse Canadian culture by fostering pleasant, close-knit connections and a sense of solidarity among one another.

Our Vision

To empower women in our community by advocating for women's unity, diversity, and inclusivity as they can be better serve their communities.

OFWC OFFICERS

President: Emelyn Quinto

Vice-President: Fe Gregorio

Secretary: Maricar Velasco

Asst Secretary: Alinnel Fontamillas

Treasurer: Milagros Tariga

Auditor: Noime Toniutti

P.R.O: Connie Carreau

Sergeant-at-Arms: Mahendran Rasie

Robert Belarmino

Marcus Lewis

BOARD MEMBERS

Marilyn Bitara-Rasie

Vi Valon

Rosie Laguisan

Cerena Masu

Teresita Primero

Faye Hangdaan

ADVISERS

Elsie Maranan

Annabelle Megalbin

Rebecca Reyes

Ann Licyayo

Tote Quizan (Technical Adviser)

The History of Ontario Filipino Women's Club

In 1982, the founding group of mothers were motivated by the call to "service to humanity" to establish the Ontario Filipino Women's club. It is then the bedrock of the club's ongoing existence. It was initially established as a group, but it subsequently evolved into a full-fledged club. Ms. Flo Umengan, who spearheaded the fund raising efforts of the group to support a local day care facility and victims of disasters such as Mt. Pinatubo eruption and typhoons, decided to transform it into a full-fledged club that would be open to any Filipino in the community who wished to contribute. Consequently, the organization was officially named the Ontario Filipino Women’s Club of Metro Toronto Inc. in 1984.

Madam Julie Corpuz join in and became the second president following Flo Umengan in 1995. The Friendship Home Foundation Inc., a charitable institution established by BVMC sisters in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines, was once again the beneficiary of a fundraising effort by Madam Julie Corpuz.

Ms. Elsie Maranan followed in 2005 and became the third president of the club. She served long enough to hear about Xander De Los Santos, a boy from Cebu City, Philippines with a congenital heart issue treated by the Herbie Fund Foundation with our assistance. The child is now a fully qualified nurse in America. She wrote a thank you letter to the association. Other presidents followed suit, each bringing their approach to serving humanity.

The club was founded on the clear mandate of “service to humanity” which served as its focal point and the basis for its formation in 1982. This mission statement continues to this day. The Ontario Filipino Women’s group has organized multiple annual fund raising events with the goal of supporting different charities both in Canada and the Philippines. These non-profits include the Food Banks, Feeding the Homeless, Red Door Foundation for battered women, Herbie Fund Foundation at the Hospital for Sick Children, and Cerebral Palsy Foundation. The current crop of engaged young and members continues to uphold the honorable traditions of our forebear officials and members, to continue to uphold the good practices of previous officers and members.