ANCOP Walk 2014 Expands Its Campaign

One with the Filipino Community in commemorating the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, ANCOP Vancouver joined the Pista ng Bayan Community Picnic at Slocan Park. In the true spirit of a Filipino fiesta, participants and visitors not only get to enjoy the rich culture and diversity of our heritage through song and dance numbers but they also get to savor the unique delicacies of Philippine cuisine, from the mundane to the ambrosial, as they visited the stalls around the park. Such was the scene when Rene Garrucho, Peter Dumlao, Rey Fortaleza and Chito Concepcion, all ANCOP volunteers, went around to campaign for the ANCOP Walk 2014 tabled in August 24.

Clad in their neon green ANCOP shirts, the group were like walking billboards attracting the attention of anyone close by and those they come in contact with. They distributed flyers and leaflets and more importantly they engaged key people and leaders of various groups and associations in promoting ANCOP and its work. The men toured the park meeting and greeting people while the rest of the troop stationed themselves at the booth where passers-by were presented with materials and photos of ANCOP programs.

Cursory to joining the festivity was to promote awareness of ANCOP and its projects which are intended to uplift the lives of the poor in the Philippines, India and Africa.

Ramon Busaing of BIBAK pays attention as Rey Fortaleza and Peter Dumlao explains what the ANCOP Walk 2014 is all about. BIBAK is an acronym for Benguet  Ifugao Bontoc Apayao and Kalinga, an association of people hailing from the Cordillera Central Mountain Region in Northern Luzon. After the discussion we were handed bubod, a starter culture and important ingredient in the making of tapuy, a ceremonial rice wine.  

Members of the Filipino-Canadian Construction Society (FCCS) mingle with ANCOP representatives. FCCS is an umbrella organization of Filipino Canadian engineering and architectural professionals, contractors and industry workers. They were invited to join the ANCOP Walk 2014 happening on August 24 at the Burnaby Central Park.

A gentleman who represents an alumni association looks at Rey Fortaleza of the Reyfort Media Group and co-chairman of the ANCOP Walk 2014. Among the alumni associations approached by the team are those belonging from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo University and De La Salle University.

Business owners and leaders of private organizations were also approached by the group to explore the possibility of supporting the ANCOP Walk 2014.

Rene Garrucho, ANCOP Coordinator for BC, shakes hands with Neil Frank Ferrer, Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General. The two bump into each other as they separately visit the many groups and organizations participating in the event.

Evelyn Bantayan of the West Coast Domestic Workers Association (WCDWA) welcomes Rene Garrucho. WCDWA is a non-profit association that provides free legal advocacy and other services to live-in caregivers based in British Columbia.

Peter Dumlao and Rey Fortaleza, co-chairmen of the ANCOP Walk 2014 together with Rene Garrucho exchange information with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. volunteers. Established in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in the province.

Members of the Batangas Club of British Columbia (BCBC) listen intently as Rey Fortaleza encourages them to support the ANCOP Walk 2014. BCBC is composed mainly of people from the Batangas province and those related or affiliated to a Batangueno by blood or marriage. The club later on persuaded the group to feast on their sinaing na tulingan, ginataang munggo and menudo.

Treenee Lopez of Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada shares a light moment with the team. Her group is  a community of Filipino Canadians, Filipino immigrants and Filipino overseas contract workers. She offered bread pudding which the gang took on with much gusto. 

Peter Dumlao, Rene Garrucho, Rey Fortaleza and Chito Concepcion surround the booth of One Filipino Cooperative of British Columbia (ONEFILCOOP) and engage them in lengthy and positive discussions. ONEFILCOOP is the first Filipino Cooperative established in the province and aims to enhance the lives of our kababayans through bayanihan.

Tireless ANCOP volunteers at the ANCOP station