Annual General Meeting – Chairman’s Report

Dear Members of FWA-UK

Welcome to our Annual General Meeting. It gives me great pleasure to present the Chairman’s Annual Report. It will highlight some of the achievements and activities of our association in the past year. I am proud to report that the Association’s Finances for the financial year ended 31st August 2023 is in a healthy state. Our treasurer Celerina Grosser will report on this.

Membership Committee Chair Celia Herrera informs me that we have 136 active members to date.

The last twelve months has been challenging but rewarding year for our Association, as we continued to pursue our mission of advancing the education of underprivileged children at home and promoting the well-being of Filipino Women in the UK.

Despite the ‘cost of living crises’ we were able to carry out various charitable projects and activities that benefited our scholars, our members and our community.

In October 2022, we paid a courtesy call to the Philippine Deputy Chief of Mission Madame Rhenita B. Rodriguez. We discussed our ongoing projects and initiatives, ways to strengthen our collaboration and partnership and expressed our gratitude for her support.

We started to conduct free IT training sessions for seniors in Newham, in partnership with the Stratford Library in October. These sessions were aimed at empowering senior citizens in our community with basic computer skills, such as using email, social media, online banking, and e-government services. We had a total of 100 participants who attended the sessions. The last session was on July this year.

The Outreach Committee Chair Lydia Sumang organised tea parties for the elderly and dance session were held, to promote well-being. Members and friends were treated to a Christmas Special at the Royal Albert Hall.

In November 2022, I had the privilege of visiting our high school scholars in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija who are supported by our scholarship program. I was impressed by their academic performance and their aspirations for higher education and career. I also witnessed their gratitude and appreciation for FWA-UK and our donors, who made their education possible. I also met with their parents and teachers. I was proud to represent FWA-UK as their benefactor.

In December, we had our annual Christmas party at the Copthorne Tara Hotel where children and parents enjoyed a festive afternoon. Father Christmas was in attendance. The association sponsored a “Simbang Gabi” at St. Dominic’s Church in Camden.

In March 2023, I was invited to join the International Women’s Day Women’s policy Summit at City Hall hosted by Mayor Sadiq Khan. We were honoured to be invited as one of the representatives of Women’s organisation in London. The summit provided an opportunity for us to network with other women and organisations and learn about the challenges faced by women in other sectors.

One of the highlights of our year was the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023. We celebrated IWD in March with an event titled ‘Constructing the Filipino Woman in Britain: Towards Agency and Empowerment’. The forum was held at the Khalili Lecture Theatre in SOAS University, London, in partnership with the Philippine Studies at SOAS and the Kanlungan Consortium. The aim of the event was to empower Filipino women in the UK by challenging the social constructs and stereotypes that have shaped their identity and experiences over the years.

The event featured speakers from different backgrounds and perspectives, who shared their insights and stories on topics such as cultural identity, human trafficking, domestic violence, migrant rights and workforce stereotyping. Dr Cristina Juan, Dr Remy Reyes, Crystal Dias, Ira Lehmann and many others contributed to a successful forum. Consul General Madame Rodriguez together with Embassy officials were in attendance.

March 2023, as part of the Philippine Embassy’s Lecture Series for Women and Their Rights, some members and I attended the seminar on domestic violence laws for the Filipino community.

On 29th April 2023, we celebrated the FWA-UK’s founding day. Our 35th Birthday! A thanksgiving mass was held at the Carmelite Church in Kensington, London. This was followed by a simple reception at the Tara Hotel.

17th June 2023, the Association’s 35th year Anniversary and in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. To celebrate the two important milestones, our Annual Fundraising Gala Night was held at the Royal Garden Hotel. In collaboration with PamPinay clothing brand founded by Pamela Gotangco-Hupp and Christian Belaro, the ‘Dilag’ collection was showcased through a fashion show during our Gala Night. PND 2023 was a night to remember and raised a considerable amount of money to add to our funds.

Education and Scholarship Grants Committee Chair Imee Pinto presented to the Executive Board suitable applicants for scholarship and 9 applicants were accepted making a total of 19 scholars that we support this school year.

Next year, it is my hope and I look forward to send one or two students to college education. Wilma Lone is working hard on this.

The Trustees paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. in July 2023.

20th August 2023, a fun day trip to Folkestone and shopping, Ashford outlet in Kent, was an excellent way of spending extra cash. The trip raised a decent amount of £800 and a bit more for our general fund. Linda Challis and her team of Special ladies did an excellent job.

Crystal Dias has tendered her resignation as Vice-Chair and the Board accepted. Crystal, on behalf of the Association, I convey a special thank you for your generosity and unwavering support to our values.

September 2023. The trustees were invited by Madame Lourdes B. Locsin to view ‘BUGKOS’, an exhibit of Filipino costume from the Cordillera Mountains and from the Maranaw region of Mindanao.

Afterwards, a meriends cena was enjoyed by all.

My fellow members, I thank you for your continued support, cooperation and understanding.

To advisers, Dr Remy Reyes and Mrs Nenita Garrad, to the Executive Board of Trustees, I am immensely grateful for the privilege of working with you.

Maraming Salamat Po.

Dulia Prado

Chairman FWA-UK 2020 – 2023