Communities> Florida > Orlando

Updated Jul. 1, 2001

ORLANDO, FL -- The Council for Filipino American Organizations (CFAO) of Central Florida is the offshoot of the natural evolution of its 26-year-old predecessor, the Filipino American Association of Central Florida (formerly the Fil-Am Club).

Noticing the decline in membership because of the emergence of focused Filipino American organizations in Central Florida, the Fil-Am Association decided to dissolve and in its place install a Council that will act as an umbrella for all of these growing special-interest organizations.

Thus, the CFAO was formed, primarily to establish a unified Filipino American representation to the general public, to promote the general welfare of its member organizations and the Filipino American Community, and to encourage cooperation and camaraderie among the community members.

In order to achieve these objectives, the Council coordinates projects and activities that are of common interest to the member groups and organizations. It serves as a common resource and channel of communication among these organizations and with the general public.


Knights of Rizal inducts 2001 officers
By Ruby Bayan

The Central Florida Chapter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal gathered at the Orlando Public Library last June 24th to induct the 2001-2002 set of officers led by the new Chapter Commander Sir Rainer Guevarra, KCR.
Sworn in by Sir Noli Vianzon, KGOR, Area Commander, Eastern USA III, the new set of Chapter Officers are Sir Iman Bartolo, KOR, Deputy Commander; Sir Anthony Wong, DDS, KOR, Chapter Chancellor; Sir Victor Montallana, KOR, Chapter Pursuivant; Sir Ray Reynolds, KCR, Chapter Exchequer; Sir Seb Gamino, KCR, Chapter Archivist; Sir Jay Alcordo, KR, Chapter Auditor; Sir Fred Floyd, KR, Trustee; Sir Ely Villaverde, KOR, Trustee; Sir Anthony Zman, KR, Chapter Chaplain; and Sir Hoover Yap, KCR, Sir Mario Ordona, KCR, Sir Val Dagani Jr., KGOR, and Sir Johnny Ngo, KGOR, as Advisors.
Also inducted are the 2001-2002 officers of the Ladies Auxiliary: Lindy De Guzman, President; Sharon Guevarra, RN, Vice President; Marietta Wong, RN, Secretary; Vangie-Espino-Reynolds, Treasurer; Precy Kirong, Auditor; and Lita Ngo, Dr. Naty Ordona, and Dr. Lita Dagani, as Directors.
In his acceptance message, new Chapter Commander Guevarra announced the Central Florida chapter's projects for the year: "Effective immediately, all candidates will have to attend a weekend seminar on Rizalism prior to their initiation… Next, there will be a 10-minute lecture on Rizalism during our General Meetings. Then there's a Sunday Heritage School… The Youths for Rizal being formed… and babysitting service during all general meetings… with a touch of Rizalism."
The induction ceremonies were further highlighted by a solemn Exaltation to Third Degree of Sir Seb Gamino, KCR, a Master of Divinity, Minister of the Gospel, and this year's Chapter Archivist.
And to cap the celebration, Area Commander Vianzon handed out special awards for exemplary efforts and contributions to the accomplishment of the KOR projects for the past year. The mini-Rizal bust Area Commander Award went to Sir Hoover Yap, KCR, Sir Johnny Ngo, KGOR, Sir Val Dagani, Jr., KGOR, and Leilani Fontanilla, Chairman of the Council for Filipino-American Organizations of Central Florida. Millennium medallions were awarded to fourteen members who ensured the success of the recent International KOR Assembly held in Orlando.