40th Anniversary ... A Celebration of the Past and the Future.

By: 2023 President, Jacqueline Martinez

40 years ago, a few individuals, ‘pioneers’, had the vision to unite Filipino Americans living in the growing Sta. Clarita Valley, to form a social organization, become active in the community and be recognized as a united Filipino group.  Thank you to our pioneers and visionaries Adrian Gomez, Rudy Correa, Jun Gatilao, Cesar Obnial, Art Caranto, and Fred Bertulfo. 

The President's of Fil-Am of SCV, one of the founding Fathers, Mr. Jun Gatilao on the far left kneeling.

Celebrating our 40th Anniversary means Fil-Am is even older than the city of Santa Clarita!  This could have never been achieved if it weren’t for the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, our Board of Directors and Trustees.  And of course, our Members! There were many times throughout the years when resources (volunteers and finances), were scarce. But no matter what, we found a way to fund our local scholarship program, and award a scholarship to Hospicio de San Jose Orphanage in the Philippines.  Another example is our annual Easter Picnic (that’s been held in Santa Clarita for decades), open to the public, and completely free. All self-funded by past Presidents and Board of Directors.  We depend solely upon our volunteers to help our association thrive and do the necessary work.  Afterall, no one has made it thru life without someone else’s help. 

Our newly elected President Romulo Tayoba comes to us with a lot of experience having been President in 2010, making him a two-time President.  He does a lot of volunteer work not only here in Santa Clarita, but also in the Philippines.  In fact, he and his daughter, a bio-engineer, just got back from a medical mission in the Philippines.  Mul has been happily married for almost 40 years, has 3 adult children he’s very proud of, and a new granddaughter.

The 2024 Board of Directors and Trustees

Legacy is not what’s left tomorrow when you’re gone, rather, it’s what you give, create, impact and contribute today, that happens to live on.  I am filled with pride and gratitude having worked with an incredible, dedicated group of people.  Thank you, again, to our pioneers for having the vision. Your legacy continues to live on.