1996 Outstanding Kabayan Award

The formation of the Filipino-American Association of Western Connecticut was led last year by six-founding families. And by this time, it grew into a 100 family-strong organization. As in any budding organization, the initial year is the most difficult for the leaders because of the tedious work of laying down its foundation and ensuring that the foundation is solid and stable. For our association, this pertains to its legal frameworks, the cons-titution, the teamwork building within the leadership, the various activities that are tactical, but popular enough to unite and attract our Kababayans in the area. Those are important directions that a leader must set and define in the first year to ensure a strong organization. Look at our organization now after just one year of existence, 100 family-strong, strings of highly successful events from the 1995 Gala Night to the 1996 Summer Picnic, and dozens of enthusiastic active members and officers - proofs of skillful leadership and directions’ correctness set forward by the FAAWC’s first President -----"Mr Vil Rasing".

By: Dr.Waldo Alarkon
Former President: FAAWC (1996-97)