• View Columbia Fil-Am milestones.

• Download a Columbia Fil-Am membership application form.

• Download a Columbia Fil-Am Scholarship application form.

• View the Columbia Fil-Am Association By-Laws.

• View the Columbia Fil-Am Association Executive Boards through the years.
* * • Check out the latest issue of the Fil-Am Bulletin, FAAGC's official newsletter, or the souvenir program of FAAGC's 25th Anniversary Gala.
W E L C O M E

to the virtual headquarters of the Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia, SC (FAAGC), a voluntary organization to promote inter-cultural education and understanding.
     Duly registered and incorporated in the state of South Carolina in 1991, FAAGC is an all-volunteer, IRS-approved 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, non-profit organization.

Objectives
As specified in its By-laws, the objectives of FAAGC are:
  • to promote better relations between Filipinos in the U.S. and their communities of residence;
  • to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Filipinos and provide mechanisms for its introduction to the American culture;
  • to provide charitable assistance when and where needed; and
  • to provide opportunities for Filipinos and other interested parties to meet and promote friendship and good fellowship.


    • Calendar of Events

    * Columbia Fil-Am 28th Annual Gala
          • September 22, 2018    , Saturday, 6:00 p.m.
          • Columbia Marriott Hotel (1200 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201)

    * The Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia, SC (FAAGC) will celebrate this year its 28th Annual Gala .

      The celebration gala, which is the organization’s annual primary fund-raising activity to benefit its scholarship fund, charitable endeavors, and other educational and multi-cultural activities in the Midlands of South Carolina, will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018. from 6 P.M. to midnight, at the downtown Columbia Marriott Hotel.

    For questions or additional details, e-mail us or contact FAAGC President Gina Castaneda at (803-834-8266) or the other FAAGC officers. Check also the FAAGC community Facebook page or the FAAGC Members Only Facebook page for updates.

    * Click here for ticket prices, food choices and venue parking details.

    Click to go Bing Maps or Google Maps or Mapquest or Yahoo Maps for a map and specific directions from your address to the hotel. Guests who would like to stay at the hotel may reserve rooms at reduced rates (mention the Columbia Filipino-American Association) by calling (803) 771-7000.


    * Irmo Okra Strut Festival
          • September 28-29, 2018    , Friday, 5:00 p.m. -- 10:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. -- 10:00p.m.
          • Irmo Community Park ( 7505 Eastview Drive, Irmo, SC 29063)

    * For the first time, FAAGC will participate in the annual Irmo Okra Strut Festival on September 28-29, 2018.
    The Association will join the Okra Strut Parade on Saturday morning, September 29, where the new FAAGC bahay kubo (bamboo hut) will make its debut. FAAGC will also have a food vending booth selling Filipino delicacies on Friday and Saturday.


    * FAAGC General Membership Meeting & Halloween Party
          • October 27, 2018 (Saturday, 1:00 pm -- 4:00 pm)
          • Seven Oaks Park (200 Leisure Ln, Columbia, SC 29210) (off Piney Grove Road in the St. Andrews area)

    *• The FAAGC will have its Autumn General Membership Meeting and Halloween Costume Contest Party on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at the Seven Oaks Park (St. Andrews) starting at 1:00 p.m.


    During the membership meeting, a special election will be held for one Executive Board Member due to a vacancy in the position.

    This is a pot-luck get-together with FAAGC providing soda, water, ice, plates, utensils, etc. Please bring a covered dish to share and show off your and your family's spooktacular costumes.

    Visit Bing Maps or Google Maps or Mapquest or Yahoo Maps for maps and specific directions from your address to the Halloween get-together venue.



    * FAAGC Fundraiser @ Fatz
          • November 17, 2018    , Saturday, 7:30--10:30 a.m.
          • Fatz Cafe (5590 Forest Drive , Columbia, SC 29206)

    * Join us for a FAAGC fundraising breakfast at Fatz Cafι on November 17, 2018 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.. More details will be coming soon!


    * Columbia Fil-Am Christmas Party
    • December 8, 2018 (Saturday, 5:00 p.m.)
    • St. John Neumann School Gymnasium
    (721 Polo Road, Columbia SC 29223)
    *

    The Columbia Fil-Am Annual Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the St. John Neumann School Gymnasium, starting at 5:00 p.m.

    Come celebrate Christmas with your Fil-Am Family and Friends! There will be dinner, raffle ticket drawings, games, contests, live DJ dancing and a visit from Santa!!!

    For questions or additional details, e-mail us or contact FAAGC President Gina Castaneda at (803-834-8266) or the other FAAGC officers. Check also the FAAGC community Facebook page or the FAAGC Members Only Facebook page for updates.

    Visit your favorite mapmaker: Bing Maps or Google Maps or Mapquest or Yahoo Maps for maps and specific directions from your address to the Christmas party venue.




    ***
    • FAAGC Volunteers In Action •


    As part of its continuing charitable activities, FAAGC recently treated the families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House to a dinner buffet of Filipino delicacies including adobo, pansit, menudo, lumpia, and turon, among others.

    As part of RMHC Make-a-Meal program, Fil-Am volunteers prepared, cooked and served the meal at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia, SC, which serves families and children who travel to a Columbia medical facility.


    More photos of the FAAGC volunteers in action at the McDonald House on November 11, 2017 can be found at the FAAGC community Facebook page.


    * Columbia Fil-Am community members, young and old, served at the Harvest Hope Food Bank in March and May 2018. The volunteers helped sort and prepare food packages for distribution to struggling families in the Midlands.




    Updates & Notices

    * Photo galleries of recent FAAGC cultural, social and other activities (Gala, Christmas Party, International Festival, Dance Troupe performances, other get-togethers) can be viewed at the Columbia Fil-Am Facebook site.



    FAAGC Executive Board for 2017-2019
    (front, l-r): Jason Eberhardt (Board Member), Joseph Szoke (Board Member), Alan Matienzo (Asst. Treasurer). (back, l-r): Emy Cheney (Asst. Secretary), Joy Clark (Board Member), Judy Berends (Board Member), Reyna Funderburk (1st VP), Teresa Ziegler (Secretary), Gina Castaneda (President), Maribel Tijing (2nd VP), Tess Hill (Treasurer). Not in photo: Buddy Burke (Board Member). (Photo by Carlton Edwards)


    * Columbia Fil-Am Cultural Dance Troupe

    If you and/or your child or children like to dance or learn to dance, Columbia FilAm Dance Troupe may be your ticket! The volunteer dancers perform during the Annual Gala, Christmas Party, Columbia International Festival, and other socio-educational-cultural events in the area.
    • To join the troupe, contact the dance coordinators: Reyna Funderburk (youth), or Tess Hill (adults).

    • To avail of the services of the troupe for your event, contact FAAGC President Gina Castaneda at (803) 834-8266.

    • Some Columbia Fil-Am Dance Troupe video clips:
    • Subli . . . . . . . . . . . . . • Pandango Rinconada 1
    • Bulaklakan . . . . . . . . • Pandango Rinconada 2
    • Tiklos. . . . . . . . . . . . . • Sayaw sa Bakya
    • Other Columbia Fil-Am Dance Troupe videos



    ***
    • FAAGC's Charitable Endeavors •

    Since its formation, FAAGC has been involved in charitable activities -- from providing funds and goods to calamity victims in the U.S. and the Philippines to donations to Philippine orphanages to participation in other organizations' charity events.

    It has donated funds and goods and provided volunteer services to, among others:
    • The Hospicio de San Jose Orphanage in Metro Manila.
    • The Catholic Relief Services for the relief of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy and Typhoon Yolanda (Hainan)
    • San Vicente de Paul Orphanage in Manila
    • SOS Village in Tacloban, Leyte
    • The ERDA Foundation helping children in Metro Manila
    • The Philippine National Red Cross for relief of Philippine calamity victims and for its special educational projects
    • ABS-CBN Foundation's Sagip Kapamilya project addressing relief needs of victims of natural calamities such as Typhoon Yolanda.
    • Harvest Hope Food Bank to help South Carolina 2015 flood victims.

    • The American Red Cross to help calamity victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
    • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia, SC, which provides low-cost board and lodging facilities to out-of-town families with children being treated at local medical facilities.
    •Bantay Bata 163, the child welfare arm of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., for its Bantay Edukasyon Scholarship Program.
    •Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (House with No Stairs), which provides facilities, support, therapy, educational training and livelihood opportunities, among others, to persons with disabilities.




    ***
    • WOW Pilipinas •

    A recurrent series of articles about the Philippines and its people, places, events and heritage. Article contributions especially from those who have recently visited the Philippines are welcome. Anybody interested in writing for this series should contact the Columbia Fil-Am Bulletin editor.

    * • The Beautiful Island and Province of Bohol by I.C. Go

    * • Philippine Fashion Tourism? Young Filipino Creative Talents Can Make Your Fashion Fantasy Come True by Faye Colley

    * • Cebu Diving: In Love with Moalboal and Oslob by I.C. Go

    * • Tubbataha Reef Marine Park - A World-Class Dive Site by I.C. Go
    • Palawan - The Last Frontier by I.C. Go
    • Anilao in Batangas ~ A Prime Showcase of Philippine Marine Biodiversity by I.C. Go

    * Filipinas Magazine featured FAAGC in its February 2005 issue. Click on the image above to view the Filipinas article about FAAGC written by Alan Geoghegan in .PDF format.

    * The City of Columbia proclaimed August 29, 2009 as Filipino-American Day. * View the proclamation plaque and key to the city presented to FAAGC by Mayor Robert Coble and Councilman Kirkman Finlay III.

    • Click here to view/download photos taken by Ronnie Corn during the Columbia Fil-Am 20th Anniversary Gala held at the Columbia Marriott Hotel on September 10, 2011.

    • Photos taken during the Columbia Fil-Am 20th Annual Gala held at the Columbia Marriott Hotel on August 29, 2009 and the reception next day for then Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Willy C. Gaa can be viewed at:
         • FAAGC's Facebook site
         • Alan G's site

    • Click here to view photos taken during the Columbia Fil-Am 14th Annual Gala held at the Columbiana Hotel & Conference Center on October 16, 2004.

    • Click here to view photos taken during the Columbia Fil-Am 14th Annual Christmas Party held at the St. John Neumann School gymnasium on December 11, 2004.

    • Click here to read what The State newspaper had to say about the Fil-Am Christmas "cultural feast, starring a 125-pound roasted pig."


    • Download a Columbia Fil-Am membership application form.

    • Download the Columbia Fil-Am Association By-Laws.

    • Download a Columbia Fil-Am Scholarship application form.

    • View Columbia Fil-Am milestones.

    • View the Columbia Fil-Am Association Executive Boards through the years.

    E-mail Us E-mail us

    ***
    * • FAAGC newsletters, souvenir programs, and other documents from 1991 to 2012 are now part of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Collection of the Library of Congress.
    The Library of Congress
    Thomas Jefferson Building, LJ 150
    101 Independence Ave. SE
    Washington, DC 20540-4810
    ***
    • Copies of the Fil-Am Bulletin are also being archived at the South Caroliniana Library of the University of South Carolina (Library Call Number: 301.451 F47).


    • Check out the past issues of the Fil-Am Bulletin, FAAGC's official newsletter.
    * Summer 2015 - Volume 25, No. 1, issued August 2015 - (646 KB)
    * Spring 2015 - Volume 24, No. 2, issued Mach 2015 - (2.6 MB)
    * Summer 2014 - Volume 24, No. 1, issued September 2014 - (2.8 MB)
    * Spring 2014 - Volume 23, No. 2, issued April 2014 - (3.0 MB)
    * Summer 2013 - Volume 23, No. 1, issued August 2013 - (2.3 MB)
    * Spring 2013 - Volume 22, No. 2, issued March 2013 - (3.4 MB)
    * Summer 2012 - Volume 22, No. 1, issued August 2012 - (3.6 MB)
    * Spring 2012 - Volume 21, No. 3, issued May 2012 - (4.8 MB)
    * Fall 2011 - Volume 21, No. 2, issued December 2011 - (7.1 MB)
    * Summer 2011 - Volume 21, No. 1, issued August 2011 - (6.5 MB)
    * Spring 2011 - Volume 20, No. 2, issued April 2011 - (5.3 MB)
    * Summer 2010 - Volume 20, No. 1, issued August 2010 - (6.1 MB)
    * Winter 2010 - Volume 19, No. 2, issued December 2009 - (5.7 MB)
    * Summer 2009 - Volume 19, No. 1, issued August 2009 - (2.4 MB)
    * Spring 2009 - Volume 18, No. 2, issued March 2008 - (1.9 MB)
    * Summer 2008 - Volume 18, No. 1, issued August 2008 - (745 KB)
    * Spring 2008 - Volume 17, No. 2, issued March 2008 - (1.5 MB)
    * Summer 2007 - Volume 17, No. 1, issued August 2007 - (773 KB)
    * Spring 2007 - Volume 16, No. 3, issued March 2007 - (1.8 MB)
    * Fall 2006 - Volume 16, No. 2, issued November 2006 - (1.4 MB)
    * Summer 2006 - Volume 16, No. 1, issued August 2006 - (2.0 MB)
    * Spring 2006 - Volume 15, No. 3, issued March 2006 - (1.0 MB)
    * Fall 2005 - Volume 15, No. 2, issued November 2005 - (2.0 MB)
    * Summer 2005 - Volume 15, No. 1, issued August 2005 - (1.3 MB)
    * Spring 2005 - Volume 14, No. 3, issued March 2005 - (1.5 MB)
    * Earlier issues (2001 - 2004) can be found here.


    • View the souvenir programs of the FAAGC annual gala:

    * 27th Annual Gala
    - September 2, 2017- (10.5 MB)

    * 25th Anniversary & 26th Annual Gala
    - September 24, 2016- (9.2 MB)

    * 25th Annual Gala & 16th Induction Ball
    - September 19, 2015- (9.8 MB)

    * 24th Annual Gala
    - October 4, 2014- (8.0 MB)

    * 23th Annual Gala & 15th Induction Ball
    - September 21, 2013- (7.0 MB)

    * 22th Annual Gala
    - September 15, 2012- (6.7 MB)



    Other Fil-Am websites in South Carolina:

    • Organizations •

    • Filipino Community Center of Charleston

    • Hiyas-Min, the Philippine Cultural Society of Charleston

    • West Ashley Fil-Am Group --Charleston

    • Philippine-American Association of the Carolinas - Greenville/Spartanburg/Upstate SC

    • Filipino-American Association of Orangeburg, ATBP

    • Bicol Association of Charleston

    • Filipino-American Association of Greater Aiken

    • Fil-Am Association of the Grand Strand - Myrtle Beach


    • Other Relevant Fil-Am Links •

    • Taravision site about Filipinos and the Philippines