UK-based Pinays do country proud

Without Batting An Eyelash

By Maurice Arcache
Columnist, Inquirer
Posted date: January 25, 2007

ALL ROADS THAT DAY LED to the tres chic Café Royal Hotel at 68 Regent Street in London, where the 18th anniversary celebration of the Filipino Women’s Association of United Kingdom (FWA-UK) took place at the elegant Empire Napoleon ballroom, dahlings.

Our two adorable hostesses— Mindanao-born Clarita Richardson, an urban planner and consultant of the Chartered Town Planner in London, and Dumaguete-born jeweler Nanie Perez, FWA-UK assistant treasurer, picked us up at the Royal Garden Hotel at Kensington High Street in London, where we were billeted. We arrived promptly on time for cocktails at the foyer of the hotel before the sit-down dinner at the ballroom.

“It (FWA-UK) is no longer a newborn organization but a full-fledged, tried-and-tested association for its transparency and consistency in its aims and goals,” said Richardson.

Richardson, vice-president of FWA-UK, explained to moi during the excellently prepared six-course dinner that the club was founded in April 1988 by a core group of Filipino movers and shakers, women living and working in the UK, and that the best years of FWA-UK was led by none other than that internationally renowned socialite and charity worker, Angeles “Nene” Quimson (widow of the late ambassador to the Court of St. James, Juan T. Quimson). She was assisted by then Consul Mindy Cruz.

FWA-UK is a nonpolitical, nonsectarian, and nongovernmental organization “established to project a balanced image of Filipino women that will emphasize their important contribution to society both in the UK and in the Philippines,” Richardson said.

“It is an active member of the Women’s Council of Great Britain and maintains close association and cooperation with other London-based Filipino groups.”

The membership increased under the first chair, Dr. Remy Reyes, now one of the six honorary vice presidents of the association. Five other former chairs are Nenita David-Garrad, Loline Reed, Wylma Regala, Barbara Solon and Richardson.

The executive committee is the policy-making level of the association.

A charity-driven association, FWA-UK is led by Edna Kim, who relentlessly strives for an all-member participation in all meetings, while focusing on charity commitments and members’ personal development, palanggas.

FWA-UK’s 18 years has helped the Southeast Asian Institute of the Deaf and Create Responsive Infants by Sharing (Cribs), which looks after abandoned babies and abused mothers in the Philippines.

This big-hearted organization also sends school materials to the Calauag Elementary School in Quezon. It has built a health center in Sta. Rosa, Mulanay, also in Quezon. The center became operational two years ago and received 500 pounds for the purchase of its first stock of medicine for the poor.

FWA-UK concentrates its fund-raising efforts to help disadvantaged but deserving high-school students. As of the last count, nine high-school students have graduated and a blind scholar has just finished his piano tutorship.

Of the nine scholars, three are now fully employed. The rest are enrolled in universities. In addition, FWA-UK has received recommendations for four high-school/vocational students from the Grants Committee of the Erda Tech Foundation Inc. The four may be granted a five-year full scholarship.

Erda Tech offers a five-year high-school education program which prepares poor but deserving youth for a better life, giving them opportunities to finish high school while learning employable skills. It started in 1993.

The hopes of all of these children have been raised because of generous hearts who help make their dreams come true.

“FWA-UK is deeply grateful to its roster of benefactors, donors, friends, families and well-wishers for making this annual charity fundraising event always a success. Do join us again this year, in making a child’s dream come true and to wish the FWA-UK a happy 19th year,” said Richardson.

Après the opening remarks of Edna Kim, the chair, Ambasador to the Court of St. James Edgardo Espiritu gave his remarks. He was with his wife, madame Lydia Baskinas Espiritu, a patron of the organization.
Later, the Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe performed the exotic singkil, palanggas. There were also fabulous door prizes.

For the finale of the program, a plaque of appreciation was presented to Nene Quimson for her “tireless involvement” and continued participation in the FWA-UK activities.
Then it was time to rock to the sound of the No Rezerve band. And when those Brits hit the dance floor with their Filipina spouses, you’d think there was no tomorrow, dahlings.

At 1 a.m., Nene and I excused ourselves and we headed back to our hotel in her chic Rolls Royce. She dropped us off there on her way back to her new country home in Sussex.

The following day, we were able to watch the fabulous musical, “The Lion King,” finally! We had been trying for several years to catch the show whenever we were in New York, but somehow all tickets would be sold out on the days we wanted to watch it, palanggas.

Then, with a heavy heart it was time to say “Adios!” to our fantastic hostesses, Clarita and Nanie. It had been a glorious and fun five days in London, one of my favorite cities in Europe. But before leaving, both ladies assured me, “You’ll be back,” as I waved goodbye to them at London’s Gatewick Airport.