“If you build, they will come.” It wasn’t exactly “Field of Dreams”. Similarly, however, as a whisper heard while walking in a cornfield, Philippine Press Club-Ontario has been built, now with over a decade of history.

It was established on December 17, 2001. Fifteen women and men of the Fil-Can media responded to an invitation drafted by Paul dela Cruz through an email sent to known media practitioners. The meeting had only one point to consider and that was to organize a Press Club.

Before PPCO, Fil-Can media was already playing a meaningful role in the growth of the Filipino Community. For over 30 years, Fil-Can media wielded positive influence, a robust sector that collectively tackled gut issues through various media forms.

The exchange was lively that evening of December 17 when the organizers first met at a borrowed office of Silayan Community Centre, then located at 235 Gerard Street in Toronto. Those present were Ruben Cusipag, Teresita Cusipag, Ace Alvarez, Efren Faldas, Carlos Unas, Nelson Galvez, Turing Muere, Jess Cabrias, Joe Damasco, Rodel Ramos, Armando Rustia, Melinda Rustia, Jose Baking, Rose Tijam, and Paul dela Cruz as lead convenor.

The meeting was expected to be rambunctious and with a group of strong-willed and highly- opinionated people the expectation to achieve the goal of establishing a Press Club was set to low. After almost two hours of deliberation the motion to organize was unanimously carried. Seven days before Christmas, a Press Club was born.

With Media Filipino as its working name, it later became “Philippine Press Club-Ontario” as its registered name. A contest among members was launched to come up with a logo with the winning entry submitted by Luis Pagdagdagan; it is now the PPCO logo.

As news spread of its birth, new members joined. Although the main and original objective of PPCO was to provide a forum for Fil-Can media to socialize, it also considered how to be relevant to the community where it exists. Collegiality to achieve collective benefits --leaving personal politics on the doorsteps-- became the unspoken culture in its gatherings.

A Constitution and By-Laws committee was struck with Armando Rustia as chair. The members were Melinda Rustia, Rose Tijam, Ricardo Caluen, and Paul dela Cruz. The CBL was ratified on May 17, 2002 at the then Mabuhay Restaurant on Bathurst Street. With 31 signatories the CBL was upheld as PPCO’s governing document.

On the same night, the first set of officers was elected by acclamation. They were: President- Paul de la Cruz; Vice President-Armando Rustia, Secretary- Rose Tijam, Treasurer-

Nelson Galvez as treasurer; and Directors: Rodel Ramos, Melinda Rustia and Jess Cabrias.

Although not formally adopted, PPCO’s guiding spirit was “Suporta Filipino: Kababayan Mo, Itaguyod Mo!” It is a two-pronged philosophy aimed at boosting economic power and political power. In support of that approach, PPCO gatherings and activities were held in rotation at various Filipino-owned establishments.

As PPCO’s existence gained prominence, it has become a “go-to” organization to seek guided opinions. As it grew in number and experience, complexities arose and continue to challenge its membership. It has, however, remained steadfast, not derailed from its original objective of camaraderie, while continuing to be relevant as mortar that welds together the so many bricks of divergent ideas and personalities within and outside the organization.

In 2006 as mandated by the CBL a new set of officers was elected with Antero “Tenny” Soriano as president. He served for two terms until 2010.

In 2010 dela Cruz was put back to office. However, he stepped down after serving only half of his term, giving way to vice president Rose Tijam. Her administration presided over a well-attended gala celebrating PPCO’s 10th year anniversary. It was also during her term that the PPCO CB-L was amended and duly ratified in 2012 with Mogi Mogado chairing the constitutional amendments committee.

The year 2012 is a new leaf in PPCO’s history with Ricardo Caluen as its new president. Elected with him were: Rubi Talavera (VP), Jonathan Canchela (Secretary), Noel Perada (Treasurer), Jess Cabrias, Rolando Cabrera, Jess Carlos, Eva Agpaoa, and Eugene Deocareza (Directors).

PPCO’s history has been colorful and rich punctuated by growing pains. It has come face-to- face and dialogued with Philippine presidents, Canadian and Filipino policy makers, community leaders and politicians, diplomats, business people, and well known journalists. Since 2005, it has also become the chosen annual host of the (Manila) Canadian Embassy’s yearly winner of the Marshall McLuhan Winner of Journalistic Excellence in Investigative Journalism since 2005.

As the world turns, as demographics change, as technology advances, and as human life continues --- so will we all. PPCO will not be exempt from the vagaries of change. The collective change in attitude and the milieu around it will shape its future.

Let’s build, not destroy.

Mabuhay ang Philippine Press Club-Ontario!

Paul F. dela Cruz

Philippine Press Club of Ontario: The First 10 Years In Retrospect

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30