How It All Started 35 Years Ago…

When Flor and Leonie Rivera moved to Springfield in 1973, they found that there was no organization of Filipinos in the area. They initiated a search of Filipino families. They met Alfonso and Gladys Ancheta, Mr. And Mrs. Pacifica Jez and his children and grandchildren, Cora and Morfeo Suva, Pol and Remy Ancheta, Alora and Frank Mazella.

In 1974, the group gathered for the first time to celebrate “Pasko” (Christmas) in the basement of the Baptist Student Union on National Avenue across from MSU (Southwest Missouri State University at that time). “New” families that year were the Borjas, Montanos, Canoys, and Pugongans from Springfield, and the Mayugas from Cabool. Art Raborar invited the Apostols, Esparragos, Cruzes, Montellanos and Occenos from Monett, and the Gapasins from Lebanon.

In 1975, Mr. Flor Rivera chaired a committee that established the name Filipino American Association of Southwest Missouri (FILAASMO). The Christmas gathering was held in the Fellowship Hall of the National Avenue Christian Church, where a large tree was decorated quickly with Philippine made ornaments. Divided into three segments, the first part of the entertainment was “our Very Own Children’s Program” featuring group singing and dancing, impromptu songs, poems, chorus, and acrobatic numbers. “All In The Family” began with the Philippine and American National Anthems, inspirational talks, folk dancing and singing. Part Three featured an appearance by Santa Claus.

In 1976, under the presidency of Mr. Flor Rivera, the constitution and by-laws of the association were drafted and ratified. The Ad Hoc committee members who worked on the papers were Flor and Leonie Rivera, Pid Alcancia, Frank Mazella, Pol Ancheta, and Morfeo Suva.

In 1986 members of FILAASMO performed the play “Lahing Kayumanggi” or the “Brown Race” before a packed audience at the Springfield Art Museum. The play was especially written for stage by Filipino playwright Noli Celestino of St. Louis, Missouri. The history and heritage of the Filipinos were unfolded in songs, dances, and skits that introduced Ozarkers to the Philippine culture. Mr. Dodge Flores, who was the president that year, directed the play and the choreography with the help of his wife, Aleth.

In 1997, under the presidency of Miss Mary Jean Jovero, a committee headed by Mrs. Josie Raborar, developed a Philippine kit or trunk which is a collection of objects that represents the culture such as food items, clothing, art, national symbols, maps and books for use of teachers in the Springfield Public School System. The kit provided additional resources for teachers for guidance on issues of ethnic diversity. In October of that same year, a “Lakambini ng Pilipinas” was chosen; Mae Rivera was chosen Lakambini.

In December, members of the organization participated for the first time in the Springfield Christmas Parade. The theme that year was “Christmas Around the World”. Mr. Flor Rivera designed and built a float with the help of Mr. Howard Redmon and Mr. Bert Turner.

1998 was the Bicentennial Year of Philippine Independence from Spain. Members of the organization celebrated with a dinner/dance. Mrs. Leonie Rivera who was president that year, invited Springfield Mayo Lee Gannaway who read a proclamation of the 200th year of Philippine Independence. The highlight of the evening was an elaborate presentation of Philippine History through songs, dances and skits by members of the association. The program was written and choreographed by Mr. Arturo Ysmael.

That same year in December, the Philippine community was invited to be the first ethnis group to present a cultural festival at the Discovery Center. The Center, a private non-profit organization, is a hands-on interactive museum that focuses on activities for families and children. The legend of the “Sari-Manok” was told under a large soft sculpture designed by Mr. Arturo Ysmael, suspended in the lobby of the Discovery Center. There was a demonstration of various uses of the coconut, an exhibit of the fabrics woven from banana and pineapple, a display of shell products and the “sungca” game. Children learned how to make a “parol” (star-shaped lantern). There was a demonstration of how to play the “kulintang”, a series of gongs set on a boat-like base. The children played “pabitin”, a game featuring a suspended trellis of trinkets and candy. A tableaux with 25 participants presented Philippine History and culture through dance, music and pantomime. An estimated 200 people attended the event. The organization succeeded in providing the community and up-close look at Philippine culture and tradition.

In June of 2003, when the association held its’ annual summer festivities, “Santa Cruzan” was the highlight of the event. Leonie Rivera, chairman of the Board, was the primary person responsible for the event. This was the first time the association held this particular event. The main theme of the Santa Cruzan, as Christial Filipinos celebrate it is the discovery of the Holy Cross by Empress Helena of the Roman Empire. It is commonly celebrated in the month of May, which is the month Catholics pay tribute to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Members of the association celebrated with sharing food (pot luck), fellowship, and prayer. A “walk-a-thon” was organized during that event to raise money for our fellow members who were victims of the tornado tragedies that had occurred earlier that year. The highlight of the day was the procession in which young girls representing the many titles of Mary, some women of the Bible and last, Queen Helena and her son Constantine as her consort.

In July, the association participated in the Historic Midtown Fourth of July Parade. Don Bose, who was president that year, built a float in the shape of a “jeepney”.

On March 13, 2004, FILAASMO celebrated its 30th Anniversity with a formal dinner/dance held at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. Simply titled “Celebrating and Sharing 30 Years in Southwest Missouri”, the association celebrated its 30 year history in the Southwest Missouri area and honored its past presidents. The Guest Speaker of the evening was Missouri Representative Dr. Roy Holand.

Over the past thirty years, our organization has actively shared our culture and traditions with the Springfield community and surrounding areas. We did a presentation to the members of the First Unitarian Church at their United Nations gathering. We shared a bit of our culture with the school children of Robberson Elementary. The faculty and students gave a warm welcome with doors of each classroom decorated with drawings of the Philippine flag done by the students. They sent us a thank you note with a sketch of the “Tinikling” dancers drawn by the students. We honored our sons and daughters who turn 18 years of age with a cotillion called “Bulaklak at Paru-paro” Ball.

We raised money for tornado victims in Battlefield and Stockton, earthquake victims (in the Philippines) and sent money with a group of St. Louis physicians who performed medical work in the Philippines.

With the collaboration of the Junior League of Springfield and Discovery Center, we raised cultural awareness among the middle school students of Cherokee Middle School with a display of Philippine products, facts about the Philippines, native dresses, and many interesting Philippine made items.