On behalf of PCCM, I am wishing all our readers including the Staff of all our printed and electronic media a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". May the good Lord continue to shower you with His graces and blessings for all the good works you are doing in servicing the community. You serve as our lifeline in disseminating information on what is happening here at the Philippine Centre and we want to say Thank You.

I am pleased to report the following activities happening in the month of December and future events.

Community Sessions for Information
With the Christmas Season in the offing, there are no CSI planned for this month.

ESL for Women
Will continue until December 16 and will resume again in January 2006.  Classes are held every Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays, 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., MPR, sponsored by Philippine Association of Manitoba (PAM).  

Martial Arts Classes
Every Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., MPR. The Martial Arts classes will celebrate Christmas together on December 20, PCCM, 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Religious Service
Every Sunday, IWC (International Worship Center), congregates here at the Centre for worship and other activities, from  7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., MPR

Ballroom dance lessons
Every Saturday for the month of December except Dec. 24, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., MPR. Registration is still open; phone PCCM at 775-4928.

Saturday WELCOME Coffee Party for New Arrivals
A very successful Saturday WELCOME Coffee Party was held last Saturday, December 10, at the PCCM Lobby from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Attended by new Filipino immigrants (arrivals) with families and friends, the party was graciously hosted by Mr. Larry Vickar from Vickar Community Chevrolet and his son, Stephen Vickar from  Vickar Mitsubishi along with their Filipino Staff.  Entertainment was provided voluntarily by Mr. & Mrs. Rudy & Cora Baris; their singers being J. R Moses and Mimi Duot much to the delight of everyone. The party was pleasantly graced by the presence of Becky Barrett, Pat Martin, Doug Martindale, Terry Duguid and a Liberal candidate from the Sikh community. In addition to hosting, providing coffee and goodies for the guests' appetite, Mr. Larry Vickar also made a presentation to PCCM in the amount of $9,000.00 donation, received by Consul General, A. H.,  Dr. Rolando Guzman, over-all Chair of the PCCM Fundraising Cabinet and Dr. Romulo Magsino, PCCM President, and PCCM Board members. Four printed media were in attendance: Ang Peryodiko (Mr. Alan Canlas), Filipino Journal (Linda Cantiveros), Philippine Times (Flor Marcelino), and John Woods from the Winnipeg Sun to cover the event. There was also a live remote broadcast at the Centre during the party from CKJS (Lito Taruc). We will continue this program one Saturday of every month. The next WELCOME coffee party will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2006, same time, same place; no need for invitation but it would greatly be appreciated if you phone PCCM. I encourage newcomers (arrivals from up to three years) to come and meet new friends, the PCCM Board, invited government officials, volunteers  and Staff. There will be a candle ceremony at 11:00 a.m.

Meetings
PCCM is holding a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, December 13, to discuss Election matters and other important issues. A special group, the Philippine Garment Workers Group of 1968-1969 is coming to make a presentation of their donation to PCCM one hour before the meeting at 6:30 p.m.  Their Board members and PCCM Board will be in attendance during the presentation and the three Filipino printed media have been invited to come and take photos of the activity.

A group of community leaders, spearheaded by Ron Cantiveros, will be meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, PCCM Boardroom, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., to plan an Elections Forum here at the Philippine Centre, by inviting all the Federal candidates from the different political parties to make platform speeches prior to Elections. The Elections Forum is organized for Wednesday, January 11, 2006. The other dates for the planning meeting are Wednesday, December 21, 2005 and Monday, January 9, 2006, location of meeting to be announced at a later date.

Socials
The Bicol Association of Manitoba is celebrating the New Year's Day with a Dinner and Dance in the MPR on Saturday, December 31, 2005,  from 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

A special THANK YOU, on behalf of PCCM, goes to Mr. Larry Vickar of Vickar Community Chevrolet for his generous donation of $9,000.00. PCCM remains ever grateful to his generosity.

Jean Guiang
Executive Director