CUFOT Board of Trustees
How It Was Formed
A Narrative by Dr. Rose de Vera hipol, MD
After the purchase of the parcel of 3 acres of land and a ranch house that became
the first Philippine Cultural Center of VA, the Board of Directors decided to expand
to a bigger and a multifunctional building that will serve as the ultimate goal
of the council, the future PCCVA that we all dream about.
We started the search for Architects to draw the plan but it seemed very expensive
and unrealistic for us to pay. We consulted a builder who has an architectural background
and his proposal seemed to be more realistic, but it needs a high degree of sacrifice
from us. The major problem was how to finance the construction of the PCCVA?
We seek the assistance of several banking institutions. We were advised that we
need families willing to sign as guarantors of the mortgage loan. At first, we were
not successful in mustering those families during that period. Most of them were
sending their children to college and while at the same time, paying the monthly
mortgages of their homes. In addition, the ambivalent feelings of the community
became an obstacle.
One weekend while driving home from New York, my husband, Dr. Manny Hipol, voiced
out his frustration regarding the building of the Center. He said it has been over
22 years of fund raising and asking the support of the community and the advantages
of having a center. The community of FilipinoAmericans seemed to be unresponsive
to our plea of support. My husband said to me and my dear brother Sid deVera, “I
believed that this is my last hurrah and give up the dream completely!” Sid responded
to him and said, “Manny, I believe in you and you can do it!” Manny said that he
was tired of it and fed up with the negative comments about the Council and up to
the extent of misaligning his family. I felt the sincerity of his feelings so I
got involved and including my brother. Sid also promised that he will prepare and
cook the food for us each time that we would have our weekly gatherings in my home
to make an appeal to families as loan guarantors. Concurrently, an appeal for guarantors
was also published in the Banner Newsletter. For my part, I personally invited friends
whom I am confident that could help and also others that I know who were financially
stable.
On October 1, 1997 and at the Hipol’s residence, a bank Finance Officer was invited
to meet with a group of families as would be guarantors. He advised us what to do
and explained to us our responsibilities as guarantors. During that first meeting,
there were nine (9) families committed as guarantors. Two (2) more guarantors came
up in our October 8th meeting. Thereafter, three (3) more families joined as guarantors.
More families have joined and ultimately, thirty-two (32) families have stepped
up to the plate and signed as guarantors of the mortgage loan. For that reason,
the Board of Trustees was formed.
Who are the Members of the Board of Trustees?
They are simple, happy, dignified and respectable families who signed the loan for
the building fund of the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia. Their responsibility
is to pay for the monthly mortgage in the event that there is a financial shortfall.
These families came from the grassroots of the community. They are retired military,
professionals and proud housewives. About 98% of the guarantors have served the
US military service.
I am extremely proud to inform you that the guarantors have not paid a single penny
from their pockets for shortfall in payment of the monthly mortgage loan of the
PCCVA. Through the fine leadership of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Executive
President, most specifically the keen sense of financial record keeping by the Treasurer
and all the other officers of the Council, the Philippine Cultural Center has been
financially secure in its operational funds.
The guarantors are devoted volunteers, dedicated and with incomparable passion to
their commitment to PCCVA! Not to sing our own praises, I am certain that without
the Board of Trustees who believed in this project, the Philippine Cultural Center
of Virginia could not have been a reality of today. I am humbled that the thirty-two
(32) families have willingly joined me and my husband by laying a strong foundation
of trust and dedication to realize the true spirit of our community, the PCCVA.
For this and on its 35th Year “Jade” Anniversary of the Philippine Cultural Center
of Virginia, the Board of Directors approved the planting of 32 Red Maple trees
inside the property to immortalized those brave and audacious families who made
this Center, the icon of Filipino unity and a proud living legacy of the Filipino
Immigrants. This would serve as the monument that trace back where we came from.
Yes! It was Dream of the Past, a Pride of the Present and a Hope of
the Future!
Lastly, and without a doubt, the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia remains
as the beacon that lights the pathway of the Filipino Immigrants in search of their
American dream!
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