Filipino culture and heritage in Canada | Kalayaan | KFCO | Kalayaan Filipino Cultural Organization

The primary aim of the organization is to commemorate the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.

Kalayaan Filipino Cultural Organization (KFCO)

Aims to preserve and promote Filipino culture and heritage, to propagate the practice and principles of good government, citizenship and to promote peace, unity and better understanding among association partners and affiliate members.

OFFICERS 2020-2022

About Us

The Kalayaan Filipino Cultural Organization (KFCO) known simply as Kalayaan, used to be the umbrella organization of all Filipino groups in Mississauga and environs. It was created in February 1983 initiated by eight Filipino associations in Peel Region as they joined hands in celebrating the year’s Philippine Independence as one unified group, aiming towards a strong solidarity among Filipino-Canadians within the community.

It was registered as a non-profit organization on August 16, 1995. On July 11, 1998, Kalayaan went into high gear for the centennial Celebration held at Skydome (now Rogers Centre). It was an unprecedented success with a gathering of sixty-plus Filipino organizations, and some 30,000 attending the celebration, $120,000 net was realized from this event, and KFCO earmarked this amount for the purchase of a community centre. A year later (1999), Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) started its operation.

The primary aim of KFCO is to commemorate the declaration of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, thereby celebrating it with flying colours every 12^th of June or before or after the actual date. This is the best time guests and members are in their best Filipiniana, barong and terno attires.

Upcoming Events

KFCO General Meeting

When: 20 Nov 2022, Sunday

Start at: 2:30 PM

Held at: KCCC Media Room

Address: 5225 Orbitor Dr. Unit 3, Mississauga, ON, L4W 4Y8

Agenda

Election of KFCO officers

Advance application, nomination, or prospective candidates are welcome

Forward corresponding names to Jean Dacanay, KFCO Secretary, through her e-mail address:

dacanayjean@gmail.com

There will be a referendum vote on the following issues:

Are you in favor of KFCO merging with Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC)? Yes or No

Are you authorizing the KFCO Board of Directors (BOD) to pursue further talks, negotiations, and finalizing details with KCCC Board of Directors (BOD) on the merging of the two (2) organizations? Yes or No.

Why is KFCO merging with KCCC? (a short background and reasons)

KFCO was initially formed by our founding members who belonged to various community organizations.
Leadership of KFCO rotated among the leaders of the member organizations, participation on various activities were vibrant, well attended, and successful during those initial years.
One of the milestone undertakings was the holding of the Philippine Centennial Celebration which was held at Skydome
A significant financial windfall was realized by KFCO out of this event
Officers at that time thought of why not have a Filipino community center by the west end area, thus the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) came into existence as a distinct organization with its incorporation papers and its own Constitution and By-Laws as well as a building
Through the passage of time, more Filipino immigrants came to settle in Ontario, as such, Filipino organizations with their Philippine provincial roots and background likewise experienced influx of their own membership, they grew in numbers
The various organizations or groups that formed the core membership of KFCO eventually went their own way to take care of their growing membership
Today, one could hardly see any trace of any of the former groups that once graced KFCO
For several years now, the organization, has been hard pressed to look for volunteer members to become officers
There are potential personalities as well as looking for the “younger age demographics”, unfortunately they are busy with their respective careers, attending to their growing children or apos, others just want to enjoy their retirement and family
For quite some time now, KFCO officers have been contemplating on merging with our sister organization, KCCC
Before, the community was confused about KCCC and KFCO, they though it was one and the same entity since both organizations seem to be undertaking similar events and they see similar faces from the community
The current KFCO BOD has formally written a letter of intent on the possibility of merging with KCCC
KFCO has indicated that whatever is the primary function or activities undertaken by the organization, they can be made part of the programs and activities handled by KCCC within a year which could be very well be handled by a KCCC committee
Merging would make more sense for both organizations; it can undertake a harmonized planning of activities and events
KFCO members would volunteer and cooperate with KCCC on their undertakings
Under the referendum item, KFCO is asking its members if they are if favor of the merger of KFCO with KCCC or not
We need membership approval to be able to continue talks with KCCC in this regard