West Michigan Filipino-American Association

Former WMFAA President/VP Teri Zaratan initiated the inception of the WMFAA Scholarship / Educational Program (SEP). She is currently residing in California, but has continued to remain as a distant paid-up member of our association.

FUNDRASING: Teri spearheaded it's first fundraising event back in the September 12, 1998 Piano Concert, a rhapsody of European classical and romantic Philippine ballads performed by Adolovni Acosta, a Filipina artist from Juilliard School of Music, in New York City.

The concert was chaired by Evelyn Ines with the assistance of Joy Loh, Angie Palugod and Remi Kuklewski. Jay Navarro, nephew of Dr. Evelyn Aavarro and Alan Kuklewski, son of Remi and Andy Kuklewski participated at the piano concert's prelude. It was held a the UICA (Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts) 41 Sheldon Blvd, SE, Grand Rapids, MI. The post-reception was held at Drs. Sergio and Navora Cuision's Residence in Spring Lake, which earned additional contributions from invited guests.

Other fundraising activities were followed in 2001 with Cynthia Wright's "Pista sa Nayon" and 2004 Doming Galang's Karaoke contest. These events made more contributions to the fund.

PROCEEDS: The total 1998 Piano Concert net proceeds was $2,284.35. It was the intention of the committee to round this number off into $3,000, of which the difference was a money transfer from WMFAA's general fund. At the beginning of 2006, we have maintained the same amount of $3,000+ in total funds for SEP.

PURPOSE: What was in Teri's mind? She was thinking of supporting the education of Filipino elementary graduates in the Philippines who intend to go to high school; or Filipino high school graduates who intend to go to colledge.

COMMITTEE: In 1999, Teri setup an adhoc committee to oversee its operation and management: Vilma Abggy, Fred Cabling, Dr. Navora Cuison, Max Guzman, Remi Kuklewski, Minnie Morey, Angie Palugod, Lily Willmer, Vising Parker, Stephanie Verde, and Cynthia Wright

The purpose was cut short due to an unresolved issue of identifying what particular provinces should this assistance be extended to, knowing that we have 52 provinces in the Philippines, and with more queries like, where and whom will we send the money?

In the year 2000 (through 2005), Fred Cabling was chosen as chairperson. In the succeeding meetings, the committee came up with a unanimous decision to offer some of the scholarship fund to reward our deserving high school graduates in West Michigan with proof of enrollment in a college or university. The allocated annual fund was intended to reward our deserving recipients(s) for their outstanding accomplishments in school, and this petty monetary reward may assist them to use it for any school needs.

RECIPIENTS: From 1999-2001, there was a scarcity of Filipino-American high school graduates; and if there were, they were unable to meet the criteria of being in a low-income bracket, or may have not met a GPA of 3.5 (a minimum GPA of 3.5 was a standard set up by the committee). However, due to these difficulties, the committee had to modify this standard and the minimum GPA was raised to 3.75, regardless of family income level considerations.

ALLOCATION OF ANNUAL FUNDS: On a year-to-year basis, SEP Committee will determine the amount to be allocated annually, depending on how many scholars and how much funds are available.

It was only in 2002 that WMFAA had received an application from an outstanding and deserving high school student,
Jo Sasota, who received the first allocated $500.00 award.

More recipients were awarded thereafter (list is available on this site).