FMC-EngGeoMB hosts 2023 Annual Holiday Gala & Fundraising Night Marking Chapter’s 12th year

WINNIPEG – Ending the 2023 calendar year, the Filipino Members Chapter

of Engineers Geoscientist Manitoba (FMC-EngGeoMB) held its annual

Holiday Gala and Fundraising Night, with the theme “Forever Grateful,” on

Saturday, December 2, at Canad Inns Fort Garry, Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

Since the chapter’s induction 12 years ago, this event serves as a recognition

of FMC's sustained dedication to its mission of supporting the growing

Filipino engineering & geoscience community here in Manitoba, as well as

a fundraiser for subsequent award disbursements.

 

Commencing the program, incumbent Chairman Reynaldo Robillos Jr.,

P.Eng welcomed 160 Professional Engineers (P.Eng.’s), Members-In-Trainings

(MITs), Engineering & Geoscience Students, and affiliated members & guests,

along with their friends and families. 

 

Guest speaker Dr. Marolo Alfaro, P. Eng – one of FMC’s founding members, a leading researcher and scholar, and a geotechnical engineering professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba (UM) – reiterated the significance of FMC’s role in advancing the engineering sector in the province that benefits more than the immediate region and the chapter’s target populace.

 

As part of FMC’s initiatives, this yearly program included an awarding ceremony for the following Bursaries: “30 by 30 Women in Engineering or Geoscience Award” given to Joanna Lei Yumol, EIT (recent UM civil engineering graduate and active volunteer); “Member-in-Training Award” given to Mark Mangaliag, (recent UM electrical engineering graduate and power systems specialist); “Manitoba Newcomers Bursary” given to Arnulfo Asis Tan Jr., EIT (internationally-educated engineering practitioner with more than 18 years of experience); “Road to P.Eng. Award” given to Patrick Sarmiento, EIT (former Executive Committee member and active volunteer) and York John Lopez, EIT (engineering management expert and active volunteer); and “FMC Scholarship Awards” given to Kyra Mae Natividad (second-year UM electrical engineering student and former Manitoba Hydro intern) and Renmar Khim Palma (fifth-year UM mechanical engineering student and former Canadian Space Agency intern). All five (5) recipients of the FMC Bursary Award were presented with a $500 cheque and a certificate by Rey Robillos, P. Eng - FMC-EngGeoMB Chairman. Additionally, they also received a box of gifts from National Bank, presented by Shali Zhang - Branch Manager in Winnipeg, MB and a voucher certificate worth $100 in Tax Preparation & a $25 Gift Card from U-One Wealth Management, presented by Alvin Fernandez - CEO, and Melissa Pasahol, EIT.

 

The two (2) recipients of FMC Scholarship Award were presented with a $1000 cheque and a certificate. The remaining $500 can be claimed by them once they obtain their EIT designation. They also received a box of gifts from National Bank and a voucher certificate worth $100 in Tax Preparation & a $25 Gift Card from U-One Wealth Management.
 

Present as well to award $500 disbursement  to the Mario T. Mance Scholarship Recipients are Jerson Alex, EIT (2020) and Armithpal Singh, EIT ((2021), who are now both hold their EIT designations, was Mrs. Vangie Mance, founder of the Mario T. Mance Scholarship Foundation in honour of late civil engineer and FMC member Mario T. Mance, P.Eng.

 

This night was also a celebration of the 5 newly licensed Professional Members and 52 newly designated Member-In-Trainings, bringing FMC’s total member distribution to 91 Professional Members and 274 MITs.

 

The continuous headway of the chapter would not be possible without the efforts of the Executive Committee – Chairman: Reynaldo Robillos Jr., P. Eng.,Vice-Chairperson Jennifer Adriano, EIT, Secretary: Richard Tarun, EIT, Treasurer: Danica Limpahan, EIT, Ex-Officio: Maria Karla Milla-Pascual, and Chapter Councillors: Joan Santos, P. Eng., Lea Esconde, EIT, Crislynne Concepcion, EIT and Jayson del Rosario, EIT – as they carry on and innovate the commitments of previous years as well as pioneer further projects.

 

Likewise, FMC-EngGeoMB acknowledges the unceasing support of volunteers whose time and hard work ensure the successful delivery of all chapter events and programs.

 

The event was a fusion of Filipino talent, with this year’s line of performers including manufacturing engineer Noel Bathan, P.Eng., who delivered a beautiful rendition of classical songs while playing the saxophone.  We had the pleasure of witnessing another amazing performance from a very special guest, Paul Kelvin Ong. He is an educator, musician, and philanthropist who works as a vice-principal and empowers the youth to excel. As a musician, he uses his voice to build community and spark social change. His annual "Concerts for a Cause" with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has raised close to $150,000 for local charities since its inception in 2015. Paul's rendition of different Christmas songs was truly entertaining and mesmerizing.
 

Another Tagalog & Visayan version of Christmas carols performed by Jeanette Kiamco-Perez, EIT on the ukulele also filled the banquet hall with the nostalgia of Philippine holiday traditions, while a special surprise number from Kym Troy Chui, EIT together with his friends Jerson Alex, EIT, Vince Pusung and guitarist Bejay Barrion brought cheery repose.

During the night, special awards were given to recognize outstanding individuals who exhibited a unique charm and personality. Ms. Joanne Sarmiento was awarded as Queen of the Night, while Dr. Marolo Alfaro, P. Eng received the King of the Night title. Additionally, Mr. Pol Limpahan, EIT and Mrs. Danica Limpahan, EIT, were awarded Couple of the Night. The sponsors, Ethel Fernandez, P.Eng, Nancy Santoyo, P.Eng of ENJoy The World Travel and Tours, and Edwin Yazon, P.Eng & Financial Advisor, generously presented each awardee with a $50 gift card.
Customary to this gathering, a silent auction, as well as a 50/50 raffle draw that raised a total of $1,670 for the 2023 Annual Christmas Cheer Board fund, was run, and more than 30 gifts and door prizes were distributed throughout the night.

 

The Chapter extends its gratitude to the following event partners and generous sponsors, including their representatives in attendance.

 

Holiday Event Partners:

• National Bank

• EngGeoMB

 

Holiday Premium Sponsors

• Paul Kelvin Ong

• Justin & Desiree Castillo

• U-One Wealth Management

• Signature Homes Limited

• Tower Engineering

• Epp Siepman Engineering

• SMS Engineering

• Salakot Restaurant

• Atty Efren P. Cabrera Law Firm

• Enviro Doctors

• Prairie Mobile Communications

 

Holiday Dinner Sponsors

• Royal Canadian Mint

• ENJoy the World Travel & Tours

• Late Night Go-To

• Lakeside Process Controls Ltd

• Potpurri of Flavours Restaurant

• Salad Master - The Green Apron Cookware Distributor

• Shermco Industries

• Giant Tiger Store

• Garry Alejo of G2J Enterprise

• Teoddy Figgueroa - Sunlife Financial Advisor

• Edwin Yazon Financial Advisor

• The Duct Stories

• Mega Homes Realty Corp

​

Special Thanks

• Dennis Charles Gimeno – Official Photographer

• Beat Bounce Audio System

• Joan Santos Photo Booth

• Harmonice Events & Rentals

The program was concluded with Closing Remarks given by Ex-Officio Maria Karla Milla-Pascual. Afterward, the dance floor was then left open for the remainder of the night, signifying another year of the chapter’s successes and a welcoming of the upcoming events in the next calendar year.