FILCOM Norway Holds General Assembly, Conducts Elections and Adopts By-Laws
The Filipino Community in Norway held , for the first time in its history, a General Assembly to organize themselves into a more efficient, more productive entity in order to serve the Filipinos in Norway and help their motherland, the Philippines. The two meetings were held at the Philippine Embassy chancery on 08 and 27 April 2010.
The Assembly gave birth to FILCOM Norway, the name chosen to represent at least 20 Filipino organizations who agreed to bind themselves into a federation under the leadership of a Coordinator and the guidance and indispensable cooperation of the Philippine Embassy.
Ambassador Elizabeth P Buensuceso, who guided the Assembly in its comprehensive discussions, lauded the participants for their cooperative spirit, their determination to contribute to the success of the meetings, and their selflessness to serve. She even gave special mention that for the first time, a Filipino meeting in Norway started at exactly the appointed time on both occasions. She congratulated the elected leaders and exhorted them to build on their huge reservoir of goodwill, the members’ eagerness to help each other and their country and their excellent network with the Embassy.
Elected Coordinator and Asst. Coordinator respectively were Ms Estelita Puyat of the Cabalen organization and Mr. Marti Locsin of the Madayaw sa Dabaw group. Ms. Puyat thanked those who have put their trust in her and vowed to lead the group with dedication, integrity and honesty. Mr. Marti Locsin , who vowed to do the same, attributed the success of the Assembly to the fact that it was conducted imploring the aid of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The names of the other officers are found below.
FilCom Norway envisions a “ Filipino Community in Norway, united in purpose, one in spirit, efficiently and actively cooperating for the good and protection of each member and their motherland, the Philippines, in active partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Norway.” Among others, it aims to serve its members, support the Philippine Embassy in its undertaking to promote the Philippines and protect the welfare of Filipinos in Norway, uplift the image of the Philippines and Filipinos and undertake projects to send assistance to the Philippines.
The draft Constitution and by-laws, prepared by Froilan Emphasis, Dr Rez Koksvic, Luz Bergersen and Nene Puyat, was subsequently ratified with few corrections as its contents have been previously agreed upon in the first meeting. It will then be opened for subscription to all the founding members and subsequent members who want to join. With this document adopted, FilCom Norway is now ready to register the organization with the Brønnøysund registeret.
The Meeting accomplished many historic firsts in the life of the Filipinos in Norway. All matters were decided in a democratic, transparent and efficient manner. Immediate projects of the group were also adopted, namely, the forthcoming Philippine Independence Day celebration on 05 June at the Storesalen and the Ray Ann Fuentes inspirational concert on 26 June at the Filadelfia Center. A Christmas program and a musical concert will be discussed in detail in subsequent meetings. The Meeting tasked the Events Planners, Ludi Fjeld and Helen Locsin to immediately set to work and prepare for the two events.
Represented in the historic General Assembly were (in alphabetical order): ABS-CBN, ASOR AS, Bantay Bata, Batangas Association, Cabalen Organization, Charismatic Community, Couples for Christ-FFL, Doce Pares Norway, Filipino Association of Norway, Filipino Christian Church Oslo, Hiligaynon Group, Ilocano Association, Jesus is Lord Church, Living Word Bible Center, Madayaw sa Dabaw, Norwegian Online Communication, Philippine Nurses’ Association, Roots and Wings Magazine, and SFHC Lillestrom /Jessheim and St. Hallvard Filipino Group..
The complete list of elected Officers is as follows:
Coordinator: Estelita Puyat
Assistant Coordinator: Marti Locsin
Secretary: Ghelen Simplicio
Assistant Secretary: Cynthia Baluyot
Treasurer: Cesar dela Cruz
Press Relations Officer: John Noceda
Media Officer: Alex Bobadilla
Events Planner: Helen Grace Locsin and Lolalou Fjeld
Liaison Officers: Rizalina Jenssen and Froilan Emphasis
Sgt. At Arms: Danny Heurtas and Romeo Reyes
Auditor appointed by the Council: Osvald Gilje
The Board of Advisors, appointed by the Council is the following:
Legal Advisors: Luz Bergensen and Rez Koksvik
Spiritual Advisors: Father Gaspar, Pastor John and Pastor Gilbert
