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On November 15, 1935, delegates from various regional, civic, religious and fraternal organizations formed the "Philippine Commonwealth Council of Seattle (PCCS)" with Pio de Cano as president and Rudy Santos as vice president. Over the next 10 years the PCCS became the center of activity in the city's Filipino community. On July 4, 1946, the PCCS was renamed "Filipino Community of Seattle and Vicinity". In 1952, due to the influx of the third wave of Filipino immigrants entering Seattle, the word "Vicinity " was dropped and the new name became "Filipino Community of Seattle, Incorporated".

During the administration of Major (Ret.) Urbano Quijance, a bowling alley building located along Empire Way South was purchased and renovated to serve as the Filipino Community Center (FCC). It was paid in full on November 16, 1973, with the continuous support of dedicated members and with Silvestre Tangalan, Sr. at the helm. A symbolic ceremony - the burning of the mortgage documents on February 2, 1974 - became a historic monument of Filipino solidarity.

The Filipino Community Center has been the hub of Filipino American multifarious activities. Every FCS president has worked to preserve this precious legacy.

Through the years, the Filipino Community of Seattle has changed its image from a strictly social organization to a service organization, starting with Senior Services Nutrition Program. Other services followed and finally, on November 4, 1992, with Dolly Castillo as president, the FCS was granted its 501(c)(3) tax status by the Internal Revenue Service.

In 1997, the FCC opened its door to its members and the public, Monday through Friday, when retired Boeing engineer, Bert Caoili, was elected president. The continued renovation of the FCC, that includes a Reader Board, and a mural at the south and north walls of the building, has attracted visitors and renters from all segments of society, thus keeping the FCS coffers financially sound. More services and programs were added during this time, enabling the FCS to reach out to more of its members.

In 1999, Sound Transit's Light Rail Link Project was launched. Under the original plan of Sound Transit, the Filipino Community Center would be demolished to make way for the South Seattle route. The FCS pesident, Bert Caoili, immediately created the New Building Committee to plan and build a new multipurpose Filipino Center. On February 7, 2000, the FCS was registered in Olympia, under the Charitable Solicitations Act. This enabled the FCS to solicit donations and raise funds from both private and public entitiesIn April 2002, the New Building Committee under President Camilo de Guzman, evolved into a separate and independent 501(C)(3) development corporation called the Filipino Community of Seattle Community Development Corporation (FCSCD). This group, headed by former Seattle City Councilmember Dolores Sibonga, is charged with raising funds and construction of the new facility. Also during this time period, Sound Transit relocated the path of the Link Light Rail to avoid impacting the existing FCC.

The No. 1 priority of the 2003-2005 administration of President Bert Caoili and Vice-President Alma Kern is to maintain, repair and/or renovate the existing FCC until the new Community Center is built.

The maintenance of the existing FCC, and the building of a new FCC are the present challenges faced by the Filipino Community of Seattle. We are confident that these challenges will be met, because the FCS organization has been blessed with leaders committed to make the organization strong since its founding in 1935. Our Mission Statement says it all:

Forever, the FCS will welcome those who will take the reigns of this premier organization.

(Some excerpts taken from the book "PAMANA")