The Filipino Cultural Center Project -
From Dream To Near-reality

Circa - late 1970's

Impossible. Too ambitious. You're dreaming. Maybe, not in my lifetime.

Are we ever going to build the cultural center? What's taking so long?

Interview with Filipinettes and their parents when asked about their vision of the Cultural Center Building:

"A place to meet, a place to bring kids, a place to bring the seniors, a place for the Sinagtala and Filipinettes - a place for everyone."

"It's cool."

In two decades the above comments captured the slow evolution of attitudes about the Filipino Cultural Center Project. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Sinagtala Dance Company, our association's ambassadors of our cultural heritage, 1997 will be the year that the dream will become reality. BUT much work is yet to be done before that happens.

As a great believer in looking back so we can move forward, let me harken you back to those early days when the idea of the cultural center building was viewed as "too ambitious."

Historical Notes :

1972 - Sinagtala was born! Manny De Leon: first director, choreographer, star dancer and teacher par excellence.

1975-1980 - Fiesta Filipina at Crown Center Square. Dr. Tony Racela - brainchild of the cultural center building idea and leader of the first fund-raising festival, with co-chair Dr. Rudy Fidelino. Proceeds of subsequent festivals earmarked for the future cultural center building.

1978 - purchase of current Philippine House for $49,000.00, borrowed $25,000.00 to renovate; loan paid off in 1980.

1978 to present - September Affair designated annual fund raising for the Cultural Center Building.

1981-1982- Festival Asia at Crown Center Square, more fund raising.

1988 - arson at Philippine House; obtained insurance coverage, renovated again.

1992 - Filipino Cultural Center Foundation (FCCF) conceptualized, approved by Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City (FAGKC), took two more years for development; purpose: to support the Association in its goals and purposes and to assist in fund-raising activities to realize the Filipino Cultural Center.

1994 - May - FAGKC approve in concept an offer to buy adjacent 1.5 acre land next to the Philippine House in Overland Park.
June, July, August - flurry of activities to look at other possible sites for the Cultural Center Building, including an offer of land By Dr. Jose Navato, auction bid for foreclosed property at 95th and Nall and Midland Property; none materialized for several reasons after close review of options, lack of success with the auction and offer to buy, although FAGKC membership approved in concept for a loan up to $350,000.00 to acquire properties at either locations at Nall and Midland.

1995 - March 25 - combined meeting of FAGKC/FCCF Boards.
June 17 - workshop/seminar for fund raising activities
September - launch of FCCF Capital Fund Campaign, in cooperation with FAGKC set goal to raise $500,000.00 for the Cultural Center Building and assist in payment of loan for purchase of the adjacent lot.
November 15 - FAGKC purchase from Paragon Inc. the 1.5 acre lot adjacent to the Philippine House for $150,000.00 ($80,000.00 partial payment, $70,000.00 two-year loan from Mark Twain Bank, with interest only payment for two years, principal due after loan period.)

1996 - June: to date $200,000.00 pledged to FCCF for the Filipino Cultural Center Building in Overland Park.

The Near-reality: The Vision and the Mission

Recently, the Sinagtala and the Filipinettes had to hold rehearsals at another place because the space at the Philippine House had gotten too small. Some comments overheard from the group:

" I miss the Philippine House."

"I miss the playground during the break."

"We like to have the potluck again, we miss the food."

" We want to go back 'home' to the Philippine House."

These are the strongest incentives for all of us to realize the building soon. A quote from one of the parents,

" The building represents the unity, the togetherness and the spirit of the community. "

The time is now, let us be unified in our vision and our mission, not only for us but for the children, our future.

About the author:
Lillian Gonzalez Pardo, M.D. is Chairman of the Board of Directors of theFilipino Association of Greater Kansas City for the past four years, founding board member of the Filipino Cultural Center Foundation, past Sinagtala dancer, an active community volunteer; also currently ClinicalProfessor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas.