Filipino leaders in Calgary reached out to members of the Pinoy community by holding a fund-raising event for the four Filipinos who took part in the Alberta Provincials Bobsleigh Championships, March 2, in Calgary.

Officials from the Calgary-based Filipino Chamber of Commerce Alberta led by Michael Siervo and Vangie Caoile, hosted Rolando Isidro, Jerby Periada, Joseph Acosta and Jeffrey dela Cruz, and through the Philippine Festival Council of Alberta organized a fundraising event on March 3 at the New Horizon Mall. The Philippine Consulate General’s Office in Calgary headed by ConGen Gilberto Asuque and deputy Zaldy Patron also came in to show their support.

They also brought the athletes to Edmonton where they toured the facilities of the Quality Care Group of Companies in Mill Woods, then went to World FM 101.7 Himig Pinoy to introduce themselves to the listeners.

Quality Care Group of Companies co-founders Kris Salumbides, Jacob Christian and Jesse Tallon also chipped in by issuing a cheque for the team and gave them compression stockings for their training. “They do the hard work. We are just glad to help them,” said Christian, the company’s finance director.

“This is a story of Filipinos helping each other,” said Siervo who pointed out that they are chasing a dream of qualifying to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Siervo said the Alberta Bobsleigh Association (ABA) and the Philippine National Bobsled Luge and Skeleton Association (PNBLSA), Inc. have a Memorandum of Understanding and, so the Filipino Chamber is officially supporting them. “That’s our Canadian support,” he said.

He said they are happy that the team won third place.

Buddy Cunanan, president and CEO of the Philippines National Bobsled, Luge and Skeleton Association, brought the four Filipinos to Canada with the help of Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corp.

Photos by Moses Billacura | Alberta Filipino Journal