Fil-AM

A Brief History 

In the 1970’s Milpitas, once a sleepy backwater of Santa Clara Valley, saw the tide of migrants from across the country and the Pacific Rim seeking their fortunes in the local economy that was thriving because of the expanding computer and related industries.  The high-tech boom and the housing boom impacted the demographics of St. John the Baptist Parish.  The parish, once a Portuguese religious enclave, took on an Asian character, primarily Filipino.  Thus Filipinos became more and more involved in the affairs of the parish.  The Filipino community felt that one way to facilitate the interaction between Filipinos and the non-Filipino pastor was to form a Filipino organization.  Such an organization, accredited to the pastor could better address the need to accommodate Filipino customs and traditions in the totality of parish life and worship.

In 1979 the Filipino parishioners formed the Fil-Am Group with Edith Schubert as the elected president.  Pete McHugh, then a young
mayor of Milpitas and a parishioner, was an avid supporter of the Fil-Am Group.  During Ms. Schubert’s tenure, the Feast of St. John was celebrated with typical Filipino-style fanfare, with a dinner dance and a coronation of the Miss Milpitas of St. John Church.  When Edith Schubert relocated from the parish there came a hiatus when no formal Fil-Am organization existed. 

  Recognizing that there had to be an organization that will fill the unique needs of the Filipinos within the parish, the Fil-Am Group was reestablished in 1983 with Larry Pelayo as president.  Larry Pelayo held office for two consecutive two-year terms, which ended in 1986.  Under his tenure the Tagalog mass and the Mother of Perpetual Help Novena was introduced by Father Norman Segovia.  It was during Larry’s regime that the Santacruzan became the highlight of the May celebrations to honor the Mother of God and Misa de Aguinaldo became a part of the religious preparation for Christmas.  The Fil-Am Group coordinated the logistics of the nine evenings of masses, including the lanterns, sponsorships, and the “Noche Buena” receptions.

   Dodie Lagman who also served for two consecutive two year terms from 1987-1990succeeded Larry Pelayo.  The Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 led to condemnation and eventual demolition of the parish social hall.  The construction of a new social hall presented a challenge to the Fil-Am Group.  A fund raising model was conceptualized by the Fil-Am group and became known as the Little Queen of St. John contest.  The first Little Queen contest culminating in a gala ballroom dinner dance and coronation at the Marriott Hotel, Santa Clara occurred in 1990.  The Little Queen project was launched every year as a fund-raising project for the next ten years resulting in significant revenue for the Pavalkis Hall Fund.

   From 1992 to 2004, the following, in the order of occurrence, filled the position of president of the Fil-Am Group of St. John: Ben Bajet, Nenita Guillermo, Elisa Reyes, Ginny Pelayo, and Edwin Morgo, and Romy Dizon.  It must be noted that these individuals worked in dire conditions without the privileges and resources that we use today.  The lack of resources forced them to become creative and innovative to make up for their systematic deficiencies beyond their control.  Without a social hall, they had used their creativity to find a place to hold meetings.  Receptions for the Misa de Aguinaldo were held outdoors.  Despite the inhospitable weather, the spirit of these individuals held the reception together.  At best receptions even dances were held under tents, which disappeared when the rent expired or when the winds blew hard.  At times the food at these events was served cold because of the inadequate kitchen.  While these leaders dealt with the lack of funds for their community, they met the challenge by giving without asking in return, bringing to their job unique gifts and talents.  Some of the accomplishments made by this group during Romy Dizon’s term are the Candle Room Project, the dance floor in the Pavalkis Hall, and the utility room.  

   The present and past presidents follow an annual calendar of events, which are a combination of civic and religious activities.  In January, we have the Santo Nino Fiesta, an annual Valentine’s party in February, Station of the Cross and Salubong in March and April.  Santa Cruzan, flower festival, is also celebrated in May with other Ministries.  In June we celebrate the Feast of St. John, our patron saint.  Giving ourselves a break, we enjoy our Fil-Am picnic in August.  In September, we have a Tagalog mass to celebrate the anniversary of San Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino saint.  During the last Saturday of October we reserve for a Halloween party, which is enjoyed by the whole community.  November and December are the months we prepare for Misa de Aguinaldo’s Christmas party.  During this time we also provide caroling to help the priest, visiting priests and seminarians. 

  Currently, Jimmy F. Odena is on his first term as president.  Jimmy is also a firm believer in the concept of community empowerment by enriching the most impoverished in our community here and in the Philippines.   He has been a stellar, compassionate, and proactive leader by helping in times of dire need.  This sense of altruism stems from Christ’s declaration that “What you do to least of my brother’s is what you have done to me.”  Jimmy is married to Lulu Reyes Odena and has three grown children. 

The Fil-Am Group aims to foster and strengthen the social and fraternal ties that bind the Group as members of the Body of Christ.  The Fil-Am Group operates under the philosophy of stewardship-that the members are stewards of the parish that must be cherished and nurtured so that it can be passed on unblemished and intact, if not bigger and better, to the next generation.  By working closely with the pastor, the Fil-Am Group attempts to weave into the fabric of parish life our transcendent Filipino culture that is firmly rooted in the love of God and his Mother.

Contact:  Jimmy Odena, President