Share the Bayanihan Spirit

About the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh

Our Mission

Our mission is to preserve, promote and perpetuate the Filipino heritage among our members and the general public through cultural, charitable and educational activities.

Our Vision

We envision a dynamic and vibrant Filipino American community that is recognized and valued as an integral part of America’s ethnic diversity.

Who We are

The association started out as an informal social group in 1957. Formally organized in 1964 as the SPNP, it later became the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc., in 2000 when it was incorporated as 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Our History Timeline

1956

Informal Group

The Beginning

Simplicio “Jan” Maramba and a small group of Filipinos got together as an informal social group.

1957

Pittsburgh International Folk Festival

The Festival

Group joins Pittsburgh International Folk Festival. This marks the beginning of about 60 years of participation in this festival.

1964

Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh

Named SPNP

Group is formalized as Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh (SPNP) with the folk dancing group to be named SPNP Dance Troupe.

1982

Young Filipinos of Pittsburgh

YFP Formed

Young Filipinos of Pittsburgh (YFP) formed within the parent org SPNP. The Maramba Scholarship is established

1990

Bylaws and Books

Bylaws Amended

ByLaws amended to change governance from Executive Board to Board of Directors. "Cooking with Filipinos of Pittsburgh" recipe book published.

2000

SPNP Became FAAP

FAAP Founded

Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP) is founded as a successor group to SPNP. YFP changed to Young Filipino Americans of Pittsburgh. Philippine Nationality Room Project launched.

2001

Community Centric

Neighborhood Charity

FAAP charity activities and community volunteer work increases to include: Miryam House, Ronald McDonald House, South Side Salvation Army, Western PA Conservatory, United Way, and Food Bank.

2003

Third Edition

Cookbook Republished

The third edition of “Cooking with the Filipinos of Pittsburgh, PA” was published.

2013

Philippine Charity

CALAMITY Fund

Charity CALAMITY Fund is created. Precipitated by the need to respond quickly to events like typhoons Haiyan and Sendong, and earthquakes in the Philippines.

2017

Building Purchase

Our Philippine Center

Purchase of our own Philippine Center, Tahanang Pilipino, was announced.

2022

Mural Painted

Art Commissioned

Commissioned a brand new mural of the Philippines to be painted on the side of the Philippine Center.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Alex Grubbs is a Senior Account Executive at Battenhall. He works with global clients in social media, content creation, and PR. He has a B.A. in Broadcast Reporting and an MBA from Point Park University. He is a licensed drone pilot and freelances multimedia in the Pittsburgh region, specializing in video, photo, and graphic design. Alex has served on the FAAP Board since 2021as the Communications Officer.

Alex Grubbs

Anna Mamuric-Glinoga and her family have been FAAP members since 2015. She has been part of various committees; Dance Troupe, Events, and Newsletter contributor/co-editor. Her service on FAAP Board stems from her belief in the growth and continuation of the Filipino heritage in Pittsburgh. She has a BS in Chemistry and French at Rockhurst University, an MBA from Asian Institute of Management, and MS Data Analytics from Slippery Rock University.

Ana Glinoga

Carlos Abola has been an FAAP member since he was a child. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, he is a 1st generation Filipino-American. He was in the YFAP and the Dance Troupe in his younger years. He is currently serving as the Picnic Committee Chair, Festival Committee, By-Laws Committee, and is a part of the Café Filipino Team. He enjoys spending time with his wife and corgi in his free time

Carlos Abola

Don Michael Mendoza is the Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director of LA Tl DO Productions where he's collectively produced over 300 shows and events in Washington DC, New York City, LA, and his hometown of Pittsburgh. Don Michael holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre & Journalism and M.A. in Strategic Communication from American University. He currently serves as a Charity Committee Member and former Youth Committee Chair.

Don Michael Mendoza

Evelyn Abola, former FAAP President, now chairs the Nominations and Elections Committee. She also serves as the Costume Custodian for the Dance Troupe and is a member of the Festivals Committee. Previously, she was the Cultural Committee Chair. A retired Anesthesiologist and former Chair of the Anesthesia Department at UPMC McKeesport hospital, Evelyn is the mother of three, all former FAAP dancers, including Juan Carlos, who also sits on the FAAP Board

Evelyn Abola

Fanny Spanos, a former FAAP president, is currently the chair of Membership Committee. Previously, she served as Chair of the Cultural Committee and other FAAP Board committees. She would like to help preserve the Filipino heritage, articulate the Filipino values, and promote the true Bayanihan spirit. Fanny is the mother of Anna Spanos and has an accounting degree from Notre Dame University of Dadiangas, Philippines

Fanny Spanos

lrna de Leon-Knapp has been a member of the SPNP/FAAP since she was a kid. She first served on the Board in 1996 and has since served as FAAP President 2004, Chairperson of Cultural, Nominations & Elections committees, member of the Dance Troupe and volunteer of many FAAP events. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Sports & Recreation Committee that has brought fun events, such as live theater shows, and Fall Classic Race.

Irna De Leon-Knapps

Joji Smith has been a member of the FAAP since 2008. Since becoming a member of the Board of Directors in 2014, Joji has been co-Chairperson of the Picnic and Christmas Party committees. She is currently the Picnic committee Chairperson. She believes that serving the FAAP community promotes a positive image of Filipinos in the Western Pennsylvania area. Joji is a homemaker, is married to Tom, and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren

Jojie Smith

Jun Calejesan is one of the FAAP's incorporator and has been active with both the SPNP and the FAAP serving as President multiple times and the FAAP representative to the PNR committee. He is currently our Charity Committee and Finance Committee chair. Jun is married to Cynthia, who was the FAAP's first president, and their children were all very active in our dance troupe and continue to be FAAP supporters.

Jun Calejesan

Junriz 0. Delos Santos is a Scientist at Sharp Edge Labs. He holds Chemistry degrees from the University of the Philippines (BS) and Carnegie Mellon University (PhD). He enjoys dancing and playing racquet sports. Junriz has been a member of the FAAP since 2007. He has been on the FAAP Board of Directors from 2015-18, 2020-present. He has served as Youth Chair and currently is the Registrar Officer, the Cultural Chair and a Dance Troupe member since 2014.

Junriz De Los Santos

Lani Mears is the current President of the FAAP, and has been a member of its board since 2015. She is an IT Product Manager at PNC. She has a BS in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Duquesne. Lani also serves on the board of Realtime Intervention and PULSE, and was a former Commissioner for Asian American Affairs within the PA Governor’s Office. She is a Co-Chair for NaFFAA’s SW PA region and a Coordinating Committee member for the API PA Power Caucus.

Leilani Mears

Lilian Rose Stefanick has been a member of the FAAP since 2005. She has been the Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Dance Troupe since 2012. She is a former company dancer of an awarded-winning Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, and an active member of Bayanihan USA since 1999. She has a degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines. She currently works as a Practice Manager for UPMC.

Lilian Stefanick

Maria Jose Bucao-Walker has been a member of FAAP for seven years. She was the FAAP Member Committee Chair in 2016 and 2017. Born in Manila from proud small-town llocano and llongga parents, she is a product of the conservative nuns of the Assumption and the progressive ideology of the Univer sity of the Philippines. As a working wife and mother, she believes in the importance of culture and the values of humility, generosity, and fear of the Lord.

Majo Walker

Melinda Angeles is currently serving as the ISO and Chair of Fund raising. Her family has been members of the FAAP since 1998. She was member of the Dance Troupe, and vice-president of the YFAP. A former recipient of the Simplicio Maramba Scholarship and the Outstanding Asian American Student Award. In addition to working for the County and volunteering, she spends her time taking thousands of photos and videos of her toddler.

Melinda Angeles

Sheila Worthington has been an active FAAP member for many years. Sheila has volunteered for the Picnic, Festivals and the Philippine Center committees. She is a dedicated member who offers her time to help the organization and encourages other members to also volunteer. Sheila has served as Director in 2019-2020 and would like to serve again. Sheila has two children. She and her daughter are members of the Dance Troupe

Sheila Worthington

Anna Consorcia Eudela Spanos (Annie) has been a member of the FAAP and dance troupe since age 4. She has been an active organization and dance troupe member and served as the YFAP president in 2015. Her mother is Fanny Spanos, former FAAP president of 2018 and 2019 and current membership chair. Anna is pursuing her Master's in Philosophy at The American University in Washington DC.

Annie Spanos

Share the Bayanihan Spirit

About the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh

Our Mission

Our Vision

Who We are

Our History Timeline

Meet Our Board of Directors

Contact Us

Membership

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