Category Archives: Guest Writer

Random Glances

“I’ve far outlived my usefulness.” Susan Wiggs, The Lost and Found Bookshop (2020). Alone Odd guy I am. Social nature has not spoilt me. I long for quietness, A peaceful music to behold. I’m judged to be different, Bear it with stings and bruises. I grew up not knowing my friends, Family is all I have! The Winding… Read More »

Audit Confirms FCT’s Major Accounting Deficiencies

FCT had a Third Party Independent Audit and had presented the Audit Report in the off-again-on-again Annual General Meeting (AGM) last November 14, 2021. Failing grade   Yale PGC LLP, the third party Independent Auditor, issued FCT a qualified audit report for 2016, 2017, and 2018.  On page 1 of the Opinion Section of the Independent Auditor’s Report, the… Read More »

Probabilities and Possibilities

“Every man is nothing more or less than the demands of the world, and that the more a man demands of the world, the bigger the magnitude of his success or failure in life.” Omar El Akkad, What Strange Paradise (2021) Creativity I have been told it must be there Within the confines of my soul. Open my… Read More »

Celebrating a Miracle of Hope: 100 Years of Insulin

By Hermione Cabie-Santos, MD and Prof. Honor Blanco Cabie DIABETES (a metabolic condition in which the body has elevated blood sugar levels as a result of insulin deficiency or insulin resistance) was once a death sentence until the first score of the 20th century. It remains among the health challenges the world faces throughout the current pandemic. Thanks to… Read More »

Probabilities and Possibilities

“Every man is nothing more or less than the demands of the world, and that the more a man demands of the world, the bigger the magnitude of his success or failure in life.” Omar El Akkad, What Strange Paradise (2021) By Rey Moreno Creativity I have been told it must be there Within the confines of my… Read More »

A Life Profiled: Andres Bonifacio

A Life Profiled: Andres Bonifacio “Kaya, O mga kababayan! Ating idilat ang nabulag na kaisipan, at kusang igugol sa kagalingan ang ating lakas sa tunay at lubos na pag-asa na magtagumpay sa minimithing kaginhawan ng bayan tinubuan.” – Andres Bonifacio, Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog. He is called the Great Plebeian, the Supremo and Founder of the… Read More »

FCT Scraps Accounting Principles in Awarding $500K Back Pay

Can Their Lawyers Answer Simple Questions? by Cress Vasquez The Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) has demonstrated a dislike for conventions such as the accounting principle of listing payables as a liability in financial records like balance sheets and financial statements. Instead, what FCT President and CEO Mary Ann San Juan has done was use a special resolution to… Read More »

Vouchers Show Overpayment of FCT Payables ?

Can San Juan, Lumanlan Point Out What is False Here by Cress Vasquez Good deeds should not go unnoticed, especially with a community organization like the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT), which is supposedly run by volunteers. But if FCT’s general membership is not fully aware of the process of granting reward and recognition, who should stand to blame?… Read More »

FCT Audit Is On Concerned Members Not Involved

Turnabout on AGM On September 28, 2021, Mary Ann San Juan, President & CEO of FCT, issued an Annual General Meeting (AGM) Letter postponing the AGM for October 2021 until further notice. Thus, 2021 would have been the second year of no AGM for its members. She stated Covid as the reason and that “a virtual meeting may… Read More »

Legal Sources Say $500K Paid to Couple Likely Violated FCT Constitution Can Dr. Antonina de Villa Say Something About This Hot Issue?

by Cress Vasquez Working for the same organization for several years has its rewards, but wait until you see how the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) board of directors passed a special resolution that put some $500,000 into the pockets of a husband and wife. The payment, according to lawyers from two different law firms, was likely a violation… Read More »