The Filipino Association of Nova Scotia: A brief history
Filipino immigrants came to Nova Scotia as early as 1960’s with an approximate population of 100 Filipinos and maybe less.
They were professional health care workers, physicians, nurses, dietitians, teachers, professional engineers and students.
The society was informally established and organized as a Filipino group called the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia in a social gathering on December 24, 1964 at the home of Dr. Jacobo Asuncion and Mrs. Linda Asuncion.
The objective and mission of FANS has always been “to cultivate social, friendly relations among Filipinos and promote mutual understanding between Filipinos and people of all nations while preserving the cultural heritage of the Philippines.
On June 12, 1968, FANS celebrated the first Philippine Independence Day in Nova Scotia.
On August 9, 1968, FANS was formally founded. It is the first Filipino organization in Nova Scotia. From this date to present, FANS aims to go forward with various cultural/social/health and recreation committees i.e. Bayanihan, Hermano/Hermana, Sports, Folk Dance, and many others.
On June 10, 1974, FANS was incorporated as a Society under the Society’s Act at the Registration Joint Stock Nova Scotia (RJSNS) and continues to serve up to the present.
From late 70’s through the 80’s, Canada brought an awareness of multiculturalism. Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia, Heritage Language of Nova Scotia, and Multicultural Health Council of Nova Scotia were the larger organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in the province. FANS was an active member in these organizations.
The Filipino Association of Nova Scotia continues to be an active participant and representative of our Filipino culture in all local civic events such as Halifax Natal Day, Joseph Howe festival, multicultural festivities and many others.
(Source: Linda Asuncion and Linda Unite)
Filipino Association of Nova Scotia Founder, Dr. Jacobo "Jake" Asuncion
Dr. Jacobo “Jake” Asuncion was born on June 12, 1932, near Legazpi City, Albay, Republic of the Philippines. The son of Jacobo Ramirez Asuncion Sr. and Trinidad Rosales Vda de Asunción, Dr. Asunción is survived by the love of his life, his very dear wife Erlinda Yniesta Obellos and the ” fruits of their love”, their two sons, Michael Anthony and Paul Daniel. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Sor Marissa who resides in the Philippines. He was predeceased by an elder brother Roberto, and sisters Natividad “Naty”, Iluminada “Numen” (Ray), Consuelo “Cholly”(Ben) and Ophelia.
Dr. Asunción graduated from Southern Luzon Institute and Colleges in 1947. He completed his AA degree at the University of the Philippines in 1949 and qualified as MD, CM from University of Santo Tomas in 1956. After further postgraduate studies at Washington University and St. Louis University/Homer G. Phillips (where he became Resident and Chief Resident Urologist), Dr. Asunción settled in Canada. He was Senior Resident General Surgeon at Winnipeg General Hospital (1961-62) becoming Chief Resident in Paediatric Surgery the following year. Dr. Asunción was teaching and research fellow at Queen’s University, Kingston (1963-64). He became a lecturer at Dalhousie University in 1964 and assistant professor of Anatomy in 1966. He was a member of the Dalhousie Research Association, Canadian Medical Assocation, Association of University Teachers and The American and Canadian Medical Association of Anatomists.
Jake was founder and President (1968) and the towering pillar of strength and wisdom of the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia (FANS). He drafted the first FANS Constitution and Bylaws. He was television host for Philippines Week Presentation in 1978. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus (Halifax). Dr. Asunción was an avid sports car enthousiast who drove a Triumph 7.
His greatest joy, however, was his family. He was a devout husband par excellence and extraordinary father who always demonstrated the best qualities of fatherhood: taking responsibility for one’s self and for one’s family no matter what the sacrifices, setting an example of excellence, encouraging empathy and compassion and teaching his kids that you’re not strong by putting other people down, you’re strong by lifting other people up.
His motto has always been, ” Strive to achieve most of your goals as if you’ll live forever, and help others fulfil theirs” while at the same time, ” Live to the fullest every day and in every way as if there is no tomorrow”.
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