Filipino Association of Nova Scotia

2023 OFFICERS

Helen Espino-Burchell

2023 PRESIDENT

Helen Burchell started her career as a nurse in the Philippines then England before her family moved in Halifax in 2008. Here, she became a stay-at-home mom, helping her husband with their family business and works as part-time caregiver while kids are in school. She became involved with several local community events accompanied by her children with full support from her husband, of course. 

Helen is a passionate advocate of preserving the Filipino culture and heritage, and is a founder of the Filipino Language Institute of Nova Scotia Inc. It started as a pilot project of the Novo Ecijano Group in Nova Scotia. She also organizes several community initiatives such as Community Clean Up, Feed the Homeless and other people in need, Clothing Drives, IWK Toy Drive, Assisting Newcomers and Senior members of the community. Helen is also involved in fostering partnerships with other communities and social groups. 

In 2017, Helen received an award as one of the top 25 Outstanding Immigrants in the Maritimes. She recently received Halifax Mayor’s volunteer award last April 2023.

As the FANS 33rd president, Helen continues to serve the community with her mission: Be the change, lead and make a difference!

Ivy Oconer

Ivy Oconer

Vice-President

Ivy is the current Vice President of FANS. She is also an active member of the Filipino Language Institute of NS (FLINS) since 2017 and is currently the society’s Secretary. Teacher by trade, Ivy's first volunteering opportunity started a week after she came to Canada in 2010 as an ESL tutor at the Alderney Library. A mother of 3 boys, children’s advocacies and youth sports community programs are near and dear to her heart. She was active in various school programs at the Shannon Park Elementary in 2018, volunteered at the United DFC soccer little league in 2019 and with the Bedford Eagles Minor Basketball Association where she served as an assistant coach of the U10 Boys basketball team in 2021 and coached the U8 Boys basketball team in 2022. Other Charities she supports are the Canadian Red Cross, JDRF Foundation, ANCOP Canada, Kidney Foundation of Canada and the IWK Foundation.

Kath Ednalaguim

Kath Ednalaguim

Secretary

Kath is the Secretary and Cultural Dance Committee of FANS. She has been an active FANS member since September 2012, two weeks after she moved here in Canada. She is also a former Filipino Cultural Society of Nova Scotia President, a volunteer teacher at Filipino Language Institute of Nova Scotia (FLINS), a committee member in Kabayan Sports League Association (KSLA) and a member of Suwail Auto Club. Kath is the owner of a printing business called Keam Kreations for 3 years now and also owns the Kaths Photography for 7 years now. She teaches Hiphop Dance to kids on a seasonal basis since 2016. As a FANS Cultural Dance Committee and choreographer, she teaches the "Tinikling" and "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" cultural dances. " I love meeting new people, helping out in the community especially during the events because I love bringing the people together especially in the Filipino community so that even though we're here in Canada we will still remember our Filipino Culture." - Kath

Cresel Hempiso

Cresel Hempiso

Treasurer -I

Cresel is the Current treasurer for FANS and has been involved as driver relation and host manager for the Atlantic racing team for the past 12 years. She is now an owner of a small business—a previous scholar, and now an advocate of the MAGI Philippine Foundation.

Jenny Abao

Jenny Abao

Treasurer-II

Jenny Lou-Alicando- Abao was born and raised in Manila. Currently reside in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She is also a gaming video creator and professional makeup artist. She was also a former dancer of FANS Ragnagsakan dance and a former secretary of the Filipino Cultural Society of Nova Scotia. She also volunteered at Waterfront Halifax for Tall Ship Silva and Busker events.

May Dimalanta-Perras

May Dimalanta-Perras

Business Manager

May is currently the Business Manager of Filipino Association of Nova Scotia Self-employed who own a business : cleaning and online seller of authentic luxury bags and accessories. I also work casual as a CCA @ Shannex Care at Home. May was also a former member/volunteer and former secretary, treasure and one of the board of directors of Filipino Sports Association of Nova Scotia . . Currently an active member of Sinulog Dance Group of Filipino Vismin Association of Nova Scotia . Recently , I joined and now a member of the Cordilleran Organization of Nova Scotia. inspite of my hectic schedules, I find time to volunteer whenever I have the chance. I felt the happiness helping and volunteering in our community organizations and meeting new faces .

Victoria de Lara

Victoria de Lara

Board of Director

Hi, I am Victoria de Lara. I graduated as an Early Childhood Educator in 2012. I am passionate about working with children, so I own a private daycare teaching and nurturing them. I am the chairwoman of Tau Gamma Phi, Tau Gamma Sigma of Nova Scotia Regional Council and the President of Filipino Language of Nova Scotia, and a Board Member of the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia. Through these organizations, I can give back to the Filipino-Canadian Community by volunteering my time because I want to bring positive change to the community.

Phoebe Donasco

Phoebe Donasco

Board of Director

Phoebe Donasco is presently one of FANS' Board member.She is formerly the Business Manager and also once a chairperson for the Cultural and Heritage Affairs of FANS. Phoebe is currently working as Maitrè D at Parkland at the Gardens. She is a mother of two and a volunteer teacher of the Filipino Language Institute of Nova Scotia. She also shares her talent in music and dance to various Filipino affairs around HRM. She wants to be of good example to her kids in sharing our God-given talent and also showing them the importance in preserving our Culture and Heritage.

Mike Salterio

Mike Salterio

Board of Director
Ralph Geronimo

Ralph Geronimo

Board of Director

I currently work as a Sous Chef in a restaurant in Halifax. I am a former president of Suwail AutoClub and a former external vice-president of the Filipino Cultural Society of Nova Scotia. I am a part of a basketball and volleyball team who love to compete in different cities within and outside Nova Scotia. It gives me pride and joy to connect and help the Filipino community in the province.

STANDING COMMITTEE

PHOEBE DONASCO

Social and Entertainment

KATH EDNALAGUIM

JENNY ABAO

Membership Officer

HELEN ESPINO-BURCHELL

Nomination Officer

Facebook Administrator

Scholarship Program Chairperson

IVY OCONER

Constitution and Bylaws

CONCON SARDOVIA

Appointed Auditor

KATH EDNALAGUIM

Cultural Heritage

Cultural Dance Choreographer

SCARLET SALCEDO

Cultural Heritage

Scholarship Program Committee Member

Scarlet is currently folk dance and youth scholarship coordinator. She is a full time nurse in Emergency Room at the Dartmouth General Hospital. She is also an Interprofessional Practice Learning Leader under the NICHE program mentoring Internationally Educated Nurses.Volunteer as first aid responder, choir, assist in Alpha program and Member in Life Group at St Benedicts Parish.Member of Couples for Christ and ANCOP supporter.

JAKE SALCEDO

Peace Officer

VENICE DIZON

Cultural Dance Choreographer

I’ve always loved dancing, ever since I was a child. I’m a grade 11 student and a choreographer in the community.

Sherlyn Harrison

Contributing Editor

Sherlyn moved to Halifax with her 2 boys, Kulay and Kundiman, in April of 2018  to be with her husband, Dennis Harrison, who is a true blue Haligonian. She is an admin professional with 4 years experience holding various administrative positions in Halifax.
Sherlyn graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC. Sherlyn is an avid bike-commuter, crafter and a watercolour art  enthusiast. You can find her work on Instagram @rerooted_sole. Sherlyn believes in always seeing beauty in broken things.
 
 
 
 
 

KATHLEEN MEREDITH

Website Designer and Administrator

Kathleen Meredith is a Licensed Realtor currently working as Marketing Director of Eric Meredith Real estate team of KW Select Realty. Her passion is in technology, particularly in the Digital Marketing field. She is a BS Information Technology graduate who engages too much in website designing, digital marketing and graphic designing.
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