As you all know PCC elected its new board last April of this year. The new board under the continued leadership of Sonia del Rosario, Chair, showed its enthusiasm with the Summer Kick Off Raffle draw held at the Assumption Church basement on July 7, 2007. The kick off was led by the new board members, Marie de la Pena, Remy Gapas, Betty Diamsay and John Kelly. This one month fundraising drive grossed almost $5,000 and contributed $526 to PCC’s coffer. We are seeking for more volunteers and suggestions to keep the PCC’s dream alive. Your community involvement now is a vital investment that you can make for the benefit of our children in keeping our heritage alive. Continue the chain of gift that keeps on giving be it your time or money. We would like to hear from you.

Congratulations to Elsie Agcaoili, the lucky winner of the grand prize round trip ticket for two to the Philippines valued at $3,000. Sonia del Rosario, Chair and Tessie Morin, Treasurer, awarded the cheque of $3,000 to Elsie at the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Congregation venue on August 12, 2007. Elsie opted to receive the cash value in lieu of the plane ticket which came very timely as her family is joining her here in Canada this year. Our sincere thanks to Pastor Tony Larracas and all members of the JIL for allowing us to make the presentation to Elsie at their congregation, as well as hear our short talk about the PCC’ mission and charitable services. JIL has over 300 members in the Ottawa-Valley.

Winners of consolation prizes are listed below. For those who have not yet received their prizes, please contact Tessie Morin at (819) 561-2894 or come to 1336 Labrie Avenue Ottawa (PCC’s Computer Training venue) on Saturdays between 10 am and 5:00 pm starting September 29, 2007 to pick up your prize.

Congratulations to all the winners. To our donors and to those who participated in the raffle draw, thank you for your continued support.

PCC Computer Training Program continues to be held every Saturday at 1336 Labrie Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario. Both Basic and Advance courses are a 2 hour – 8 week program. PCC upgraded its computers – 10 desk top refurbished Pentium 4 computers were purchased to replace the existing Pentium 2 to avail its students to faster equipment. PCC also received 7 monitors from Semi-Conductor Insights donated through Dan de Castro, the company’s IT Specialist. This program continues to be in demand and strong; thanks to our volunteer instructors, Dan de Castro, Edwin Acuna and Robert Salvador for their tireless dedication and commitment to help our young new migrants and seniors who are enthusiastic to learn and upgrade their computer knowledge. PCC is in great need of a venue to enable its board and instructors to continue this program and accept more registration.

The Spring Session 2007 finished on July 14, 2007. The following students completed the respective basic and advance courses during the Spring Session

Basic Computer Course: Cecilia Gutierrez; Eleanor Jallorina; Elvira Flores; Irene Asilan; Lilibeth Rulloda; Marife Ferrer; Mary Jean Roma – Dan de Castro, Instructor

Advance Computer Course: Luz Arcena; Emily Bejo; Grace Cawilan; Hazel Casuga; Remy Gapas; Rowena Lopez; Mary Ann Loquias; Imelda Solomon; Connie Quiday & Rizza Yabut – Robert Savador, Instructor

Advance Computer Course: Maritess Cardenas; Alvin Dagdagan; Liezel Feliciano; Emmie Fairweather; Richard Fairweather; Marie de la Pena, Perpetua Romano – Edwin Acuna, Instructor

Fall Session 2007 starts September 29th, 2007. There will be one group for Advance course and two groups for Basic. For this session, 29 students are registered.

All students completing the course during the Spring and Fall Session 2007 will each receive their respective Certificate before the end of this year. Date and place will be announced at a later date.

Winter Session 2007-08: If you want to secure a place for the next session, please contact the following: Tessie Morin, (819)-561-2894; Nora Cote (819) 568-0071; Sonia del Rosario (613) 825-6314 ; Maya Flores-Lyon (613) 228-9325 ; Marie de la Pena (613) 739-5418.

Other Courses are requested: English as a second language and other craft courses are on the agenda. Flavio Gomez has agreed to teach the English language and some of our new migrants would like to share their skills in crafts. Time and place to be announced later. We will also announce future Information Sessions. Keep listening to Tinig Pinoy for our announcements.

Upcoming Community Initiative: October 5, 2007 - Book Launching of Mr. Tony Gecolea’s "Awit ng Makahiya" at Ambassador Jose Brillantes’ residence. PCC in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy is launching this special collection of original poems, essays, short stories and plays. Proceed recipients’ are PCC and Sibol Project International. To purchase this book, contact Maya Flores-Lyons at (613) 228-9325. Please support our own Mang Tony.