SEMFA, Ready for the Challenges of 2018 
The Diversity Times

Levy Abad 12/10/2017

Last December 2^nd, I went to Steinbach to attend the South East Manitoba Filipino Association (SEMFA) Christmas Party. I was happy to respond to the invitation of the President of the Association, Kris Ontong, to perform original songs about migrant life and struggles. 

The Christmas celebration was a big success. About two hundred fifty people filled the Pat Porter Active Living Centre. In the event, all the previous presidents of SEMFA were present, proof of the organization's unity. With this unity goes the capacity to mobilize membership and resources to assist any newcomer in need assistance. The gathering was also appreciated by leaders like  Mayor Chris Goertzen who attended as well as the MP of Provencher Ted Falk, for it enabled them to reach out, build relationship and deliver services. SEMFA also  networks with barristers to facilitate delivery of legal services to our Kababayans in Steinbach.  I  saw my lawyer friends Gary Sarcida and Daniel Cleto from Pullan  Kammerloch Frohlinger in the event  and so as my friend Won Jae Song of Diversity Times who is a friend of SEMFA.

"Steinbach Manitoba, according Jorie Alivio Sawatzky, the founding Chair of SEMFA, can boast of the presence of approximately one thousand five hundred (1,500) Filipinos actively participating in the economy of the City." This data is also confirmed by Kris Ontong. He added that “there is a constant flux of 50 to 100 Filipinos arriving yearly on average.” Edwin Sonsona, a friend and long-time Steinbach resident, relayed that most Pinoys work in barns of HYLIFE, Maple Leaf, ProVista Agriculture Ltd., as well as non-barn jobs in companies like Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Granny’s Poultry Cooperative, Loewen Windows and Doors, Barkman Concrete, to mention a few.  According to Raymond Chua, SEMFA President back in 2015, there’s approximately a thousand Filipinos in Steinbach, including children. Given these figures, one can estimate the notable presence of the Filipino community. Aside from their economic contributions, Filipinos of Steinbach work hard to keep the culture alive. This can be seen in events like the 2015 Pioneer Days Parade that showcases diverse cultural forms reflective of the Philippine history, customs and tradition. 

Jorie Alivio Sawatzky was gracious enough to provide me with the list of leaders of SEMPA through the years.  In October 28, 2006, Jorie was elected as the Interim President who will later assume the presidency on March 31, 2007 to March 2009. Jun Narvaez became its second President from March 2009 to 2011. He was followed by Rommel Gallego (March 2011 to 2013), Cesar Valdez (March 2013 to 2015), Raymund Chua (March 2015 to 2017) and Kris Ontong (2017 to 2019). These leaders were  instrumental in laying down the requisites of unity that SEMFA has exemplified.

Going over the Facebook page of SEMFA, one can see a lot of things going on in their organization. Although SEMFA was primarily organized as a support system for newly-arrived immigrants in Steinbach, it also participated in numerous events like the Annual Pioneer Days Parade, as mentioned earlier, Summer in the City, Cultures in the City where SEMFA sells Pinoy barbeque and hosts musical presentations, both traditional and contemporary (source: Kris Ontong), Volunteers Appreciation and programs to welcome newcomers, Pick Up and Walk (for a Clean and Healthy City). SEMFA also organized workshops on different immigration concerns like the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program in cooperation with the Friends of Filipino Immigrants in Mb (FFIM). SEMFA also joined events sponsored by Eastman Immigrant Services like “An Evening of Fun” at the Mennonite Heritage Village.  Indeed, to be a part of the leadership team of SEMFA is not a walk in the park, but involves dedication and sacrifice in serving the people of Steinbach.  From the first Chair of SEMFA and the succeeding leaders who tirelessly gathered the community through the years up to the present, leadership is really a significant achievement in itself."

Kris Ontong has this to say about the Association: “SEMFA Council is proud to cap-off the year with a well-attended Christmas Party that doubles as a membership sign-up/renewal event. The feedback has been very positive about the new features that were introduced in the event, e.g. Interac machine for payment convenience, major raffle prizes that boosted ticket sales and a featured kababayan performer whose songs resonated deeply with the Filipino immigrants of the area. Earlier this year, many other improvements were brought into SEMFA and they all resulted in increase interest in the association, bringing in new members to the Facebook group and more volunteers helping out in projects and activities. These achievements are worth pointing out as they were accomplished by just a handful of Council Officers and some dedicated volunteers. Next year, the restructuring of the SEMFA Council will begin so that it will be made up of representatives from the different job sectors of the region. It is our hope that SEMFA members will take part in this historic transition to make the association stronger and more reflective of the community that we live in.”

Again, I would like to thank the President of SEMFA Kris Ontong and the whole team for inviting me over to perform migrant songs that reflect our experiences in the Canadian diaspora. With the organizational strength of SEMFA and the political sense of the present leadership in always uniting the community and staying focused on  rights and welfare, showcasing our culture and tradition  to be a part of the tapestry of Steinbach, the Filipinos will be able to give back effectively for the City's welfare. Congratulations to all my Kababayans in Steinbach. Mabuhay and until we meet again!!!

(Part of this article has been previously published on Filipino Journal Vol.31 Number 24 , December 22  to January 5, 2018: "Steinbach Filipino Christmas")

(Levy Abad is a freelance writer and also a singer songwriter/recording artist and a member of Migrante Canada-Mb chapter and also a founding member/ program coordinator of Winnipeg Multicultural Human Rights Forum, Levy has released four albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3.and for June 2017,"Tara ng Maglakbay". You can reach Levy Abad through lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook).