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The Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife presented its new board of directors last weekend. From left, Laborita Hernandez-Senhouse (president), Annie Esteban (vice-president), Angeli Tampus (secretary), Susan Hernando (treasurer), Gloria Reyes (press relations officer), Juliana Vilan (trustee) and Narciso Dapilos (trustee). About 160 people were in attendance at Northern United Place.

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Nobody who attended the Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife's party on Saturday night left hungry.

About 170 people, including MLA Robert Hawkins and Conservative candidate Brendan Bell, were in attendance at Northern United Place. The evening featured food, music, dancing, door prizes and a warm welcome to some of the new Filipinos in town who came to enjoy the Filipino cuisine, which included roast pig.

Gerry Dakoykoy was MC for the evening, he entertaining the crowd with jokes.

"The Filipino community in Yellowknife currently totals more than 1,100 people," said Dakoykoy. "We don't segregate. We welcome all people into our community."

After everyone had eaten, the new board of directors for the association for 2008 to 2010 were presented.

Laborita Hernandez-Senhouse is the president, Annie Esteban is the vice-president, Angeli Tampus is the secretary, Susan Hernando is the treasurer, Gloria Reyes is the press relations officer and Julian Vilan and Narciso Dapilos are trustees.

Hernandez-Senhouse said a few words about the importance of the association and its members.

"Don't ask what your association can do for you, but what you can do for your association," said Senhouse-Hernandez. "It is important that everyone gets involved and volunteers whenever they can."

After some dance entertainment the association honoured its member-at-large advisors, Mel Valenzuela, Ramon Masongsong, Manny Lim and Mike Garcia.

Hawkins presented the board of directors and the members at large with bamboo for good luck. With the help of a language coach he even spoke some Tagalog. In English he praised the association.

"This is the strongest represented association in Yellowknife," said Hawkins.

The group concluded the evening with a dance.