| Leticia “Lettie” Bulotano-Wheeler Montreal, Quebec, Canada Pride of Filipino-Canadians, A Dynamic Community Leader |
When Edgar Sulit and Lito Lagasca, organizers of Binibining
Pilipinas, Mutya Ng Pilipinas, and the Miss Philippines beauty
pageants based in Toronto launched the first annual Ten
Outstanding Filipino-Canadians early this year, the first choice
submitted to their office was that of Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler of
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Lettie, as she is fondly called by everyone, is practically a
household name not only among Filipino-Canadians across the
vast continent of Canada, but as well as the mainstream
Canada. With over 19 years experience in the field of folk arts,
Lettie is the President of Committee for Canadian Group
Participation Abroad, Folklore Canada International, a semi-
government group tasked to select from literally thousands=ands
of cultural groups which will be sanctioned by the Government of
Canada and represent peoples of county to the numerous
international festivals as well as cultural competitions.
“The sad thing about off of this is that Lettie had never been
acknowledge, much more recognized, for the splendid job she is
doing in projecting positive Filipino-Canadian image,” explained
Bal Yujuico, administration manager of Bank of Montreal in
Pilipinas, Mutya Ng Pilipinas, and the Miss Philippines beauty
pageants based in Toronto launched the first annual Ten
Outstanding Filipino-Canadians early this year, the first choice
submitted to their office was that of Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler of
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Lettie, as she is fondly called by everyone, is practically a
household name not only among Filipino-Canadians across the
vast continent of Canada, but as well as the mainstream
Canada. With over 19 years experience in the field of folk arts,
Lettie is the President of Committee for Canadian Group
Participation Abroad, Folklore Canada International, a semi-
government group tasked to select from literally thousands=ands
of cultural groups which will be sanctioned by the Government of
Canada and represent peoples of county to the numerous
international festivals as well as cultural competitions.
“The sad thing about off of this is that Lettie had never been
acknowledge, much more recognized, for the splendid job she is
doing in projecting positive Filipino-Canadian image,” explained
Bal Yujuico, administration manager of Bank of Montreal in
Toronto, a good friend of Lettie and who was with her since she started. “We are delighted and grateful for
Lettie being named as one of the 1995 Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the United States and
Canada. She deserves it! Thank you and great job, Fil-Am Image!
Among others, Lettie’s personal strengths lie on her excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She
is experienced at conducting meetings, including telecommunication networking. Her keen knowledge of
multi-cultural performing groups on the local, national and global levels endowed her to handle everything
from policy issues to the nuts and bolts of financial management.
Lettie co-founded the Filipino Canadian Association of West Island in 1977 and was later award Most
Outstanding Member and Officer of the Association. A Special Talent Award was bestowed on her in 1990 by
the Philippine Benevolent and Scholarship Society in Quebec. A founder of various cultural organizations, she
was instrumental in forming the Kalayaan Dance Troupe that initiated training for the development of Filipino-
Canadian arts in line of fold dancing and music for Canadian youth residing in reaching close to 400 youth
participants at the height of its existence. In 1979, she founded the Oriental Night which comprises of
Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Korean communities inter-relating with one another in promoting culture and
tradition of each country. She strongly believes that through youth members, they can safeguard and carry out
the task of promoting and cultivating the Filipino culture through songs and folk dances, she founded the
Filipiniana Dance Company of Montreal, which later became the pride of Filipinos in the region. “The main
thrust is to provide cultural orientation and training for the new generations born in Montreal and other parts of
Canada,” explained Lettie.
Through her leadership, the Filipiniana Dance group held fundraising projects to benefit the orphans, not from
the Philippines but from Korea and South Africa, winning the admiration and praises from the mainstream
Canadian community. A tale of Philippine history, “Kasaysayan” was co-produced by Lettie, the first folk arts
production by the dance group to raise the much need funds for indigents of Davao City through the Caritas-
Davao-Reaching-Out Project under the auspices of Archbishop of Davao Antonio Ll. Mabutas.
Together with the famous producer Nicola Doclin of CBC TV in Canada, Lettie co-produced a special, “Nos
Philippines”, a one hour presentation featuring Philippine folk dances, songs, sounds and music from
various regions of the Philippines. Millions of viewers were exposed to the culture and traditions of the
Philippines, and praises and accolades were bestowed on Lettie. “However, not even a mention from the
Philippine media here and in the Philippines. But most annoying of all, not a word of appreciation from the
Philippine Government who immeasurably benefited in the hour-long presentation worth millions of dollars,”
bitterly complained one of Lettie’s close associates.
In 1986 and up to the present, Lettie co-founded the Folklore Canada International (CIOFF National Section).
Elected as Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Committee, the main purpose of the group is to
encourage and promote the preservation of Canada’s living heritage through songs, dances and music.
Another cultural group, the Committee for Canadian Group Participation Abroad (Folklore Canada
International), elected Lettie since 1989 as its President. Lettie has personally negotiated with the
International Folklore Festival abroad and have sent Canadian groups such as Native Indian Group,
Armenian, Chinese, Filipino, French, Canadian, Greek, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Polynesian, Polish, Romanian,
Scottish, Serbian, and other nationalities comprising Canada’s multi-culture group.
The Honourable Sheila Firestone, Canada’s Secretary of State wrote Lettie: “Your tireless efforts illustrate
Canada’s rich culture diversity for all the world to behold. With untold horrors of ethnic strife transpiring, your
commitment to cultural heritage exemplifies the consequences of multiculturalism - cultural harmony, good
will and peace.”
Since 1989, Lettie has represented Canada either as president or board member to various international
conferences on cultural preservation and promotion. She was in Czechoslovakia; Larissa, Greece; Vienna,
Austria; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Montreal, Quebec; Naoussa, Greece; Santa Fe, Argentina; and several
other countries in the world.
Lettie speaks French, Spanish, English and various Philippine dialects. She migrated to Canada in 1970.
She finished her Associate in Business fro Colegio De San Jose in Cebu City; Bachelor of Arts Degree from
Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was married to the late Clifford Wheeler, a journalist
from Verdun, Quebec. Lettie was born in Cabadbaran, Agusan Del Norte. Her parents were the late Roman
Bulotano and Basilisa Besalo of Agusan Del Norte.
Lettie strongly believes in hard work. Her motto in life is:” Success in life is based on hard work and
dedication.”
FIL-AM IMAGE welcomes Lettie Bulotano-Wheeler to the Circle of Leaders. #
Lettie being named as one of the 1995 Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the United States and
Canada. She deserves it! Thank you and great job, Fil-Am Image!
Among others, Lettie’s personal strengths lie on her excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She
is experienced at conducting meetings, including telecommunication networking. Her keen knowledge of
multi-cultural performing groups on the local, national and global levels endowed her to handle everything
from policy issues to the nuts and bolts of financial management.
Lettie co-founded the Filipino Canadian Association of West Island in 1977 and was later award Most
Outstanding Member and Officer of the Association. A Special Talent Award was bestowed on her in 1990 by
the Philippine Benevolent and Scholarship Society in Quebec. A founder of various cultural organizations, she
was instrumental in forming the Kalayaan Dance Troupe that initiated training for the development of Filipino-
Canadian arts in line of fold dancing and music for Canadian youth residing in reaching close to 400 youth
participants at the height of its existence. In 1979, she founded the Oriental Night which comprises of
Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Korean communities inter-relating with one another in promoting culture and
tradition of each country. She strongly believes that through youth members, they can safeguard and carry out
the task of promoting and cultivating the Filipino culture through songs and folk dances, she founded the
Filipiniana Dance Company of Montreal, which later became the pride of Filipinos in the region. “The main
thrust is to provide cultural orientation and training for the new generations born in Montreal and other parts of
Canada,” explained Lettie.
Through her leadership, the Filipiniana Dance group held fundraising projects to benefit the orphans, not from
the Philippines but from Korea and South Africa, winning the admiration and praises from the mainstream
Canadian community. A tale of Philippine history, “Kasaysayan” was co-produced by Lettie, the first folk arts
production by the dance group to raise the much need funds for indigents of Davao City through the Caritas-
Davao-Reaching-Out Project under the auspices of Archbishop of Davao Antonio Ll. Mabutas.
Together with the famous producer Nicola Doclin of CBC TV in Canada, Lettie co-produced a special, “Nos
Philippines”, a one hour presentation featuring Philippine folk dances, songs, sounds and music from
various regions of the Philippines. Millions of viewers were exposed to the culture and traditions of the
Philippines, and praises and accolades were bestowed on Lettie. “However, not even a mention from the
Philippine media here and in the Philippines. But most annoying of all, not a word of appreciation from the
Philippine Government who immeasurably benefited in the hour-long presentation worth millions of dollars,”
bitterly complained one of Lettie’s close associates.
In 1986 and up to the present, Lettie co-founded the Folklore Canada International (CIOFF National Section).
Elected as Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Committee, the main purpose of the group is to
encourage and promote the preservation of Canada’s living heritage through songs, dances and music.
Another cultural group, the Committee for Canadian Group Participation Abroad (Folklore Canada
International), elected Lettie since 1989 as its President. Lettie has personally negotiated with the
International Folklore Festival abroad and have sent Canadian groups such as Native Indian Group,
Armenian, Chinese, Filipino, French, Canadian, Greek, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Polynesian, Polish, Romanian,
Scottish, Serbian, and other nationalities comprising Canada’s multi-culture group.
The Honourable Sheila Firestone, Canada’s Secretary of State wrote Lettie: “Your tireless efforts illustrate
Canada’s rich culture diversity for all the world to behold. With untold horrors of ethnic strife transpiring, your
commitment to cultural heritage exemplifies the consequences of multiculturalism - cultural harmony, good
will and peace.”
Since 1989, Lettie has represented Canada either as president or board member to various international
conferences on cultural preservation and promotion. She was in Czechoslovakia; Larissa, Greece; Vienna,
Austria; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Montreal, Quebec; Naoussa, Greece; Santa Fe, Argentina; and several
other countries in the world.
Lettie speaks French, Spanish, English and various Philippine dialects. She migrated to Canada in 1970.
She finished her Associate in Business fro Colegio De San Jose in Cebu City; Bachelor of Arts Degree from
Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was married to the late Clifford Wheeler, a journalist
from Verdun, Quebec. Lettie was born in Cabadbaran, Agusan Del Norte. Her parents were the late Roman
Bulotano and Basilisa Besalo of Agusan Del Norte.
Lettie strongly believes in hard work. Her motto in life is:” Success in life is based on hard work and
dedication.”
FIL-AM IMAGE welcomes Lettie Bulotano-Wheeler to the Circle of Leaders. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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