| Elizabeth Verde Burgie Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Extra-ordinary Filipino-Canadian Community Leader |
When Elizabeth took her early retirement from the Hospital she
worked for 31 years, one good friend jubilantly said, "she's a loss
from the hospital, but a big gain for our community." The timing
was perfect as the Hamilton Filipino Community Center bought a
year ago needed more money for renovation. It is a well-known
fact that a person with less family responsibility, retired and with
strong commitment can help an organization tremendously. Eliz
as we call her, fits this person appropriately. Having strong
commitment is something that did not develop overnight.
Elizabeth's desire to help the needy started many years ago
during her adolescence years.
Elizabeth, was born in Hagunoy, Bulacan, to the late Reverend
Torivio Verde and Virginia Castro. She is the eleventh of the
twelve children, two brothers and nine sisters. The neighboring
town of Baliwag, Bulacan was the place where she had her
primary and secondary education. After high school she moved to
Manila and enrolled at the Philippine Christian College. Elizabeth
believes that this institution paved and showed the way for her
unselfish caring for her compatriots. She grew up in a minority
and closed knit Protestant environment. Through the influence of
her father who was a minister, she taught Sunday school and
worked for 31 years, one good friend jubilantly said, "she's a loss
from the hospital, but a big gain for our community." The timing
was perfect as the Hamilton Filipino Community Center bought a
year ago needed more money for renovation. It is a well-known
fact that a person with less family responsibility, retired and with
strong commitment can help an organization tremendously. Eliz
as we call her, fits this person appropriately. Having strong
commitment is something that did not develop overnight.
Elizabeth's desire to help the needy started many years ago
during her adolescence years.
Elizabeth, was born in Hagunoy, Bulacan, to the late Reverend
Torivio Verde and Virginia Castro. She is the eleventh of the
twelve children, two brothers and nine sisters. The neighboring
town of Baliwag, Bulacan was the place where she had her
primary and secondary education. After high school she moved to
Manila and enrolled at the Philippine Christian College. Elizabeth
believes that this institution paved and showed the way for her
unselfish caring for her compatriots. She grew up in a minority
and closed knit Protestant environment. Through the influence of
her father who was a minister, she taught Sunday school and
helped in their church activities. The young, smart and intelligent Elizabeth with serving her fellowmen
entrenched on her mind decided to enroll at Mary Johnstone School of Nursing in Tondo, Manila. Even as
student at MJSN she would always get out of her protected environment to render assistance to the needy
which was just around the corner. Upon her graduation from MJSN she enrolled at Far Eastern University to
take her Bachelor degree and graduated with major in Psychology and Public Health Nursing. Right after
obtaining her degree she rejoined Mary Johnstone School of Nursing and was made in-charge of the Public
Health Nursing serving Tondo, Manila. Like the mother of a flock, with students towed behind her, they made
daily rounds of Tondo slums areas to teach proper health practices, gives vaccinations, do prenatal visits, et
al. One specific yearly occurrence that she could not forget and perhaps moulded her to a super organizer
and a firm decision maker was when she had to screen over a thousand Tondo kids to qualify to receive the
coveted Christmas gifts in the yearly White Christmas Party sponsored by the Americans from Clark Air base
in Pampanga.
In 1961, she joined the mass movement of Filipino Nurses to go abroad. Possessing an exchange student
visa, she landed in New Jersey. Upon expiration of her visa, she made an exit to Canada for supposedly
six-months stay. Luckily, Hamilton hooked her and never made it back home. Elizabeth is considered one of
the Filipino pioneers in the City of Hamilton. Upon joining Hamilton General Hospital, right away the Director
of Nursing was so impressed with her organization skill and work habit that she was appointed as a head
nurse of the Out Patient Department in a matter of few months. Two years before her retirement, she was
named acting head of the Department.
The local Canadians were craving to know more about the Philippines and its people. Being new in a strange
place did not deter Elizabeth to continue doing what she does best. She and other new landed Filipinas
organized a cultural group with hand made costumes and somewhat modified dances and songs and
performed at civic functions sponsored by the hospital and local government agencies.
In 1973 she married a wonderful Irish- French Canadian, named Cec Burgie who was active in both
provincial and federal politics. Her tagging along with her late husband stimulated and enhanced her
dealings with the political figures, the general in general and the Filipino community. In memory of her
husband she opened a Cec Burgie Filipino School fund for the benefit of the students of the Filipino School in
Hamilton.
The very strong willed Elizabeth found charity work very consoling. The following charitable organizations
were the recipients of her volunteer work, namely: YWCA, Conway Opportunity House, Red Cross Society and
Good Shepherd Shelter Center feeding hungry people. For ten years she was a volunteer organist at St.
Francis Xavier Parish Church.
The Filipino community becomes the major recipient of her benevolence. Upon the demise of her husband
she started to get involve in the Filipino community activities especially in the cultural and fund raising events.
To the benefit of the community she has not slowed down since then.
In 1982 with rapid growth of the Filipino population and beautiful young Filipinas abounding the faces of the
crowd in Hamilton and surrounding areas, she organized the very first Philippine Beauty Pageant. It created a
lot of enthusiasm and interest not only among the Filipinos but also to the other ethnic and local business
communities. The pageant was such a big hit that compelled her to continue the event every other year.
In 1986 when the Hamilton General Hospital was going through major renovation this tireless lady chaired at
Five-star Filipinia Fund Raising representing the Philippine community with the proceeds going toward the
hospital building fund.
Elizabeth became a member of the first Filipino constituted association in Hamilton, the PCA, who was
exploring the idea of buying a property or building for use as a community center. Elizabeth saw the potential
of "Bingo" as a major source of raising fund for the future Filipino Canadian Association Community Center.
In 1989 the PCA Board of Directors struck up a task force to form a committee to look into getting a
Community Center. While the task force was being organized, Elizabeth applied as a sponsor and was
granted a lottery (bingo) license by the Local and Provincial governments. Ever since she got involved in the
Bingo fund raising, as a manger in-charge of this bi-monthly even she was never been absent. To date, she
has raised over $150,000, enough to help pay cash for the 800 square feet building and set aside fund for the
restoration and renovation of it.
In 1989, Elizabeth realized that she had to give attention to the increasing number of beautiful growing young
Filipina girls to get used to a beauty pageant which is one of the Filipino pastimes in the Philippines or
abroad. She started Miss Munting Binibining Sampaguita (little kids) to the delight of the Filipino community
especially to the parents of the participants.
In 1990, when a major calamity struck her native land she chaired the Philippine Earthquake Funds to collect
clothes and money donation for victims in the Philippines.
Elizabeth, not content with one Bingo event, decided to take another spot in the Bingo Hall for the benefit of
Filipino Canadian Associations's scholarship and sport programs. From this fund, PCA is able to grant
$1,500 to deserving high school graduates to pursue a university education. To date, the fund will last
another 15 years before it dries up. Because of the generous amount Bingo generates and half of it goes to
sport, PCA in a pilot project was able to sponsor one basketball team in a local winter basketball league. To
date her Bingo fund is able to support the entire youth program of the Philippine community basketball league
including invitational tournaments outside of the Hamilton area.
Hard work and dedication to her cause made her visible to the government and professional associations. In
1981-82-83, the Federal Government appointed her to the consultative council on multi-culturalism and
served in the committee on Human Rights and Racial harmony. In 1987-93, under the Ministry of Health, she
was appointed as a lay member of the governing board of Dental Therapist of Ontario and served in the
discipline committee.
Elizabeth is a very assertive person. She will say things on her mind and will not tolerate hypocrisy. When
it comes to receiving an award, she tends to play it down as she insists that the work she puts out she does
not expect glorification. Some of the award that she reluctantly named that she received over the years: 1979
awarded a silver pin from the Provincial Ministry of Culture and Citizenship; 1982 recipient of PCA life time
membership award; 1984 most Outstanding Filipino Woman of the Year Award; 1992 Most Outstanding
Filipino Woman of the Year Award; 1994 received plaque of honor from PBA for her unselfish service; 1995
received plaque of honor from PCA for her unselfish service; 1996 "Philippine Beauty Pageant" of Toronto
named her as one of the Most Outstanding Filipino in Canada; 1996 received plaque of honor from the
Philippine Basketball Association of Hamilton and suburbs for her generous support to the Youth Program
through Bingo fund-raising campaign.
Anything she puts her hand to is always in the area of human gratification. Her business accomplishment is
a reflection of this.
In 1983 she formed the Far Eastern Personnel, a domestic service company to secure employment in
Ontario. With her strong connection with Hospital Physicians, she was able to secure job placement for
Filipino nannies from the Philippines. In 1995 she opened the bridal and formal year. She is the grace expert
of the community. She is always called upon whenever a community member asks her expertise on any
social grace or functions.
For every Filipino community like Hamilton, almost, always there is an outstanding person that will emerge as
leader to promote and enhance growth of the Filipino culture in assimilation with the Canadian society.
Hamilton Filipino community is lucky to have Mrs. Elizabeth Burgie and we congratulate her for her
achievement award.
entrenched on her mind decided to enroll at Mary Johnstone School of Nursing in Tondo, Manila. Even as
student at MJSN she would always get out of her protected environment to render assistance to the needy
which was just around the corner. Upon her graduation from MJSN she enrolled at Far Eastern University to
take her Bachelor degree and graduated with major in Psychology and Public Health Nursing. Right after
obtaining her degree she rejoined Mary Johnstone School of Nursing and was made in-charge of the Public
Health Nursing serving Tondo, Manila. Like the mother of a flock, with students towed behind her, they made
daily rounds of Tondo slums areas to teach proper health practices, gives vaccinations, do prenatal visits, et
al. One specific yearly occurrence that she could not forget and perhaps moulded her to a super organizer
and a firm decision maker was when she had to screen over a thousand Tondo kids to qualify to receive the
coveted Christmas gifts in the yearly White Christmas Party sponsored by the Americans from Clark Air base
in Pampanga.
In 1961, she joined the mass movement of Filipino Nurses to go abroad. Possessing an exchange student
visa, she landed in New Jersey. Upon expiration of her visa, she made an exit to Canada for supposedly
six-months stay. Luckily, Hamilton hooked her and never made it back home. Elizabeth is considered one of
the Filipino pioneers in the City of Hamilton. Upon joining Hamilton General Hospital, right away the Director
of Nursing was so impressed with her organization skill and work habit that she was appointed as a head
nurse of the Out Patient Department in a matter of few months. Two years before her retirement, she was
named acting head of the Department.
The local Canadians were craving to know more about the Philippines and its people. Being new in a strange
place did not deter Elizabeth to continue doing what she does best. She and other new landed Filipinas
organized a cultural group with hand made costumes and somewhat modified dances and songs and
performed at civic functions sponsored by the hospital and local government agencies.
In 1973 she married a wonderful Irish- French Canadian, named Cec Burgie who was active in both
provincial and federal politics. Her tagging along with her late husband stimulated and enhanced her
dealings with the political figures, the general in general and the Filipino community. In memory of her
husband she opened a Cec Burgie Filipino School fund for the benefit of the students of the Filipino School in
Hamilton.
The very strong willed Elizabeth found charity work very consoling. The following charitable organizations
were the recipients of her volunteer work, namely: YWCA, Conway Opportunity House, Red Cross Society and
Good Shepherd Shelter Center feeding hungry people. For ten years she was a volunteer organist at St.
Francis Xavier Parish Church.
The Filipino community becomes the major recipient of her benevolence. Upon the demise of her husband
she started to get involve in the Filipino community activities especially in the cultural and fund raising events.
To the benefit of the community she has not slowed down since then.
In 1982 with rapid growth of the Filipino population and beautiful young Filipinas abounding the faces of the
crowd in Hamilton and surrounding areas, she organized the very first Philippine Beauty Pageant. It created a
lot of enthusiasm and interest not only among the Filipinos but also to the other ethnic and local business
communities. The pageant was such a big hit that compelled her to continue the event every other year.
In 1986 when the Hamilton General Hospital was going through major renovation this tireless lady chaired at
Five-star Filipinia Fund Raising representing the Philippine community with the proceeds going toward the
hospital building fund.
Elizabeth became a member of the first Filipino constituted association in Hamilton, the PCA, who was
exploring the idea of buying a property or building for use as a community center. Elizabeth saw the potential
of "Bingo" as a major source of raising fund for the future Filipino Canadian Association Community Center.
In 1989 the PCA Board of Directors struck up a task force to form a committee to look into getting a
Community Center. While the task force was being organized, Elizabeth applied as a sponsor and was
granted a lottery (bingo) license by the Local and Provincial governments. Ever since she got involved in the
Bingo fund raising, as a manger in-charge of this bi-monthly even she was never been absent. To date, she
has raised over $150,000, enough to help pay cash for the 800 square feet building and set aside fund for the
restoration and renovation of it.
In 1989, Elizabeth realized that she had to give attention to the increasing number of beautiful growing young
Filipina girls to get used to a beauty pageant which is one of the Filipino pastimes in the Philippines or
abroad. She started Miss Munting Binibining Sampaguita (little kids) to the delight of the Filipino community
especially to the parents of the participants.
In 1990, when a major calamity struck her native land she chaired the Philippine Earthquake Funds to collect
clothes and money donation for victims in the Philippines.
Elizabeth, not content with one Bingo event, decided to take another spot in the Bingo Hall for the benefit of
Filipino Canadian Associations's scholarship and sport programs. From this fund, PCA is able to grant
$1,500 to deserving high school graduates to pursue a university education. To date, the fund will last
another 15 years before it dries up. Because of the generous amount Bingo generates and half of it goes to
sport, PCA in a pilot project was able to sponsor one basketball team in a local winter basketball league. To
date her Bingo fund is able to support the entire youth program of the Philippine community basketball league
including invitational tournaments outside of the Hamilton area.
Hard work and dedication to her cause made her visible to the government and professional associations. In
1981-82-83, the Federal Government appointed her to the consultative council on multi-culturalism and
served in the committee on Human Rights and Racial harmony. In 1987-93, under the Ministry of Health, she
was appointed as a lay member of the governing board of Dental Therapist of Ontario and served in the
discipline committee.
Elizabeth is a very assertive person. She will say things on her mind and will not tolerate hypocrisy. When
it comes to receiving an award, she tends to play it down as she insists that the work she puts out she does
not expect glorification. Some of the award that she reluctantly named that she received over the years: 1979
awarded a silver pin from the Provincial Ministry of Culture and Citizenship; 1982 recipient of PCA life time
membership award; 1984 most Outstanding Filipino Woman of the Year Award; 1992 Most Outstanding
Filipino Woman of the Year Award; 1994 received plaque of honor from PBA for her unselfish service; 1995
received plaque of honor from PCA for her unselfish service; 1996 "Philippine Beauty Pageant" of Toronto
named her as one of the Most Outstanding Filipino in Canada; 1996 received plaque of honor from the
Philippine Basketball Association of Hamilton and suburbs for her generous support to the Youth Program
through Bingo fund-raising campaign.
Anything she puts her hand to is always in the area of human gratification. Her business accomplishment is
a reflection of this.
In 1983 she formed the Far Eastern Personnel, a domestic service company to secure employment in
Ontario. With her strong connection with Hospital Physicians, she was able to secure job placement for
Filipino nannies from the Philippines. In 1995 she opened the bridal and formal year. She is the grace expert
of the community. She is always called upon whenever a community member asks her expertise on any
social grace or functions.
For every Filipino community like Hamilton, almost, always there is an outstanding person that will emerge as
leader to promote and enhance growth of the Filipino culture in assimilation with the Canadian society.
Hamilton Filipino community is lucky to have Mrs. Elizabeth Burgie and we congratulate her for her
achievement award.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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