| Alvin D. Veloso LaSalle, Quebec, Canada A Proven Filipino-Canadian Community Leader And An Ardent Promoter of Filipino Culture |
A man with varied background, he attributes his good education
and sound moral formation to his long association with the
Benedictine monks of Manila; his exposure to the Jesuit system
as a student at the Ateneo de Cagayan, now Xavier University; and
his stay with the Spanish Dominicans of the Province of Our Lady
of the Rosary.
He graduated in 1960 from San Beda College with a bachelor’s
degree in English; studied philosophy and theology at the Abbey
of Our Lady of Montserrat in Manila. He taught Religion in the
elementary department of San Beda College; Spanish and
philosophy at the Philippine Women’s University and at San
Sebastian College. In 1962, he worked briefly with the secretariat
of the Council of Welfare agencies of the Philippines, an umbrella
organization of the Community Chest Center.
The lure for greener pasture brought him to the United States in
1966 to accept a job offer in Minnesota to teach Spanish and
English. He had also taught English and Spanish in South
Dakota, and Latin, in Berkeley, California.
and sound moral formation to his long association with the
Benedictine monks of Manila; his exposure to the Jesuit system
as a student at the Ateneo de Cagayan, now Xavier University; and
his stay with the Spanish Dominicans of the Province of Our Lady
of the Rosary.
He graduated in 1960 from San Beda College with a bachelor’s
degree in English; studied philosophy and theology at the Abbey
of Our Lady of Montserrat in Manila. He taught Religion in the
elementary department of San Beda College; Spanish and
philosophy at the Philippine Women’s University and at San
Sebastian College. In 1962, he worked briefly with the secretariat
of the Council of Welfare agencies of the Philippines, an umbrella
organization of the Community Chest Center.
The lure for greener pasture brought him to the United States in
1966 to accept a job offer in Minnesota to teach Spanish and
English. He had also taught English and Spanish in South
Dakota, and Latin, in Berkeley, California.
In California, he enrolled for a master’s program in education at the University of San Francisco in compliance
with the State’s requirement for a teaching credential, and did his teaching internship in the city schools of
San Francisco. His immigration to Canada in 1970 forced him to abandon his studies at the university but
pursued and finished the program at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, where he obtained a master’s
degree in Education.
He started teaching Spanish. Religion and Moral Education in 1970, at Laval Catholic High School, a suburb
of Montreal, and also taught Spanish in adult education. He retired from teaching in 1997.
During his respite from work, he took courses in various fields to improve and enrich his professional growth.
In addition to his master’s in Education, he holds other bachelor degrees from Concordia University, Montreal,
in Spanish, Theological, Religious and Ethical Studies and a diploma in French from the Universite de
Montreal, Quebec. His flair for languages has given him the edge of being able to speak Spanish, English
and French. He also would like to learn Italian and Greek.
Although a new arrival in Montreal in 1970, his talent and leadership skills was quickly acknowledged when
the community elected him President of the Filipino Association of Montreal and Suburbs, (F.A.M.A.S.) True to
his nature, he immediately energized the association, and set the wheels in motion to make the organization
responsive to the needs of the community at the time. He is credited for having initiated pivotal projects of the
association, among which, Miss Philippines of Montreal Beauty Pageant, French language classes,
Filipiniana ’71 cultural show, first Christmas Children’s Party, publication of the association’s Newsletter.
During his term, the Philippine Basketball League was formed and organized the first basketball tournament
in the city. He worked hard for the acquisition of a resident Filipino priest to minister to the spiritual needs of
Filipinos in Montreal, an initiative which finally brought fruition with the canonical installation of the first and
only Filipino Catholic Mission in North America.
He was elected national secretary general in 1971 of the United Council of Filipino Canadian Associations in
Canada, now known by the name, National Council of Canadian Filipino Associations. And, as a further
testimony to his organizational acumen, he was elected in 1980, President, of the Federation of Filipino
Canadian Associations of Quebec. During his presidency, he worked for the unity of the community and
persuaded organizations to rally behind the umbrella organization to speak with one voice in defending the
interest and rights of Filipinos in Quebec. He succeeded in persuading two senior organizations to unite into
what eventually became the United Pilipino Seniors.
He built a strong and credible federation by strengthening the structure and sponsored meaningful activities
that responded to the needs of member organizations and of the community. The Federation sponsored
conferences, seminars for seniors and for the youth. It championed the promotion of Filipino culture by
sponsoring cultural shows partly funded by the Canadian and Quebec governments, and by organizing salu-
salu so that people could socialize and renew acquaintances. These worthwhile initiatives finally convinced
the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism to approved a request for operational grant for the Federation and for
the Quebec government to grant subsidy for job creation. Also, as a further expression of confidence, the
Federal government approved the Federation’s request for a budget to publish a quarterly Federation Review
as a communication outreach for the members. It also appointed Alvin Veloso liaison officer to serve as
bridge between the federal government and the Filipino community.
While president of the Filipino Federation, he served concurrently as a two-term president of the Association
of Oriental Cultures of Montreal Inc., whose members included China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos and the Philippines. The organization’s prime objective was to showcase and share the beauty the
uniqueness of Asian cultures by sponsoring an annual Oriental Cultural Evening and sports tournament. The
association was also able to foster friendship and cooperation among members and promote understanding
among each other.
He was the first and only Filipino to serve on the board of a French dominated organization “L’association
pour l’education interculturelle de Quebec” and the “-Societe du patrimoine d’expression du Quebec as vice-
president and director respectively. He was one of the first director of the newly-formed Quebec Association of
Canadian Filipino Teachers.
He is sometimes dubbed as the man with a midas touch for his ability to make things happen and doing
them successfully. When he took over the helm of the Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec in 1992, he has
made the Society famous with the formation of the Kalinangan Dance Troupe and the Vocale ensemble.
These two groups played an important role in the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence with
their presentation of “Bayan Ko” and “Pilipino Ako”. Likewise, the Kalinangan’s summer trip to Spain for the
world Folklore Festival proved to be successful.
Most importantly, the formation of the Kalinangan Dance Troupe has fostered the dancers’ love and pride in
their culture. The involvement of the parents in the activities of the dancers has also engendered an
appreciation of old-fashioned family values of care, help and concern for the young. Alvin Veloso’s presidency
of the Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec, has changes the image of the Society, and has become the
source of pride for members.
As chairman of the Liturgical Committee, Alvin Veloso, in cooperation with members of the community,
successfully organized a solemn and beautiful Centennial Thanksgiving Mass at Montreal’s venerable Mary
Queen of the world Basilica con celebrated by eight priests. Close to 1000 people attended the liturgical
celebration.
Since retirement, Alvin Veloso has added more responsibilities to his already crowded agenda. He is the
vice-chairman of the Overseas Tourism Advisory Council, Montreal Chapter. He was one of the delegates at
the Manila General Assembly held in October of 1997 at the Century Park Hotel. He is a member of Folklore
Canada International, and is one of the delegates for the Filipino Catholic Mission at the Roman Catholic
Church of Montreal Synod.#
with the State’s requirement for a teaching credential, and did his teaching internship in the city schools of
San Francisco. His immigration to Canada in 1970 forced him to abandon his studies at the university but
pursued and finished the program at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, where he obtained a master’s
degree in Education.
He started teaching Spanish. Religion and Moral Education in 1970, at Laval Catholic High School, a suburb
of Montreal, and also taught Spanish in adult education. He retired from teaching in 1997.
During his respite from work, he took courses in various fields to improve and enrich his professional growth.
In addition to his master’s in Education, he holds other bachelor degrees from Concordia University, Montreal,
in Spanish, Theological, Religious and Ethical Studies and a diploma in French from the Universite de
Montreal, Quebec. His flair for languages has given him the edge of being able to speak Spanish, English
and French. He also would like to learn Italian and Greek.
Although a new arrival in Montreal in 1970, his talent and leadership skills was quickly acknowledged when
the community elected him President of the Filipino Association of Montreal and Suburbs, (F.A.M.A.S.) True to
his nature, he immediately energized the association, and set the wheels in motion to make the organization
responsive to the needs of the community at the time. He is credited for having initiated pivotal projects of the
association, among which, Miss Philippines of Montreal Beauty Pageant, French language classes,
Filipiniana ’71 cultural show, first Christmas Children’s Party, publication of the association’s Newsletter.
During his term, the Philippine Basketball League was formed and organized the first basketball tournament
in the city. He worked hard for the acquisition of a resident Filipino priest to minister to the spiritual needs of
Filipinos in Montreal, an initiative which finally brought fruition with the canonical installation of the first and
only Filipino Catholic Mission in North America.
He was elected national secretary general in 1971 of the United Council of Filipino Canadian Associations in
Canada, now known by the name, National Council of Canadian Filipino Associations. And, as a further
testimony to his organizational acumen, he was elected in 1980, President, of the Federation of Filipino
Canadian Associations of Quebec. During his presidency, he worked for the unity of the community and
persuaded organizations to rally behind the umbrella organization to speak with one voice in defending the
interest and rights of Filipinos in Quebec. He succeeded in persuading two senior organizations to unite into
what eventually became the United Pilipino Seniors.
He built a strong and credible federation by strengthening the structure and sponsored meaningful activities
that responded to the needs of member organizations and of the community. The Federation sponsored
conferences, seminars for seniors and for the youth. It championed the promotion of Filipino culture by
sponsoring cultural shows partly funded by the Canadian and Quebec governments, and by organizing salu-
salu so that people could socialize and renew acquaintances. These worthwhile initiatives finally convinced
the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism to approved a request for operational grant for the Federation and for
the Quebec government to grant subsidy for job creation. Also, as a further expression of confidence, the
Federal government approved the Federation’s request for a budget to publish a quarterly Federation Review
as a communication outreach for the members. It also appointed Alvin Veloso liaison officer to serve as
bridge between the federal government and the Filipino community.
While president of the Filipino Federation, he served concurrently as a two-term president of the Association
of Oriental Cultures of Montreal Inc., whose members included China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos and the Philippines. The organization’s prime objective was to showcase and share the beauty the
uniqueness of Asian cultures by sponsoring an annual Oriental Cultural Evening and sports tournament. The
association was also able to foster friendship and cooperation among members and promote understanding
among each other.
He was the first and only Filipino to serve on the board of a French dominated organization “L’association
pour l’education interculturelle de Quebec” and the “-Societe du patrimoine d’expression du Quebec as vice-
president and director respectively. He was one of the first director of the newly-formed Quebec Association of
Canadian Filipino Teachers.
He is sometimes dubbed as the man with a midas touch for his ability to make things happen and doing
them successfully. When he took over the helm of the Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec in 1992, he has
made the Society famous with the formation of the Kalinangan Dance Troupe and the Vocale ensemble.
These two groups played an important role in the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence with
their presentation of “Bayan Ko” and “Pilipino Ako”. Likewise, the Kalinangan’s summer trip to Spain for the
world Folklore Festival proved to be successful.
Most importantly, the formation of the Kalinangan Dance Troupe has fostered the dancers’ love and pride in
their culture. The involvement of the parents in the activities of the dancers has also engendered an
appreciation of old-fashioned family values of care, help and concern for the young. Alvin Veloso’s presidency
of the Philippine Folk Art Society of Quebec, has changes the image of the Society, and has become the
source of pride for members.
As chairman of the Liturgical Committee, Alvin Veloso, in cooperation with members of the community,
successfully organized a solemn and beautiful Centennial Thanksgiving Mass at Montreal’s venerable Mary
Queen of the world Basilica con celebrated by eight priests. Close to 1000 people attended the liturgical
celebration.
Since retirement, Alvin Veloso has added more responsibilities to his already crowded agenda. He is the
vice-chairman of the Overseas Tourism Advisory Council, Montreal Chapter. He was one of the delegates at
the Manila General Assembly held in October of 1997 at the Century Park Hotel. He is a member of Folklore
Canada International, and is one of the delegates for the Filipino Catholic Mission at the Roman Catholic
Church of Montreal Synod.#
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