Fairbanks Filipino organization brings community together

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - The Filipino-American Society of Fairbanks recently held its General Assembly in mid-April. It’s the organization’s annual business meeting, which focuses on strategic growth and its plans for the rest of 2025.

According to The Filipino-American Society, as part of the event program, it recognizes outstanding volunteers who’ve helped strengthen the organization’s events. Some of the notable events include the 2024 Fil-Am Christmas party and the Founders Day Ball in February.

Filipino-American Society of Fairbanks President Mary Jo Skaggs said that it’s important to recognize anyone’s achievements, big or small.

“We do want to make sure we’re uplifting everybody, and we try to recognize as many people as we can,” Skaggs said.

Skaggs said it can feel isolating to have immigrated away from your homeland. She said this event helps bring the community together and stay connected with their culture.

The general assembly event program also celebrated graduating Filipino high school seniors in Fairbanks. Skaggs said it’s crucial to connect with the youth as much as possible.

“We have second generations and third generations of Filipinos...that are being born here that are again further removed from their cultural roots of the Philippines,” Skaggs said. “The Fil-Am society is a place where we can continue our traditions, help share our values, and pass them on to the next generation,” Skaggs said.

Skaggs said she encourages Filipinos who are new to Fairbanks to attend their future events and reinvites long-time community members to check out their new activities.

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