Filipino-American Assn of Vancouver WA (FAAV)

The Filipino-American Association of Vancouver, Washington (FAAV) is a nonprofit cultural organization based in Vancouver, Washington, USA, a city adjacent to Portland, Oregon. Formerly known as Filipino-American Association of Clark County and Vicinity (FAACCV), the organization was founded in the early 1980s when the few Filipino-Americans in the Vancouver, Washington area got together and decided that, to preserve the ‘old country’ culture and camaraderie, was a worth-while effort. Over the years, this grew into an organization that established an active folk dance troupe for youth and adults, sponsored a youth basketball team, sponsored visiting chorale groups such as the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, the De La Salle University Chorale, Kontra Gapi Ensemble and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers. It also put together forums of interest to Filipino-Americans, such as immigration issues, etc.

It has served as a ‘welcome wagon’ for new Filipino-Americans in the area, providing assistance if needed, and a comfortable atmosphere of friendship. It has also actively pursued partnerships with other Filipino-American associations in the Oregon and Southwest Washington area, spearheading or supporting various projects that benefit the community. And, of course, it has established the annual Philippine Independence Day Picnic and a formal Christmas Dinner/Dance called Pasko Na Naman for the Filipino-Americans to get together and celebrate.