As
president and first lady of the Filipino Community of Seattle, Bert and Ciony
Caoili give tirelessly of their time and energy to their fellow Filipinos. They
are leaders and advocates for the community working to ensure that the members
of the community have a safe and sustainable place to gather, celebrate and call
home -- now and in the future. By their own admission it can be a demanding and thankless job, but it is also a rewarding one as well. Like so many in the community, Bert and Ciony share a common desire to preserve the Filipino culture and heritage for future generations here in Seattle. "Time is an essential element to this leadership role," said Bert. "And you have to be aware of so many aspects of the community, especially now with the need for a new community center. But giving back to the community is a great privilege."
Bert and Ciony first came to Washington State in 1968 when Bert was hired by the Boeing Company as an engineer. Assigned to the Auburn Boeing plant, Bert, Ciony and their daughter Monica settled in Kent, and soon their son Norbert was born. Their involvement in the Filipino Community did not come until their two children were grown. Initially getting involved in the Fil-Am Community of South Puget Sound in Algona, Washington, as their children grew up and Bert retired from Boeing after 27 years, their involvement grew.
Their involvement in the community plays a very large part of their lives and transcends beyond the Filipino Community of Seattle. Ciony is also active in the Fil-Am Community of Renton, the Kent-Kaibara Student Exchange Program. For Bert, in addition to leading FCS, he shares his leadership abilities to a variety of Filipino organizations such as the Filipino Advisory Council to the Seattle Chief of Police; Council of Fil Am Organizations; Association of Filipino American Engineers of Washington, Circulo Pampangueno of Washington; Filipino Veterans Rally Committee; Fil Am Community of Renton; FAPAGOW, and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest. And he still finds time to host a weekly radio program, Bert & Bebot Radio, and write a monthly column for the Fil-Am Herald.
In the midst of their second term as president and first lady of the Filipino Community of Seattle, they are looking to the future. "The future of the Filipino Community lies in our youth," said Caoili. "I truly believe that the youth of the community will step up to the plate and take on the leadership of the Filipino Community and give back. It is only a matter of time."
Caoili's term as president ends in 2000. When asked if he and his wife will continue to stay active in the community, Bert replied, "Absolutely. It is hard to give up and forget. The tie to the community will always be here, no matter what we do or where we go. We will always be a part of the community."
As a retired couple, there is a yearning to spend more time with their children and grandchildren, but as Bert said, there will always be a connection to community. "When you put so much heart into something, it is hard to give up and forget," Bert said. "But like anything else in life, the leadership of the Filipino Community is a cycle. The community is going strong, and it will continue on and grow, but we must all work together and commit ourselves to securing its future." The foundation for the future of the Filipino Community of Seattle is in place and we must all continue to build on what the community's forefathers started with.
Bert and Ciony's continued support and dedication to the Filipino community and to Pista sa Nayon is unending and greatly appreciated by so many. As they look to the 10th Annual Pista sa Nayon, they look forward to joining the community I celebrating the culture and heritage of the Philippines right here in the greater Seattle/King County Area. "Pista is a wonderful event that showcases our culture," said Bert. "It's an event that started small and has grown and is now celebrating 10 years. Happy 10th Anniversary to Pista!"
Married for 32 years, Bert and Ciony reside in Kent, Washington, have two children and two grandchildren. Monica is an electrical engineer for Cisco Systems in San Jose, California. She is married to Don Evans and they have two children, 3-year old Brianna and 3-month old Brandon. Norbert is a partner in Quantum Productions as well as an accomplished composer, singer and performer with Music By Dezign in Seattle, Washington.
Bert & Ciony Caoili are the Hermano & Hermana Mayor for the 10th Annual Pista sa Nayon. Pista sa Nayon thanks Bert & Ciony for their support and commitment in helping to make the annual festival a success. We applaud you for your continued leadership to the greater Filipino community.