The Filipino Community of Seattle is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Washington State Corporation organization committed to serving the needs of Filipinos and Filipino Americans since 1935.

The FCS Core Values: Excellence, Respect, Compassion, Justice, Stewardship. Filipino Americans living in the Seattle and neighboring areas are encouraged to be active members of the organization. 

Officers and Board of Directors

President Alma Q Kern

Vice President Frank Palisoc

Secretary Alan Garcia

FCS Past Presidents: L-R: Dr. Camilo de Guzman, Mr. Rick Beltran, Ms. Dolly Castillo, Mr. Vincent Lawsin, Retired US Army Major Urbano Quijance.

Right: Past President Bert Caoil.

Vincent Avestruz LAWSIN
Age 85, died March 9, 2010. Born in Leyte, Philippines. Guerilla fighter during World War II, Merchant Marine, and retired Chief Engineer of the Washington State Ferries. Past President of the Filipino Community of Seattle, the Filipino American Political Action Group of Washington, the Visayan Circle, the Jose Rizal Park and Bridge Preservation Society, and St. Edward's Filipino American Guild. Worshipful Grand Master of the Caballeros de Dimas Alang. Member of the Masons, Knights of Columbus,
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6599, and many other organizations. Loving father of Zenaida Rosete, Carmelita Floresca (Jerry Maurice) Bridges, Vincent Paul (Joseph Mahony), Emily (Scott Kurashige), and Ramon. Grandfather of Marvin Allen, Thomas, and Jason (Leilani Diaz) Rosete of Renton; Leandro, Isaiah, and Maxwell Bridges of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Tula Kurashige of Michigan. Great-grandfather of Teriel and Jaden Rosete. Preceded in death by his wife Emma. 

Ella de Guzman

Ella "Dayco" Bacolod de GUZMAN Ella 'Dayco' Bacolod de Guzman, age 75, passed away May 17, 2010 after a nearly two year battle with cancer (sarcoma). She was surrounded by her loving family. She was the fifth of eight children. life, Camilo Oloresisimo de Guzman. She was very active in the Filipino Community of Seattle where she served as Vice President, council member, and volunteer. Manang Ella will be greatly missed.

Inauguration of the new Filipino Community Center.

L-R: Gov. Christine Gregoire, King County Exec Ron Sims, FCS Vice President Alma Kern, Mrs. Cayan Topacio Sims, and members to the Filipino community and friends.

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Major Urbano Quijance (1916-2011), 19th FCS President

We mourn the loss of our beloved Tata Quijance. Major Urbano Quijance was our strong, generous  and fearless leader and adviser. He was alert, present and engaged until the end.  We miss him already. He celebrated his 95th birthday last week, Jan 15 at the Filipino Community Center with his multigenerational family, community members and friends, and elected officials.  

A brief history

On November 15, 1935, delegates from various regional, civic, religious and fraternal organizations formed the "Philippine Commonwealth Council of Seattle (PCCS)" with Pio de Cano as president and Rudy Santos as vice president. Over the next 10 years the PCCS became the center of activity in the city's Filipino community. On July 4, 1946, the PCCS was renamed "Filipino Community of Seattle and Vicinity".

In 1952, due to the influx of the third wave of Filipino immigrants entering Seattle, the word "Vicinity" was dropped and the new name became "Filipino Community of Seattle, Incorporated".

During the administration of Major (Ret.) Urbano Quijance, a bowling alley building located along Empire Way South was purchased and renovated to serve as the Filipino Community Center (FCC). It was paid in full on November 16, 1973, with the continuous support of dedicated members and with Silvestre Tangalan, Sr. at the helm. A symbolic ceremony - the burning of the mortgage documents on February 2, 1974 - became a historic monument of Filipino solidarity.

The Filipino Community Center has been the hub of Filipino American multifarious activities. Every FCS president has worked to preserve this precious legacy.

Through the years, the Filipino Community of Seattle has changed its image from a strictly social organization to a service organization.

You are invited to visit the Filipino Community Center and learn about the new programs and services for seniors, youth, and families.  Welcome everyone.