The Big Bend Filipino-American Association, Inc. is a 501(3)c registered non-profit organization.
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BBFAA Membership Form (Click here to print form)
Please fill out the BBFAA Membership Form in the link above and mail your check to the BBFAA P.O. Box 227, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0227. Or pay online by clicking the links below or the Pay Online Membership buttons above. Thank you for supporting the BBFAA.
BBFAA News
Introducing Our New BBFAA Secretary – Vina Lade
Please welcome Ms. Divina “Vina” Lade as BBFAA’s new Secretary. Vina was voted in by the Executive Council Members. Vina hails from the Southern part of the Philippines and has been a BBFAA member for the past two consecutive years. She has an extensive educational background and experience. She has also been active in creating and developing the new Tambuli e-newsletter, deepening engagement with the Association’s mission, members, and initiatives. Please welcome Ms. Vina Lade to the Executive Council!
Fiesta Mo Sa USA 2024
Fiesta mo sa USA, is a yearly event for Filipino American communities in Florida and lately any states can join as well. They choose their representatives who participates in this Pageant for a Cause on the category of Queen, Mrs, Miss, Teen, Princess and Prince.
Candidates joined this pageant to fundraise thru ticket sales to help support Bantay Bata (Child Watch). Bantay Bata 163 is a social welfare program of ABS-CBN Foundation which aims to protect disadvantaged and at risk children in the Philippines through a nationwide network of social services.
BBFAA had been sending candidates to FMSU’s Pageant for a Cause for 7 years now.
Tallahassee had been known to garnered top titles and special awards from our BBFAA candidates.
Last July 27, 2024, FMSU had celebrated 15 years at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. Our very own BBFAA Miss Tallahassee, Jaymie Strickland won the top award of Miss Earth Florida 2025. She also earned several special awards, namely, Best in Gown, Best in Swim wear, Best in Cocktail dress and Best in National Costume. She will go to the Philippines to compete for Miss Earth Philippines scheduled for Aug. 9, 2025. Miss Earth Philippines will compete to Miss Earth International in another country in November 2025.
Another candidate represented BBFAA at the last Pageant in July 27, 2024.
Our BBFAA MRS. 2024, Ohna Guisadio Koontz competed at the Fiesta mo sa USA, Pageant for a Cause. She received special awards of Best in Gown and Best in Runway. Her beauty and stage performance is a standout at the Pageant.
BBFAA is proud of these empowered women representing our Association and Tallahassee. A once in a lifetime experience that will always be treasured.
BBFAA Appreciates Our Valentine’s Party Sponsors
BBFAA held a Valentine’s Party fundraising event on February 8, 2025 at the American Legion. We are proud to introduce our new 2025 BBFAA Charity Candidates: BBFAA Charity Miss – Izzy Alacantara and BBFAA Queen Vilma Chambers. Please support our candidates as they raise money for a good cause. BBFAA would also like to express our appreciation by recognizing the following sponsors for their kind generosity:
$200 Sponsors
- Premier Medical Clinic
$100 Sponsors
- Alex and Amy Cardona
- Angie Christoff
- Louis & Chris Almanzor
- Hosea & Lili Battles
- Boyette & Lilith Salvador
- Maribel & Marilyn Ramos
- Joey & Lally Mosley
- Treasured Luxury
- Jim Spalla & Joice Washington
- Albert & Lexi Foz
- Sonny & Gigi Abad
- Tri Star Facial Massage & Spa (Gloria Aggabao- CEO/Owner
BBFAA Outreach Program
BBFAA held a Halloween Costume Party fundraising event for Hurricane Relief. Thank you to the BBFAA Officers and Board Members for their hard work and continued support. For donations to the hurricane relief you can pay online in the link below or issue a check to BBFAA. Mail to P.O. Box 227, Tallahassee, FL 32302. Or click on the Pay Online link on this website. For more details, visit the BBFAA Facebook profile.
Council of Cultural Arts Grant
BBFAA has been approved to receive $1260 in Cultural Grant and $360 Marketing Grant for FY24 in COCA Grants. The Cultural Grant (City Grant) has not been finalized in which BBFAA requested $10K. We will hear more information soon as we have just submitted the FY2023 Final Grant Report.
Thank you for your support! – Click here to view the 2022 BBFAA Pista sa Nayon Patron Sponsors and Businesses/Organizations.
Pista sa Nayon – Filipino Festival
This year’s Annual 2024 Pista sa Nayon will be held at Tom Brown Park on Saturday, November 9th from 9 am to 4:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public. This event is sponsored in-kind by the City of Tallahassee.
Please join us and enjoy Filipino culture!
Last year, the Annual 2023 Pista sa Nayon – Filipino Festival was held on Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. where BBFAA showcased its Filipino traditions, food, and performances. This cultural festival is sponsored by COCA grant and the City of Tallahassee. Our major sponsors included Florida Blue, Sanista, HCA Healthcare and Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Special thanks to our food vendors: Acosta’s Kitchen, Murillo’s Kitchen, Eat’s Pinoy, Real Sarap, Filipiniana Cafe, Josie’s Kitchen, and Tarty’s Enterprise ETC.
June
Event: Leyte Dance Theatre presents Padayaw II: The Jess de Paz Legacy
- Date/Time: Saturday, June 7 at 7 pm
- Location: To Be Announced
- Details: Save the Date! We are proud to announce the upcoming Leyte Dance Theatre of Jess de Paz Foundation, Inc will be performing Padayas II: The Jess de Paz Legacy. For tickets, please contact Event Chair Lally Mosley at 850-766-0281.
April
Event: BBFAA Healthy Lifestyle
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 12 at 9 am
- Location: Piney Z Pavillion
- Details: Please join us for Zumba with Dolly. This is a FREE event. For more details, please contact Nelly Guarda at phone: 850-570-1475.
Event: Filipino Sunday Mass
- Date/Time: Sunday, April 13 at 12:30 pm
- Location: St. Louis Catholic Church, 3640 St. George Rd., Tallahassee, Florida
- Details: Please join us for Palm Sunday Filipino Mass. After mass, please join us for a potluck reception in the reception hall. We appreciate Fr. Alberic Lazerna for celebrating the mass for us and the St. Louis Parish for hosting us. We thank our BBFAA Choir directed by Barbara Reyes for providing the Filipino Church Music for the Mass. We will have a Fellowship Lunch after the mass at the Parish Hall. We encourage everyone to share their best dish. Please click her to sign up for the potluck.
Event: BBFAA Visita Iglesia
- Date/Time: Friday, April 18 at 12:15 pm
- Location: St. Thomas More Church, Tallahassee, Florida
- Details: Our Visita Iglesia Group will meet at St. Thomas More at 12:15 pm. We will visit St. Eugene Catholic Church, Blessed Sacrament, Good Shepherd, and will conclude at 3:00 pm at St. Louis Catholic Church. Please text (850) 443-2694 if you are interested in joining. Maraming Salamat!
March
Event: BBFAA General Assembly 2025 Meeting
- Date/Time: Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 4 pm to 6 pm
- Location: Tallahassee Elk’s Lodge, 276 N. Magnolia Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301
- Details: Please join us for the BBFAA General Assembly Meeting on March 22, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm to talk about the upcoming events for BBFAA and the Annual Budget. This will be at the Elk’s Lodge.
- This is a potluck event, please share your favorite dish. Click here to sign up for the potluck!
Event: March Filipino Mass
- Date/Time: Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 12:30 pm
- Location: St. Louis Catholic Church
- Details: We appreciate Fr. Alberic Lazerna for celebrating the Mass for us and the St. Louis Parish for hosting us. We thank our
BBFAA Choir directed by Barbara Reyes for providing the Filipino Church Music for the Mass. We will have a fellowship lunch after the mass in the Parish Hall. - We encourage everyone to share their best dish. Click here to sign up for the potluck!
December
Event: BBFAA Annual Christmas Party
- Date/Time: Saturday, December 14 from 6 pm to 11 pm
- Location: FSU Dunlap Champions Club, West – Level 4, 288 Champions Way, Tallahassee, FL
- Online Payment Cost: BBFAA Adult Members $42; Nonmember Adults $47; BBFAA Member Children < 12 yo $ 11.50; Nonmember children < 12 yo $ 16.50. If you pay online, there is an online convenience fee added. At this time, we are no longer taking reservation payments.
- Details: Join us for our Annual BBFAA Christmas Party! Click here for the Christmas Party Flyer
- Buffet Menu: BLT salad or crispy veggie salad, Bread/Butter, braised short ribs, miso glazed salmon, green beans and potato, grilled asparagus, savannah red rice, summer fruit cobbler. Children’s meal: Chicken finger, fries, and fruit. Cash bar for alcoholic drinks
- Deadline for payments: November 30, 2024. No Reservations will be accepted without payment. Checks payable to “BBFAA” and submit to Lally Mosley, phone: (850) 766-02371 or Josephine Jones, email: jbbbfaa1@yahoo.com, phone: (850) 295-5463.
- Reservations cancelled after November 30, 2024, will not be reimbursed.
- Dinner is served at 6 pm. No parking fee.
Ongoing Event:
BBFAA choir
- BBFAA Choir Co-Leads: Michelle Riley and Barbara Reyes
- Location: St. Louis Catholic Church, Tallahassee, Florida
- Details: Volunteers are needed for the Tagalog Choir to support the Tagalog Mass. The choir will have scheduled practices. Please RSVP to Vice President Michelle Riley if you are interested. Please come to practice as we would love to hear your voices
Past Events
BBFAA Leadership 2023 - 2025
BBFAA Executive Council
- President Sonny Abad
- Vice President Michelle Riley
- Secretary Vina Lade
- Treasurer Josephine Jones
- Auditor Joanne Skelton
- Public Relations Officer Odyssy Pastrana
Board of Directors
- Chairman of the Board Arneil Reyes
- Vice Chair Board Member Lally Mosley
- Board Member Romeo Aggabao (Past President)
- Board Member Earl Campos (Past President)
- Board Member Albert Foz
- Board Member Father Alberic Lazerna
- Board Member Nelly Guarda
BBFAA Members are welcome to attend the Executive Meeting held each month. Location TBA. Contact any Officer/Board member for more information.
BBFAA US Educational Grant $500
Civic Center Concession Volunteer Opportunities:
BBFAA is giving more opportunities for High school students (Age 16 and above) to receive Bright Futures Scholarship service hours by volunteering at the Civic Center Food/Snack Concessions stands during special events, basketball games and concerts. This is also an opportunity for members to start building up concession hours for a complimentary dinner at the 2024 BBFAA Christmas Party in December. Sign up at BBFAA.org or please contact Lally Mosley to volunteer at phone: 850-766-0281.
Congratulations to the 2024 recipients of the BBFAA $500.00 U.S. Educational Grant!
- Marie Baes – Tallahassee State College (TSC)
- Zoe Hearns – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)
- Anton Abad – Florida State University (FSU)
- Charlotte Alcala – Florida State University (FSU)
- Saima Khan – Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
Co-chair: Hosea Battles
BBFAA FSU Volunteer Concession
Sign up to be a BBFAA Concession Stand Volunteer
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- All volunteers must be over the age of 18 years and take a 2 hour training.
- Please meet 4 hours before kickoff. Transportation at Olive Garden.
- Dress code: Black or khaki pants/long shorts. No jeans or leggings. Non-skid shoes with covered toes and clear bag policy.
Click on the logo below to sign up as a volunteer
2024 FSU Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent |
| Monday, September 2 | FSU v. Boston College Eagles |
| Saturday, September 14 | FSU v. Memphis Tigers |
| Saturday, September 21 | FSU v. California Golden Bears |
| Saturday, October 5 | FSU v. Clemson Tigers |
| Saturday, November 2 | FSU v. North Carolina Tarheels |
| Saturday, November 23 | FSU v. Charleston Southern Buccaneers |
| Saturday, November 30 | FSU v. Florida Gators |