History of Maharlika Pathfinders Club

History of Maharlika Pathfinder Club

Compiled by Ben Regoso, Jr.

 

In the Summer of 1991, the Filipino-Canadian SDA Church of Downsview, Ontario was experiencing an unprecedented growth in its membership. This led to the establishment of a new church which at that time was called York Region Filipino SDA Congregation. It was later renamed to Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church. The establishment of this new congregation gave birth to a new Pathfinder club.

Long before the formation of the new congregation, the Orion Pathfinder Club of Filipino Canadian Church planned to join the 1991 Ontario Camporee at Camp Val D’Espoir, in Quebec happening on August 11-18. The Pathfinder leadership knowing full well, that when the club goes back to Toronto, they will need to establish a name for the new Pathfinder Club.  The CB radios during the trip to and fro the Camporee were a-buzzed with conversations as to the new name, but it was during one of the Pathfinder staff meetings in Thornhill Presbyterian Church on September 14, 1991 when Neil Adap happens to drop by and suggested the name “Maharlika”, which was unanimously accepted by everyone.

The Meaning of "Maharlika"

The word Maharlika is a Filipino term which means noble. It is normally used to refer to a group of people belonging to the ruling class or royalty. Back in the days when the Filipino society was split into three classes, the "Maharlika" or nobility would be at the top of this class hierarchy.

This Filipino term for nobility was chosen to be the name of our Club, not only because it reflects our Filipino heritage, but more importantly because it embodies the high and noble ideals and goals of Pathfindering and of our Club's program of self-improvement and service to God. It is to do the best we can to improve our talents and skills to bless humanity and to glorify Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, the Greatest Maharlikan.

The name was also chosen because it refers to royalty. We believe we are members of that Great Royal Family of God, where God himself is King and we are His children.

Our Club Colours

Purple - represents Royalty
White - represents Purity

 

Directors

Betty Frias, 1991-1994
Efren Mariano, 1994-1996
Leila Solijon, 1996-1997
Beth Mallari, 1997-????

Evangeline Lazago

Orville Rey

 

Deputy Directors

Edsel Adap, 1995
Jocy Camato
Rosendo Cuizon
Betty Frias
Ryan Ganzon
Roger Pinuela
Ben Regoso, Jr., 1994-1995
Ben Regoso, Sr., 1991-1993
Lemual Salandanan
Leila Solijon

Katherine Aure

 

Club Advisers

Aurora Adap
Rosendo Cuizon

 

Club Chaplains

Pastor Efenito Adap
Evelyn Lagazo

Club Captains

Ben Regoso, Jr., 1991-1994
Joseph Bautista, 1994-1995
Ryan Ganzon, 1995-1996
Joey Vizcarra, 1996-1997
Daniel Miranda, 1997-1998
Kenny Basit, 1998-2000
Jasper Basit, 2000-????

Hennelle Lospe

JM Zabanal

 

Counselors

Joseph Bautista
Mae Camato
Nieva Carpio
Rosendo Cuizon
Vilma Cuizon
Deevin Festejo
Dem Fronda
Melody Galaites
Eljay Lasangue
Ely Lagazo
Ezekiel Lucrida
Aileen Miranda
Rose Movilla
Rogeema Parong
Teofila Paulino
Nenita Pinuela
Beverly Regoso
Alma Rivera
Aurora Rivera
Rodel Salandanan, Sr.
Leidamae Solijon
Eden Vizcarra
Joey Vizcarra

Support Staff

Parents of all Pathfinders
Rodney Chan
Brimir Fabros
Lucy Garcia
Alex & Leonore Malones
Emma Tagra
Cindy Salamanca-Salandanan
 

Now, twenty eight years later, the Maharlika Pathfinder Club still continues on strong. Below are some of the historical highlights of our first 10 years.

1991

September 14, 1991

  • > Organizational meeting to form a Pathfinder Club in the Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church the name "Maharlika" is chosen; suggested by Neil Adap.
  • September 21, 1991

  • > The unofficial club attends its 1st Pathfinder Rally at Cawthra Senior School with Norm Middag – Pathfinder Director, North American Division.
  • October 6, 1991

  • > 1st club registration at Edithvale Community Centre. 24 Pathfinders registered.

1992

February 1, 1992

> 1st Induction Ceremony at Thornhill Presbyterian Church with Claude Sabot - Director, Coordinated Ministries for SDA Church in Canada
> Betty Frias - First Club Director
> Ben Regoso, Jr. - First Club Captain

May 3, 1992

  • > Attains highest points in Ontario Conference Pathfinder Fair at Crawford Adventist Academy Drill Squad performs
  • > Club wins "Best Booth Award"

June 5-7, 1992

  • > 1st campout at Terra Cotta (Pathfinder Jamboree)

July 2-5, 1992

  • > 2nd campout at Bass Lake Conservation Area Drill Squad performs
  • > Achieves Gold standing

October 31, 1992

  • > Participates in North Toronto Area Bible Bowl  
  • > Ben Regoso, Jr. - Voyager Class Winner

November 28, 1992

  • > 1st Investiture Ceremony at Thornhill Presbyterian Church with Robert Lemon
  • > Rowena Salandanan - Model Pathfinder Girl
  • > Jonathan Pinuela - Model Pathfinder Boy
  • > Ben Regoso, Jr. - Pathfinder Of The Year

1993

February 6, 1993

  • > Attends Central District Pathfinder Rally at Crawford Adventist Academy with Frank Lazarus – Youth Director, Ontario Conference
  • > Participates in Central District Bible Bowl
  • > Ben Regoso, Jr. - Voyager Class Winner
  • > Leidamae Solijon - Companion Class Winner

February 20, 1993

  • > 2nd Induction Ceremony at Willowdale Christian Reformed Church with Efenito Adap - Pastor, Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church (held during Divine Worship)

April 26, 1993

  • > Presents play entitled "Whatever Happened To Sin?" at Pathfinder Crusade at Willowdale SDA Church

May 9, 1993

  • > Attains highest points in Central District Pathfinder Fair at Crawford Adventist Academy Drill Squad performs
  • > Club wins "Best Booth Award"

June 24-27, 1993

  • > 3rd campout at Pittock Conservation Area
  • > Presents play entitled "Whatever Happened To Sin?" Achieves Gold standing
  • > Camporee Theme Song written by Nenita Pinuela and composed by Jonathan Pinuela & Ben Regoso, Jr.
  • > Ben Regoso, Jr. awarded Teen Pathfinder Of The Year in Ontario Conference

1994

January 8, 1994

  • > 2nd Investiture Ceremony at Willowdale Christian Reformed Church with Frank Lazarus - Pastor, Downsview SDA Church
  • > Ben Regoso, Jr. turns over Captainship of the club to Joseph Bautista
  • > Brian Bautista - Pathfinder Of The Year

March 5, 1994

  • > 3rd Induction Ceremony at Willowdale Christian Reformed Church with Russell Lambert – Executive Coordinator, Ontario Conference Pathfinder Council

June 5, 1994

  • > Participates in Pathfinder Fun & Fellowship at Earl Bales Park

July 1, 1994

  • > Carries Canadian & Filipino colours to open 2nd All Filipino Campmeeting at Bingemans Conference & Recreation Centre in Kitchener, Ontario

August 2-6, 1994

  • > Attends "Dare To Care" International Pathfinder Camporee at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado
  • > Drill Squad performs
  • > Performs musical presentation entitled "I Give All" during the Closing Ceremonies

December 24, 1994

  • > 3rd Investiture Ceremony at Willowdale Christian Reformed Church with Efenito Adap - Pastor, Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church
  • > Betty Frias turns over Directorship of the club to Efren Mariano
  • > Alma Rivera - Model Pathfinder
  • > Beverly Regoso - Pathfinder Of The Year

1995

January 1, 1995

  • > Leadership structure & operations format of the club revised

March 4, 1995

  • > Attends Central District Pathfinder Rally at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute with Tyrone Johnson
  • > Presents play entitled "Critical Condition"

March 11, 1995

  • > 4th Induction Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Romulo Daquila - Pastor, Bramalea SDA Church
  • > Joseph Bautista turns over Captainship of the club to Ryan Ganzon

March 26, 1995

  • > Hosts North Toronto Area Mini-Fair held at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church
  • > 1st formal inspection with Area Coordinators Aurora Adap & Rosendo Cuizon inspecting

May 28, 1995

  • > Garners 1st place at Central District Pathfinder Fair at Crawford Adventist Academy Drill Squad performs

July 6-9, 1995

  • > 4th campout at Presqu'ile Provincial Park Attains highest points
  • > Drill Squad performs

September 2, 1995

  • > Drill Squad performs at 3rd All Filipino Campmeeting at Bingemans Conference & Recreation Centre in Kitchener, Ontario

November 18, 1995

  • > 4th Investiture Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Rowell Puedivan - Youth Pastor, Filipino Canadian SDA Church & Associate Pastor, Scarborough Filipino SDA Church

1996

February 17, 1996

  • > Participates in Ontario Conference Bible Bowl
  • > Garners 2nd place for Junior Youth
  • > Garners 1st place for Senior Youth

March 23, 1996

  • > 5th Induction Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Efenito Adap - Pastor, Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church

June 5, 1996

  • > Achieves Gold standing at Central District Pathfinder Fair at Crawford Adventist Academy
  • > Garners 2nd place in total points
  • > Drill Squad performs

July 11-14, 1996

  • > 5th campout at Elora Gorge Conservation Area
  • > Achieves Gold standing with highest points
  • > Chester Parong - Drill Down Champion
  • > Drill Squad garners 2nd place in Drill Demonstration
  • > Performs The Fugees's version of "Killing Me Softly" during talent night

August 5, 1996

  • > Maharlika Web Page goes online

September 14, 1996

  • > Celebrates 5th year anniversary at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church

October, 1996

  • > Attends Central District Pathfinder Rally at Willowdale Christian Reformed Church

December 14, 1996

  • > 5th Investiture ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church
  • > Ryan Ganzon turns over Captainship of the club to Joey Vizcarra
  • > Efren Mariano turns over Directorship of the club to Leila Solijon

December 21, 1996

  • > Daniel Miranda & Glenn Mariano represent the club in the performance of "Mi Corazon" at Ford Centre For Performing Arts (Toronto Centre For The Arts) in North York, Ontario

1997

February 12, 1997

  • > 6th Induction Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with George Solijon - Elder, Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church

June 1, 1997

  • > Attains highest points in Central District Pathfinder Fair at Earl Bales Park in Downsview, Ontario Wins "Best Booth Award"

July 11-13, 1997

  • > 6th campout at Algonquin Provincial Park
  • > Performs musical presentation entitled "I Give All" for Sabbath Worship

December 6, 1997

  • > 6th Investiture Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Pastor Efenito Adap - Pastor, Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church
  • > Leila Solijon turns over Directorship of the club to Beth Mallari
  • > Ryan Ganzon turns over Drill Mastership of the club to Chester Parong
  • > Joey Vizcarra turns over Captainship of the club to Daniel Miranda

1998

March 21, 1998

  • > 7th Induction Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Gladys Steinke-Hamilton - Kids' Club Leader, Harmony SDA Church

July 5, 1998

  • > Garners 2nd place in Ontario Conference Pathfinder Fair at Kingsway College in Oshawa, Ontario Drill Squad performs and wins "Ontario Conference Drilling Trophy"

1999

August 10-14, 1999

  • > Attends "Discover The Power" International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

November 20, 1999

  • > 8th Investiture Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Pastor Romulo Daquila - Ontario Conference Stewardship Director

2000

June 3, 2000

  • > 9th Induction Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Daniel Catangay - Pastor, Filipino- Canadian SDA Church

July 1, 2000

  • > Drill Squad performs for Youth Sabbath School at Metro Toronto Convention Centre during 57th General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventists in Toronto, Ontario

November 25, 2000

  • > 9th Investiture Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Charles Ojano - Pastor, Scarborough Filipino SDA Church

2001

April 28, 2001

  • > 10th Induction Ceremony at Mt. Zion Filipino SDA Church with Pastor Ben Ezra Adap - Pastor, Bramalea SDA Church