In 1975, Atty. Jose Sibayan, Sr., a retired Filipino American veteran, founded the first Philippine organization in Tampa, Florida, called the Pilipino American Association of Tampa (PAAT). Almost all Filipinos living in Tampa joined the organization.
By 1977, the organization met and held its activities in a newly built Philippine Independence Church called the Cathedral of Jesus of Nazareth, located on North Boulevard, at the corner of President Street in Tampa, established by Eugenio N. Loreto, who was later ordained as a bishop in the Philippine Independence Catholic Church in 1982. Filipinos, regardless of religion, joined the organization’s activities. Many Roman Catholic Filipinos sometimes even attended church masses and activities. The church became the headquarters for Filipinos, hosting traditional Philippine Fiestas and processions in May.
Meetings and picnics, talent shows, beauty pageants, Youth groups, scholarships, and community service followed. The members, who started out as a handful, slowly grew, with almost every Filipino living in Tampa and its neighboring cities signing up as members, wanting to belong to one big happy PAAT family, very typical of Filipinos.
As the population in Tampa Bay grew, so did the Philippine organizations. But many of the officers and retired directors of these organizations who are still with us today still remember how PAAT started it all back in 1975.
This year, the Cathedral of Jesus of Nazareth is celebrating its 49th anniversary and would like to invite all Filipinos, especially the original and current members of PAAT in Tampa, to come and celebrate the church’s anniversary, see everyone once again, and reminisce about the good old days. Let’s meet members of Bishop Loreto, Dr. Lourdes U. Loreto, Mary, Charity “Abby,” and Eugene, Jr. Bishop Loreto passed away in June 2003 at the age of 67.
Celebrations will start with a holy mass at 11 am, followed by a fellowship. Come and meet old friends and bring your memorable photos. Bring the whole family, bring your friends, and your neighbors. It does not matter what religion you practice. Everyone is welcome.
