History of the BWA
Early records of the BWA have been lost, so we cannot be sure of the year when the BWA was founded. We know that by 1978 there was an flourishing group which sounds very like our current organisation - they held regular meetings and talks, worked with local communities and had an active social scene. The membership included mothers and aunts of some of our current members!
We have continuous written records in the form of our newsletters dating from 1988. That year, the directory listed 141 members. The BWA held monthly meetings at the Mandarin, had English Speaking coffee mornings, new members coffee mornings and events including a Garden Fete at the British Embassy Residence (entrance fee PHP20!), a Fashion Show, Summer Ball, Halloween Party, Christmas Lunch (at the Manila Club, priced at PHP200) and New Year's Eve Party. There were also day trips to the Chinese Cemetery and a member wrote about a visit to China. Other activities organised by apparently tireless members included Bridge, Mahjong, Riding, Calligraphy, Toddlers, Sewing, Copper Toolings, Cooking, Badminton, Aerobics, Art, Golf, a Book Stall, British Brownies, Guides, Cubs and hiring crockery for events.
Work with the community has always been a commitment. Early charities mentioned include two Cheshire Homes - Sinag Tala in Cubao and JP Rizal; Elsie Gatches Home in Alabang and Holy Trinity Clinic. Mother Teresa's and Concordia (who we still support today) appear in our records in 1993, followed by Kanlungan in 1995, Mango, Cashew and Papaya in 2001 and Shalom and Little Sisters around 2004.
We have continuous written records in the form of our newsletters dating from 1988. That year, the directory listed 141 members. The BWA held monthly meetings at the Mandarin, had English Speaking coffee mornings, new members coffee mornings and events including a Garden Fete at the British Embassy Residence (entrance fee PHP20!), a Fashion Show, Summer Ball, Halloween Party, Christmas Lunch (at the Manila Club, priced at PHP200) and New Year's Eve Party. There were also day trips to the Chinese Cemetery and a member wrote about a visit to China. Other activities organised by apparently tireless members included Bridge, Mahjong, Riding, Calligraphy, Toddlers, Sewing, Copper Toolings, Cooking, Badminton, Aerobics, Art, Golf, a Book Stall, British Brownies, Guides, Cubs and hiring crockery for events.
Work with the community has always been a commitment. Early charities mentioned include two Cheshire Homes - Sinag Tala in Cubao and JP Rizal; Elsie Gatches Home in Alabang and Holy Trinity Clinic. Mother Teresa's and Concordia (who we still support today) appear in our records in 1993, followed by Kanlungan in 1995, Mango, Cashew and Papaya in 2001 and Shalom and Little Sisters around 2004.