Philippine-American Association of Madison & Neighboring Areas
Organized in 1984 but with early beginnings dating back to the 1950s, the Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas or PAMANA, is a non-profit organization composed of south central Wisconsin residents of Filipino decent or who have connections to the Philippines or the Filipino People through marriage, adoption, friendships, or life experiences.
The word PAMANA means “heritage’ or “legacy in the Filipino language. This term aptly relates to the organization’s goals and objectives.
In January 2010, through the relentless pursuit of its officers, PAMANA received its 501(c)(3) public charity designation from the Internal Revenue Service allowing donations to the organization to be tax-deductible.
Our Mission and Goals
As an integral part of our goals, we actively foster unity and harmony among members and the community at large through participation in social, cultural and educational activities. With pride, we promote our Philippine heritage, values and aspirations among Filipino people and their friends and families in Madison and nearby areas especially to the younger generations of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. Through the years, PAMANA has been engaged with the local community through participation in international events. We do this by showcasing Filipino native dances and music and by sharing unique delectable native cuisine.
PAMANA events also center on celebration of Filipino and American holidays often highlighting the blending of customs and traditions of two distinct cultures. Inspirational speeches, musical performances, unique style and fashionable wardrobe, and tasty and exotic cuisine are showcased at these events.
The cornerstone of PAMANA’s mission, however is giving --- giving to humanitarian projects and supporting the less fortunate, particularly in the Philippines; giving back to the community in the form of assistance for building projects and food drives, giving scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and giving back to the PAMANA members and their families at their time of need.
As part of our charitable and community service efforts, our organization has donated funds from membership contributions and volunteer work at the July 4th Rhythm and Booms, the Brat Fest events to the Rizal MacArthur Memorial Foundation (RMMF), Pag-asa Medical Mission, the Philippine National Red Cross and the Second Harvest Food Bank. In 2013, we held a fundraising concert to assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines which left 6,300 people killed.
Notable PAMANA Events