The perception of the need to bring together the growing number of Filipino-American families moving into Teaneck and the surrounding communities was in his mind when Father Cecil Pickert became the new Pastor of Saint Anastasia Parish. The timely visit of Father Jaime M. San Andres, a Filipino priest on vacation from his pastoral duties in Nabua, Camarines Sur, Philippines translated this need into reality when he brought together a core of families that became the nucleus of the association. Thus was born, in the summer of 1979, The Filipino American Society of Teaneck (F.A.S.T).
From this small group, F.A.S.T has grown into a cohesive and responsive association deeply supportive of Saint Anastasia Parish and very much involved in the community life in Teaneck and in surrounding towns. More than twenty years in its existence, the association has grown in maturity and stature and its commitments expanding - participating in social, religious and civic events in the community.
Change and innovation are simple but loaded words. One who follows the developments in the so called CYBERWORLD will have no choice but notice how fast changes are occuring. Today's hottest release may be tomorrow's underperformer; the WEB site getting the most hit this month may be the next month's dud. The world of the INTERNET can be that swift and that demanding. And this trend is spilling over from the business world into almost every facet of life. That is the reality most of us will be faced in the 21st century.
What has this got to do with F.A.S.T? The simple answer is, SURVIVAL. Just as companies are reengineering themselves a plan for the coming years. F.A.S.T exerts every effort to find out the needs of its members and the community and direct its agenda toward goals that would meet these needs. As in any democratic society, we constantly feel the pulse of the association, and direct the focus of F.A.S.T toward a new direction. This is evident of its more than twenty years of existence.
The F.A.S.T website is created, in a way, to better communicate to our members and friends. But everyone's input and comment are welcome. Send in your questions, comments or suggestions to
(fast@fastnj.org).
j.s.a