History of Maharlika Pathfinder Club
Compiled by Ben Regoso, Jr.
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