About Us

The Filipino-American Association (FIL-AM) of Millington Tennessee was established and started in August 1973 when U.S. Navy Chief Heriberto H.   Bernil was stationed at the Naval Air Station Millington. Mr. & Mrs. Bernil noticed there were other Filipinos in the area and decided to coordinate a family picnic to bring them together. At the picnic, The Filipino American Association of Millington was formed. The family picnic became a regular gathering for Filipino families during holidays and celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries and achievements at school and work.   

 FIL-AM Association played host to young Filipino Sailors assigned to the school. These students were invited to the houses of FIL-AM members on holidays and weekends and were served Filipino dishes cooked and prepared according to their requests. These acts of charity and compassion alleviated these young Filipino Sailors homesickness which helped them concentrate more on their studies and successfully complete their courses.

 The FIL-AM Association has been known throughout the Millington and Memphis area for many years now and continuously contributes time and effort to various community services. To name a few, FIL-AM provides Christmas entertainment to the residents of the Wesley Retirement Community, participates in the Millington Annual Christmas Parade, and provides an annual scholarship grant to a deserving member entering college. 

 During Ernie Garcia’s term the future was planted and growth of the organization was the primary goal.

  During Jun Reg’s term, the focus was on the children, tradition, fun, and laughter.

  During Robert Galdonez’s term, the focus was on asking for more volunteers to live up to Tennessee’s “The Volunteer State.”

 
  During Fred Dalao’s Term, Growth was Flourishing and we were called to re-focus on the vision and to unite together. FIL-AM also collected and   donated money to the Church of St. Williams Family Life Center Building fund.  The donation was made in memory of the 1st FL-AM Millington President Mr. Heriberto “Bert” H. Bernil. When the typhoon and landslide hit the Philippines in 2004, FIL-AM Millington collected and donated a large sum of money to municipalities of Quezon and Mindoro provinces to aid the victims   of these calamities. 

   During Romy Villamento’s term, He asked that we get involved the way we are in the Philippines.  Let’s not only be just an organization but be a community.

  During Danny Lara’s term, he stated that our members must be inspired, challenged, and recognized. 

  During Enya George’s Term, her focus was to focus on togetherness by recognizing our strength is to act as one family united.

  During President Wilbert Dispolo’s term FilAM supported those in need from the major flood of May 1, 2010. The Mission of   Mercy of Memphis provided blankets, Mr and Mrs. Frank Kimes opened their commercial building to distribute donated canned food and other items. Most of Millington was affected by the break in the levee. The heroes within the FilAm emerged during this disaster. We had a great show in the Christmas Parade 2008.

 During Al Arquelada’s term, Al supported the relief effort for those affected during the Louisville, MS tornado relief in February 2015. FilAM supplied adult and children’s clothes.

 During Brian Hallisy’s term the focus was on re-energizing FilAM.

 During Kelvy’s Term the goal was to gain an open dialog with all the FilAm Groups in the midsouth including Nashville TN, Jackson TN, and Memphis TN. Building bridges with the other groups and supporting the families back in the Philippines was the number one goal.

 During Chris Holden’s term FilAM celebrated many opportunities to help others in need. Recently, we have supported each other in the COVID 19 pandemic. We supported the Philippines with recovery support for those effected by the Taal Volcano Eruption and the devasting typhoon on the east coast. We stood by our members thru celebrations and sickness. We won the best in show trophy for the Christmas Parade 2021.
 
Fil-Am Association of   Millington’s Former Presidents & Current President

Mr. Heriberto Bernil

1973-1974

Mr. Romy Villamento

2004-2006

Mr. Frederico Mayorca

1974-1975

Mr. Danny Lara

2006-2008

Mr. Vincent Dizo

1975-1976

Mrs. Enya George

2008-2010

Mr. Heriberto Bernil

1976-1996

Mr. Will Dispolo

2010-2012

Mr. Ernie Garcia

1996-1998

Mr. Kelvy Hilton

2012-2014

Mr. Jun Reg

1998-2000

Mr. Al Arquelada

2014-2017

Mr. Robert Galdonez

2000-2002

Mr. Brian Hallisy

2017-2019

Mr. Alfredo Dalao

2002-2004

Mr. Chris Holden

2019-2022

Mrs. Celenia Holden
2022-2025