OUR VISION
The One Filipino Cooperative of Alberta (OFCA) promotes fair and relevant financial services and benefits to the members through socially responsive programs.
OUR MISSION
The One Filipino Cooperative of Alberta (OFCA) is dedicated to supporting its members and the broader community by offering financial services and promoting responsible money management through affordable credit solutions, investment opportunities, and other relevant programs designed to protect the members from predatory lenders and enhance their overall financial well-being.
CORE VALUES
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Integrity
We value transparency and forthrightness in all dealings and decisions. -
Professionalism
We practice and implement clear and ethical management. -
Education
We promote accessible financial programs and literacy to foster the financial health of our members using cooperative principles. -
Social Responsibility
We support community well-being and participation and strengthen the movement by working with other cooperatives toward a sustainable community. -
Member Participation
We encourage members to participate in the operations and management by providing them with incentives and training support to sustain the growth of OFCA
OUR STORY
The One Filipino Cooperative of Alberta (OFCA) was registered as a cooperative on March 17, 2021, under the Cooperatives Act of 2001 of AB.
It was during the pandemic when the idea of creating a Filipino cooperative in Alberta was conceived. A group of Filipino Albertans asked for help from FilCo-op of BC for assistance to help those Filipinos who were heavily affected by the pandemic. In the spirit of Bayanihan, the FilCo-op of BC came to Calgary (complied with pandemic protocols) to provide not only financial assistance but also moral support.
In 2020, the FilCo-op of BC organized a virtual cooperative orientation and provided technical assistance for the Albertans to form a multipurpose cooperative for Filipinos in Alberta.
The succeeding meetings were all done virtually because it was pandemic time. But the pandemic did not stop the Albertans from forming a Filipino cooperative. The documents for registration were completed and submitted in 2021.
At present, OFCA has 53 listed members, up from 15 members in 2021.
MEET THE TEAM
BOARD MEMBERS
Marion Combalicer
President
MARION is an entrepreneur and runs his own businesses—Yongzone General Services Inc., in Calgary and Yongzone Internet Café in the Philippines. He has wide experience in banking, logistics, manufacturing, and community engagements.
He has been active in community development and various community associations in Calgary and in the Philippines. A full-blooded Infanta boy, he founded the Infantahin and Friends in Calgary and Reinapi Quezonian Canada. In the Philippines, he has been a consultant of the local government of Infanta, Quezon on solid waste management for several year now, where task is to inform and educate all barangays in his town about waste segregation and management.
Marion has a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce with a major in Management and is one of the founders of the One Filipino Cooperative of Alberta (OFCA). He is passionate about community involvement, particularly in cooperatives.
Almiro Sotto Solatorio
Vice President
ALMIRO has diverse experience in the fields of manufacturing, marketing, engineering, and business development for more than 25 years. He held various management and consultancy assignments, and attended trainings in the Philippines, Canada, Dubai, India, and Germany regarding operations in a manufacturing environment.
Also, an entrepreneur, he has been the chairman of his own company, Healthy Goals, Inc., for the past 10 years and chairman of United Healthy Goals since 2022, a family-owned business. Almiro is also a registered massage therapist.
He graduated at Aquinas College Canada with a diploma in Office Administration Executive as well as a degree in Electronics Engineering at Capitol Institute of Tech in the Philippines.
Mylene Valdez
Board Director
MYLENE is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in management. She is also an entrepreneur and a licensed driving instructor in Canada.
Mylene migrated to Canada as a caregiver in 2008. She also worked as a team leader and assistant manager in various companies such as McDonald’s restaurant and Seven/Eleven convenience store.
A hardworking woman, she is also managing her own business, LMV Driving School, Inc., and is a contractor of AMA Driving School and IDrive Alberta Driving School. Lhyn, as she is fondly called by her family and friends, also has a home-based business of selected merchandise.
She has been a member of OFCA since 2023.
Henrizaldy Aballe
Board Director
HENRI, as he is fondly called by his family and friends, is a multidisciplinary mechanical engineer by profession. He has extensive international experience in fields of oil and gas, marine, shipbuilding, civil construction, and horticulture technology. He is also an expert in 3D modeling and piping design, and technical instructions.
He has worked across Canada, Singapore, Australia, Qatar, and the Philippines. He has also experience of volunteering in his community.
Henri works as a piping designer on one of the EPCM companies here in Calgary. He migrated to Canada with his family.
Marites Castro
Board Director
MARITES is a member of the Sta. Ana Farmers Cooperative in the Philippines since May 2005 up to present. She is a Payroll Administrator graduate of CDI College in Calgary in 2003 and an undergrad of Bachelor of Science in Business Operation of Devry Institute in 1999 and has worked with financial institutions, accounting firm, and telecommunication companies for more than 12 years.
Currently, she is self-employed as a registered massage therapist for over 13 years and a subcontract worker for Optimum Wellness Centre.
Outside work, she devotes her time to rescuing and fostering shelter animals. She is also a member of various Filipino Community group, particularly in the performing arts and church-related events. She enjoys volunteering in the community, and finds great pleasure in her profession in which she feels comfortable building long-term client relationships.
She has been a member and officer of the One Filipino Cooperative in Alberta since May 07, 2022.
OFFICERS
Marichu T Celi
General Manager
MARICHU is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines and has more than 40 years of experience in the fields of audit, controllership, and management. She has occupied senior executive positions in various insurance companies and international non-profit organizations and cooperatives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree with a major in accounting (cum laude) and earned her master’s in business administration.
Before she migrated to Canada, she had become a consultant of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on microinsurance and of the German Cooperative Development on risk-based capital for the Philippine insurance industry. A former director of One FilCoop of BC and One Housing Society, she developed the accounting system and policies of both organizations. Marichu is also an active associate member of the Professional Business Accountants Society of Canada and a former director of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountant (Vancouver Chapter).
At present, Marichu is the finance manager for Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia. She lives by the golden rule and is passionate in sharing her skills and knowledge to the community. She describes her volunteerism as “divine commitment.”
Janice Valdez Apolinar
Treasurer
JANICE has a hotel and resort management certification from the Philippines as well as a certification in caregiving and health care aid in Canada. At present, she is working at Marlborough Steeland Metal Ltd as an employee and as a family nanny on weekends. Aside from her extensive experience in childcare and elderly care, she is also an entrepreneur. She owns a cleaning company and helps in their family business in the Philippines. Janice loves to volunteer and has been with OFCA since 2024.
Jeril Marie Pamaong
Secretary
JERIL is a licensed physiotherapist in Canada. She has a vast experience in delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care across orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and rehabilitation settings. She is passionate about her profession and collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and maintain accurate documentation in compliance with the provincial regulations.
In her spare time, Jeril loves to spend time with her family and friends and watch short dramas.