• LETICIA BULOTANO-WHEELER •
A trailblazer, community leader and inspiration...
The Founder
Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler was born in the Philippines but resided in Montreal, Canada for most of her adult life. She was a dedicated advocate for cultural preservation and representation. Her upbringing in the culturally diverse island of Mindanao, coupled with her mother's influence as a storyteller, had instilled in her a deep sense of national pride and a commitment to preserving and sharing her cultural heritage.
Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler played a pivotal role in promoting Filipino culture among young Filipino-Canadians in Montreal. She founded various cultural dance groups, including the Filipiniana Dance Company, which became the first Canada-based dance group to represent the Philippines internationally. She also founded the dance group Salinggawi Philippine Arts Organization.
In 2005, her vision for the preservation of Filipino culture through youth leadership, led to the creation of PAMANA ng LuzViMinda.
Leticia's impact extended beyond the Filipino community in Montreal. Her involvement in organizations like CIOFF and FCI had elevated the visibility of migrant diaspora ethnic communities across North America. She actively worked to promote multicultural groups at the international level, making her a well-known figure in the world of cultural exchange.
Despite her national reputation for demanding "quality over quantity". Leticia was affectionately known as "Tita Lettie" to PAMANA. Her love of the culture, her high demand for utmost professionalism, and her unwavering faith in the capabilities and potential of the youth has indelibly been ingrained in the thread of PAMANA's tapestry.
For more information about her legacy, click on the link below for a book preview to Leticia's bibliography written by Filipino author Elenita Belgica.
of pamana ng luzviminda PHILIPPINE folkloric dance company
Tita Lettie alongside the indigenous tribe of
B'laan, at the grand opening of a library dedicated to this tribe in the Philippines.
The highlights of the book launch of Tita Lettie's bibliography: Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler; A world of diversity by Filipino author Elenita Belgica; Videography by Derek Neal
Tita Lettie, alongside her friend Guy Landry (Chairman of Folkloric Canada International (FCI)) at the book launch of Leticia's Legacy Bibliography, written by Filipino author Elinita Belgica.
"PAMANA is exceptional because the artistic leadership has elevated it to a level of professionalism, precision and creative interpretation of our cultural dances and musical expression. The group has owned its level with confidences and the leaders merit a highly reputable stage as teachers in a global cultural community"
• in memorium •
The late - Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler (1942-2018)
"PAMANA is exceptional because the artistic leadership has elevated it to a level of professionalism, precision and creative interpretation of our cultural dances and musical expression. The group has owned its level with confidences and the leaders merit a highly reputable stage as teachers in a global cultural community"
• in memorium •
The late - Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler (1942-2018)
Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler
• as a former dancer in the dance group "kalayaan" •
Founding members
of pamana ng luzviminda PHILIPPINE folkloric dance company
These founding members, alongside the late Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler and the late Paul Friedrich, are a distinguished group of individuals whose vision and passion brought to life PAMANA's mission and vision. Each member brings a unique set of skills, priors experiences, and expertise in contributing to PAMANA's strong foundation.
Their collective dedication to preserving and celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of the Philippines is what binds them together. With unwavering commitment to PAMANA, these youth leaders work tirelessly to share the beauty of Filipino traditions with the world, to promoting cultural awareness and foster unity.
These individuals are not merely pioneers; they are cultural ambassadors, continuously preserving the traditions of Philippine folkloric dance and music. Their shared goal is to ensure that Philippine folkloric traditions remains cherished for generations to come.
Founding members
of pamana ng luzviminda PHILIPPINE folkloric dance company
These founding members, alongside the late Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler and the late Paul Friedrich, are a distinguished group of individuals whose vision and passion brought to life PAMANA's mission and vision. Each member brings a unique set of skills, priors experiences, and expertise in contributing to PAMANA's strong foundation.
Their collective dedication to preserving and celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of the Philippines is what binds them together. With unwavering commitment to PAMANA, these youth leaders work tirelessly to share the beauty of Filipino traditions with the world, to promoting cultural awareness and foster unity.
These individuals are not merely pioneers; they are cultural ambassadors, continuously preserving the traditions of Philippine folkloric dance and music. Their shared goal is to ensure that Philippine folkloric traditions remains cherished for generations to come.
JOHN TUVIDA | NEIL YAPP | VERAIDA-LYN BERMEJO | SHERLING DE LA PAZ
”The work of PAMANA is two-fold:
To artfully reveal the intangible soul of Philippine culture and to act as guardians who preserve their rich heritage and ensure it is passed on. PAMANA has brought about a kind of inspiration that both continues to ripple into the future and also echoes back to generations before”.
Here's what they have to say about the new generation ...
Neil Yapp
PAMANA President (2007-2008)
PAMANA Communications and Marketing (2007-2008)
Veraida-Lyn Bermejo
PAMANA President (2008-2013)
PAMANA Communications and Marketing (2008-2013)
John Tuvida
PAMANA President (2005-2007)
PAMANA Props Director (2005-2010)
Sherling de la Paz
PAMANA President (2015-2018)
PAMANA Artistic Director (2005-2015)
"My journey into teaching Philippine folk dance and music was uniquely transformative. Guided by mentors, I absorbed knowledge and grew personally, fostering a deep pride in my heritage. Following their example, I contributed to my peers' growth and passed on the torch. Now, seeing a new generation of PAMANA, I hope they embrace a similar path of learning and meaningful experiences.
Live fully, for what you share becomes your lasting legacy."
”As Filippino-Canadians, our lived experiences fuse together two different cultures, creating something new and distinct to us. PAMANA started with a dream of representing this unique expression of culture. I'm so proud to see PAMANA continuing to evolve under our third generation of young leaders. They are navigating the group through changing times, finding new ways to express and represent our unique breand of Filippino-ness, all while upholding the high quality standard for which PAMANA is renowned.”
”PAMANA has always been a group of resilience, creativity, and potential which is still being carried on with the next generation of leaders. I am proud that they continue to celebrate the Philippine's cultural richness, embrace the importance of unity and collaborate with others in the community for a prosperous future.”
• The founding members of pamana ng luzviminda •
