Filipinos have been part of American history since 1587, contributing as military members, workers, professionals, and more. The Filipino American Northwest Association, founded in 2018 by Jacqueline Babol, is a non-profit serving Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and surrounding areas.
Our mission is to unite Filipino Americans in the Inland Northwest by celebrating our culture, fostering community, and promoting diversity. We welcome all members to join us in honoring our heritage and building a more inclusive future.
Jacqueline M. Babol, Executive Director, is a Board Certified Podiatrist with 34 years of experience and a deep passion for community service. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology with a minor in Fashion Design and completed her medical education in Chicago, where she volunteered at Barishnikov’s Ballet Studio, fostering her love for the arts.
Jacqueline has served as an Art Director in her church for 10 years, where she used her skills as an advanced seamstress and community organizer. She is also a licensed Zumba Instructor and Certified Group Fitness Instructor since 2013 and an American Red Cross Instructor for CPR and First Aid since 2010. A long-time enthusiast of Philippine folk dancing, she studied at the Philippine Women’s University, home of the Bayanihan Folk Dancers.
Currently, Jacqueline is also a Board Commissioner for the Spokane Housing Authority and a Board Member for Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington. Her goal in founding this nonprofit is to combine her love for community service with her passion for the arts.
Veronica Bropas was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines, and migrated to the USA in 1989. She has been in the medical field for 20 yrs. and currently works at Inland Northwest Behavioral Health. She completed her pre nursing coursework in 2021-22 with plans to continue with her nursing
Degree in the future.
Her passion for helping others has led her to volunteer with numerous community organizations, including the Certified Emergency Response Team and Medical Response Team. Notably, she volunteered with FEMA in 2005 to assist displaced individuals in Florida following Hurricane Katrina.
Veronica has also volunteered with the American Heart Association and various community organizations.
In her professional capacity, Veronica has chaired Eastern State Hospital's Safety and Security Team and served as a member of the Inclusive and Diversity Team, guided by her Christian faith and commitment to fairness and equality.
Outside of work, Veronica enjoys outdoor activities, creative hobbies, and cultural pursuits, including hiking, gardening, crocheting, and cooking. She is also actively involved with the Filipino American Northwest Association, embracing her Filipino heritage through folk dances and singing.
She currently lives in Coeur D'alene with her beloved husband Luke who has been supportive of her passion/s; teaching children and serving others. She graduated with a Registered Nursing degree in the Philippines and is currently taking steps to get her licensure while working as a caregiver. Her ideas and place in our board has been invaluable.
Gay is a retired Registered Nurse and have lived in Hayden Idaho having moved from California. Her passion in community service led her to be an active volunteer in church, and 2 other organizations in Coeur d’alene Idaho. She also has been a member of the Blazen Divas dance group of Coeur D’alene IDaho and has traveled with them. Her
Gay is a retired Registered Nurse and have lived in Hayden Idaho having moved from California. Her passion in community service led her to be an active volunteer in church, and 2 other organizations in Coeur d’alene Idaho. She also has been a member of the Blazen Divas dance group of Coeur D’alene IDaho and has traveled with them. Her great communication skills that show the epitome of Filipino hospitality remains to be an asset in this organization.
She and her husband David have been a staunch and active supporter of the filipino community since they moved to Spokane in 1998.Her entrepreneurial skill set and strong desire to help others made her offer her services to the elderly as a personal assistant to help them with maintaining their homes and being a friend to those in need of
She and her husband David have been a staunch and active supporter of the filipino community since they moved to Spokane in 1998.Her entrepreneurial skill set and strong desire to help others made her offer her services to the elderly as a personal assistant to help them with maintaining their homes and being a friend to those in need of her services since 2006. She has actively participated in Ferris’ High School Ham on Regal (community stage variety shows) for 9 years where she dances, acts on plays and participates in community events. They have 3 kids together and she had encouraged them with their passion in arts and music. Her passion in the arts include crafts, costume design , sewing, entertaining and of course cooking. Her genuinely warm and contagiously friendly personality makes her a bright light that fills the room and is a true all around entertainer. She has been active in the Filipino community circle since her arrival in Spokane and consequently has a first hand knowledge on how things should be and more importantly, how things could be made better.
Loida has been a friend to everyone that meets her with her warm and friendly personality with a good heart on touching people’s lives to make it better. Loida also has her own non-profit Bigay Biyaya Foundation with the poor and needy people in her province in the Philippines as her beneficiary.
Kirt has been a successful businessman in the community for 30+ years. He has held various professional positions throughout the United States but has always ended up back in the Inland Northwest because it is simply the best place to live in America. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minor in Business Management. He has several continuing education college certificates including Business Management, Business Organization, Accounting, and Lean Management. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in three states (Washington, Idaho, and Montana). In his career, he has predominantly served as a Project Manager, responsible for the technical and financial aspect of his projects. He has served on several Board of Directors. He has served as a volunteer at his church, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Kiwanis Club. He has two grown daughters currently living in Oregon. He is currently employed at a local manufacturing firm as their Aerospace Program Manager with a focus on bringing outside business to our local community.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.