Batac native Noralyn Dudt speaks before members of the Annak ti Batac-Canada On May 10, 2025 the Annak ti Batac Association of Canada held its 21 st Inaugural Ball to celebrate and to induct its new officers. Noralyn Onto Dudt was invited to deliver the keynote address and below was her message: Naimbag nga rabii yu amin apo kakailian . It was nice getting to meet so many of you yesterday at our “Meet & Greet”. So many wonderful memories of my childhood in Batac came flooding back. I'm very thankful to Dr. Rubio—my Manong Don—and the officers of the Annak ti Batac Association of Canada for giving me this opportunity. It's quite an honor and I will be forever grateful. I hope I will not disappoint. Let us focus on why and how Batac is called the "home of great leaders." Notice the "great"....it's not just leaders, but GREAT Leaders! But allow me to tell a little story as a prologue to that. At our Lutheran Church in Bethesda, Maryland we ...
It was in the living room of the two sisters Rachel and Ruth Rubio in Scarborough when the idea of forming an association of Bataqueños in Canada emerged. The small gathering of Batac expats discussed the possibility and agreed to proceed with the idea. Thus, among the attendees of a birthday celebration, the Annak ti Batac Association of Canada was born. “Bayanihan”, a unique aspect of Filipino culture is a beautiful tradition that embodies the spirit of community and cooperation. It's all about people coming together to work on a common goal. It is making a conscious effort to give one's time, energy, and resources to support a cause greater than one's own benefit. Deeply-rooted in Filipino society, this trait contributes to the strong sense of community that the Philippine Islands are known for. The three ladies: the Rubio sisters, Rachel and Ruth with Noralyn Dudt Ruth Rubio arrived in Canada in 1968 and worked in the Canadian ...