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In 1988, a group of Filipino formed a sports club that
will provide opportunity for overseas filipinos to gather relax and promote camaraderie. The group regularly met on Sundays
for social and sports activities, that usually started with sumptuous lunch, hosted alternately by a group member. Initially,
the group played friendly competition of basketball and volleyball at the Dominican International School or at Tienmu Park
and was engrossed with chess, scrabble, domino, and card games. In December 1989, on a rainy Sunday afternoon and unable to
play their reguar outdoor activities, the group decided to play bowling. Thereafter, they regularly met during Friday nights
at the Yuanshan Bowling and Sports Center. As words spread among the Filipino community about thr Club, more people joined
and one-day-tournaments for individual competitions were organized to commemorate special days such as Christmas day and Independence
day. Encouraged by the success and warm appreciation of participants, the Club's core group led by Mr. Vicente Danao decided
to organize a bigger competition and formally set-up the Filipino Bowlers Club.
In 1994, Officers were elected and prepared the FBC
rules and regulations that have been the basic guidelines of the club. The first official tournament was held at World Bowling
Lanes with the participation of eight teams and presented a mixed group of high caliber bowlers and budding bowling enthusiasts,
most of whom are still active members of the Club. The genial participation of some bowlers from taiwan and other nationalities
added excitement to the games and attests the inherent hospitality of Filipinos to mingle with our neighbors. With generous
sponsorship of several business institutions, the club members swelled to fourteen teams in 1988 and subsequently, the
intensity of competition has soared and at times also highly emotional. But even with the intensity of rivalry among
members, the Club unity and cohesiveness prevailed during the 1999 OWWA friendship Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and 2000
Taipei Palarong Pinoy where our bowling teams gamered several gold medals and individual honors. Those are certainly some
milestones in our Club history that exemplify the camaraderie and bowling skills that have developed among the members.
As the economic downtum also affected the bowling industry,
the World Bowling Lanes was forced to close down this year that almost disrupted the Club's 2001 Season. With the ardent efforts
of present officers and with full cooperation of members, the Club has crossed the bridge and transferred to a new venue and
once more the displayed that even at times of crisis, the oneness that has blossomed in us guided us through. As our stay
in Taiwan are just fleeting moments in our lives journey, the Club will always be dedicated and shall persevere
to be an instrument of goodwill among overseas Filipinos.
And so, with all the glories and troubles that we have
gone through, the members will always stay united, most especially in expressing our deepest appreciation and gratitude to
all the wonderful people who have been supporting us and continuously stand beside the Filipino Bowlers Club.
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