It
is with faith, honor, pride, and gratitude that I serve the
Portuguese Community of San Diego. I feel privileged to be
elected to the U.P.S.E.S. as President for a fourth term.
My first three terms having been in 1999, 2000, and 2001.
I am so pleased with the incredible people that were elected
to the 2011 U.P.S.E.S. Board of Directors. I look forward
to working with each and every one of them to achieve the
goal that the U.P.S.E.S. was founded on, “to preserve
and advance our Portuguese traditions, culture, and heritage
in San Diego County for future generations.” It is
our mission to encourage religious and civic activities,
promote and support the welfare of our community, foster
sociability, and develop a united spirit among our community.
The União Portuguesa Sociedade Espirito
Santo or U.P.S.E.S. Inc. dates back to the year 1922 when
a man named Mr. M.O.
Medina had the vision to see that there was a need for a
common place for the Portuguese community of San Diego to
gather to celebrate the Festa which it had been celebrating
since 1910. He formed a committee and gathered the funds
needed to build the U.P.A.S.E.S. Capela (Chapel) and Hall.
This Chapel is only one of two original Portuguese Chapels
in California. The Capela has been left in its original state.
This year I proudly initiated the Historical Committee, which
is now in the process of acquiring historic landmark status
for the Capela, not only within the City of San Diego but
also the State of California.
In 2010 I gratefully served as the Centennial
President for the U.P.S.E.S. Festa do Divino Espirito Santo,
which
is proudly
known as San Diego’s Oldest Ethnic Festival. In 2011
the Festa will be celebrating its 101st year. I would like
to congratulate Deborah Ann Seiter on being our Festa President.
Deborah Ann is dedicating the 101st Festa in memory of her
late father Elias Silveira and her late brother David Silveira.
I invite and encourage our San Diego neighbors to come out
and celebrate the 2011 Festa with us, to be held June 10 – 12
here in Point Loma.
The Filarmónica União Portuguesa de San Diego
which is our own Philharmonic Band, the Portuguese-American
Dancers, as well as over twelve Portuguese clubs and organizations
call the U.P.S.E.S. Hall “home”. These are social
and civic clubs that have a positive association with the
U.P.S.E.S. especially at Festa time. For all of their efforts
in maintaining our traditions, culture, and heritage, I THANK
them. They all are the ones that have established the basis
to enable me to continue to preserve this Hall for our future
generations.
Please visit our website, www.upses.com for all information
in regard to our upcoming events, Portuguese Festa, history,
and rental availability of our 13,500 square foot facility
that seats up to 500 people and has a separate 80 seat
bar and lounge. You can also access information on our scholarship
program, and affiliated clubs and organizations.
In closing I would like to state that I am extremely proud
of the 100 year history that the Portuguese have in Point
Loma and am honored to play a small part in that, not
only as the 100th Festa President but also as the 2011 U.P.S.E.S.
President. I believe that promoting our history and culture
is the link between our ancestors and the future generations.
I ask that you join us for our Festa celebration and
instill
in your children pride in their heritage and traditions.
Sincerely,
Evelyn DaRosa Feliciano
2011 U.P.S.E.S. President
