Cristina Gacusan Meagher Chairwoman, Kapit-Bisig Midwest Filipino American Association

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Many Filipino American groups in the Midwest begin to organize when there is a growing need. Groups would usually start by gathering support from friends. Then, friendship becomes well established, and now, an organization is born with its well-defined goals and objectives, and is ready to take off to serve the community.

This is the case of Kapit-Bisig Midwest Filipino American Association. The group started in August 2015. Friends who were living in the small town of La Crosse in Wisconsin gathered amongst themselves and reached out to other kababayans in the neighboring towns. Their mission was to unite Fil-Am families and friends in order to build a strong social support and grow more friendships to new Fil-Ams coming in or are new in the area.

Guided by the vision of creating an impact to the lives of those who are in need, Kapit-Bisig considers the following as its core values: friendship, volunteerism and financial support. The group is looking to start on a project that would contribute in the development efforts in the motherland. Its target goal is to build a partnership and ties in the Philippines, where Kapit-Bisig can provide support to schools to benefit the under-privileged children in their education and health needs.

Since its inception in 2015, Kapit-Bisig has increased their membership to 68. For an organization in a small town, this is a huge accomplishment. It is always their ongoing mission to connect and network with other Fil-Ams within La Crosse and to their neighboring towns to keep their membership growing. Kapit-Bisig has gained public attention when their cultural dance group entertained the Mayors of the cities of Onalaska and La Crosse. The City of Onalaska considers the 2nd Saturday of August as “Filipino Day.” For Kapit-Bisig, this Filipino Day is a great opportunity for them to showcase Filipino heritage by promoting our culture and tradition through dance presentation and authentic Filipino food tasting. Kapit-Bisig was able to raise funds from the food sale during this event, which they earmarked for their charitable projects and to fund future events. The group is purely not-for-profit, and all funds are reserved for operational expenses.

As part of its annual tradition, Kapit-Bisig celebrated its 5th Annual New Year’s Party on December 28, 2019 at the Concordia Ballroom in La Crosse, WI. This year’s venue is new and bigger than the previous years to accommodate more guests and families who expressed interest to join the event.

Currently, Kapit-Bisig is led by Cristina Gacusan Meagher. She hails from Sapang Palay in San Jose, Bulacan. She came to the United States in 1993. Prior to coming to the US, Cristina worked in a clothing factory after graduating from high school. She went to college at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines studying BS in Accountancy. She did not complete her degree because she had to stop her schooling on her third year due to financial difficulties. Cristina has always been goal-oriented and wanted to succeed in life. She went to college here in the US at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse for her degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice. She is presently employed by Great Lakes Cheese as Production Supervisor for over 16 years now. Cristina is currently engaged to Matthew Allan Campbell. She had two children from her previous marriage, and they are DJ Meagher and Nikki Meagher. She and her fiancée has one child, who is Ysabella Campbell.

Cristina vows to lead and make Kapit-Bisig a stronger organization that will help individuals and families who are in need. She said in her message, “To our Kababayans here in Wisconsin, let’s work together to be recognized and to showcase and educate our communities about our Filipino heritage, culture, traditions, food, and most of all about our native land – Philippines. We will do this with pride so that our future generations of Filipino Americans, our grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren will have the basis to continue to do good in the community in their own time. Together, let’s stand tall and show that we are here to help and will continue to give back to our community and most of all our country, Philippines.”

If you reside in Wisconsin in the area of La Crosse and nearby cities, and you want to join Kapit-Bisig, please contact Cristina at mattcris07@yahoo.com or find them on facebook: Kapit Bisig Midwest Filipino American Association.

Cristina Meagher, Kahit-Bisig’s Chairwoman

Kahit-Bisig Cultural Dance Group

Kapit-Bisig’s first annual picnic attended by the Mayor of City of Onalaska in 2016