PAGGAWA had its actual beginnings when an Ad Hoc Committee of about 10 members gathered to formulate the Constitution by identifying the general principles, composition, and operation of an organization. 

On March 21, 2004, the first draft of the Constitution was approved and ratified and the Philippine American Group of Greater Waterbury Area or PAGGAWA was born.  On March 28, 2004, the first general assembly and election of Officers and the Board of Directors were conducted at Hilton Southbury. 

The first meeting of Officers and Board of Directors was held on April 4, 2004.  The Constitution and By-Laws were amended and ratified to include a provision as a requirement for the group’s registration with the state.  On April 5, 2004, an official website was designed and published through the internet.

The group was registered and incorporated through the Secretary of the State of Connecticut on April 13, 2004.  Thereafter, the first community service rendered by PAGGAWA was a clean-up drive of the streets of Waterbury held on April 24, 2004.

PAGGAWA became affiliated with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations on April 25, 2004.  The first fundraising activity was a multi-family tag sale on May 15, 2004. PAGGAWA held its First Induction Ball at the Southbury Hilton on June 12,2004.

Delegates of the first ever PAGGAWA general assembly pose for the camera.  

The PAGGAWA kids hold a tradition of performing at local area nursing homes.

The Philippine American Group of Greater Waterbury Area  is a non profit organization established with the following mission :

• To cultivate, promote and share the cultural heritage of the Filipino people, its art,  customs, history, music, and traditions to natural born citizens of the US by Filipino parent(s), the greater Waterbury area and the Americancommunity in general ;
• To encourage active participation in cultural, charitable, civic, educational, and social  programs and services to greater Waterbury and the American community in general;
• To interact with other professional, international, minority and other Filipino American organizations in greater Waterbury and the American community in general;
• To provide assistance to new and existing members as well as hospitality and proper orientation to new members, new resident settlers, visitors and guests from the Philippines present in greater Waterbury;
• To foster camaraderie and unity among families and members of the association; and
• To promote the general welfare and interests of the members in preserving the Filipino identity, and be responsible citizens of the United States.

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