Established on 29 August 1937, the Filipino Association of Singapore (formerly known as Singapore Filipino Association), is the oldest Filipino organization and the first to be recognized by the Singapore Registry of Society. Immediately upon its establishment, FAS organized several activities for the Filipinos. A charity night for the benefit of FAS and Poppy Day Fund was held at the Great World Show Cabaret which featured the newly formed 12-piece Filipino Swing Band composed of leading Filipino musicians. The following year, FAS organized a Gala Night Dance which featured Filipino artists and the Filipino Swing Band for the benefit of the China Relief Fund. When the Japanese occupied Singapore in 1942, the functions of FAS continued, although discreetly.

     Existing even before the establishment of the Philippine diplomatic post in Singapore and even before the independence of Singapore, FAS has assisted a number of Filipinos in the area. In April 1947, FAS assisted seven Filipinos who survived from a shipwreck in Singapore by providing temporary shelter until their repatriation. In 1950, a group of Filipino Muslims who were bound to Mecca arrived in Singapore to purchase some necessities but were refused to enter the country by the local authorities. Through the representations made by the FAS officials, the group was allowed ashore by the Singapore authorities.

     Given its good reputation and active role in uniting the Filipinos in Singapore, FAS was requested to assist in the establishment of the Philippine Consulate in Singapore. It was responsible for arranging the Consul’s arrival in 1955 to the opening of his office and residence at Ardmore Park in 1956. Later, due to the impending change of the government status of Singapore, the Consulate was closed. FAS played a vital role in keeping the bayanihan spirit among Filipinos despite its diffusion. The Philippine Consulate General was finally re-established shortly after Singapore became a sovereign nation in 1966, and later became the Philippine Embassy in 1969.

     Since then, FAS has been active in organizing several activities for the Filipinos in Singapore. Among its activities were the Pistang Pilipino sa Sentosa which is a whole day Filipino festival of food, songs and dances. It participated in the International Lantern Making Competition and in the Lantern Moon Festival Parade held in Chinatown. It also assisted in the concert, Handog ng PNB, sponsored by the Philippine National Bank which was held at Suntec Concert Hall. Since 2004, it has organized the annual Search for a Filipino Star. For its members, FAS organizes health screening, and Social Fridays which is participated in by the ladies of the Association for their social activities. It opened scholarship grants for members and their families. It also conducts Nursing Aide class as part of its Skills Training Program, to train household workers in skills other than domestic jobs.

     Being a well-rounded organization, FAS was also involved in several fund-raising activities. Among its significant activities was the charity drive with the Philippine Embassy in Singapore which raised P6 million for the victims of the Mount Pinatubo calamity. It organized dental missions in Naga City in cooperation with the Domingo C. Albeus, Sr. Foundation and the Camarines Sur Dental Association, which benefited more than 450 indigent Filipinos.

     The year 2005 was considered a fruitful year for FAS because of its remarkable achievements and contributions. FAS distributed relief goods to the typhoon victims in Bicol and Quezon Province. It participated in the Charity Bowling Tournament that benefited leukemia patients in the Philippines and street children in Batangas City. Filipino elementary students were awarded scholarship grants through the ABS-CBN Foundation-Bantay Bata. Back 2 School-Libreng School Supplies sa Maralitang Nagueno was organized in Naga City which benefited 110 school children. A fund raising campaign was organized for the scholarship of the only child of a Filipina maid who was murdered in Singapore. It also sponsored Christmas feeding programs and distributed relief goods in Tabuco and Naga City.

     In conferring the Banaag Award to Filipino Association of Singapore, the President recognizes its important and invaluable role in the history of migration of Filipinos in Singapore, and its contribution to uniting and promoting the interests and welfare of Filipinos in Singapore and in the Philippines.