A former cultural consul from the Philippine Embassy in London, who helped create the Filipino Association in the Isle of Man (FAIM), has paid the island a visit.

During her visit, Linda Guzman met with Manx resident and president of FAIM, Maria Leonora Loudon-Brown, as well as family members residing here.

In 2004 Linda, now partially retired in the Philippines, helped Maria prepare a lecture delivered to the former Philippine government - the Department of Trade and Industry.

She asked Maria if the Filipino community in the island had an association. Although a number of small groups existed, it was decided that a general association should be formed.

FAIM was then created in 2005 and gained charitable status in 2006, meaning that a link to the embassy was firmly established. Since then, Filipinos here have benefitted from a range of Consular Outreach Mission service such as passport applications to overseas voter registration, which has saved individuals and families from expensive trips to the London.

Maria said: ’We are delighted that Linda is able to come over to the Isle of Man again and to meet up with colleagues and friends.’