National Federation of Filipino American Associations

“For reflection… This is a reality check about what we do as members of organizations and institutions that serve our communities.” - Ben’s message

From: Ben Menor
Date: Sep 21, 2007 11:32 AM

Dear fellow NaFFAA leaders,

Last Wednesday I attended the funeral of Sean Aquitania, Sr., 21 and his son, Sean Jr. in Sacramento. Some of you may have seen the story on CBS or the local news. Many familiar faces were at the Rosary, Perry Diaz, Norman DeYoung, Lilia Rivera, Mark Montemayor, Dinnah and Dave San Pedro and other leaders from the FilAm community.

I have attended many funerals including young FilAms, including those who died due to suicide, murder, sickness and accidents. This funeral was different. This funeral involved a 7-month old child, killed execution style. Working with gangs and senior citizens, I’ve witnessed their passing because of their age or lifestyle. But I’ve never witnessed a baby killed execution-style as a way to send a message to the rival gang. Not here in the USA. Maybe in other countries where the population is very poor and life is less valued.

I share this experience because the other night, Tuesday, we were holding our committee meeting and Rudy was expressing the struggle to bring more resources to better serve our community. Lorna, expressing her feelings about effective leadership and Bernadette trying to accommodate space to hold needed events at the Bayanihan Community Center. I realized how important all those sentiments and efforts are to saving the life of a child —7 months old. Yes, NaFFAA is needed. West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center is needed. Bayanihan Community Center is needed. All of you are needed so we can save a child from dying a cruel, senseless, and hideous death.

Please read and view the number of URL’s on these two young Kababayans. Look into their eyes and see their future shorten because of desperation, hate, anger, sickness, selfishness, lack of community and family, and Godlessness.

That is why we need a conference by NaFFAA to strengthen our roots so our branches can reach those in need and give them hope.

What will it take to end the violence????

Let there be Peace and let it begin with Me.

References:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/391143.html

http://fox40.trb.com/news/ktxl-091707memorialfund,0,402353.story?coll=ktxl-home-1

http://www.feedzilla.com/search.asp?k=USA&q=aquitania

http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_261210434.html

http://mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/sean-paul-aquitania-sr-and-sean-paul-aquitania-jr-murder-91407-sacramento-ca-father-killed-during-a-home-invasion-baby-deliberately-killed-while-in-his-carseat-in-the-car/

http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=32780

http://www.kcra.com/news/14127915/detail.html

West Bay Pilipino Multi Service, Inc. is pleased to announce three award winning grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness and the Hellman Family Foundation; for the development of culturally appropriate and sustainable breast cancer support services.  

Grant #1. Filipina Breast Cancer Disparities - What model is meaningful? An ethnographic research into social support and social capital within the Filipino Community.  

Grant #2. Cancer Awareness Training -  A study to assess a current West Bay breast cancer program to identify pre - existing channels for the provision of support within the community and to develop culturally resonant breast cancer education.  

Grant #3.Comparative Study - How support group may be culturally tailored to meet the needs of Filipina breast cancer survivors and what other groups are doing that might improve or augment West Bay’s current program.  

(more…)