National Federation of Filipino American Associations

Telltale Signs/ THE NOT SO IMPOSSIBLE DREAM OF ALEX ESCLAMADO

Rodel E. Rodis

November 19, 2007

ALEX ESCLAMADO was looking forward to blissful retirement and to writing his memoirs when I invited him to travel with me to New York in April of 1997. I had been invited to speak at the regional conference of the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking for Dialogue (FIND) to be held at the State University of New York in Long Island when I unexpectedly received a round-trip ticket from the Filipino student group after I had already purchased my plane fare.

So, with an extra round-trip plane ticket in hand, I asked Alex if he would like to join me. By then, Alex had lotS of free time then as he had just sold Philippine News to his good friend, Ed Espiritu. For the first time probably since 1961 when he and his wife, Luly, started publishing the weekly newspaper from the garage of their home in San Francisco, Alex did not have a weekly editorial to write, a newspaper to edit.

Alex said yes and off we flew to New York. On the flight, we recalled how, after People Power ousted the Marcos Dictatorship, we had set about to unite the Filipino American community which had been bitterly divided between the proponents and opponents of martial rule. It was Alex’s “impossible dream” (his favorite song) to have a united, empowered community. In1987, Alex traveled the country inviting Filipino community leaders to meet in Anaheim, California in August of 1987 to form an organization that would work to empower the community.

About 1500 delegates from around the US heeded his call and gsthered to form the National Filipino American Council (NFAC). We all agreed that martial law was a thing of the past and that we should now look forward to being Americans and to fighting for our place at the table. It was exactly the political frame of mind that Alex had hoped for.

But perhaps Alex was too successful. When the time came to electing a chair who would guide the organization forward, an influential group of Filipino Republicans threatened to walk out of the convention if Alex was elected chair because they believed he was too partisan a Democrat to lead a bipartisan organization. In the interest of forging unity, Alex gave way to a Republican from San Francisco, Dennis Normandy, a corporate executive who did not share Alex’s vision of chartered chapters in Filipino communities throughout the US. His “spokes in a wheel” model envisioned a more modest growth.

On the flight to New York, I told Alex that NFAC had not become the vehicle for community empowerment that we had envisioned and that it was time to form another organization that would be true to his vision at Anaheim. I told him that with what remained of the NFAC, a decision was made in Salinas in January of 1997 to call for a summit of Filipino community organizations to meet in August in Washington DC. I was going to the FIND conference (1,000 students attended) to invite the members to join us in DC.

When we arrived in New York, Alex and I were met by a FIND member who took us to his home in Brooklyn where he put us up for the night. It was not a hotel but Alex did not mind. I remember thinking that Alex would have been a very rich man, flying first class and sleeping at the Plaza, if he had sold his newspaper in 1977 when the Dictator Ferdinand Marcos offered to purchase it for $10 million to silence the paper that had become the leading anti-Marcos newspaper in the US, if not in the world.

But though Alex needed the money as he had borrowed heavily to keep his newspaper afloat in the face of iron-fisted pressure on advertisers applied by the Marcos government, he rejected the tempting offer, declaring that his principles were not for sale.

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The Netherlands Report by Lorna Dietz

[Photos and accompanying links will be added later.]

Last October 27 to November 2, 2007, a week-long set of activities celebrating Overseas Filipinos in Europe took place in the Netherlands — from Rotterdam, to Utrecht, and then to Amsterdam.

This wasn’t a luxury week. Oxfam Novib, through its programme officer, Leila Rispens-Noel, had some funding to bring our group of 20 people to The Netherlands. We are eternally grateful for the organizers who formed a logistics team as a virtual organization. Within a short timeframe, each partnering community-based organization took ownership of bringing in a specific number of conference participants for November 2.

Last October 27 to November 2, I participated in a historic gathering of 20 Filipinos based in Europe, the Philippines, Middle East, and the United States except that I was late and missed out on one of the events because I had to be in Washington DC for the Filipina Women’s Network Summit.

I was excited to find out that Victor Barrios and I were the only participants coming from the United States — although I was aware that members of The core-Overseas Filipinos Worldwide (Core-OFW), a think tank of concerned individuals, migrant organizations, NGOs and other members of social-cause oriented groups based in Philippines, USA and Europe had been invited but unfortunately could not make it. We didn’t know what to expect. Both of us knew some of the organizers on a personal basis but had never worked with them before. All I knew is that I had to bring some clear examples of the work that showed the evolution of many Filipino American community-based organizations. After all, as migrants, Filipino Americans had come a long way since the first contract workers were first hired in the pineapple fields of Hawaii in 1906.

Vic, on the other hand, had his Aide Memoire for The Global Filipino Nation with him, especially since the May conference in the Philippines is just a corner away. This was clearly an opportunity for both of us to listen to the other participants, share our experiences, and find out where the intersecting points came in. Simply stated, our goal was to find our “common ground” so we could collaborate on shared initiatives after our historic meeting.

THE FILIPINO EXPERTS MEETING

Theme: Towards an OFW-Driven Strategic Action Plan to advance the Democratic Governance Culture in the Philippines

Let me share with you that coming into the picture with an agenda “to find common ground” was the spark that created the synergistic relationships among the 20 participants.

THE WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here’s an idea what our schedule looked like. We were dealing with very serious issues, but like many Filipinos, we knew how to be “grim and determined” and retain an optimistic outlook. 16-hour days were the norm in our semi-boot camp, strategic planning retreat, and dorm lifestyle!

We started off in Rotterdam with a Filipiniana celebration to honor the Filipinos and Filipinas who serve as seafarers. Did you know that there are a quarter of a million Filipino seafarers worldwide and another 250,000 waiting to be hired?

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PHOTO ALBUM: CLICK HERE TO GO TO ELMER DOLERA’S COLLECTION OF THE NAFFAA R8 SUMMIT’S PHOTOS. Click on “View Now” located on the upper right-hand corner. Elmer is NaFFAA R8’s official photographer when he’s not busy with his favorite advocacy, conducting free tennis clinics in the Philippines.

A note from Lorna Dietz, the documentalist: This is a “live blogged” posting, that is, written in real time during the summit, except for the segments starting with Fil-Am Community Center’s Best Practices. Although there was a live video recording of the proceedings, Ben Menor (the emcee), 10 minutes before the summit started its first session, asked me to provide written documentation for the website and for any media inquiries. This posting will be edited for grammar and syntax as well as fact-checked, especially where statistics are mentioned. Links and Photos will also be added.

Announcement: To all our NaFFAA members, supporters, and their families, we want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Please note that there will be an announcement next week when the first general meeting under newly-elected NaFFAA Region 8 Chair, Jose Pecho, will take place.

Click here for a full-sized photo of the new NaFFAA R8 officers 2007-2009

THE THEME

EXPANDING OUR ROOTS: PROVIDING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN OUR FOUNDATION

THE HIGHLIGHTS

After an invigorating walk toward Westfield Shopping Center for a VIP tour of the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center and Museum from 9:00 am to about 9:45 am, the summit’s participants convened at Bayanihan Community Center. A sumptuous continental breakfast, prepared by Jinni Mabalot Bartolome and her volunteer corps, welcomed everyone.

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

Marivic Bamba, NaFFAA R8’s regional chair, recounted her first experiences in the neighborhood where Filipino community centers didn’t exist. The importance of Bayanihan Community Center was highlighted. Sometime during the summit, she referred to NaFFAA Region 8’s members as “initiators and instigators.”

Hon. Marciano Paynor, Consul General of the Philippines - San Francisco, assured NaFFAA about the consulate’s 100% support. “We will do everything we can to make things happen.” He also commented about the Filipino community’s lack of political clout compared to other ethnic communities. “One wonders why. We have the numbers but they don’t come. We spread ourselves too thin, we have too many ideas.” Paynor added. “Before we expand our roots, we must strengthen our foundation — which should be our primary goal and objective, not only NaFFAA’s. We have about 375-something organizations in San Francisco alone.”

Consul General Paynor added: “Come election time, the candidates don’t go to the Filipino community.” He also said that there could be one white candidate, one black candidate, and three Filipinos vying for the same political position. “This summit must be able to come up with what we can do that every Filipino can think ‘Filipino,.’ We’re Americans, too.” Paynor also told the participants about Filipinos worldwide being subjected to adverse conditions in different parts of the world yet adapt beautifully. “We have the numbers! We must count! That is my message.” Paynor concluded that he hopes the mainstream political community will come and court the Filipino community. He noted that we are not “Flips” but are Filipino Americans. “We can raise the consciousness of Filipino Americans here in San Francisco. Making it work is first. Maintaining it is more difficult.”

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ron Quidachay noted that many people who attended this year’s summit have been involved in Filipino community advocacy work for the past four decades. There was a lot of laughter from the crowd. “We have certainly come a long, long way. It doesn’t mean that everything has been resolved.” Judge Q also introduced a “brand-new” judge from Monterey County, Hon. Efren Iglesia, “although this new judge isn’t new in community activities (Filipino American Community Council, the forerunner of NaFFAA),” he said. “When I went to law school, in 1970, there were only nine lawyers in California and no Superior Court Judges. Currently, three of the 10 judges were appointed in the last three months.” Quidachay continued: “I concur with the Con-Gen. There’s a lot happening in our community. There’s a lot of struggle — but we’re making it. We’ve got a long way to go. In this summit, we’re going to find out, communicate, and what steps we will take.”

COMMUNITY VOICES FORUM

Preamble: Looking through the lens of Change and Community Development, this forum presented a broad understanding of the many issues that are currently impacting Filipino communities in Northern California. Voices shared from Sacramento, Vallejo, the Tri-City area, Santa Clara, and Stockton were joined by the voices of Poetry, Youth, Mentors, WWII Veterans, Culture, Civil Rights, Domestic Violence, and Young Adults. Each shared wisdom gleaned from years of engagement in their areas.

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Telltale Signs/ WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS

By: Rodel E. Rodis, November 12, 2007

All roads led to Las Vegas on November 10 for Filipino medical professionals and community leaders seeking a common strategy to pressure ABC-Disney to rectify the Desperate Housewives’ anti-Filipino slur that appeared in its season premier episode on September 30. Dubbed the “Summit Meeting of Fil-Am Leaders”, the conference at the Caesar’s Palace hosted by the UST Medical Alumni Association of America (USTMAAA) and organized by a core group composed of Dr. Stella Evangelista, Dr. Eustaquio Abay, Dr. Joe Evangelista, Dr. Primo Andres and Dr. Dante Gapultos, drew 98 delegates representing at least 12 medical associations and community groups who presented their position statements.

Although ABC issued a public apology after more than 100,000 people signed an online petition demanding it, the delegates believed the apology to be insincere as it did not admit that a grievous mistake had been committed and that steps would be undertaken to correct the mistake. As Dr. Nelson Bocar from Oklahoma City explained, “Without a meaningful apology and the correction of a slur, what ABC is offering still reeks not so much of ignorance now but of arrogance still.”

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Click here for the REGISTRATION FORM:naffaa-r8-summit-registration-form-for-10-nov-2007.doc
On-site summit registration starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Bayanihan Community Center. You can fill up your registration forms there.

Northern California Regional NaFFAA Summit

“Expanding our Roots: Providing Access and Opportunities to Strengthen our Foundation”

Saturday, November 10, 2007

The Bayanihan Community Center
1010 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Summit is from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Reception 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

A Tour of San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center
Westfield Shopping Center, 865 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
(We will meet at Bayanihan Community Center and walk to Westfield)

NaFFAA Region 8 is pleased to invite you to its upcoming Regional Summit “Expanding our Roots: Providing Access and Opportunities to Strengthen our Foundation” on Saturday, November 10, 2007 to be held at the Bayanihan Community Center. Bayanihan is located at 1010 Mission Street in San Francisco. The Summit will feature a wide variety of activities that will allow us to expand our community network and forge new relationships.

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