From NFAC to NaFFAA: Rodel Rodis Gives A Little History Lesson
This video was recorded by Lorna Dietz on November 11, 2008 in Salinas, CA during the formal chapter creation of NaFFAA Region 8 Monterey Bay Chapter. Elmer Dolera-Chapter chair, Orly Jimenez-Chapter ViceChair, & Susan Aremas-Chapter Treasurer.
The National Filipino American Council’s most active chapter was located in Monterey Bay. In its early years, NFAC had recognized the need for having a national organization that would somehow bring Filipino Americans on the same table in their shared advocacies. NFAC, during a historic meeting in Salinas, CA in January 1997, agreed to be a major force in convening like-minded Filipino Americans and community-based organizations in Washington DC on August 1997, and paved the way for the formation of NaFFAA in that same event that brought together more than 1,500 Filipino Americans nationwide.
Dennis Normandy was the first National President when NFAC was formed in 1987 at a convention in Anaheim, CA. Rodel Rodis was the first National Vice-President.
In 1997, Rodel Rodis, Alex Esclamado, Michael Dadap, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, and many other Filipino Americans, founded the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.
On November 11, 2008, NaFFAA Co-Founder Rodel Rodis, NaFFAA Region 8 (Northern CA) Chair Jose Pecho, NaFFAA R8 San Franciso City & County Chair Rudy Asercion, and NaFFAA R8 Vice-Chair Lorna Dietz went to Monterey County, CA to formalize the chapter formation of the Monterey Bay chapter of NaFFAA Region 8.
From NFAC to NaFFAA… We went back to the place where these historic milestones took place.
Full circle.
Congratulations to NaFFAA R8 Monterey Bay!
