Please visit this post often for updates. Contact NaFFAA Region 8 Media Group, “connecting media + community, at NaFFAANorCal@gmail.com.
The NaFFAA Region 8 Board moved and passed a motion after going through its due process starting January 28, 2013: “NaFFAA Region 8, through its Alameda Chapter, will participate in re-naming a middle school in the New Haven Unified School District to be named after Filipino heroes, in whatever capacity we can provide to the Re-Naming Committee.”
Charito Benipayo is NaFFAA Region 8 - Alameda County Chapter’s Chair and Sansu Ramsey is NaFFAA Region 8 - Alameda County Chapter’s Vice Chair. Jim Navarro is the Union City Chair of the NaFFAA Region 8 Alameda Chapter.
UPDATE:
For Immediate Release
April 17, 2013
The New Haven Unified Board of Education on Tuesday night approved the renaming of Alvarado Middle School to Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School, effective September 2015. Itliong-Verz Cruz Middle School will be the first school in the nation named after Filipino Americans. The name change honors the work of Filipino-American labor leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, were organizers and labor leaders for Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, which initiated the 1965 Delano Grape Strike later joined by Cesar Chavez’s organization, the National Farmworkers Association. The two organizations eventually merged, forming the United Farmworkers (UFW).
An implementation plan will ensue in order to facilitate the transition and community groups have pledged to raise funds so that no cost will be incurred to the District for new signage, stationary, and other incidental expenditures related to the renaming. The anticipated costs have been estimated to be $15,600.
Of particular significance during the renaming campaign was the organizing and leadership of Union City’s Filipino-American youth groups. Their composure and perseverance in the face of adversity, and the passion with which they organized a local rally, a march, and an educational community workshop demonstrate their commitment to affecting real change.
Anthony Chavez, grandson of Cesar Chavez, attended the Board meeting to affirm the importance of Itliong and Vera Cruz in the development of his grandfather’s legacy and improvement of farmworkers’ rights. Chavez said his grandfather’s work would not have been possible without the help of Itliong and Vera Cruz and that renaming the school would “bring about a great unity.” Additionally, a letter of support sent by Dolores Huerta was read at the Board meeting. The support of these two individuals, as well as the support of organizations such as the Fred Korematsu Institute at the Asian Law Caucus, sent the very distinct message that the name change stems from and celebrates inter-ethnic solidarity and that the benefits of the change extend to all Americans, not just those of Filipino descent.
Fundraising and planning have already begun, headed by the Pilipino American Society for Education, Filipino Advocates for Justice, JLHS Filipino Heritage Studies class, and Kaisahan. Aside from raising money, the primary goal of these groups is to educate the community to build awareness and strengthen unity among Union City’s diverse communities.
Contacts:
Joe Ku’e Angeles jangeles@nhusd.k12.ca.us 510-471-2520
Erica Viray Santos eviraysantos@slsja.org 510-378-9834
It doesn’t matter if you are from Union City, Alaska, Philippines, or Germany. Show your support for DIVERSITY IN ACTION by signing the online petition.
NaFFAA Region 8 thanks KAISAHAN for sending this online petition via Facebook.
Support the renaming of Alvarado Middle School in Union City, CA after Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz!
Please show the Filipino Community in Union City, CA that they have your support.
Let’s honor our Filipino heroes!
1 in 3 students in New Haven Unified School District are Filipino.
1 in 5 people in Union City are Filipino.
No history, no self. Know history, know self.
Let’s make history!
3. Show up at the Public Hearings and Community Forums!
4. Send emails and letters of endorsement. (Please check again for updates.)
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TIME SCHEDULE:
1. During the New Haven Unified School District’s January 15, 2013 Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to re-name Alvarado Middle School.
The School Board is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the Educational Services Center, 34200 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, CA.
Please come and join the Public Hearing — and show for support for DIVERSITY IN ACTION.
2. On March 19, 2013 at the Educational Services Center for the New Haven Unified School District located at 34200 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, the five-member School Board will vote on the names suggested by the public.
Show your support by sending a LETTER OF ENDORSEMENT to the Superintendant of Schools and each School Board member about the Re-Naming of the Alvarado Middle School to Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School.
(We will update this section with template letters and email addresses. Stay tuned!)
Oscar Penaranda, a Filipino American educator and author, says it best:
Go to this site: http://www.delanomanongs.com/ (password: manongs) and see a short trailer on a documentary being made on this history. I said one does not have to look far because it is written all over the record books of Logan High School ever since (and they say even before that) I taught there in the early 90s that the student body’s officers year after year are 90% Filipino Americans, and 90% of those 90% are girls! Our women are strong. And they did not obtain their leadership skills in a vacuum. They got it from the spirit of their ancestors such as Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz.
Union City was a farming community, an orchard town, historically and traditionally rooted in agriculture. The impact of Itliong’s and Vera Cruz’s labor struggles and achievements go beyond the Filipino community. Whatever impact the UFW brings, so also goes the footprints of Larry and Philip.
This naming shows more accurately the ethnic diversity of the New Haven Community and the presence of Filipino Americans in the District, whose forbearers were national heroes and whose contributions were under-represented in institutions. We are not an isolated minority in an isolated ethnicity. We are part of a larger multi-ethnic movement (see legislations of Rob Bonta and Leland Yee) to teach all students the Filipinos’ part in the farm workers’ struggle, a movement to bring this consciousness to all U.S. institutions.
One positive sign of a mature community is to recognize the contributions of
its diverse population. This actually is a very U.S. concept: E Pluribu Unum. “Out of many, One.” This means not just the recognition and acceptance of other cultures and ethnicities, but the welcome and collaboration as well, in all public welfare decisions.
Cesar Chavez was a great man whose leadership and charisma became the voice
of the UFW. The highlighting of the Filipinos’ part in the forming of the UFW is not to take anything away from Cesar Chavez and the Chicanos’ part in that struggle. Neither does the naming of this school. I just want folks to also know the Filipinos’ part in that history. It has been hidden. I do not see it as one against the other but as once again brothers and sisters in the struggle, in our long standing 500 year shared history, of Mexicans and Filipinos.
WHAT: Santacruzan 2012
WHERE: Seasons Marketplace at Landess, Suite 113
1535 Landess Avenue, Milpitas, CA 95035
FEATURING: East Parking Lot - Food, Retail, and Business Bazaar
The First Fight of the Season, by Milpitas Boxing and Fitness
408 586-9800
Here is last year’s youtube video of the festivities. Santacruzan 2012 will be bigger, better, and just as entertaining as last year’s first celebration! http://youtu.be/NNf2fVdMJKI
DIRECTIONS:
680 South to Milpitas. Exit on Montague/Landess and take the Landess going East across Hwy 680. Make an immediate left on Dempsey Avenue (Burger King is on the corner) and immediate right on the first driveway that goes into the Mall parking.
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Region 8 - Santa Clara chapter (NaFFAA R8) is one of the co-sponsoring community partners of this event. Contact persons: Ben Menor, Chapter Chair and Clarence Madrilejos, Chapter Vice-Chair. You can also contact Seasons’ mall representative, Gabrielle Ramos, copied in this invitation.
NaFFAA Region 8’s Santa Clara Chapter is supporting this event as part of its cultural empowerment efforts in a Filipino-centric lifestyle mall.
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For media inquiries and RSVPS, please contact Ben Menor at bmenor2010@gmail.com.
MAY 27, 2012 SANTACRUZAN
AT SEASONS MARKETPLACE AT LANDESS, MILPITAS
The Santacruzan started out as a spiritually-based activity in the Philippines. It was inevitable that faith-based traditions of Filipino immigrants found a niche among the celebrations in their communities.
For instance, Ben Menor, NaFFAA Region 8’s Santa Clara Chapter chair, explained that as a high school teacher and gang specialist for many years, youth participation in these kinds of events helped connect them to the adults in the community as well as prevent them from engaging in street-related or gang activities. He said, “Religion and faith-based activities serve as an important part of keeping our community connected and staying in touch with our culture. By having the Santacruzan being shared publicly, it allows the general public to have a better understanding of the Filipino culture.”
The Hermano Mayor will be Rey D. Tancinco and the Hermana Mayor will be Lourdes “Lou” Santos Tancinco. The Honor Guard will be provided by the Knights of Columbus from St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Union City. Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves will welcome everyone as well as participate in the Santacruzan Procession. Allison Drumm, a Union City-based youth leader, will be this year’s Reyna Elena. The Philippine Consulate General’s representatives will also be there. Father Geoffrey’s Angels Dancers will support Our Mother of Perpetual Help Choir from the St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, a Fremont-based community headed by Susan “Sansu” Ramsey Johnson, the choir director. Rey Tancinco, Lou Tancinco, Ben Acorda, and Ro Khanna are among the sponsors who are helping make the 2012 Santacruzan successful and inclusive for everyone. NaFFAA Region 8 Santa Clara Chapter is the event’s community partner. The 2012 Santacruzan is sponsored and organized by Seasons Marketplace at Landess.
# # #
ABOUT THIS YEAR’S MARIA ELENA
This year’s Reyna Elena is Allison Nicole Drumm, the daughter of Derick andLyn Drumm. She is 17 years old and is attending James Logan High School. Allison is currently ASB Vice President, half way through the school year she has been promoted to ASB President and will hold the position as ASB President next year. She has been an active member of the arts; dancing (Jazz, Belly Dancing, Hula/Tahitian, Ballroom, and Filipino Folk Dance) since she was 3 and playing the clarinet since she was 11. She is the co-founder and president of the Breast Cancer Awareness Association at JLHS, wanting to seek out a community to all who have been affected by breast cancer and has also been apart of the James Logan Marching Band throughouther high school career. She has been accepted into an organization, GlobalGlimpse, who she will be traveling with to Nicaragua to educate young Nicaraguans and to better the community this summer. She is a member ofUnion City’s St. Anne’s Emmaus group, which teaches and guides the youth a successful path in their faith formation. She plans on attending a privatecollege after high school, majoring in aerospace engineering to become an astrophysicist, in hopes of becoming an astronaut.
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Thank you to the Santacruzan 2012 participants!
Our Sagalas:
Reyna Banderada– Nazmyn Flores
Reyna Mora– Denise Tungol
Reyna Fe– Francesca Armstrong
Reyna Esperanza– Joselle Marie Santillan
Reyna Caridad– Regina Calamug
Reyna Abogada– Heather Moore
Reyna Sentenciada– Kristina Solomita
Reyna Justicia– Meriel Ferrer
Reyna Judith– Patricia Uychoco
Reyna Sheba– Chelsy Baculi
Reyna Esther– Sheryll Nicolas
Veronica– Diana Coria
Ave Maria
A– Troy Asia
V– Madeline Montoya
E– Jorelle Babida
M– Eunice Maracha
A– Sharina Castillo
R– Sharliz Castillo
I= Melissa Ferrer
A– Lia Babida
Mary of Magdala– Mary Rose Bautista
Mary, Mother of Christ– Mary Grace Bautista
Mary, Mother of James– Mary Joyce Bautista
Divina Pastora– Csarina Tabor
Reina de Las Estrellas– Angela Roque
Rosa Mystica– Angelika Roque
Angels: Blake Liam Langa and Callie Solis
Angels: Aramina Ziazadeh and Krizlhen Wisco
Reyna de las Propertas– Trish Maxelle
Angels: Amber Moore and Katherine Moore
Reyna del Cielo– Tiffany Alcantara
Angels: Josie Velasco and Alexandra Bautista
Reyna de las Virgines– Alexandra Dreshler
Escort: Julius Santos
Angels: Katlyn Calugan
Reya de las Flores– Kimberly Solomita
Angels: Alana Mendoza
Reyna Elena– Allison Drumm
Escort: Jason Roldan
Emperor Constantine: Mark Solomita
Angels: Abigail Adame and Anica Adame
Arc Bearers: Ian Mangulabnan and Eddieson Adres
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POST-EVENT PRESS RELEASE
NaFFAA Region 8 Media Group
Connecting Media and Community
ONE COMMUNITY AT SANTACRUZAN 2012,
SEASONS MARKETPLACE AT LANDESS
May 29, 2012, Milpitas, CA — Room 113 of the Filipino “lifestyle center” in Silicon Valley, a.k.a. Seasons Marketplace at Landess at 1535 Landess Avenue, Milpitas, California, was buzzing with activity at noontime on Sunday, May 27, as little girls dressed up as angels, accompanied by the various “reynas” (queens) and their escorts and arc bearers, prepared for a hectic afternoon program. This was a youth affair where elegance and good manners took center stage as the participants learned about a Filipino spiritually-based tradition in an inclusive cultural community event.
According to a brief description on the internet, written by Point Cebu Arts & Culture: “The festival comes from a religious origin, a commemoration of the finding of the Holy Cross by Saint Helena and Constantine. Young ladies dress up in lavish gowns of lace and beads and parade on the streets, together with their escorts, in such gala wear. They walk elegantly beneath arches of flowers in a procession while throngs of people take part, holding candles and torches as they sing songs of praise.”
When Filipino immigrants brought this May tradition to their new homes worldwide, the Santacruzan practice eventually became a cultural practice for “building one community” and a reminder of some Philippine hometown traditions. Children and young adults build self-confidence and social skills in a family activity.
The first part of the festivities was focused on celebrating the second anniversary of Seasons Marketplace at Landess. Ria Recinto, Santacruzan 2011’s Reyna Elena, gave a stunning performance in dance and gymnastics — showcasing her 4-time champion status and using ribbons as her props, to an appreciative crowd.
As parents and shoppers took photos and videos during the Santacruzan Procession at the mall’s central walkways, Susan “Sansu” Ramsey Johnson took time out from her upcoming “The Sansu Show” production schedule (GMA Pinoy TV) by directing a choir composed of members from Our Mother of Perpetual Help Choir at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church (Fremont) and Our Lady of Peace Church and Shrine (Santa Clara). In a recent San Jose-based Santacruzan, Sansu Ramsey was acknowledged as the first Filipina-Black American Reyna de las Flores.
The Tancinco Law Offices, aside from being one of the Santacruzan 2012’s merchant sponsors, was represented by Attorney Rey D. Tancinco, the Hermano Mayor, and his spouse, Attorney Lourdes “Lou” Santos Tancinco, the Hermana Mayor. Attorney Lou confessed that this was her first time to wear a tiara, creating a different persona from her “Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika” hosting duties (GMA Pinoy TV).
Ben Menor, NaFFAA Region 8’s Santa Clara County Chair, hosted the program together with youth co-hosts, Ria Recinto, 2011 Santacruzan’s Reyna Elena, and Justin Smaby.
Allison Nicole Drumm, the 2012 Santacruzan’s Reyna Elena, came all the way from Union City, and was escorted by Jason Roldan. Mark Solomita was this year’s Emperor Constantine.
The organizers of the Santacruzan 2012 acknowledge the spirit of volunteerism of its Santacruzan procession’s participants, and thank them for their support, namely:
SAGALAS/REYNAS – Nazmyn Flores (Reyna Banderada), Denise Tungol (Reyna Mora), Francesca Armstrong (Reyna Fe), Joselle Marie Santillan (Reyna Esperanza), Regina Calamug (Reyna Caridad), Heather Moore (Reyna Abogada), Kristina Solomita (Reyna Sentenciada), Meriel Ferrer (Reyna Justicia), Patricia Uychoco (Reyna Judith), Chelsy Baculi (Reyna Sheba), Sheryll Nicolas (Reyna Esther), and Diana Coria (Veronica). Csarina Tabor (Divina Pastora), Angela Roque (Reina de las Estrellas), Angelika Roque (Rosa Mystica), Trish Maxelle (Reyna de las Propertas), Tiffany Alcantara (Reyna del Cielo), Alexandra Dreshler (Reyna de las Virgines), and Kimberly Solomita (Reyna de las Flores).
AVE MARIA – Troy Asia (A), Madeline Montoya (V), Jorelle Babida (E), Eunice Maracha (M), Sharina Castillo (A), Sharliz Castillo (R ), Melissa Ferrer (I), and Lia Babida (A).
TRES MARIAS – Mary Rose Bautista (Mary of Magdala), Mary Grace Bautista (Mary, Mother of Christ), and Mary Joyce Bautista (Mary, Mother of James)
ESCORTS – Julius Santos and Jason Roldan.
ANGELS – Blake Liam Langa and Callie Solis; Aramina Ziazadeh and Krizlhen Wisco; Amber Moore and Katherine Moore; Josie Velasco and Alexandra Bautista; Katlyn Calugan; Alana Mendoza; Abigail Adame and Anica Adame.
The Santacruzan 2012 at Seasons Marketplace at Landess’s success was due to the volunteers and sponsors who supported the event.
Special thanks to: Consul Leah Rodriguez (Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco), Mayor Jose Esteves (City of Milpitas), Father Ronnie Carreon, Father Geoffrey Baraan (St. Anne Catholic Church), Mr. and Mrs. Victor Garcia (Santacruzan Organizers), Mr. Ben Menor (Community Relations Consultant and Host), Mr. Tony Tongson (Hair Couture Salon), Ms. Ria Recinto, 2011 Reyna Elena and this year’s Host with Mr. Justin Smaby (Co-Host), Mr. and Mrs. John Lucero (Arcs Sponsor), Mr. and Mrs. Augusto Uyenco (Virgin Mary Sponsor), Mr. Sal Jumawan (Balloonist), Mr. Ken Bendanillo (Choreographer), Ms. Susan Ramsey (Our Mother of Perpetual Help Choir), Ms. Lorna Dietz (Public Relations), Mr. Bradford Adkins (Public Relations), Participants, Parents, Volunteers headed by Liberty Lizardo, and Performers.
Among the volunteers in the buffet services for Santacruzan 2012, the organizers acknowledge Joe Manarang and Chef Romy Sembrano for the efficient management of donations and table arrangements. Special thanks to Ben Menor for providing Healthy Coffee vending-type drinks.
SPONSORS – Mr. Ben Acorda (Heavenly Ice Cream) and Ro Khanna.
MERCHANT SPONSORS – Tancinco Law Offices, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel, Seafood City Supermarket, Max’s of Manila, Chowking, Goldilocks, Valerio’s Tropical Bakery, Filipino Desserts Plus, The Coffee Adventure Co., Ideal Vision Center, and Hair Couture.
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations-Region 8 (Northern California), Santa Clara chapter, is the Santacruzan 2012’s Community Partner.
Coordinating the event was Gabrielle Ramos, Seasons Marketplace at Landess’s Operations Assistant. Special thanks to Dinna Bayangos, AyalaFil US Co Inc.’s Director/CEO, for the mall’s management team’s support in the community celebration.
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations-Region 8 (Northern CA) or NaFFAA Region 8 is a community partner of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA). According to Joel Wong of APAPA-BAC, “We are expecting a great turn out and will be raffling away four Southwest Airline Tickets worth $500 each. There will be entertainment and an ethnic dinner catered by Moonstar Restaurant.”
NaFFAA Region 8 is very grateful to the dedication of Charito Benipayo for introducing us to APAPA and for Ben Menor, for enhancing Tita Charito’s efforts in our APAPA-NaFFAA community partnership efforts.
We hope that everyone turns out and celebrates the true meaning of ONE COMMUNITY!
We will expect to see many of our Filipino American friends!
WHEN: May 24, 2012
WHAT TIME: 5:30pm to 8:30pm
WHERE: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Carlton B. Goodlet Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
FREE Admission, Open to the Public
In the meantime, We can make the Filipino American Vote rock!!!
ONE COMMUNITY! Help us get three Filipino Americans elected to the California State Assembly! Please forward to your families and friends. Meet some of our ONE COMMUNITY role models!
Report by Lorna Dietz, NaFFAA Region 8 Chair
NaFFAA Region 8 Media Group
After the new executive officers were elected at the AT&T-sponsored NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit at Hana Zen Pier 39 on March 16, 2012, the NaFFAA Region 8 Santa Clara County, headed by Chapter Chair Ben Menor and Chapter Vice Chair Clarence Madrilejos (aka the NaFFAA Region 8 Youth Chair), immediately organized a town hall meeting that highlighted one of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ advocacies, Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The DREAM ACT is one major component of this reform movement.
This posting documents NaFFAA Region 8’s (Northern CA) first activity after the new leadership took over.
Prior to Jose Antonio Vargas’s Define American Town Hall meeting in Milpitas on March 30, 2012, NaFFAA Region 8 had assisted in inviting Jose Antonio Vargas to the October 7, 2011 Annual Dinner that the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club (SVAPADC) held at Dynasty Restaurant in Cupertino, California. Each year, SVAPADC’s dinner brings together the great Democratic activists, community members, and leaders of the Silicon Valley in support of our work with the advancement of APA representation in the region.
For 2011, SVAPADC awarded individuals in the community who have worked tirelessly to advocate for APAs in the Silicon Valley. Honorees included:
-Legislator of the Year: Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, District 5
-Friend of the Year: John Laird, California Secretary of Natural Resources
-Activist of the Year: Anne Im, AACI, API Justice Coalition
-Lifetime Achievement: Mona Pasquil, California Secretary of Appointments; former Lieutenant Governor.
The Keynote Speaker was Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and immigrant rights activist — and the recipient of the Community Warrior Award.
Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club (SVAPADC) was founded in 1996 to foster member participation at all levels of the Democratic Party. SVAPADC’s goals are to unify and empower the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities; ensure fair representation of the APA’s interests; and educate and promote political participation.
There are going to be more town hall meetings that are being planned that highlight local and national advocacies that affect and impact Filipino Americans.
In preparation for the upcoming Global Summit on September 27-29 in Manila, spearheaded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, a series of town hall meetings are taking place worldwide.
Click here to view the invitation from the Philippine Consul General’s Office in San Francisco, California.
For more information about the September event, click here.
Please check in with us regularly for upates about the DREAM Act.
We encourage every city to pass a Resolution that supports The DREAM Act.
If you have out-of-the-box ideas regarding how we can all help out, please email Jose Pecho at JP8cho@aol.com or Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorcal@gmail.com.
Updates:
Filipina Council member, Pat Gacoscos, in Union City, is requesting the members of the City Council to support the DREAM Act on June 28, 2011 at the Council meeting. The Hayward City Council, she wrote, had passed a resolution in May 2011.
Jet Tagle of Parangal Dance Company Photo by RJ Muna
In Milpitas, California.
The Filipino Association of Milpitas’ Filipino Fiesta, June 11, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Milpitas Community Center on Calaveras Avenue.
Seasons Marketplace at Landess in Milpitas, California, co-sponsored by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Region 8-Santa Clara County Chapter, will be holding a Philippine Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, June 12, 2011. The theme is “Celebrating Our History and our Community Leaders.” The program, organized by Ben Menor, NaFFAA Region 8’s Santa Clara County Chair and Clarence Madrilejos, NaFFAA R8-Santa Clara County Vice-Chair who represents Filipino young professionals and other YP’s (young Pilipinos/young Pilipinas), will be from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
A Grand Opening and Blessing of G’s Day Spa kicks off the festivities. There will be an opening procession with the “Colors of the Philippines” by the youth and opening prayers by Father Andy Ligot. A special recognition program officiated by City of Milpitas’ Mayor, Jose Esteves, highlighting Santa Clara County’s community leaders and contributors in the success of Seasons Marketplace at Landess and its Community Studio, will also take place.
Entertainment will be provided by the Community Studio’s regular users, students, and honorees. The program will be followed by a “merienda-cena,” sponsored by G’s DAY SPA.
NaFFAA Region 8 is also a participating organization at the first-ever regional gala event, “A Celebration of Heritage: A Coming Together,” a gala dinner on Sunday, June 12, 2011 in celebration of the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the 150th Anniversary of the Birthday of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, and the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee. Expected to attend the festivities will be public officials from national through local levels, members of the diplomatic corps, and movers and shakers from among the Bay Area’s diverse communities. In addition to a sumptuous filet-mignon dinner, a unique program is planned, involving dancers, singers (choral, operatic and pop) and mixed-media graphics. The affair will be strictly formal: black-tie (tuxedo) and long-gown, or alternatively, “formal barong” and “terno.” As of press time, tickets are almost sold out based on a “first paid, first served” basis. For inquiries, contact Jose Pecho, NaFFAA Region 8 Chair, at JP8cho@aol.com or (925) 286-6607.
In Berkeley, California.
One of NaFFAA Region 8’s community partners, Parangal Dance Company, who many NaFFAA members and supporters connected with during the 9th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference (E-2010), will be performing dances and rituals from the Subanen people of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur in the Philippines at the 33rd Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival on June 11 and June 12 at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley. They will feature dancers leaping onto a sinalimba, a type of swing, representing a mythic vessel used for journeying.
Tickets can be purchased at http://bit.ly/jywLft. Previous years have sold out, so don’t wait! Tickets are $18 - $58; Subscriber discounts are available when purchasing tickets to four separate performances; Group discounts for 20 or more are available; and kids 12 and under receive half-price admission for all matinees.
For more information about the festival, log on to http://www.worldartswest.org. To check out Parangal Dance Company’s FREE Philippine Dance and Music Workshops this summer, where you can learn new dances for your 2012 Philippine Culture Night (PCN) presentations, go to www.ParangalDance.org or call 415 244-5203.
At NaFFAA Region 8, Parangal Dance Company’s contact is Ben Menor at BenMenor@yahoo.com.
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Ben Menor, Santa Clara County’s chair at NaFFAA Region 8, and Clarence Madrilejos, the County’s NaFFAA vice-chair, are very busy community coordinators and community developers, with Milpitas’ newest Filipino-centric mall, Seasons Marketplace at Landess, foremost in their collaboration activites and projects. As Seasons’ community developer and E-2010’s “intergenerational leadership in succession planning” champion, Ben explains why a coordinated event schedule in the Filipino American community is a practical, efficient, & collaborative solution. For The Community Hall’s Bulletin Board, go to Ben’s Season’s Marketplace at Landess blog at http://bit.ly/gMwDyF.
In a message to his friends and fellow advocates, Ben said:
This first year of “Building Community at Seasons Marketplace” will offer several programs and activities that will engage your senses — complementary to your shopping and dining experiences. We would like to hear your ideas, too! Email me at Menor360D@gmail.com. The website: http://www.theseasonsmarketplace.com/
You will also be meeting our Community Partners during future events, among them, Seafood City, ChowKing, Xoom.com., and GMA Pinoy TV & GMA Life TV If you are interested in being one of our community partners, please email me.
‘Tis the season for giving — and there’s no place like Seasons Marketplace to make your thoughtful gestures count.
The following videos were taken by members of the NaFFAA Region 8 Media Group (Lorna Dietz and Ben Menor) on October 24, 2010.
Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. gave a 20-minute talk (shown in two parts) about the methods and strategies that would provide a “continuum of Filipino leadership” in coordinating the yearly events. The reality for the local Filipino American community is that our Consulate officials come and go (the nature of their work) — so as a community, we need to formally set up an infrastructure and process that is able to work effectively and efficiently with the Philippine Consulate General’s office.
IF YOU WANT TO INQUIRE HOW TO BOOK YOUR COMMUNITY-BASED EVENT AT THE COMMUNITY HALL, CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FILL UP AN INQUIRY FORM.
Our gratitude to our techie gurus whose collaborative experiments in bringing E-2010 accessible to NaFFAA members, affiliates, and supporters worldwide succeeded! We’ve embedded a few videos at a time. Enjoy!
AT THE JACINTO “TONY” SIQUIG NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER - NOVEMBER 19, 2010 at the Welcome Reception: A Legacy of Pride” http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10966817
Hello, everyone! Thank you to our techie gurus who helped put this together. Our 9th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference will be accessible online — and your smart phones! If you are not able to make it this weekend, you will still be able to participate. Let’s thank Grace Esteban, John Juan, Ben Greer, and other members of our delegate-volunteer team.
Since this is still in the experimental stages, please bear with us as we keep on experimenting. The plan is for Grace to use an HD webcam to capture the proceedings — and then we can embed the edited videos online. Great documentation for our institutional memory.
Where to get a ride tonight if you’re going to JTS Northside Community Center. I’ve copied and pasted from the program below (close to the Star of Empowerment).
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2010
10:00am – 6:00pm REGISTRATION at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport’s E-2010 Information Desk. Check for the location inside the hotel from http://NaFAAR8.com website’s updated details of the E-2010 program. Each participant will be assigned one table number for all sessions; volunteer-participants’ assignments; NaFFAA members’ voting credentials. Managed by Jinni Bartolome, NaFFAA Region 8 Treasurer.
3:00pm – 5:30pm Carpool Volunteers bring guests from Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA to JTS Northside Community Center, San Jose, CA;
3:00pm – 5:30pm REGISTRATION Annex for E-2010: As a convenient alternative, JTS Northside Community Center will also handle registrations for the E-2010. Each participant will be assigned one table number for all sessions; volunteer-participants’ assignments; NaFFAA members’ voting credentials. PayPal and checks accepted.
9:30pm – 11:00pm Transportation & Carpooling back to Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport commences as early as 9:30pm.
WELCOME RECEPTION: A LEGACY OF PRIDE
3:00 pm – 10:30 pm Jacinto “Tony” Siquig Northside Community Center
488 North 6th Street ~ San Jose, CA 95112
Community Partner & Sponsor: Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County, Inc.
5:00pm – 10:30 pm Programme
Transportation & Carpooling to Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport commences as early as 9:30pm.
3:00pm – 5:30pm Carpool Volunteers bring guests from Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA to JTS Northside Community Center, San Jose, CA;
10:00am – 6:00 Registration at the Hyatt, managed by Jinni Bartolome. See E-2010 information desk at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport (details to follow)
5:00pm – 6:00pm A light dinner reception, tours of JTS Community Center, networking
Tours is from 4pm to 5pm.
As soon as guests arrive, start tours.
6:00pm – 10:30pm Programme of Activities
10:30pm – 11:30pm Carpool Volunteers bring guests from JTS Northside Community Center, San Jose, CA to Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA
November 18, 2010
Please help us make the registration process more efficient with the online registration form.
It is best to register online and pay through PayPal at this time.
If you intend to register on-site, please register online and indicate that you will be paying with a check on-site either at JTS Community Center on November 19, 2010 after 5:00pm and Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport from 10:00am to 6:00pm. For more information, see http://NaFFAAE2010.wordpress.com.
November 13, 2010
There are changes to the schedule of activities. Just remember that Sunday is now a FREE day for participants except outgoing and incoming board members of NaFFAA (National) who will be holding their first board meeting of the year on November 21.
For the past few weeks, we liked receiving snail mail. However, now that it is a few days before the conference, we would prefer if you deposit the money directly to our checking account at Citibank. Please email Jose Pecho begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting at JP8cho@aol.com for more information.
ENTER HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE E-2010: 9TH NAFFAA EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE WEBSITE.
- Print any of the forms you need below.
- Checks are made out to “NaFFAA.”
- Please mail your checks to: E-2010 * c/o Greg Macabenta * 1580 Bryant Street * Daly City, CA 94015
- If you don’t want to pay via PayPal but you can go to the bank and send money directly, please email Jose Pecho at JP8cho@aol.com or Lorna Dietz at naffaanorcal@gmail.com for the checking account number at Citibank and account name.
- Advertising and Sponsorships for the conference / Silent Auction & Special Drawing for ISANG DIWA: We have extended the deadline to Thursday, November 11, 2010. Remember that for sponsorships, it’s anywhere from $30 to $5,000!
- For all participants: Please consider sponsoring a YP (young Pinoy, young Pinay, and young Pilipino professional) to join the E-2010.
- For every person who reads this announcement/invitation: If you can make it to E-2010, please consider sponsoring a YP for $165. If you cannot make it, please consider sponsoring a YP for $165.
- We have a shout-out for Volunteers!
This is the definition of a “volunteer” for E-2010: The conference is designed wherein delegates are fully engaged in the total experience of understanding and knowing how to implement the tools that they will receive from each workshop/session. Therefore, each delegate is looked upon as a volunteer of the conference. Thus, the volunteer will contribute to the outcome of the conference. There are many volunteer positions available throughout the conference.
Clarification: From Ben Menor
Everyone who comes to the conference is treated as a delegate-volunteer. This means that the delegates-volunteers are going to be participating in the process for the outcomes of the workshops-sessions. A delegate-volunteer can be an analyst, a workshop moderator, or an operations-related person (registration, floor runner, stage manager, etc.).
The volunteer practitioner of the conference’s process helps determine an outcome.
The NaFFAA members (confirmed as “current-paid” by their regional officers) who are coming from all the 12 regions are going to be involved in the NaFFAA National Elections. If you haven’t decided to be a member of NaFFAA yet, and are considering membership, you are very welcome to observe the process in the Amendments to the By-Laws and the National Elections.
All volunteers are given a discounted registration fee of $165 for the conference which includes two lunches and the Isang Diwa evening event. The regular conference registration fee is $275 starting November 1, 2010, which means that the participant chooses not to have a volunteer assignment. Please email Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorcal@gmail.com, or Genevieve Jopanda at GVJopanda@hotmail.com, or Ben Menor at Menor360D@gmail.com for more information.
- For November 20, 2010 - “Isang Diwa: Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future Advocates” is produced by our Honorary Intergenerational Co-Chairs — our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and all the women and girls in our lives. Event tickets are priced at $75 per guest of a delegate-participant. Delegate-participants’ tickets are $65 per person (which is already included in the registration fee). The event starts at 7:00 pm and ends at midnight and features dancing, entertainment, recognitions, and awards.
Business Attire or Filipiniana/Barong.
- Souvenir Program Book advertising opportunities are still open.
- Sponsorships start at $30 (Friend of NaFFAA) up to $5,000. The listing of Sponsorship benefits can be found here.
Please email Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorCal@gmail.com and ask her to email you the PDF files of the forms below if you cannot upload or print them out at Scribd.com. Thank you.
Note: On November 1, 2010, E-2010 registration fee is $275 per participant up to the conference dates. Exceptions apply. Please inquire about these exceptions by emailing Baylan Megino at BaylanM@WhiteLightAssociates.com OR Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorCal@gmail.com.
November 20, 2010. “Isang Diwa: Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future Advocates” is produced by our Honorary Intergenerational Co-Chairs — our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and all the women and girls in our lives. Event tickets are priced at $65 per guest. Business Attire or Filipiniana/Barong.
This celebration is an opportunity to showcase your products and services either as a special drawing item or silent auction item. Please email Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorcal@gmail.com for more information.
THEME: BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE
Simply defined, “Advocacy” means “active support.”
Advocacy is an integral part of being an effective leader.
Advocacy increases and enhances the leadership process because it speaks for the improvement in the quality of life and speaks for others who are underserved. It becomes part of the leader’s lifestyle.
After 12 years of its “raison d’être” or reason for being, this is what NaFFAA has transformed itself into: to be leaders of advocates.
Advocacy encompasses everything that a leader does: to represent people (constituents), causes, and dreams.
? Here’s one dream: “We want to build a community center.”
? What about “fighting for a cause?” There are prime examples such as taking care of our veterans or protecting the Philippine textile industry.
? Who are our constituents? It could be people close to us, such as our children, who need our protection.
The next generation of community advocates is consciously being given a distinctive acronym: YP.
These are the young Pinoys, young Pinays, and young professionals — and any future designation our intergenerational leaders consensually want, for instance, “Young Pilipinos,” for an online or digital campaign “to take back” the keyword “Pilipino” from any derogatory implications in cyber-space.
In co-creating a blueprint for the future, this paradigm could be useful for our intergenerational leaders:
“We don’t want to be paper tigers, i.e. leaders “in title only” by virtue of a piece of paper that has no teeth. Leaders who appear to be strong but are actually weak or ineffectual. Leaders of only “the top,” the organizations that label themselves as leaders. Leaders who only talk but don’t walk. Leaders who think aloud without a plan.
We can party as long as we plan for the party — and that there is an end-result after the party is over. We don’t want to get into an accident or put ourselves at unnecessary risk.”
If leaders really want to create a community, they plan — and plan many years before the “if” and “when” happen.
Leaders plan to reduce the liabilities and risks in achieving a cause, the dream, or a better quality of life for others. That’s why leaders go to “school,” to be educated on how to recognize these liabilities and risks. There is no age limit for a leader’s education.
We’re here at Empowerment-2010. E-2010. This is what we have translated among the many hours we, NaFFAA leaders and affiliates, have spent together — 12 years of personal contact in teleconferences, online chats, emails, empowerment conferences every even year, regional summits, forums, and gatherings.
NaFFAA is coming of age.
We are getting there, completing a full cycle of leadership in NaFFAA’s first 12 years of existence.
NaFFAA was “technically” founded in August of 1997 in an unprecedented gathering in Washington DC.
We’ve achieved our goal of igniting the “flames of consciousness” within our Filipino communities in America.
At E-2010, we are celebrating the continuum of Filipino leadership — intergenerational in culture and approach. We want to establish our advocates to be effective volunteers of the process.
We’re “on track” for the next 12 years — and beyond.
Process of Volunteerism as a Delegate-Participant:
This is the definition of a “volunteer” for E-2010: The conference is designed wherein delegates are fully engaged in the total experience of understanding and knowing how to implement the tools that they will receive from each workshop/session. Therefore, each delegate is looked upon as a volunteer of the conference. Thus, the volunteer will contribute to the outcome of the conference. There are many volunteer positions available throughout the conference. All volunteers are given a discounted registration fee of $165 for the conference which includes the Welcome Reception at JTS Northside Community Center on November 19, 2010, the November 20, 2010 Luncheon and the Isang Diwa evening event at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport. The regular conference registration fee is $275 starting November 14, 2010. The E-2010 Organizing Committee, when inviting their speakers and panelists, indicate that their $165 registration fees go toward sponsoring a YP or a designated scholar. Please email Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorcal@gmail.com, or Genevieve Jopanda at GVJopanda@hotmail.com, or Ben Menor at Menor360D@gmail.com for more information. http://bit.ly/b52SpJ
The Sessions and Table Workshops:
The process is simple. We will treat each table of 8 or 10 people as a community. Different generations give different perspectives. Each group will increasingly get more involved with each other’s ability to explore, discover, and innovate on their similarities and differences. No one “demographic group” will be running the show. All the generations will be running the show — together.
Each session starts with a panel discussion and ends with a table workshop wherein each table’s participants will consensually answer specific questions to help them create their group’s 50-word action plan at the end of day. Every delegate will be assigned to a table’s group according to generation (older and younger participants / seasoned and emerging leaders), gender, and geography, thus, representing the diversity of our communities. There are specific questions that each group must answer during each table workshop. The E-2010 Organizing Committee will collect all the action plans, choose the five best action plans, and then recommend the “Best Action Plan” to NaFFAA’s National Board and 12 Regions. The action plans will be exhibited in “digital space.” That’s Technology in Empowerment — in practice!
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2010
10:00am – 6:00pm REGISTRATION at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport’s E-2010 Information Desk. Check for the location inside the hotel from http://NaFAAR8.com website’s updated details of the E-2010 program. Each participant will be assigned one table number for all sessions; volunteer-participants’ assignments; NaFFAA members’ voting credentials. Managed by Jinni Bartolome, NaFFAA Region 8 Treasurer.
3:00pm – 5:30pm Carpool Volunteers bring guests from Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA to JTS Northside Community Center, San Jose, CA;
3:00pm – 5:30pm REGISTRATION Annex for E-2010: As a convenient alternative, JTS Northside Community Center will also handle registrations for the E-2010. Each participant will be assigned one table number for all sessions; volunteer-participants’ assignments; NaFFAA members’ voting credentials. PayPal and checks accepted.
9:30pm – 11:00pm Transportation & Carpooling back to Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport commences as early as 9:30pm.
WELCOME RECEPTION: A LEGACY OF PRIDE
3:00 pm – 10:30 pm Jacinto “Tony” Siquig Northside Community Center
488 North 6th Street ~ San Jose, CA 95112
Community Partner & Sponsor: Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County, Inc.
5:00pm – 10:30 pm Programme
Transportation & Carpooling to Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport commences as early as 9:30pm.
3:00pm – 5:30pm Carpool Volunteers bring guests from Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA to JTS Northside Community Center, San Jose, CA;
10:00am – 6:00 Registration at the Hyatt, managed by Jinni Bartolome. See E-2010 information desk at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport (details to follow)
5:00pm – 6:00pm A light dinner reception, tours of JTS Community Center, networking
Tours is from 4pm to 5pm.
As soon as guests arrive, start tours.
6:00pm – 10:30pm Programme of Activities
10:30pm – 11:30pm Carpool Volunteers bring guests from JTS Northside Community Center, San Jose, CA to Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2010
E-2010: Building the Next Generation of Community Advocates Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
1333 Bayshore Highway
Burlingame, California
7:30am – 2:00pm REGISTRATION (Each participant will be assigned one table number for all sessions; volunteer-participants’ assignments; NaFFAA members’ voting credentials)
9:30am – 10:30am SESSION 1 - The Future is Now: “Isang Diwa” Intergenerational Succession Building of Advocates – NaFFAA shall engage the YP’s to be involved in all levels of decision-making as well as the development of the organizational structure.
10:30am – 11:00am SESSION 1 Table Workshops
11:00am – 11:30am The State of NaFFAA Report (SONA) presented by Greg B. Macabenta, NaFFAA National Chair and collaborated by the Regions (represented by Regional Chairs)
11:30am – 12:30pm WORKING LUNCH (Transfer to Luncheon Function Room; Table participants stay at the same assigned tables)
12:30pm – 1:30pm SESSION 2- Empowerment through Community Development: These empowerment actions can be housed in an edifice that promotes, empowers, and innovates culture, education, health, labor, economics, philanthropy, and international advocacy.
1:30pm – 2:00pm SESSION 2 Table Workshops
2:00pm – 3:00pm SESSION 3: Political Empowerment and Legislation: In order for NaFFAA to have a voice in public policy decision-making that will impact the quality of life in the US and the Philippines, the next generation of community advocates needs to be fully engaged at all these levels of decision-making that directly affect public policies.
3:00pm – 3:30pm SESSION 3 Table Workshops
3:30pm – 4:30pm SESSION 4 – Sustainability: From Passion to Permanence / Intergenerational Succession Planning: “If I’m gone, it doesn’t mean the world stops. I’m not infallible.” As the builders of sustainability who seek to establish permanence at all levels of empowerment, these intergenerational leaders also infuse technology as a vehicle to achieve permanence and impact social change. The next generation of community advocates has a strong background in social entrepreneurship and enterprise entrepreneurship. There is equal energy and passion for “social” and “enterprise.”
4:30pm – 5:00pm ACTION PLANS Table Workshop: “Where do we go from here?” The intergenerational process of sharing and learning concludes with each table submitting an action plan that consensually reflects the group’s answers to the following questions:
? What did we gain from this ONE DAY of “building the next generation of community advocates” in an intergenerational environment?
? What tools in intergenerational succession planning are we going to institute in our home organizations?
5:00pm – 6:00pm NaFFAA BUSINESS MEETING: NaFFAA National Elections
6:00pm – 7:00pm FREE TIME
5:15pm – 7:00pm AUTHORS BOOK SIGNING AT THE BOOK DISPLAY OF PHILIPPINE EXPRESSIONS BOOKSHOP: At the Foyer of Isang Diwa gala event (Tentative)
7:00pm – 12:00am “ISANG DIWA: CELEBRATING OUR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE ADVOCATES” is produced by our Honorary Intergenerational Co-Chairs — our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and all the women and girls in our lives. Event tickets are priced at $75 per guest. Silent auction, Opportunity Drawing, and a Special Drawing. Dancing, entertainment, recognition and awards. Isang Diwa Talent Contest winners will be announced. Business Attire or Filipiniana/Barong.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010
10:30am – 11:45am
NAFFAA BUSINESS: First National Board Meeting for NaFFAA (venue to be determined)
Identification of the E-2012, 10th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference
