Parangal Dance Company
Come and celebrate Parangal’s 3rd anniversary show, in association with Kularts, and kick off Filipino American History Month on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 7pm with
Pamana, Preserving Our Heritage
Parangal presents Pamana - a celebration of Philippine culture through ethnic textiles, music, and dances. Pamana means “inheritance” or “legacy.” Pamana will highlight traditions and rituals passed down by native ancestors, national and master artists, and community elders. In Pamana, Parangal honors and shares what has been taught by those who came before, hoping to inspire the community and next generation so the traditions and stories can be preserved for the future.
The program for Pamana will include a new world premiere piece, a few nostalgic Philippine folk dances, and our latest piece, Subanen, from this year’s San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
Featured Artists
American Center of Philippine Arts
Josefina and Levi Malabuyo
Location
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Herbst Pavilion, San Francisco
Tickets
$28 in advance
$32 at the door
$23 each for groups of 7 or more
$18 students and senior citizens (60 and over) with I.D.
“First-come, first-served seating”
Purchase tickets at
At Location: Fort Mason Center Box Office
Phone: (415) 345-7575
Online: www.fortmason.org/boxoffice
Parangal’s production of Pamana is part of the In Performance Series at the Fort Mason Center, which is supported by Grants for r the Arts.
Video excerpt from SFEDF2011 by Kirk Schroeder
Pamana design by Jon Cruz
SFEDF2011 Music by Kawayan Folk Arts & Parangal — with Paul Silverio, Maricris Macabeo, Hazel Belga Dela Cruz, Victoria Hafalia, Vanessa Gomez Brake, Yekim Nayacam, Caroline Calderon, Melisa Mayeda, Dio-Ann Valmores, Ophelia Nombrado Sampang, Marissa Cruz, Hazel Ayn Benigno, Karina Fantillo, Ritchel Tan Gazo, June Arellano, Renalyn Tan, Jeff Jermaine Mancilla, Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, Gilbert Laylay, Major Julian, Kimberly Requesto, Shari Almario, Ben Menor, Mary Jo Malabuyo, Mark Diao, Onardem Mari, Tfc’s BarangayUsa, Patricia Barretto Ong, Jojo Malabuyo, Jon Cruz, Shelly Tomas, Levi Malabuyo, Balitang America, Carlos “Mouse” Munoz, Nika Maglasang, Helen Serafino-Agar, Rachel Perey, Destyn Hernandez Bravo, Elizabeth Deleon, Jay Salazar, Eric Solano, Lorna Lardizabal Dietz, Al Perez and Julius Claros.
See September 30, 2009 updates here.
October 2, 2009
We are documenting the latest information that we received from our reliable sources and contacts. Please confirm whatever you get here. We do our fact-checking as quickly and humanly possible. We have also been advised that as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, there are certain words and actions we cannot use/do, such as “lobbying,” “political,” “political endorsements” and “political fundraising.” Thank you. - Lorna Dietz, NaFFAA Region 8 Vice Chair
* * *
From: Jose Pecho
Date: Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Subject: Only $100,000 from US Government for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy
Dear Friends:
NaFFAA in conjunction with other community organizations will seek the support of US Senate and Congressional leaders to provide the Philippines, Asia’s oldest democracy, more emergency and humanitarian aid.
An amazing $100,000 has been provided the Philippines by the US government. In comparison the European Commission in the Philippines has provided over $2 Million in assistance. Below my signature line, is an article providing assistance information from countries who have pledged or donated to help the typhoon ravaged portion of Manila.
There are 4 million Filipinos residing in the US. If each of us pledged $10 each, it would raise a whopping $40,000,000! This amount would make a bigger impact than any government or country could do and would go a long way toward helping the 800,000 families displaced by this catastrophe.
We hope to provide further information in the days ahead on how you personally can help. Please go to http://naffaar8.com for further details.
Sincerely,
Jose Pecho, Chair
Region 8, Northern California
National Federation of Filipino
American Associations (NaFFAA)
http://naffaar8.com
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 21:33:00 10/02/2009
Filed Under: Foreign Aid, Foreign affairs & international relations, Ondoy, Weather
MANILA, Philippines—Donations for the relief and recovery assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ondoy” from the international community has reached over half a billion pesos, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo reported to President Macapagal-Arroyo that donations from various governments have reached P566 million as of Oct. 2. The National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Red Cross and other agencies have been authorized to receive the donations, which will greatly complement the government’s efforts.
“The Philippine Government is deeply appreciative of our international partners’ swift response to our call for aid. The DFA will work with the NDCC, DSWD, PNRC and other agencies to ensure that these donations reach our distressed kababayans as soon as possible,” Secretary Romulo said.
Ondoy, which whipped Manila Saturday, caused severe flooding in the metropolis and nearby provinces.
The government said nearly 300 people died from the disaster, which also displaced hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.
The European Commission in the Philippines has allotted 2 million euros (P138 million) in urgent relief funding, the DFA reported. The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines has ordered the release of 150,000 euros (approximately P10 million) for food aid, while Spanish organization Accion Contra el Hambre donated 250,000 euros (approximately P17 million).
The Swiss government also issued CHF250,000 (approximately P11 million) to support emergency related operation which will be funded by the Swiss Red Cross to the Philippine National Red Cross. The French Foreign Ministry has earmarked initial 10,000 euros (P690,000) to the Philippine National Red Cross as its initial contribution.
Germany is providing 500,000 euros (roughly P35 million) in emergency humanitarian aid for the victims, which will be placed at the disposal of German humanitarian aid organizations The combined European aid reached P254 million.
Aside from the European partners, other countries like the US and Canada sent financial assistance to the victims. The US government donated US$100,000 for relief efforts, while Canada pledged Canadian $5 million (approximately US$4.7 million).
China pitched in US$100,000 check donation; US$10,000 to the PNRC; while Chinese firm Huawei donated US$30,000. Singapore raised US$30,000 and a further US$20,000 in seed money to jumpstart a donations drive by the Singapore Red Cross.
The Republic of Korea has donated emergency relief assistance in the form of rice, tents, medical supplies and other essential items worth $300,000 coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. A Korean company, OCI Company Ltd., also donated $50,000 through the Philippine National Red Cross.
The Japanese government is sending $220,000 worth of relief goods to the Philippines. Australia pledged Australian $1 million (approximately US$879,000) to support response and recovery activities.
The UN World Health Organization has launched earlier a $42,000 relief fund. The UN World Food Programme has also stepped up its efforts to provide immediate relief to the typhoon victims.
Basic necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, clothes, and medicines were in short supply in many communities and evacuation center.
A delegation of UN workers is set to arrive in Manila on Saturday to help in the relief and rehabilitation operations. UN WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said the organization will have a three-month emergency operation to bring food and other assistance to people affected by Ondoy.
Hello all — Thank you all so much for taking the time to meet last Tuesday evening at the Philippine Consulate. It was truly a strong showing of unity, compassion, and generosity. Many of us are involved in a myriad of relief efforts and the consensus of the meeting was that we, as well as the flood victims, will benefit from consolidating and streamlining our charitable efforts. This will save us valuable time/resources, avoid re-inventing the wheel, and duplication of efforts. Also, all agreed that this tragedy/disaster was an opportunity for our community to unify and harness our talents/skills to assist the flood victims. Moreover, we hope to create a formalized emergency response system and infrastructure to address future disasters, emergencies, and calamaties.
In an effort to move forward with such objectives, discrete tasks were discussed and division of labor identified.
There may be more steering Committees that will be formed along the way so stay tuned.
Overall Coordination: Marivic Bamba
Co-Coordinator: Bernadette Roco
Everyone is encouraged to participate, all your ideas are welcome…so please don’t be shy. Many of the members are already working hard at their respective tasks. Mark Grafilo of KAYA, Chair of Political Committee, has sent out notices on advocating support from USAID.
By the way, we urge all members to join Facebook as it is an effective media tool to publicize our activities and notify all of upcoming activities.
As we resolved at the meeting, we will be meeting EVERY Wednesday at 7pm at the Philippine Consulate, 5th floor Social Hall.
See you all next Wednesday, October 7, at 7pm. Please check with the Reception Area since the meeting venue might change. It might take place in the first floor, 447 Sutter Street.
Please note that this entry will be updated as details unfold. This is the third clinic NaFFAA Region 8 is spearheading these foreclosure prevention clinics in collaboration with Mabuhay Alliance, an HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
FOR APRIL 18, 2009
There will be a training of volunteer counselors who will be helping beleaguered homeowners in San Jose, California on Saturday, April 18, 2009. If you are interested in being trained as a volunteer counselor, please contact our NaFFAA Region 8 chair, Jose Pecho at JP8cho@aol.com.
The activities for April 19, 2009 will be held at the Offices of 4C Council: 2515 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95131
Get map and driving directions here.
Schedule:
4C Parents & Child Care Providers: 8:30 am to 12:30 noon
General Public (Homeowners): 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
IF YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER AND ARE INTERESTED IN COMING TO THE SAN JOSE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION CLINIC, PLEASE PRE-REGISTER BY APRIL 10, 2009.
The registration form will have the following introduction:
Thank you for your interest in using Mabuhay Alliance to assist you with your mortgage. In order to serve you better we are asking that you fill out the form as completely as you can. When you arrive at the clinic, our counselors will have the information they need to give you options for your unique situation.
OR
2. Call (408) 487-0747, extension 384.
OR
3. E-mail: 4closure@4c.org
THE INVITATION
If you are not familiar with Scribd.com, here are the instructions on how to maximize our community outreach when sending out this flier to your family and friends.
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FORECLOSURE PREVENTION CLINIC in SAN JOSE
Sunday April 19th
To help our community homeowners, there will be a Foreclosure Prevention Clinic this Sunday in San Jose. This Free clinic will provide workshops and be able to meet with housing counselors, some lenders, lawyers, debt settlement and credit repair specialists, and tax advisors. This is open to the entire community.
Previous clinics have provided much-needed information and relief for homeowners who simply don’t know what to do, where to go, or what are their options. Whether you are in the foreclosure process, are concerned about being able to keep your home, have credit problems, or just want to know what is possible, please join us on Sunday.
What: Foreclosure Prevention Clinic
When: Sunday, April 19th, 9am to 6pm
Who: Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County
in conjunction with NaFFAA
and Mabuhay Alliance (HUD-approved counseling agency)
Where: Offices of 4C Council (Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County)
2515 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95131
To Register: 408.487.0747 ext. 384
4closure@4c. org
www.mabuhayalliance .org/sanjose
What to bring:
In order to assist you with your request for a loan modification and/or a workout resolution with your Lender(s), please bring the following documents with you:
1. Personal Financial Statement * Please complete, sign and date.
2. Monthly Budget *
* Forms are available at 4C Council offices and also at www.4c.org (under Calendar of Events)
3. Reason for Hardship letter: Please provide details of the reason of your current financial hardship, its expected duration and the financial resources with which you will manage your debt going forward.
4. If you are a SALARIED EMPLOYEE, please provide the following:
a. Copy of your most recent W2(s) & Personal Tax Return (1040’s)
b. Copy of your most recent pay-stub(s) - One month’s worth
5. If you are SELF-EMPLOYED, please provide the following, if applicable:
a. Signed and dated copy of your most recent Personal Tax Return (1040’s), including all schedules
b. Signed and dated copy of your most recent Corporate Tax Return, including all schedules
c. Signed and dated copy of year-to-date Profit & Loss Statement and most recent month-end
and quarter-end Balance Sheet
6. Copies of recent statements and payment notices for:
- All bank accounts (checking, savings, IRAs, CDs, Money Market, etc.)
- Retirement accounts (401k, SEP IRA, etc.)
- Promissory Note(s), including a copy of the original Promissory Note(s)
- Home Owners Association (HOA), if applicable
- Property Tax Bill
- Insurance Statements (Homeowners, Fire, etc.)
7. Copies of any legal documents or correspondence from your lender that you have received (Notice of Default, Notice of Trustee’s Sale, etc.).
Best regards,
Baylan Megino
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
March 6, 2009 Sonia Delen, a Senior Vice President at Bank of America, posted a note for her Facebook friends. We are sharing the information Sonia sent us. (Thank you, Sonia!)
HOME AFFORDABLE REFINANCE AND MODIFICATION PROGRAM
Here are some links to the most recently released Home affordable refinance and modification program. It provides tools and instructions on how to take advantage of it. Hope it helps!
From: National CAPACD, nationalcapacd@mail.democracyinaction.org
Subject: ACTION ALERT: Support Helping Families Save Their Homes Act
To: baylanm@whitelightassociates.com
Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 8:00 AM
Dear Baylan,
In the next few days the Senate is likely to consider S. 61, the Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2009, that will provide essential support for President Obama’s foreclosure prevention plan. The plan, approved last week by the House of Representatives, would provide critical changes to a flawed process that desperately needs reform.
Today, most homeowners have few viable options if they are unable to keep up with loan payments. While a few lenders have improved their track record in modifying unaffordable loan terms, most homeowners seeking relief only encounter frustrating delays and rejection by loan servicers. Many homeowners are only offered ‘relief’ that only postpones onerous payments. A national study recently found that a majority of homeowners who obtained relief from lenders a year ago are today again behind in payments.
The Senate version of the bill, S.61, would create critical new tools for homeowners and foreclosure counselors to obtain meaningful relief. These include:
* National standards to make loans affordable. While these standards would be mandatory only for federally regulated loans (including those held by Fannie and Freddie Mac), incentives are offered for private lenders to adopt similar standards.
* Incentives to loan servicers to negotiate loan modifications and to keep families in their homes.
* In limited circumstances, relief through bankruptcy court if lenders are unwilling to adjust loans to reflect actual market values of homes.
The bill will not prevent all foreclosures. It will only assist those with sufficient income to continue to pay under a modified loan payment schedule. There are other limitations on value of the homes covered. And the plight of tenants is not addressed in the bill.
But with this legislation National CAPACD’s counseling organizations will have a much more effective set of tools to help the many families who are desperate for relief and who only need an opportunity to renegotiate loans on terms that are fair. This is relief that they need now.
Take action to support the passage of S. 61 TODAY!
If you have any questions, please give CAPACD staff a call at 202-223-2442 or send us an e-mail at info@nationalcapacd.org
Sincerely,
The National CAPACD Team
For a clear explanation of the President’s plan appropriate for people who need help click here.
For a more technical discussion of the elements of the plan click here.
Please scroll below for the updates as of February 13, 2009 and February 18, 2009!
For those Filipino veterans and families of Filipino veterans who have been inquiring about how to file their claims (to get their benefits), please stay tuned for more news and details. Subscribe your e-mail address for updates here at our website or email us at NaFFAANorCal@gmail.com.
February 11, 2009
The Filipino community is invited to attend a Candlelight Rally on February 18, 2009 to commemorate the anniversary of the Rescission Act. The Rally will begin at 6:00pm in front of the US Federal Building (450 Golden Gate Avenue) and ends at the Veterans War Memorial Building where we will be serving light refreshments.
As you may already know, Senator Inouye inserted the Filipino WWII Veterans Equity Bill in the Stimulus package being debated by a conference committe and should the bill pass, we will turn the candle light rally into a mock funeral procession to bury the Rescission Act and celebrate the restoration of the honor and dignity taken away from these once brave and gallant men after service have been rendered in good faith.
.
Best regards,
Cdr. Rudy Asercion
Commissioner
Veterans War Memorial
401 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
NOTE: Rudy Asercion is NaFFAA Region 8’s San Francisco City and County Chair.
Telltale Signs/ RESCINDING THE RESCISSION ACT
Rodel Rodis, February 11, 2009
The infamous Rescission Act of 1946 may soon be rescinded if the Filipino veterans equity provision in the stimulus bill that passed the US Senate on February 10, 2009 is retained in the joint Senate-House conference bill that is approved by both Houses of Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama.
There were approximately 430,000 Filipino WW II veterans who were slated to receive US military benefits (health care, G.I. Bill of Rights, pension, vocational rehabilitation etc) when this bill removing those benefits was approved by the US Congress on February 18, 1946. Before signing the bill into law, President Harry Truman declared that “the passage and approval of this legislation does not release the US from its moral obligation to provide for the heroic Philippine veterans who sacrificed so much for the common cause during the war.”
Dexter Ligot-Gordon is a Past NaFFAA National Youth Chair. He is based in Region 8.
This past week has been for me a whirlwind of celebration, inspiration, and emotion. Filipinos for Obama (now named Kaya) gathered in Washington DC, to be a part of this historic moment–a pivot in the trajectory of our nation. Despite all the fanfare, the flurry of celebrity, and the behind the scenes politicking- one particular experience symbolized the gravity and the meaning of this inauguration to me.
On the Monday before the Inauguration, our Washington DC Chapter of Filipinos for Obama/Kaya responded to President Obama’s call to service and organized a project to make care packages for our Filipino World War II veterans, write letters to recent veterans, and to fundraise for USO in support of our nation’s current service-women and men.
I arrived at the OCA office where we hosted the service project. I was taken aback by what I saw. The entire building was full to the brim with tourists, locals, youth, elderly, community members, current service men and women—most of whom were not Filipino. While the organizers had only brought enough supplies to make 50 care packages, over 200 volunteers showed to give a part of their busy schedule to answer a call to service.
The DC Chapter provided a brief educational on the Filipino World War II Veterans issue, about the proud service that our manongs and manangs gave to the United States, and their unjust dismissal. For most, this was their first exposure to the Veterans Equity issue—they were astonished at this injustice, and pledged their support for our cause.
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.
Charito Benipayo, David Rodriguez, and Marily Mondejar responded to the e-mail about Efren Iglesia’s appointment from the San Francisco Bay Area-based Philippine American Press Club, USA yahoo group. They reminded us about the Filipina women judges in the United States.
Please click on the COMMENTS section of this posting if you want to add to this list that we are collecting in the Filipino American community: Filipino and Filipina “electeds and appointeds.”
The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) tracks the Filipina American women who are trailblazing their way to the top of their professions. We are enclosing an e-mail from Marily Mondejar, the president of this organization, about FWN’s listing of Filipina American judges.
From: Marily Mondejar <marilym@ffwn.org>
Date: Aug 28, 2007 10:40 AM
Subject: Re: [PAPC-SF] Small correction for: MEDIA ADVISORY: Fil-Am Efren N. Iglesia to be sworn in as Judge in Monterey County Superior Court, California
To: PAPC-SF@yahoogroups.com
There are several women judges who are “firsts” in their own counties. Many of them are attending the Filipina Summit in Washington DC (Oct 25-27).
(1) Judge Cheryl Moss - Family Court, Nevada; (2) Judge Pat Medina Talbert - Superior Court, New Jersey; (3) Judge Nina F. Elgo - Superior Court, Connecticut; (4) Judge Lillian Lim - Superior Court, San Diego; (5) Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye - Madam Justice, California 3rd District Court of Appeal (first woman of Asian descent in the Federal Court of Appeals; I understand she is the highest ranking Filipino in the justice system); (6) Judge Eleanor Nisperos - Administrative Law Judge (workers comp). She is now retired. First Filipina admitted to the California Bar (1971). First Filipina Deputy Attorney General in California.
There were a lot of best practices that we learned before, during, and after the Third Global Filipino Networking Convention. For instance, we employed grassroots marketing and public relations throughout the preparations of this special gathering, sending e-mails to all the prospects and participants on a regular basis. Everyone who was in the e-mail list felt that they were a part of the convention’s preparations.
:-DWe did make room for surprises.:-D For example, the overseas delegates didn’t know that they would be treated to an energetic Sinulog dance presentation during the Opening Plenary Session and that Tommy Osmena, the mayor of Cebu City, would enter the Cebu Waterfront Hotel’s Grand Ballroom riding a customized vehicle. Or that there would be a spectacular fireworks display at the Ayala Center’s Lagoon just for us!
As Executive Coordinator of the 3rd Global, I realized how important it was to have someone like me (a Cebuana and a NaFFAA member) who could harmonize with both convenors, NaFFAA and the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau (CVCB), communicating to them in a timely fashion and making executive decisions with the big picture in mind. I highly recommend having this coordinating position as a “must” for future Global Filipino Networking Conventions.
:-)My Philippine cellphone was a lifesaver many times over.:-) I used it to text over 400 people in my Philippine phone book so that they would register for the convention on time. Or that I would text every forum or workshop’s manager or moderator with instructions on where to board the buses bound for the Ayala Lagoon.
Some of my memorable moments include being supported by a dedicated group of volunteers who pampered and took care of all our plenary speakers. We also had official greeters at the airport and the Cebu Waterfront Hotel. I made sure that a communications person (equipped with a VHF radio) was assigned to each member of the Organizing Committee so we could trouble-shoot efficiently. While Jenny Franco, the convention’s project director, took care of the financial and operational details, I focused on making sure that everyone in the committees knew what was going on. There were five of us who worked in the US committee. A month before the convention, I joined seven other members of the working group from CVCB in Cebu. The best compliment that Patrick Gregorio, the convention’s Secretary General and CVCB’s founder, gave our group was that he believed each one of the eight members did the work equivalent to 10 people.
There are more stories. For now, let me share some of these memories with you.
We had a PowerPoint presentation available at our website, ThirdGlobalCebu.com (which has since been changed to a simplified format at ThirdGlobalCebu.net). It contained a lot of information that truly helped many overseas attendees as well as media practitioners who were covering the convention. Click here to review this presentation at SlideShare.net.
Rodel Rodis is the founding father of the Global Filipino Networking Convention concept. He worked closely with Viki Bamba, a.k.a. the founding mother, in mobilizing more than 4,000 Filipinos to congregate at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, California on August 31, 2002 for the 1st Global Filipino Networking Convention. Rodel summarizes the 3rd Global quite nicely in his syndicated column.
This commentary first came out as an e-mail that was forwarded by Melissa Nolledo-Christoffels, from NaFFAA Region 7, to the Fil-Am Network yahoo group sometime in 2005. Greg B. Macabenta is NaFFAA’s former National Vice Chair (August 2002 - October 2006). We are reprinting Greg’s comments as a reminder and a reality check about NaFFAA’s evolution as an organization.
Good reading for NaFFAA’s prospective members and a healthy review for the seasoned members. There’s plenty of room for like-minded, collaborative Filipino Americans in NaFFAA Region 8. After all, Northern California is perceived to be NaFFAA’s “Ground Zero.” The place where there is no such thing as “We can’t do it!” A region where many of NaFFAA’s leaders have been coached and trained to make the Filipino Consciousness Movement a reality. Where “thinking outside the box” is not the mindset because there is no box to limit us from making our dreams and hopes come true in the American landscape of empowerment.
ON THE VALUE OF NaFFAA
A Commentary by Greg Macabenta, National Vice Chair of NaFFAA
For the NaFFAA Regions
WHO AND WHAT WE ARE:
“The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the welfare and well-being of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States.”
WHAT WE HAVE SET OUT TO DO:
“NaFFAA’s primary objectives include: Promoting active participation of Filipino Americans in civic and national affairs and in all other aspects of mainstream America.”
Greg: The fact that we are now being invited to Capitol and White House discussions on national issues and are being listened to by various mainstream sectors is an indication that we have begun to achieve this objective. Still a long way to go, but we have begun to go there.
“Promoting awareness of Filipino American contributions to social, economic, cultural and political life in the United States.”
Greg: The first level of awareness that was required, from the outset, was an awareness of ourselves as a community. Before NaFFAA, we hardly knew each other. Today, we have become good friends and co-workers, proud to realize that there are many achievers among us who are contributing to the socio-political, cultural and economic life of this country.However, while we have become more aware of our role in our respective communities, we need to make the mainstream more aware of this as well.In this respect, some of us are faring better than others.But overall, many things have happened. Still a long way to go, but we have begun to go there.
“Securing social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment of Filipino Americans through advocacy and legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of government.”
Greg: Surely, what we did for the Texas 20, with the leadership of Gus Mercado, and the efforts we have exerted on behalf of the veterans and what we in California did in the CalPERS case are indications that we have tried to achieve this objective.Still many things to be done (like winning the Vets equity struggle), but we have not been standing still.
Please note that this entry will be updated as details unfold. This is the third clinic NaFFAA Region 8 is spearheading these foreclosure prevention clinics in collaboration with 
“For reflection… This is a reality check about what we do as members of organizations and institutions that serve our communities.” - Ben’s message
This commentary first came out as an e-mail that was forwarded by 