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.
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.
Check out The #NaFFAA Daily newspaper built from all the articles, blog posts, videos and photos shared on Twitter using the hashtag: #naffaa. NaFFAA Voices for Empowerment daily newspaper (based on @NaFFAAVoices tweets) is coming soon!
What: “Isang Diwa” (One Spirit) Community Forum, Celebrating Filipino American History Month When: Sunday, October 24, 2010 What Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm Where: Seasons Marketplace at Landess, Room 112
1535 Landess Avenue
Milpitas, CA 95035
Your Host: Seasons Marketplace at Landess Your Community Coordinator: National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Santa Clara County Chapter (Region 8/Northern CA) * Ben Menor - County Chair * Clarence Madrilejos - County Vice-Chair
Our Special Guest of Honor: The Honorable Marciano A. Paynor, Jr., Philippine Consul General-San Francisco.
Merienda will be served.
Limited Seating. Please RSVP by October 21, 2010 to Menor360D@gmail.com (Ben Menor).
This is an initial step for coordinating, collaborating, and sharing the community-based organizations’ Filipino American Community Event Calendar in Santa Clara County. If you have “Save the Date” events that your organization would like to share for the upcoming holiday season and for 2011, please email us at Menor360D@gmail.com.
“Meet and Greet” the Merchants of Seasons Marketplace and Introductions.
Website: http://www.TheSeasonsMarketplace.com
For previous media coverage, click here: http://www.filipinasmag.com/?tag=seasons-marketplace
Map and Directions: http://bit.ly/cQPKjc
Thank you — and see you at the Seasons Marketplace!
Seasons Marketplace at Landess, Milpitas, CA
RELATED VIDEOS: We searched for avaliable youtube videos. If we are not able to feature all the merchants due to the limited time in posting this entry, please email us at NaFFAANorcal@gmail.com so we can update this entry and include your youtube video.
E-2010: 9th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference’s theme is “Building the next generation of community advocates.” Click here to enter the E-2010 blog for more information. Please join us on November 19-21, 2010. Ben Menor chairs the E-2010 Organizing Committee. The early bird registration rate has been extended to October 31, 2010. Details about sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available here.Baylan Megino is E-2010-NaFFAA R8’s special events coordinator.
**BAY AREA BENEFIT is in the process of organizing a blood drive in the next few weeks. Please stand by for announcements. (www.bayareabenefit.org)
In the meantime, Blood Centers of the Pacific has an immediate need is for O negative donors and are asking that non O- donors schedule an appointment for the upcoming week. Additionally, we are asking that donors review the attached eligibility guidelines order to review the qualifications before coming into a center.
Please call your homeowner’s insurance agency or the California Department of Insurance 1-800-927-4357
SCHOOLS:
All San Bruno Park School District schools will be closed Friday. Capuchino High School in San Bruno, which announced earlier that it would open, will also be closed. For further questions please call (650) 624-3100
PETS:
Tanforan PETCO, (650) 589-3757
1150 El Camino Real, San Bruno
Owners can drop off small animals from 9am to 9pm
SPCA
12 Airport Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone 650.340.7022
Fax 650.348.7891
HOW TO HELP:
Red Cross
Best way to help is by giving money online at the Red Cross’ website at http://www.redcross.org/
1-888-4-HELP-BAY (1-888-443-5722)
Blood
1-888-393-GIVE (4483)
Type O will be needed. People urged to wait until next week to donate
Last evening’s high-pressure natural gas explosion in San Bruno has destroyed numerous homes, displaced dozens of residents, and tragically taken the lives of at least four individuals. My heart goes out to all who are affected.
While the cause of the explosion of the PG&E-owned natural gas line is currently under investigation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), right now the top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of those who survived the initial blast and ensuing fire.
On that note, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the emergency crews, firefighters, and other first responders who have been helping residents affected by this emergency since immediately after the initial explosion.
For those who need assistance and live in the affected area, or have friends or relatives who do, it is recommended to contact the Red Cross Disaster Help Line at 650-259-1750. You may also call my District Office at 415-557-2312 for assistance. Another option is to call 2-1-1 for information and referrals of services.
If you do not live in the affected area but would like to help those who do, one of our highest priorities right now is ensuring a constant supply of blood to treat those injured by the fire. If you are interested in giving blood, please call 888-393-GIVE or visit www.bloodcenters.org. For other ways to help, please visit the Red Cross’ local Bay Area website at www.redcrossbayarea.org.
Thank you for helping our neighbors in their time of need.
From Lorna Dietz - Editor’s Note:I just received a re-tweet (Twitter.com) from my sister, Noemi Dado, that Manolo Quezon (or Manuel Quezon III) had tweeted about the THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER MANAGEMENT STORY: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES. Published October 2001 by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center.
For the newly-formed San Francisco-based Philippine Disaster Relief Coalition, this is very timely information.
To read Oct. 2-5 updates, click here.
To read September 30 updates, click here.
This posting is updated as fast as we can humanly possible. Thank you for your patience.
IN THE NEWS
MEDIA ADVISORY / OCT. 9 BENEFIT FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON KETSANA
Updates from Keith Kamisugi (through Odette Keeley of New America Media):
The highlights:
Tonight, Friday, October 9, 2009 - 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Program starts at 7 p.m.
* Senator Leland Yee, Assemblymember Jerry Hill, S.F. Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, AC Transit Board Member Joel Young, S.F. City College Board Member Steve Ngo and Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano Paynor, Jr. are expected to attend.
* Proceeds will be donated to ABS-CBN Foundation for the typhoon victims.
* Event chair Keesa Ocampo will be available on-site for interviews.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Assemblymember Fiona Ma, S.F. Dist. Attorney Kamala Harris, S.F. Board of Supervisors President David Chiu Serve as Honorary Co-Hosts of Oct. 9 Benefit for Victims of Typhoon Ketsana. Honorary co-hosts also include S.F. Assessor Phil Ting, S.F. school board vice-president Jane Kim and member Hydra Mendoza; more than 20 community organizations part of event coalition.
SAN FRANCISCO (Revised Oct. 9, 2009) - A coalition of community leaders and organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area have teamed up to help raise awareness and funds on behalf of more than 700,000 people displaced as a result of the floods that inundated 80 percent of Metro Manila in the Philippines last week. Typhoon Ketsana (known in the Philippines as Ondoy) claimed the lives of hundreds of Filipinos in the worst such calamity in the region’s history.
WHAT: Benefit for Victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)
WHEN: Friday, October 9, 2009 - 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Lot 46, 46 Geary Avenue, San Francisco, Calif.
WEB: http://hapihour.org/ondoy - for radio/audio, BayAreaBenefit.org should be used.
EDITORS: Event chair Keesa Ocampo and other organizers are available for interviews.
The event will be hosted by Aimee Allison, host of KPFA’s Morning Show with featured DJs Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, DJ Big Rich, DJ Romeo and peformances by Kristine Sinajon, Gabe Bondoc and Patrick Landeza.
The “Benefit for Victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)” is supported by a number of elected officials serving as honorary co-hosts, including U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Board of Equalization Chair Betty Yee, Senator Leland Yee, Assemblymember Fiona Ma, Assemblymember Jerry Hill, SF. Mayor Gavin Newsom, S.F. District Attorney Kamala Harris, S.F. Assessor Phil Ting, S.F. Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, S.F. Board of Education Vice-President Jane Kim, S.F. Board of Education Member Hydra Mendoza, AC Transit Board Member Joel Young and S.F. City College Board Member Steve Ngo. Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano Paynor, Jr. is also an honorary co-host.
Community organization partners for the event include: ABS-CBN Foundation-USA, Asian American Bar Association, Asian American Journalists Association, SF Chapter, Asian Business League, Bay Area Asian Pacific American Legislative Staffers, Bliss Entertainment, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Citizen Hope, Clubworks, DineForChange, Drink for a Cause, Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce Santa Clara, Filipina Women’s Network, Filipino American Arts Exposition, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, hapihour.org, Inspire Hope Institute, Kaya: Filipino Americans for Progress, Manilatown Heritage Foundation, National Federation of Filipino-American Associations, Philippine American Press Club USA, Philippine Consulate General - San Francisco, San Francisco Fil-Am Jazz Festival Community, San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee, Soulciety.org and Young Filipino Professionals Association.
Organizers are requesting a $20 donation at the door. Proceeds will be donated to the ABS-CBN Foundation, which has served over 100,000 families to date. Advance tickets available, as well as complete event and contact information, at http://hapihour.org/ondoy.
- 30 -
Version 10/09/09
_____
From: Jacqui Conclara
Date: Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Subject: URGENT: FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE:
Dear Friends in the Fil-Am Media,
Please find attached the latest press release on LBC’s Typhoon Ondoy Project. Starting October 8, LBC can no longer accept donations containing used clothing in behalf of the Typhoon Ondoy victims.
Sincerely, Jacqui
Jacqueline P. Conclara
Coordinator, Marketing Dept.
LBC Mundial Corporation/LBC Foundation
363 East Grand Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Tel. No. (800) 338-5424, ext. 3040
Fax No. (866) 647-3561
www.teamlbc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patricia G. Garcia/Jacqueline P. Conclara
Tel. No. (650) 876-0410; 1-800-338-5424, ext. 3024/ext. 3040
Email: tricia@teamlbc.com; jacqui@teamlbc.com
HANDS TIED BY A PHILIPPINE LAW, LBC CAN NO LONGER
ACCEPT DONATIONS OF USED CLOTHING FOR ONDOY VICTIMS
South San Francisco, Calif. – By virtue of Republic Act (RA) 4653, which was passed in 1966, LBC Mundial Corporation (LBC USA) can no longer accept donations of used clothing in behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) beginning October 8.
LBC was informed of this directive from the Philippine government only last October 7 at a community meeting at the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in San Francisco.
The meeting, organized by local Filipino community leaders, was held to discuss fundraising activities for the families affected by typhoon Ondoy.
“Used clothing as donations is prohibited under Republic Act No. 4653, thus the Bureau of Customs can seize/apprehend said importation,” stated a letter to the community from Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr.
The letter further explained that “donations in kind (except used clothing) shall be exempted from custom duties and taxes provided that these are directly addressed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.”
LBC wants to apologize to all individuals and Fil-Am organizations that have shown their solidarity to their “kababayans” affected by the flood.
“We understand and appreciate how much time and effort were spent by Filipinos in the U.S. to gather these donations of used clothing. We are all heroes to Ondoy’s victims. Unfortunately, we need to follow the law and the directive from Malacañang,” said Hugo Bonilla, LBC USA’s president and CEO.
Alternatives
Meanwhile, LBC will still continue to provide free sea cargo and money remittance services to other in-kind and cash donations to the typhoon victims.
Cash donations sent through LBC USA will still be remitted to the Sagip Kapamilya project of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
According to the PCG in San Francisco (PCGSF), the Department of Social Welfare and Development has released a list of priority relief items for the typhoon victims.
These includes: food, non-food, mats, blankets, flashlights, emergency lamps, tents, generators, water container, hygiene kits (bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, laundry soap, feminine napkins) baby diapers, and slippers.
The PCGSF also released a separate list of priority relief needs from the Department of Health.
These includes medicines for wounds, the common colds, skin diseases, diarrhea, typhoid fever and cholera as well as intravenous supplies, and other medical supplies and equipment.
Philippine Consulate General
447 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94108
415-433-6666 ext. 313 (public information section)
*www.philippineconsulate-sf.org
San Francisco, 07 October 2009 – The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) donated several boxes of canned goods, noodles, candies, and other food items as part of their humanitarian assistance to victims of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines.
SFPD Captain Eric Quema, a Filipino American and one of the ranking police officers in the Bay Area, handed over the donations to Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. today at the consulate.
The donations from the SFPD included food items given by Captain Quema, Inspector Milanda Moore and other personnel of the Special Investigations Division as well as those collected from Lt. Louis Espinda, Sgt. Ray Cruz, Officers Dizon and Gummo and police personnel from the Bayview Police Station.
Consul General Paynor, Jr. welcomed the donations from the San Francisco police force as “indicative of their concern for the situation in the Philippines.”
“We have a number of Filipino Americans in the San Francisco Police Department who still have families and relatives in the Philippines. Their and their colleagues’ immediate response to the call for humanitarian assistance for the flood victims will add to the on-going relief effort being undertaken by the Bay Area Filipino American community,” he said.
Captain Quema is one of the founding members of the SFPD Police Exchange Training Program (PET) with the Philippine National Police (PNP). The program, conceptualized nine years ago by SFPD officers with Filipino ethnicity, has now expanded to include other police officers from San Francisco’s culturally diverse communities. Under the exchange program, the SFPD and their PNP counterparts share best practices on key areas as counter-terrorism, defense and security, and law enforcement. END
_____
FROM THE AYALA FOUNDATION USA’S E-BULLETIN
October 6, 2009
Announcement!
AF-USA is waiving its 5% service fee on all donations for Typhoon Ondoy until the end of October 2009!
AF-USA Partners with Companies for their Employee giving program
10/5/2009
Ayala Foundation USA
Some of the biggest and most prestigious names in the world of business are listing Ayala Foundation USA in their employee giving and corporate matching programs. Chevron, AmGen, Microsoft and PG&E are just some of the companies that have listed AF-USA as another vehicle by which their employees can spread the fire of volunteerism.
From: FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
FWN 100 Selection and Gala Awards Host Committees
Date: Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Subject: Invitation to the Awards Gala (Oct 30) honoring The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S.
Greetings!
URGENT APPEAL: Women and girls in the Philippines need your support - many of them single mothers and shelters for domestic violence, rape victims and survivors - affected by the typhoons that recently hit the Philippines - the worst in 40 years.
Filipina Women’s Network has collaborated with Feed the Hungry to ensure women, girls and the shelters are not neglected. To donate, please go to http://feedthehungryphil.org and indicate on your donation “FWN Women & Children Fund Disaster Relief”.
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.
Updates from the 12 regions of NaFFAA will soon be found at our national website, http://NaFFAA.org.
Posted in Facebook, from Joy Martinez:
“Something inspiring: Caught on TV- Man rescued in a rubberboat asked, “28 na ba ngayon?” Cameraman: “Opo, 28.” Man somberly replied, “Bday ko na pala.” Rescuers who were paddling hard turned to him in surprise before slowly singing, …”happy birthday to you…” Even in the midst of devastation the Filipino spirit never ceases to acknowledge and celebrate the gift of life.”
Posted in Facebook, from Mary Anne Alcordo-Solomon:
“To the dollar earners, your $1=PHP48 can buy 4 cans of sardines or 3 cans of corned beef or 12 packs of noodles or 3 kilos of rice.”
* * *
From Lorna Dietz, Regional Vice Chair of NaFFAA R8 / NaFFAA Online Coordinator, regarding monetary donations:
We’ve received several inquiries on how everyone can help if they reside outside the Philippines. I collected some information from my Facebook account. The information will most likely be expanded soon after our coordinating meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29, especially regarding donation centers for goods. Please check in often.
9/30/2009 - Update from Bing Branigin, NaFFAA Region 2, thru Louie Pawid & Dennis Mendiola. “Fil-Am donations for Typhoon Ondoy effort now possible through PAYPAL at give@redcross.org.ph.”
Most urgent needs
Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water
Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases
Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap
Rehabilitation Programs: Shelter materials for house repair
American Red Cross - 1-800-435-7669 (posted by Joseph Francia, GMA Pinoy TV)
Quoted - The American Red Cross is monitoring the situation and remains in communication with our Red Cross partners in the area. Although there hasn’t been an appeal for international assistance, the American Red Cross is prepared to mobilize support, including relief supplies, trained personnel or financial assistance if necessary.
Xoom.com is offering fee-free money transfers to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)
- You can donate to the relief efforts by visiting Xoom.com and entering the coupon code “HELPONDOY” to make a fee-free money transfer donation to the Philippine National Red Cross. This special coupon code is valid until Friday October 9, 2009. Source: http://rfonline.holy-order.org/guild-news/119-operation-ketsana-xoom-free-transfer-to-philppine-national-red-cross
- From Yvette Tan, via Twitter on 9/30/09: RT @wwwgmanewstv: Breaking News : iRemit waives remittance fees for Ondoy victims: Starting October 1, Wednesday. http://bit.ly/18cvu7
* * *
Please go ahead and forward, download, print, or embed this important letter from the Philippine Consulate General’s office in San Francisco. The contact information re: donations to the Philippine Red Cross and donations-in-kind is also found here.
FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY COORDINATING MEETINGS:
If you are from the San Francisco Bay Area, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Region 8-Northern CA, will be co-coordinating a meeting with other Fil-Am organizations & healthcare professionals — to discuss the aid/assistance process on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 at 7:30pm at the 5th floor Social Hall, Philippine Center Building (where the Philippine Consulate is located), 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94108. Your contact persons will be Viki Bamba (former NaFFAA R8 Regional Chair) & Dr. Carmelo Roco & Bernadette Roco.
PLEASE COME!
Thank you.
Lorna Dietz
NaFFAA R8 Vice Chair
on behalf of Jose Pecho, NaFFAA R8 Chair
* * *
From: Greg B. Macabenta
Date: Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Subject: TYPHOON ONDOY DEVASTATION
All NaFFAA Officers and Members,
The devastation in Metro Manila caused by Typhoon Ondoy - which brought one month’s worth of rain in only 12 hours - calls for a humanitarian response from all of us in the US. The devastation is severe. While the hardest hit are the areas of Quezon City, Pasig and Rizal, the water rose as high as 7 feet in the Sukat Area in Paranaque where I have a home. Mercifully, everyone in the house is safe. But the casualties and fatalities in Metro Manila continue to rise.
We urge everyone to help and to pass on this appeal to your respective networks.
To those who would like to donate cash or goods, our suggestions are as follows:
1. Work closely with your local Philippine consulates which are coordinating relief operatiions.
2. Or course your donations through Ayala Foundation USA or the Philippine National Red Cross.
Those of you who have homes or relatives in the affected areas may, of course, find alternative means to help.
We do not advise that NaFFAA itself should receive donations for this calamity. We do not have the resources and the infrastructure for delivering these to the victims. However, we urge every city, state and regional chapter to get organized so that they can efffectively urge donations and channel these to the proper relief agencies.
We will keep you posted on developments as they come, including contact numbers of the proper relief agencies.
Thank you very much. Let us pray for the victims and generously help.
Greg B. Macabenta
National Chair, NaFFAA
* * *
From Lorna Dietz:
HERE IS A YOUTUBE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE DEVASTATION. TAKEN FROM MANOLO QUEZON’S BLOG, The Daily Dose.
MESSAGE FROM RUDY ASERCION, WEST BAY PILIPINO MULTI-SERVICE CENTER (and NaFFAA Region 8’s City & County of San Francisco Chair):
WEST BAY CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO KEEP CENTER OPEN TILL 10PM DAILY TO COLLECT DONATIONS. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME. DONORS MAY DEDUCT CONTRIBUTIONS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME… TAX UNDER SECTION 501 (c) 3. FILAM COMMUNITY INVITED TO DROP OFF FOOD, CLOTHING OR CHECKS AT 175-7TH STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA.CALL 415 431-6266 FOR INFORMATION.
* * *
PLACES TO VOLUNTEER
Charisse Aquino, a San Francisco and Manila-based FilAm anthropologist & adventure tourism entrepreneur, updated her Facebook with some vital comments:
9/30/09, evening in Manila - Eusebio Gym in Pasig needs volunteers. Imagine, 3 volunteers for 300 evacuees. 1:100. Kawawa.
9/30/09 evening in Manila - Evacuation centers need Portalets, please pass! And more kids getting sick, please ask all your doctor friends to volunteer their time, and ask the pharmacies to donate more medicines
Charisse asked for an updated listing of places to volunteer in Manila (Facebook). Here are some of the responses.
UPDATES FROM JOY MARTINEZ (CEBU), ONE OF THE PHILIPPINES’ FOREMOST ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERS & GREEN ARCHITECTURE ADVOCATES:
9/29/09, Cebu - Dear friends from New York - NEW YORK: Disaster Relief drop off center @ Pandayan Center, 406 W40th St. Between 9th and 10th Aves. New York, NY 10018 or call 212.564.6057. CALIFORNIA: donate at branches of Island Pacific Supermarket, and they’ll ship it to the Philippines.
9/29/09, Cebu - With more than 100K people in shelters, stagnant water, I’m fearing an outbreak of disease that we need to address NOW! My brother in Philhealth is willing to provide coverage for affected families and medicines but needs sponsor partners. Sample: Sponsor gives P60k, Philhealth gives coverage to 200 families and P30K worth of meds. Please call Jam @687-4956 or email mwbacareza@philhealth.gov.ph.
9/29/09, Cebu - For friends abroad, here’s another way to help…thank you for your kindness to our kapwa Pilipino. The World Food Programme at https://www.wfp.org/donate/ondoy
QUOTED:
A donation of:
- $18 provides a family with rice for 2 weeks
- $90 feeds 5 families for 2 weeks
- $180 feeds 10 families for 2 weeks
And if you are capable of going that extra mile, $18,000 will provide 1000 families with rice for 2 weeks.
Joy Martinez is sending updates from Cebu via Facebook, where the first container of donated goods has been loaded on an Aboitiz shipping vessel tonight (September 29 in Manila at 10:30pm), bound for Manila. Please email Lorna Dietz at NaFFAANorcal@gmail.com if you want to be connected to Cebu-based volunteer efforts.
9/29/09, Manila - RT @ageofbrillig: RT @giboteodoro For those who can’t get through NDCC Rescue Hotlines. They now have a text/call line: 0917 733 4256
OTHER LINKS WITH VALUABLE INFORMATION (DONATIONS TO MANILA FROM OVERSEAS):
MoonGirl - http://moongirl.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/donating-to-manila-from-abroad/
MoonGirl has collected a lot of information — from Australia, Europe, to the US, where citizen volunteers have made their homes “temporary donation centers.” Thank you to Joey Alarilla for informing Luna about our website’s updates from San Francisco, CA.
Click on LINKS at the Comments section below.
* * *
UPDATES FROM USA-BASED FRIENDS: Please contact them directly and let them know that NaFFAA Region 8 referred you to them. Thanks!
From: Bisaya Bulletin
Date: Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Subject: Relief Convergence for Typhoon “Ondoy”
Let’s all converge in helping our brothers and sisters in Northern Philippines affected by typhoon “Ondoy”. BisayaBulletin.com invites everyone to join in our collective effort to donate relief goods and bring them to a designated place in Los Angeles, CA (specific location to be determined in separate email).
Join us in packing and sorting your donations on October 10, 2009, Saturday between 9am - 3pm. We have arranged a Manila forwarder offering free freight for your donations and goods bound for Manila. Items will be picked up by 3pm so please plan to come early. Let us all collaborate and be instruments in helping our country in dire need. Please forward this information to all.
Suggestions for donations:
Sack of rice
Balikbayan Boxes
Rubber Slippers
Alcohol
Soap and Toiletries
Medicine
Cotton
Bandages
Noodles
Canned Goods (ready to eat)
Clothes, Towels and Blankets
Note: Details on Venue will be emailed upon determination***
Regards,
www.bisayabulletin.com
“from our little visayan corner to the global community”
___
Charina Vergara Carrera, through Facebook
Contact: Cha.Carrera@gmail.com
9/30/09 - REPOSTING FROM PETE AVENDANO: We’re doing a fundraising concert on Sunday at St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. The concert is going to be free but we would like to ask for donations. All monetary donations will go to help our kababayans who were affected by this calamity.
9/30/09 - Relief goods (clothing, beddings, blankets, and canned goods are accepted at ANY ATLAS cargo location (including Atlas outlets with Seafood City, http://www.seafoodcity.com)
___
Prosy DeLaCruz, through Facebook
Contact: DeLaCruz.Prosy@gmail.com
9/30/09 - Your donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 until October 6, 2009, if we succeed, we will have donated Php 10 million to the Typhoon Ondoy families and directly to the children through UNICEF. I donated $150 and it was doubled. If you donate, send an email to TyphoonOndoyDonationAcctg@gmail.com — report the amount and organization you donated to. I volunteer to tally every night.
You can copy and paste this section and send it to your relatives and friends in the Philippines.
Q. Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?
(Remember, 1 quart is equal to 4 cups.)
A. Yes. When boiling of water for 1 minute is not possible in an emergency situation, you can disinfect your drinking water with Clorox® Regular-Bleach as follows:
1. Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.
2. Pour off clear water into a clean container.
3. Add 8 drops of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or color-safe) to one gallon of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 16 drops per gallon of water (4 drops to 1 quart).
4. Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.
___
FROM YVETTE TAN, VIA FACEBOOK (Via Joelle Jacinto and Oli Reyes)
Reposting: Message from a doctor - For people whose houses have been submerged:
1. Make sure you use CLOROX for dirt and not just Lysol to kill molds.
Then 2. Spray/Fumigate against mosquitos, otherwise there will be an outbreak of dengue & cholera may follow. Please pass.
(Note: Earth-friendly MESSY BESSY or PLANTEX is better than Clorox.)
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.
OPTION ONE
After you have clicked on the BLUE UNDERLINED TITLE ABOVE THE DOCUMENT. This will take you to the Scribd.com website where the document is housed.
Please look at the options given to you on top of the document:
SHARE THIS - allows you to copy and paste the URL to your favorite bookmarks like DIGG, DEL.I.CIOUS, etc.
SEND THIS - allows you to email (with your personal note) the document to friends
ADD TO FAVORITES
I LIKE THIS
EMBED - get the html code and put it in any website
AND OTHER OPTIONS
TO PRINT THE DOCUMENTS:
Put your cursor over the word “MORE” (below the Share This, Send This, etc. titles) which also has the “Down” arrow — and look for the PRINT option.
OPTION TWO
Look at the document in this posting and on the top left-hand side, you will see the title “Scribd.” Beside it is the word “MORE” with a “Down” arrow. The various options are found there, from emailing to printing the document.
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.
