The NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit is supported by the following NaFFAA Region 8 County Chapters:

NaFFAA R8-San Francisco: Rudy Asercion, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-Alameda: Charito Benipayo, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-Santa Clara: Ben Menor, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-San Mateo - Jinni Bartolome, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-Monterey Bay - Elmer Dolera, County Chair

More details can be found at http://bit.ly/FilPower

APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association), KAYA Filipino Americans for Progress, FFAC-PAC (Friends of the Filipino American Community Political Action Committee), West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, FPACC (Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce), NAM (New America Media), PAPC-USA (Philippine American Press Club-USA), FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society), YFPA (Young Filipino Professionals Association)

Opening Ceremonies / Posting of Colors

Welcome Remarks and State of the NaFFAA Region 8 by Jose Pecho

Welcome Remarks on behalf of Hana Zen by Angie Louie

Remarks by AT&T, Carol Diaz

Legacy of our Community Empowerment Journey by Alice “Tita Alice” Bulos

Continuing the Legacy of Community Empowerment with the Next Generation of Community Advocates by Genevieve Jopanda

The Value of Building community Empowerment through Collaborative Strategies by Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association representative

Panelists on the “Nuts and Bolts” of Building Community Empowerment Before You Start Your Political Empowerment Platforms:

Rob Bonta
Vice-Mayor of Alameda, CA
http://www.robbonta.com

Dr. Jennifer Ong
Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on the
Status of Women
http://drjenniferong.org

Chris Mateo
Vice-Mayor of Lathrop, CA
http://chrismateo.com

Q & A question session 10mins

Response: What It Will Take to Build Political Empowerment through a PAC infrastructure, by Henry Manayan

Response to All the Speakers: How To Share Their Experiences, Expertise, and Skills using Traditional Media and Social Media, by Odette Keeley of New America Media

Closing Remarks: FilAmVote is the Next Step! By Lorna Dietz

NaFFAA REGION 8 ELECTIONS: An election of endorsing the candidates that will be nominated; chaired by Region 8 Commission on Elections Chair & NaFFAA National Legal Counsel, Rodel Rodis, Esq.

Installation of new officers by Councilmember Myrna De Vera, former Mayor of Hercules (June 2011-December 2011), Vice Mayor for 2013, Mayor for 2014

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Our Strength: ONE COMMUNITY!

In November of 2010, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) convened its 9th Empowerment Conference in the San Francisco Bay Area with NaFFAA Region 8, Northern California as the host and organizer of “Empowerment 2010.” The theme of E-2010 was “Building the Next Generation of Community Advocates in an Intergenerational Environment.”

Today, NaFFAA Region 8’s leaders are taking advantage of the political atmosphere, economic conditions, public policy, and the Filipinos’ transcontinental success by using its existing infrastructure, skills, talents, resources and other tools so they can implement a master plan for community empowerment in 2012.

NaFFAA Region 8’s other resounding call to action is: “To empower Filipino communities so they can participate in supporting individuals who desire to hold public office that support the advancement of causes for the Filipino community.”

What does it take to empower these highly-qualified political candidates so that they will be inspired to do their best in order to win? It takes ONE COMMUNITY.

NaFFAA Region 8 believes in coalition-building, connecting dot after dot after dot, mindful that its leaders and supporters have been advocating AND are advocating for community groups and individuals to take action in supporting achievable empowerment objectives. The master plan includes providing a platform for our communities to establish activities for community empowerment as a non-profit organization. Rocking the vote through NaFFAA’s #FilAmVote (http://bit.ly/nzurFs) also means meeting these candidates who can share the nuts and bolts of community empowerment as well as interact with their constituents in a series of gatherings — from socials to workshops.

“ONE COMMUNITY.” What does this mean to NaFFAA Region 8? Through ADVOCACY, our voices and actions will always act as “the glue” that binds the shared hopes and aspirations of our authentic and unique communities.

Can you help us empower more highly-qualified Americans of Filipino ancestry to take a leap of faith in their credibility and strength of character so they can become true servant leaders in public service?

Can you stand on the shoulders of our elders and take the best of their wisdom and experiences so we can walk together, fearlessly and jubilantly, on the roads — less travelled — as ONE COMMUNITY?

Can you support us in becoming ONE COMMUNITY?

Please join us on March 16, 2012 at the NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Conference at Hana Zen Pier 39 in San Francisco, California from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. For more information and for your RSVP options, visit http://bit.ly/FilPower.

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CALL TO ACTION: #FilAmVote

NAFFAA National Website: http://naffaausa.org/

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the active participation of Filipino Americans in civic and national affairs. NaFFAA is composed of 12 regions with a national office in Washington, D.C. that monitors legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans. NaFFAA partners with local affiliate organizations and national coalitions in advocating for issues of common concern.

NaFFAA National Office
1322 18th St NW, Washington DC 20036-1803
email: JonMele@aol.com
phone: 202.361.0296
web: http://NaFFAAUSA.org
inquiries: NaFFAANational@gmail.com

PAMANA: Preserving Our Heritage

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 http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/philippines-defies-china/ for an overview of the Spratly Islands issue.

Myrna Lardizabal de Vera

Myrna Lardizabal de Vera’s remarks on Mayorship are found here at the Hercules Patch.

Excerpts of Myrna Lardizabal de Vera’s acceptance speech (when she was sworn in as Councilmember) last December 14, 2010 can be found at the Hercules Patch.

Lorna Dietz’s Notes: Myrna de Vera also created her own website (with a lot of help from Google and initial guidance from her new media publisher-sister, Noemi Lardizabal Dado). She personally maintains her website’s content. Mayor Myrna is an aspiring novelist.

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Press Contact:

Lorna L. Dietz
Vice-Chair, NaFFAA Region 8, Northern CA
NaFFAAR8.com Media Group
NaFFAANorCal@gmail.com

July 5, 2011, Hercules, CA — Myrna Lardizabal de Vera was appointed as the new mayor of Hercules, California at 7:17pm on June 21, 2011 during a special Council meeting at the City of Hercules’s Council Chambers. The 20-year resident of Hercules, California, according to a political observer, was accelerated into office as a result of many factors that stimulated a “fast track” within the city government. After serving in the Planning Commission for five years, De Vera had run for a seat in the city council during the November 2, 2010 elections, pledging “The Right Change, based on Competence, Commitment, and Character.”

Myrna de Vera and John Delgado were elected as Council members and assumed office in December 2010. After Mayor Ed Balico resigned in January 2011 and Vice-Mayor Joanne Ward took over the vacant position, de Vera was appointed as the city’s new vice-mayor. The June 7, 2011 Special Elections resulted in a successful recall of Mayor Ward and Council member Donald Kuehne. Three members of the grassroots recall movement were sworn into office as the newest council members on June 21: Dan Romero, William Wilkins, and Gerard Boulanger. After the ceremony, Myrna de Vera was appointed as Mayor and John Delgado as Vice-Mayor.

It has been less than a month since a new council has been in place, all freshmen council members, with Mayor Myrna de Vera as the oldest “rookie.” De Vera seems to take everything in stride. According to Mayor Myrna, good governance practices are critical to the city’s success in its financial recovery.

Tom Lochner of Contra Costa Times best explained in his article, “Hercules Councilman-Elect, despite resume padding, plans to accept seat,” dated June 11, 2011, how the recall drive started.

“The recall occurred at a time of public anger over the city’s financial crisis and over its business relationship with a company that Nelson Oliva founded and that he said he transferred to two daughters shortly before he became city manager in April 2007; that company, NEO Consulting Inc./Affordable Housing Solutions Group, had $3 million in city contracts over a three-year period, approved by the City Council. But the pivotal event that triggered the recall drive was the council’s firing in December of interim City Manager Charlie Long, who had publicly disclosed the gravity of the financial crisis, and its reinstatement of Oliva from medical leave, if only temporarily. Oliva resigned in January under an agreement that gave him a year’s salary and benefits.”

Mayor Myrna de Vera, during her first address at the City Council meeting, immediately assessed the developments of the first half of 2011 and articulated the direction of her administration for the remainder of the calendar year.

“The past six months have been filled with tough decisions and painful cuts. Projects shelved, contracts cancelled, and the most sobering of all, the laying off of 40 percent of our city staff. City morale is at its all time low.

But many recent changes have been positive. We started engaging the community through citizen ad hoc committees, achieved transparency through a more open city hall culture. We also laid the groundwork for the next stages of change.

We have a long way to go. The council’s priorities are to restore the people’s trust in our city government, build strong city leadership, put our finances in order, and develop new sources of revenue.”

After de Vera stated the kind of workload that was expected of the city council and staff, she added:

“During my oath-taking speech last December, I talked about the journey we are embarking along a steep and rough terrain. Today, we are continuing on this road to recovery, driving our car balanced with the four wheels of community, family, finances, and faith.

What is our destination? We are driving toward achieving our vision of the City of Hercules, free of corruption and fiscally-sound, a city with a transparent council, responsive to the will of the people. Together, we are heading to our vision of a Hercules that — once again — shines, a city we can be once again proud of.”

Myrna de Vera is originally from Cebu City, Philippines. She was selected as “Woman of the Year” by the Hercules City Council, and given a Special Recognition Award by the Hercules Chamber of Commerce in 2010. Myrna de Vera was awarded as one of 2009’s 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. under the “Policymakers and Visionaries” category by the Filipina Women’s Network.

De Vera owns and manages an insurance agency in San Francisco. Her husband, Manuel, and she have been residing in Hercules with their three sons, Mark, Christian, and Emmanuel since 1991.

For the Asian American community in Hercules, Mayor Myrna de Vera symbolizes the relevance of diversity, reflecting the city’s population, in political empowerment. She is the sixth American of Filipino ancestry to sit in office. Vice-Mayor John Delgado is also one-quarter Filipino. The former Filipino American mayors were Goni Solidum, Andy Paras, Ed Manuel, Frank Batara, and Ed Balico. Myrna de Vera is also the first Filipina woman mayor of Hercules, California. For more information about the City of Hercules, go to http://www.ci.hercules.ca.us/. You can reach Mayor de Vera by email at citizensformyrnadevera@gmail.com.

BEFORE THE NOVEMBER 2010 ELECTIONS: On the Campaign Trail

Myrna de Vera and her siblings visited Seafood City in Concord, California. Adin Martin Villanueva, who takes care of Seafood City’s Northern California Events, asked Myrna to speak to shoppers. You can also catch a glimpse of Rudy Fernandez (formerly of the Antioch City Council) who is a community developer at Seafood City, Concord, CA.

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.

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.

Jose Antonio Vargas, Define AMERICAN

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.

For information about Seasons Marketplace at Landess, go to http://www.theseasonsmarketplace.com/ For NaFFAA Region 8 (Northern CA), go to http://naffaar8.com/ .

In San Francisco, California.

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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Here is one of the videos that NaFFAA Region 8’s Media Group took that day. Enjoy!