National Federation of Filipino American Associations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008

Contact: Ning Rogge, Media Relations Manager
NaFFAA 8th Empowerment Conference
Tel. 206 949 9676; elizrogge@gmail.com

Seattle, WA - In just a few weeks, hundreds of community leaders members and advocates throughout the United States and other countries will gather in Seattle to discuss how to “Forge a New Filipino American Agenda for the 21st Century” and promote the welfare and well-being of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans by fostering unity and empowerment.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), will hold its 8th National Empowerment Conference, a three-day event on September 26-28, 2008 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle. Since its founding in 1997, leaders from across the nation and around the world convene every two years to discuss how Filipinos can help each other improve their quality of life.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the keynote during the Gala event on Friday, September 26, 2008. Over 1,000 attendees are expected.

“We are really looking forward to hearing what President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has to say to us. We are a diverse community, some of us are third, fourth generation Filipino Americans, but regardless of how far back we can trace our Filipino ancestry, we remain attached to the culture. We would also like her to hear how we are very much part of day to day struggle to have the quality of life we hope for, as Filipino Americans. NaFFAA is a young national organization, only 11 years old, yet has had major successful projects such as dual citizenship for global Filipinos. But we are still and will continue to fight in the United States for Equity for Filipino WWII Veterans, for voter education, civil rights advocacy, better educational and business opportunities. It is good for President Arroyo to hear all that.” states Kern.

Other expected dignitaries visiting with the President are: Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry Peter Favila, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo and Press Secretary, Jesus Dureza.

“The youth sector will have our own workshop offerings that specifically focus on issues such as leadership development, identity and culture, and how we can be part of the 21st Century dynamic and strong Filipino bloc now, not 10 years from now”, asserts Ian Purganan, Region 7 Youth Chair. He adds, ” field trip is planned to visit various Filipino-American and Asian-American sites of historical significance such as the Carlos Bulosan Exhibit, Rizal Park and RIzal Bridge.”

“We planned the workshops so that there is something for everyone. General Aglipay of the Philippine Retirement Authority will discuss how you can enjoy your retirement pension in style. We have workshops from Alternative Medicine to Education, Domestic Violence Prevention and Human Trafficking and so much more. This conference is rich with intellectual stimulation and networking with esteemed leaders. You can be up close and personal with activists and trailblazers like Dolores Sibonga, Bob Santos and Dorothy Cordova, Pio De Cano”, reiterates Mariela Fletcher, Overall Conference Chair.

NaFFAA Conference would not be complete without an educational forum on political empowerment. Discussion of platforms will be led by both spokespersons from Republican and Democrat Campaign, respectively.

“As a national Filipino American organization, it is important for our community to know what each presidential candidate have to say about the issues affecting us. We need to vote intelligently”, said Kern.

NaFFAA invites not only Filipinos and Filipino Americans but everyone interested in enriching their knowledge of who and what Filipinos are about.

NaFFAA’s purpose is to monitor legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans and work in coalition with other national groups around common issues and concerns. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and recognized by policy-makers, private industry and national advocacy groups as the voice of Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the nation. It is a non-partisan, non-profit national affiliation of more than five hundred Filipino-American institutions and umbrella organizations. Its twelve regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Marianas.

A Catholic Mass will be celebrated at the St. Edwards Parish on Saturday Sept 28, at 10:00 AM. President Arroyo will address the Filipino American community afterwards. The Filipino Community of Seattle, a member organization is co- sponsoring this event for NaFFAA.

The Filipino Chamber of Commerce in the Pacific Northwest offers workshops designed to help new and existing businesses to make their millions. Topics such as Access to Capital, IT Infrastructure for Small Business and Supplier Diversity are among the many topics being offered.

The registration fee is $195, which includes all workshops, materials, meals, and a gala dinner; and $125. For business tract.

To attend the conference, be an exhibitor or for more information, contact Mariela Fletcher, Overall Conference Chair at marielfletch@msn.com, Tel. 206-892-0075. You may also visit www.naffaa-pacnw.org.

National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
email: press@naffaa.org
phone: 202.986.1153
web: http://www.naffaa.org