National Federation of Filipino American Associations

Please check the previous postings for October 2009. This posting will be updated. Please check in again. Thank you.

October 14, 2009

BREAKING NEWS!

From Dexter Ligot-Gordon, former NaFFAA National Youth Chair (on Facebook): Rep. Speier’s H. Res 800 passes House, offers condolences to typhoon victims in the Phlippines, urges administration to maximize relief efforts.

(Editor’s note: Please scroll below for details about the Filipino Community Forum with Congresswoman Speier that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.)

From: Megur, Alyson
Date: Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Subject: Speier Philippines Resolution passes House

For immediate release

October 14, 2009

Speier Philippines Resolution passes House

WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 800, authored by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (San Francisco/San Mateo County), expressing its deepest sympathies for residents of the Philippines in the aftermath of recent natural disasters.

“The historical and cultural links between the Philippines and the United States run deeper than any flood waters.” Congresswoman Speier said in her speech on the House floor. “I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 800 to show our friends, the good people of the Philippines, that - as they stood with us in World War II - the American people stand with them at this, their time of greatest need.”

Speier introduced the resolution after two monster storms hit the Philippine archipelago in close succession, killing more than 600 people and forcing millions from their homes. “House Resolution 800 recognizes the hardship caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma and salutes the resilience and strength of the Filipino people,” Speier said. “My resolution also urges the United States government to continue providing emergency relief, logistical support and financial assistance and to work with Philippine officials and non-governmental organizations to improve disaster preparedness programs to mitigate the heartbreak, havoc and loss of life that could be caused by future storms.”

The Resolution passed by unanimous consent, with both Democrats and Republicans speaking in support.

A list of aid organizations helping those affected by the tragedies in the Philippines and American Samoa, as well as a video of Rep. Speier’s floor speech this afternoon, can be found at: www.speier.house.gov.

Mike Larsen
Communications Director
Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier
211 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3531
(202) 957-4340 (press only)

mike.larsen@mail.house.gov
www.speier.house.gov

* * * * *

COORDINATING MEETINGS AND COMMUNITY FORUMS

Philippine Disaster Relief Coalition

Everyone is welcome to attend these coordinating meetings.

From: Marivic Bamba
Date: Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Subject: REMINDER: Philippine Disaster Relief Coalition meeting, WEDNESDAY, 7PM AT GROUND FLOOR

Hello all — Just a friendly reminder about our meeting this Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 7pm at the FIFTH FLOOR (Social Hall) of the Philippine Consulate/Philippine Center, 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA.

All Committees should be prepared to give a brief report on their respective activities. The Fundraising Committee has been meeting the past week and this week to finalize the details of the November 28 concert and telethon. A report will be given during the meeting.

Also a few highlights from the last meeting:

1) Consul General Paynor gave the following donation guidelines:
-Clothing donations are prohibited under Philippine Law;
-Donations to DSWD are tax-exempt (although the Office of the President is still paying the taxes)
2) Our group is now named Philippine Disaster Relief Coalition (PDRC)
3) Fundraising Committee is planning a major Live Concert and Telethon on November 28 with Martin Nievera as host. Other celebrities will be tapped and more details will follow.
4) Committee reports:
-Political Committee is hard at work lobbying various elected officials and government agencies;Committee is renamed to Government Relations
-Donation Points is renamed Operations Committee
-Media Committee will publicize activities of PDRC

See you on Wednesday, on the GROUND FLOOR of the Philippine Consulate, 447 Sutter, at 7pm.

Many thanks, Marivic (Viki)

_____

Community Forum with the Filipino American Community & Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Please click here for House Resolution 800.

Media organizations seeking to speak to Congresswoman Speier prior to - or after - the vote should contact Mike Larsen in Rep. Speier’s office at (202) 225-3531.

Alyson Megur Stamos (from Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s office) invited you to “Forum with Filipino Community Members” on Saturday, October 17 at 11:00am.

Alyson says, “Hope you can make it this Saturday to South SF. Please feel free to invite anyone you think would be interested. Looking forward to seeing you there!”. (Note from NaFFAA Region 8 Media Group: Please forward this message!)

Event: Forum with Filipino Community Members
What: Informational Meeting
Start Time: Saturday, October 17 at 11:00am
End Time: Saturday, October 17 at 12:30pm
Where: Joseph A Fernekes Recreation Building
781 Tennis Drive, South San Francisco, CA

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=152795472314&mid=13f036bG29aa2740G3c76717G7

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

_____

From: PCG-SF: Cultural Section
Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Dear Colleagues,
Attached is the 5th Dear Kababayan Letter signed by Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr., for your information and dissemination, please. Thank you very much.

Lyn Sesante
Cultural Officer

* * * * *

A BLOGGER SPEAKS ABOUT HER FAMILY’S STORY OF SURVIVAL

October 14, 2009 (6:58 p.m., San Francisco)

This just came in from Odette Keeley, the blogger who shares her family’s story of survival in Cainta, Rizal. Odette is the Chief of Staff of New America Media, the first and largest collaboration of Ethnic News Organizations.

By Odette Keeley, Oct 14, 2009 4:58 PM

As Tropical Storm Ketsana’s–“Ondoy”in the Philippines–destruction made headlines all over the world on Monday, Sept. 28th, I could not reach my family in the Philippines. Power and phone lines were down in Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces where my family lives, and cell lines were clogged.

My sister in Los Angeles, “Ate” Reby, had only gotten a text message from my mother the night before: “Reby, pinasukan ng baha yung bahay. Lubog yung kotse. Kami ng daddy na-stranded sa bubong…” [Floods entered the house. Our car is submerged. Your father and I were stranded up on the roof].

Reby and I thought it unimaginable that they would be trapped on our own roof, which tops a 2-story house on the highest point of the subdivision. Finally I reached my sister Jocelyn and in subsequent conversations with my mother, both of us often breaking down in tears, we were able to piece together their terrifying tales. For the first time since any typhoons hitting the Philippines, my family found themselves in Ground Zero, as if they were in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

Continue reading here.

* * * * *

LETTERS

We received this email from Benito Miranda in Southern California. We copied the email’s contents “as is” so there might be some typographical errors. Spain is sending quite a substantial amount of Euros to help out the Philippines.

From: Miranda, Benito M
Date: Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Subject: Letter from Ana Ugarte, Philippine Ambassador to Spain

Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2009 15:31:02
Subject: Letter from Ana Ugarte, Philippine Ambassador to Spain

My dearest Kababayans,

I arrived in Spain to assume my position as Ambassador of
the Philippines to Spain last July 23, 2009. I was told that
technically I could perform my duties as Ambassador however
I wasn’t a full fledged ambassador until I had presented my
credentials to the King. That big day was scheduled on Sept
28, 2009..The activities I attended during the weeks that
lead up to this day have been significant. These included:
my courtesy calls to the Spanish Ministers of20Foreign
Affairs, A visit to the Feria de Madrid for the gifts fair
& meetings with its directors, a visit to the Madrid
Stock Exchange & meetings with its directors, a visit to
the Museo Naval of San Sebastian where I was the VIP visitor
of their ongoing exhibit of the Basques in the Pacific,
attendance of a Filipina nun receiving her temporal vows in
Burgos…

During this little time I realize how genuinely the Spanish
love the Filipinos… They have a sincere “cariño” for our
country and people that is in describable and I have received
NOTHING BUT PRAISES. Our OFW’s are treated with respect and
in many altercations with Spanish authorities are ALWAYS
given the benefit of the doubt. Their childlike enthusiasm
for our country & people is fascinating and most heart-warming. ..

The concern & expression of sadness I have received for
the victims of Typhoon Ondong is beyond belief…The embassy
continuously receives calls from people asking where to send
donations. This morning I was called by the Directora de la
Agencia de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo to
officially give us notice that Spain will be sending 1M Euros worth of aid
to the Philippines. A cargo plane will be departing tomorrow from the military
base at Torrejon. I asked if I could attend to witness the departure and to
personally thank those numerous NGO’s involved with the operation…

Spain is the largest donor of development and emergency aid to the
Philippines in all of Europe. Yet our kababyans do not know this.
We do not see Ambassador Luis Arias photo kissing babies or handing over
emergency kits to those in need. Spain remains under the
radar and does not seek publicity and yet all of their good
will remains unnoticed and on the contrary is always the
butt of criticism by our politicians.

Spain needs proper public relations and I write this hoping
that my friends can assist me in helping a country that
deserves a better image.=2 0I am open to your suggestions. ..I
would like to send press releases and pictures of all our
activities.. Please forward them to your contacts in the media…

Que os parece?

My day with the King was one of the most exciting days of my life….

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas… .y que…Viva España!!

Un abrazo muy fuerte…

Ana

* * *

FUNDRAISING

FROM Isabel Lozano, Charleston Pierce and other Special Friends

WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 7:00pm
WHERE: TEMPLE, San Francisco
540 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA
FOR MORE INFORMATION: raisinghope.ph@gmail.com

We need to come together as beacons of light, lenders of love, and providers of sanctuary for those less fortunate than us. Disaster has struck undoubtedly due to the climate changing effects of global warming and the realities of a third world country’s unpreparedness to deal with it.

We know many have perished, are missing and that there are those who are in pain, homeless and stricken w/ typhoid from the flood waters of the South Pacific typhoons in Manila and don’t even know it. Then there’s us living here in a land rich with wealth where the worst worry is “where are we going to eat next with our reduced paycheck?”, and not “when are we going to be able to get something to eat?”

Please come out and support the cause by joining us on this very special evening- ’cause IT IS REAL, it’s LIVE, and it is VERY MUCH NEEDED. Your contributions as well as attendance could literally save lives and bring hope to those who need it most.

COST: Only $10 at the door. Please donate more if you would like to and if you can….

(more…)

UPDATE AS OF FEBRUARY 23, 2009:

Dear NaFFAA Region 8 All-Star Volunteer Team:

This past weekend was a tribute to our community! For those who did not get a chance to make it out to the Counselor Training and Foreclosure Clinic over the weekend, I wanted to report how greatly successful the training and Clinic was.

Many thanks to our team of Volunteers whose “willing to help attitudes”, effortlessly met the needs of our affected homeowners. Everyone performed at such a high level and the clinic attendees were very appreciative and walked away much more informed of their options. Homeowners couldn’t believe that they were able to get “free” legal advice from the 3 Volunteer Attorneys, Jason Buckingham, Donna Echiverri and Rodel Rodis. I was told by Baylan Megino, who was one of many volunteers who manned the Registration area, that, initially, some of the homeowners were skeptical of the “free” clinic and were almost expecting to be charged for something or another at registration.

A special thanks to Betsy Zoebel and Maritess Lagandaon (City of Daly City), who helped provide the venues for the two events and whose tireless efforts to ensure we had what we needed was very instrumental to our success.

A shout-out to Hazel Valera whose Credit Workshop was as enlightening as it was invaluable. Her suggestions and her expert understanding of Credit helped inform homeowners just how to move forward from this catastrophic point in their lives.

Of course many, many thanks to Faith Bautista, Lynn McLaughlin, Daughlet Ordinario, Eleza Nooris and Louie Guererro of Mabuhay Alliance. Faith and Mabuhay continue to pave the way to make it easier for all us. Thanks for all your leadership on empowering our Filipino Community.

None of this would have happened had it not been for the Bayanihan Spirit of the 45+ volunteers who braved the elements and sacrificed time from their families to be with so many who needed a hand. Your desire to volunteer and help those in trouble are a testament to you. Thanks for your inspiring dedication and tremendous example to those in need.

Words cannot convey our gratitude for your contribution. We wanted to thank you with this note as our personal round of applause. The credit for our good deeds firmly rests with our dedicated volunteers. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with all of you.

Next stop, San Jose! Date to be determined…stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Jose A. Pecho, Chair
Region 8, Northern California
NaFFAA

Capitalizing on the success of our first Foreclosure Prevention Clinic held in Vallejo on December 13, 2008, NaFFAA Region 8 in cooperation with the Mabuhay Alliance, the city of Daly City and the Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County, invites you to a “Foreclosure Prevention Clinic” to be held on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Doelger Community Center in Daly City.

Come to the Clinic if you are experiencing difficulties making your monthly mortgage payments. Has your interest rate changed? Has your home value decreased? Do you have questions about foreclosure or bankruptcy? Do you await foreclosure or eviction notices? Do you have questions about how non-payments can affect your credit rating? What is a short sale?

You can answer all these questions by attending this foreclosure prevention clinic. Housing counselors, mortgage counselors and volunteer attorneys can give you valuable information to assist you to make needed decisions.

Please help us spread the word by getting this invitation to as many homeowners as possible. Loss mitigation Representatives from several banks will be present including: Countrywide Home Loans, Bank of America, Citi Mortgage, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase Washington Mutual, HSBC, Indymac Federal Bank, Downey Savings and EMC Mortgage.

Sincerely,

Jose A. Pecho, Chair
Region 8, Northern California
NaFFAA

Please click on the title below (in blue ink above the invitation) so you can share this invitation to your family and friends (such as facebook, twitter, or your other bookmarks), send the PDF file directly to your e-mail distribution list, add to your favorites, embed the code to your website or blog, download the PDF file, and other options at Scribd.com.

02222009 - Daly City Foreclosure Prevention Clinic at Doelger Community Center