What’s Inside?
Filipino American Leaders Launch
Voter Registration & Get-Out-the-Vote Drive Feb. 25-27, 2016
Fil-Am Vote FilVets NaFFAA IL NaFFAA R5 NaFFAA R3E NaFFAA R7 NaFFAA MO 12th NEC Membership Form
“It is now generally known that Asian Americans are the fastest growing voters in the United States today,” says JT Mallonga, Chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). “They are emerging as a key voting block that could significantly influence national and local elections in the coming years.” Validating this trend is a report from the Center for American Progress, which shows Asian American voters in the last decade nearly doubling from more than 2 million voters in 2000 to 3.9 million voters by 2012, and is estimated to reach 5 percent of the voters nationally by 2025 and 10 percent by 2044.
L-R NaFFAA Region 10 Chair Myrna Reyes, National Fil-Am Vote National Director Jr Amor and Former Region 10 Chair, Dr. Aurora Cudal-Rivera.
“As the second largest Asian American population in the U.S., our challenge as Filipino Americans is to translate these numbers into political power,” adds Mallonga. “That means being actively engaged as informed citizens, exercising our voting rights and casting our ballots on Election Day.” Google pics
To achieve this goal, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), a non-partisan organization recognized by Washington policy-makers, private industry and other advocacy groups as the voice of Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States, launched Fil-Am Vote on February 25-27, 2016. NaFFAA chapters in the following cities will kick-off this voter drive: San Diego, CA., San Francisco, CA., Las Vegas, NV., Jersey City, NJ., Chicago, IL. Fil-Am Vote is a national program directed at strengthening the voter registration, voter education, voter protection and get-out-the-vote capabilities of Filipino American communities nationwide. “Our immediate objective is to register more Filipino voters between now and November 8, and mobilize a huge voter turnout by the time polling booths open,” says Juanito Amor, Fil-Am Vote National Director. “We know that by increasing the voting ranks of the Filipino American community, we will not only make our voices heard but will most assuredly make a difference in determining who will lead our country.” People Power Fil-Am Vote’s launching, Amor points out, is not only “an affirmation of our civic responsibility as American citizens, but also a commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution in the Philippines, which occurred 30 years ago this week. That historic moment taught the world what people can do collectively to assert their democratic rights to vote, fight against election fraud and ensure that the people’s will is carried out. “Fil-Am Vote, therefore, draws from the energy, inspiration, passion and courage of the millions of Filipinos who used the ballot box to make their voices heard. Despite the threat by an authoritarian regime to suppress their right to participate in the electoral process, the Filipino people stood up to make sure each vote counted. Continued on next page 1
“Fil-Am Vote honors this powerful movement and is committed to carrying on the legacy of full, active civic engagement of the Filipino American community.” Highest Naturalization Rate The latest U.S. Census Bureau data indicate there are 2,790,928 potential Filipino voters nationwide. Figures from the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services also show that Filipinos are among the top AAPI groups with the highest naturalization rates. “But we have been lagging behind in terms of registered voters and voter turn-out,” explains Fil-Am Vote national adviser Gloria T. Caoile of Henderson, Nevada. “Our numbers won’t matter unless we enlist community members to register and show up at polling places on November 8 to cast their votes.” NaFFAA Regional Chair Myrna Farinas Reyes of San Diego, CA. is calling on the Filipino American community to “come together and demonstrate our collective strength as an influential voting bloc. Let us proudly and NaFFAA National Director for Fil-Am Vote at the launching of the Voter Registration & GetOut-the-Vote Drive in San Diego, CA. unequivocally assert ‘I am a Filipino American Voter.”
Juanito Amor, Fil-Am Vote National Director “Our vote can significantly influence on national and local election. Our immediate objective is to register more Filipino American voters between now and November 8, 2016.”
Dr. Aurora Cudal-Rivera, Immediate Past Chair, NaFFAA R10 “NaFFAA spearheaded the movement for Filipino community empowerment and civic engagement. This is a very important step to disseminate information of Fil-Am Vote Program.”
Vangie Meneses, President, COPAO “FilAm vote seeks to honor the People Power movement and is committed to caarry on the legacy of full civic and active engagement of the Filipino American community.”
NaFFAA Region 10 hosted the national launching of the Fil-Am Vote Program at the Mabuhay Room on February 25, 2016. This event coincided with the historic commemoration of the People Power Movement in 1986. It is just a great reminder on how Filipinos restored democracy in the Philippines by installing a new President into power. People Power is Fil-Am Power!
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National Actions to Recognize Filipino WWII Veterans Mark 70th Anniversary of Rescission Acts
Advocates call on Senate and House to give Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino WWII veterans Washington, DC- The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) is coordinating a series of national actions culminating on February 18 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the passage of the Rescission Acts of 1946 that first revoked veterans status for Filipino soldiers who fought in WWII. To commemorate and rectify the Rescission Act, the Filipino community has been mobilizing nationwide to secure passage of the Filipino World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal, a bill currently pending in the U.S. Congress. Senate Bill 1555 and House Bill 2737 seek to recognize more than 260,000 Filipino and Filipino American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag against the Imperial Forces of Japan during World War II. “America’s Filipino veterans have proven their honor, courage under fire, selfless sacrifice and loyalty to the United States, having fought in over four years of combat during World War II,” says FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret). “They are the last minority veterans group of World War II that have yet to be recognized by Congress. They are highly deserving of this honor and we urge immediate passage of this bill.” To secure the votes of 67 U.S. Senators and 218 U.S. Representatives, FilVetREP mounted a nationwide campaign from the day legislation was filed in June last year. In the past few days, FilVetsREP stepped up its efforts with actions in various cities. They include eighteen visits with Senate offices in Capitol Hill, letters and phone calls from across the country, a social media campaign, and planned Congressional visits in Washington, DC and district offices around the country from community advocates and student leaders. Honoring our Heroes On February 18, Filipino Americans in Las Vegas, NV will honor six surviving Filipino veterans at a community event. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) and U.S. Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), both co-sponsors of the legislation, will present Certificates of Recognition to Benito Anton, Edilberto Briones Sr., Aurelio dela Cruz, Leonardo Palao, Cesar Poblete and Anastacio Sumajit. “These veterans are ailing and aging, mostly in their 90s, with only a few years to live,” says Amie Belmonte, Regional Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). “Awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal will ensure that their story of uncommon valor will not be forgotten.” Their story is documented in a short film and accompanying Public Service Announcement version presented by FilVetREP and narrated by Hollywood actor Joe Mantegna. “Filipino World War II Veterans: Duty to Country,” tells the compelling and courageous story of Filipino soldiers from the US and the Philippines and the vital roles they played in defeating the Japanese Imperial Army in the Pacific. Both versions are available on the FilVetREP web site: http://www.filvetsrecognition.org. Shown to diverse audiences around the country as part of FilVetREP’s community engagement, copies of the film were also provided to Senate offices last week. Broader Outreach
www.filvetsrecognition.org
Elsewhere in the country, FilVetREP representatives are working closely with community organizations and veterans advocacy groups to secure more congressional support. “This bill recognizes not only Filipinos who served, but also Americans who led guerilla units in the Philippines,” explains FilVetREP Vice Chair Marie C. Blanco. “Because of its broad appeal, this measure should also be supported by the general American public.” She notes that the Veterans of Foreign Wars already passed a resolution endorsing the legislation. In San Francisco, CA., the Filipino Veterans Equity Center has reached out to members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “Both California’s Senators have already signed on,” says FVEC Director Luisa Antonio. “We are reaching out now to all 53 members of the congressional delegation.” In Houston, TX., the local chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society has joined forces with the Filipino Student Association (FSA), the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association, Filipino American Council of Texas, the Organization of Filipinos in Texas (OFT), and the Filipino American Caucus for Empowerment (FACE). They have enlisted the support of the Military Officers Association (MOA) in holding face-to-face meetings with members of the Texas congressional delegation. “We will continue to engage thousands of Filipino Americans living in Sugar Land and surrounding cities,” says FACE Chairman Nelvin Joseph Adriatico. “We believe that the time is now and this recognition is long overdue.” Continued on next page 3
To Al Reginaldo of Orchard Lake, MI., persistence is the key to getting results. “We are now working with the office of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who has already signed on, to get Senator Gary Peters on board.” Reginaldo and members of the Michigan NaFFAA chapter have been sending out emails to their US Representatives as well. In addition to mobilizing Filipino American organizations in Indiana, Ohio, and Iowa, FilVetREP Regional Director Armin Sayson of Fairborn, Ohio has enlisted the help of city mayors like Ron Falconi of Brunswick, OH and other elected officials. “They understand that this is not just a Filipino issue, but an American issue,” Sayson says. “That’s why this recognition and education project is very critical in raising public awareness about the role Filipino and American soldiers played in World War II.” Call to Action FilVetREP Board Member Christy Poisot initiated a petition in San Antonio, TX last week, with a goal of gathering 1,000 names by the end of this month. She also posted it on Facebook. “This is another way for each of us to do our part,” Poisot said. Adds FilVetREP Deputy Regional Director Nonie Cabana of San Antonio, Texas: “If we can get our friends, relatives and co-workers to also circulate it to others, we will help build momentum to achieving our goal. This is a consolidated effort across the U.S. to show Congress and each other that we will not forget our veterans.” JT Mallonga, NaFFAA National Chairman, has issued a call to local and regional leaders to mobilize their members this week and visit their senators and representatives at their district offices. Congress is on recess until Monday. NaFFAA chapters in Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Utah are following up contacts they have initiated with their respective Congress members two weeks ago.
NaFFAA Illinois Holds Forum and Induction of
Circle of Empowered Women
The members of NaFFAA Illinois (Midwest Region 3 West) invite you to the 2016 Circle of Empowered Women (CEW) educational forum, lunch, and induction. This year's theme, "Honoring our Elders," will address concerns within a series of topics: education, caring for our seniors, and honoring our Filipino Veterans. A sit-down lunch will open the event and will be immediately followed by the forum. The event will end with the induction of the 2016 batch of inductees ― female leaders within the community ― into the Circle of Empowered Women. The CEW is a network, founded by NaFFAA in the Midwest in 2004, which provides mutual support, leadership growth, and experience sharing, to create the foundation for lasting personal and social change. NaFFAA Illinois' website (http://www.naffaaillinois.org/) to be updated with this year's list of inductees. Tickets at $40 and $25 for students. The Circle of Empowered Women (CEW) is originally a group of Filipino women residing in any of the states in the Midwest who have been nominated and invited to become part of a network that will provide mutual support, leadership growth, information and experience sharing, and will create the foundation for lasting personal and social change. Its first task is to act as the bridge to the future. The network started with a specific task of helping with the launching of the 6th NaFFAA (National Federation of Filipino American Associations) National Empowerment Conference in Chicago on September 10-12, 2004. The theme of the 6th NaFFAA National Empowerment Conference, “Bridging Filipino American Communities” and Bataan-Corregidor Bridge served as the inspiration of this theme. The Bataan-Corregidor Bridge is our link to the history of Philippine American relations, our bridge to the historical past and guide to the understanding of the present and expectations of the future. The immediate future is our youth and the women will become the nurturer and protector of this future. The combined and varied strengths of these women will pave the way for the youth to preserve and continue the spirit of Filipino women leadership. This philosophy will serve as the foundation of the Circle of Empowered Women (CEW) and the framework around which all other goals and objectives will be built. Gathering the Collective Power of Filipino Women Leaders To be empowered, a woman needs to feel she has power over something strong. She needs to be secure and confident in her conviction that she has conquered something that is, in itself, powerful and overwhelming. Then, this feeling of empowerment should make an impact on her life and the lives of those around her. An empowered woman can be a mother who has become a role model to her child or children. She can be a teacher who has inspired her students to become the best they can be or to follow in her footsteps. She is a nurse, whose wholesome personality has brought comfort to her patients, or a volunteer who makes a difference in her community. She is a community leader, a woman of faith, a trendsetter, high achiever, or a successful entrepreneur. She is an architect, engineer, doctor, lawyer, computer programmer, broadcast and print journalist, accountant, a motivational speaker, artist, fashion designer, business woman, marketing or sales person, the list goes on. She can be a formerly battered woman who found the courage to fight her abuser and free herself from the bondage of abuse or a woman who has bounced back from a depressing situation in life and became productive. 4
Region and State Round-ups
Region and State Round-ups Region and State Round-ups
Check handing raised during Filipiniana 2015 to PDRF Executive Director, Butch Meily in Manila, February 19, 2016. The funds will help build a multipurpose community building that will serve the typhoon Haiyan victims. Donna LaVigne of NAFFAA Region V, extends her gratitude to all event sponsors and supporters!
NaFFAA MO State Chair Anecita Sancho-Alvizo met with Hannibal, MO District 5 Representative Lindell Shumake (L) and Webb City, MO District 128 Representative Charlie Davis (R) at the State Capitol on February 22, 2016. Both Representatives are big supporters of MO History Veterans Project. NaFFAA National is a monthly newsletter with the goal of circulating information on NaFFAA’s advocacy events and projects, appointments, messages from leadership and other related activities in the Filipino American community.
Ryan Tejero
Editor-In-Chief ryantejero@yahoo.com
Eduardo “Ed” Navarra ejn0115@aol.com
Jon Melegrito
jdmelegrito@gmail.com
Bing Branigin
MCBranigin@aol.com Please forward event announcements and news articles in your community for March issue by the 25th. Submission must be in word format and pictures are in jpeg formats. Thank you to all February contributors ! le
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Region 3East officers attended the 2016 induction of officers of the Philippine-American Society of Greater Dayton at the Presidential Banquet Center on February 13, 2016. L-R: Fil-Am former US State Representative Steve Austria, R3E Chair Armin Sayson, NaFFAA OH State Chair Ed Stanek, Immediate R3E Chair Vilma Helms, Angela; seated are Marian Sayson and Brunswick, OH Fil-Am Mayor Ron Falconi. NaFFAA National Secretary Mariela Fletcher met with Former NaFFAA National Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis in Seattle, WA on February 22, 2016 as Ms. Lewis travels across America to promote the forum on good governance in the Philippines. Mariela hosted the event in Seattle with over 150 Fil-Ams in attendance.
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