What’s Inside FilVets …………………………….. 2 R3West Conference ………… 3 R3East Conference ………….. 3 Region 2 …………………………. 4 NaFFAA SF ………………………. 4 FilAmVote Guide……………… 5 NaFFAA Nevada ………………. 5 CFO …………………………………. 6 12th NEC………………………….. 7 Membership Form ………….. 8
Philippine Independence Day
Celebration
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NaFFAA Calls on Filipino American Community to Support Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino WWII Veterans Members of House and Senate and advocates call for recognition of Filipino WWII veterans Washington, DC. At a press conference on June 11, the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) joined members of Congress from both the House and Senate to announce the introduction of a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino WWII veterans. The bi-partisan and bi-cameral group of legislators committed themselves to this legislation, which acknowledges over 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. The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project is a non-partisan, community-based, all volunteer national initiative whose mission is to raise awareness of Filipino and Filipino American WWII veterans for their wartime service to the United States through academic research, public education, and national recognition. "For over 70 years, the Filipino WWII Soldiers have sought recognition for their courageous actions and selfless service in defending the United States and Philippines,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Tony Taguba. “Despite having their benefits rescinded by the US Congress in 1946, they maintained their unwavering loyalty to the U.S. We are eternally grateful for their faithful and dedicated service. They have earned national recognition from the US Congress proven by the thousands of lives lost in combat, and for those wounded for life. We ask Congress to approve the Congressional Gold Medal for the Filipino WWII Soldiers." NaFFAA National Chairman JT Mallonga thanked the bi-partisan sponsors of the legislation for introducing the bill. “Our veterans waited for this recognition, which is long overdue,” he said. “I am calling on all Filipino Americans to rally behind this cause by urging their US Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor this measure.” The press conference was organized by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). Other leading cosponsors who were on hand to announce their support were: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), and Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA). Filipino WWII veterans- Mr. Jesse Baltazar, Mr. Rey Cabarcar, and Mr. Celestino Almeda- were on hand, as well as a U.S. WWII veteran who served in the Philippines, Mr. Postel. Identical versions of the bill have been introduced in the House (HR2737) and the Senate (S1555). Additional quotes from House members and Senators from the press conference: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI): “These loyal and valiant men and women fought, suffered, and in many instances, died in the same manner and under the same command as other members of our United States Armed Forces during World War II.” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI): “Now, if there were ever veterans who deserved the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, it is our Filipino veterans and brothers in arms.”
Participating in the June 11 press conference are (from left) US Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA0, Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), Mr. Rey Cabacar, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Mr. Jesse Baltazar, Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), Mr. Celestino Almeda, American veteran Mr. Postel, and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). (Photo by Jon Melegrito)
Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV): “I heard the passion that they felt for America and the American cause in the war in their aging voices. And it is only fitting and proper that we acknowledge their great sacrifice in service to the United States with the Congressional Gold Medal.”
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA): “Despite…horrible losses, the will of the Filipino people did not break and that partnership between the Filipinos who were fighting whether they were in guerrilla warfare, insurgents, or formal military, fighting together with the U.S. and providing intelligence to the U.S. helped pave the way for General Douglas MacArthur…” Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA): “We are very proud of the many Filipino Americans who fought in World War II on our side, and they’re very proud Americans.” “NaFFAA is totally behind FilVetREP’s national campaign to raise awareness about the Filipino WWII veterans and to push for passage of this legislation,” Mallonga stated. “Through our regional directors, state and local chairs, we will mobilize the Filipino American community in a national effort on behalf of our veterans. For more information, look up the FilVetREP web site: http://www.filvetsrecognition.org and check out the Facebook page at http:// www.facebook.com/FilVetREP.
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NaFFAA National Chair Meets with Region 2 Youth NAFFAA Chairman JT Mallonga, Bing Cardenas Branigin, Director, Legislative Affairs, Eric Macalma, Vice Chair Region 2, Jc Videna, Asst. Secretary, Region 2, Andrew Esmele, Youth Rep, Region 2, Dion Trinidad, Region 1. The photo was taken at the Law Office of Atty. Mallonga. They discussed issues on Fil Vote, Immigration, Fil Vet Congressional Gold Medal Projects, and the future of NaFFAA, Youth, and importantly the website.
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Region VIII - The 117 Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day was celebrated in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Union Square, against the backdrop of the iconic monument that memorialized Commodore Dewey’s victory over the Spanish Fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. The exciting day long festival on June 27, 2015 featured a salute to 10 distinguished citizens and conveyed honors to two inspiring NaFFAA officers. Rodel Rodis and Rudy Asercion were presented the prestigious “Kalayaan Heroes” award by the Philippine Consul General in recognition of their numerous and significant contributions to causes that benefitted the welfare and interests of Filipino Americans, and whose actions have brought a greater awareness and appreciation of Filipino-Americans to the greater community.
Picture shows L-R Rodel Rodis, Yobie Benjamin,Thelma Boac, Jennifer Cabalquinto, Rebecca Delgado, Maria Banatao, Lolita Kintanar, Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Diosdado Banatao, Rudy Asercion and Lloyd Lacuesta. 4
NaFFAA, through its FilAm Vote Project, presents a Guide to Civic Engagement. This guide was developed under the leadership of Gloria T. Caoile and Junaito Amor, Jr. It is aimed at increasing the level of engagement and to empower everyone in the community to participate in the democratic processes and governing institutions of the United States. The project leaders reiterated that “Our numbers should count and our voices should be heard.” By providing national coordination, improving communications and by promoting appropriate strategies, NaFFAA wants to bolster its efforts to ensure successful Civic Engagements. NaFFAA’s political program is aimed at increasing Filipino American voter participation in local and national elections. Regions with high density of Filipino Americans will be primarily targeted – but know that ALL are part of this program and should engage.
Congratulations to the newly-elected Chair and Vice-Chair, along with other officers of NaFFAA Nevada, Bernie Benito and Jean Celemin. The new officers were inducted by Region 11 Chair Jing Espiritu for Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
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 June issue by the 25th. Submission must be in word format and pictures are in jpeg or jpg formats.
Thank you to all June contributors! Ple
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Where: Valley Forge Casino Resort 1160 First Ave. King of Prussia, PA www.vfcasino.com
SAVE THE DATE: 12th NaFFAA EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE "Celebrating Our History and Building Brighter Future" "Different -yes, Indifference-No; We Are Americans" Contacts:
Aida Rivera - aida.rivera@naffaa.org
Emraida Kiram - emraida.kiram@naffaa.org
Bing Branigin - mcbranigin@gmail.com
Naffaa R8 Partners with Fil-Am Radio KEST 1450AM In San Francisco “Being established as a public service radio program, we reach out and develop good partnership with the different organizations in our local area. With NaFFAA as partner, our Filipino community will benefit more by getting public service announcements about the vision and mission of NAFFAA as well as its past and existing projects and its advocacy. There are millions of Filipinos living in Northern California but we never had a single radio station established ever. There were radio programs like us before but were not well supported by our community. With our partnership we can establish more radio air-time, and possibly a 24/7 radio station wherein our community not only here in the Bay Area, but throughout US and Canada, can tune in to for FilAm news.� Bryan Ucol Fil-Am Radio KEST 1450AM 6
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