What’s Inside?
‘Philly’ to host Fil-Am National Empowerment Conference Philippine Vice President-Elect Leni Robredo and Grammy Award-winning Singer apl.de.ap are among invited speakers.
Region 5 Region1 FilVets Region 10 Region 3East Membership Form
Washington, D.C. The U.S. presidential elections, civic engagement, climate change, arts and culture, entrepreneurial leadership, financial literacy, women and youth empowerment are among the issues Filipino Americans will address when they gather in Philadelphia for NaFFAA’s 12th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) on August 4-7, 2016. Among those invited to give a keynote speech is Philippine Vice President-Elect Leni Robredo, a Congresswoman from Camarines Sur. The 52-year-old lawyer and social activist is known for her advocacy on behalf of women and the country’s poor. The mother of three children, she is the widow of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. Also invited, and confirmed, is Filipino American performer Allan Pineda Lindo, more popularly known as apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. The Grammy Award winner is part of a panel on “Pursuing a Career in the Performing Arts: Opportunities and Challenges.” The singer reached out to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013. Through the apl.de.ap Foundation, he has been involved in rebuilding efforts in typhoon-affected areas. NaFFAA will honor him with a “Trailblazer Award” at Saturday’s Gala Dinner. Keynote Speakers Framed by the theme “Celebrating Our History and Building a Brighter Future,” the four-day confab will also feature nationally renowned figures, elected and appointed public officials, civil rights activists, scholars and business leaders. They include Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), who is spearheading a campaign to secure the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino World War II Veterans; Wei-Tai Kwok of the Climate Reality Project; Industrialist and Philantropist Loida Nicolas Lewis; MultiPhoto: Google images media Journalist Rose Tibayan; Musician Michael Dadap; Regional Banking Vice President Brendan Flores and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott of Virginia, the first American with Filipino ancestry to serve as a voting member of Congress. He is slated to give the opening keynote address. More than a dozen workshops will focus on capacity building, financial literacy, professional development, cultural identity, political participation through FilAm Vote and the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), physical and mental health, music and the arts, and inter-generational dialogue. “We are excited to host this conference in our beloved city, the birthplace of America and the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection,” says NEC Chair Aida Rivera, who is also NaFFAA Region 1 Chair. “A warm Philadelphia welcome awaits community leaders and guests from across the country, including Guam, Canada and the Philippines.” 1
Brad Baldia, NaFFAA Pennsylvania State Chair and NEC Co-Chair points out that this conference is important because “it brings together the entire community on issues that matter, notably professional and leadership development of the next generation and community participation in our country’s political process. Top Fil Ams in all fields will be coming together to celebrate achievements in our community and engage in conversations about opportunities for effective collaboration.” Conference Program Delegates are expected to arrive August 4 to register and avail of opportunities to tour the city, which ranks ninth among world cities and fourth in the nation. As the only World Heritage City, Philly is known for its arts, culture and national historic landmarks, attracting over 39 million domestic tourists in 2013 The conference formally opens Friday morning, August 5, with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney expected to welcome the delegates. A Gala Dinner on Saturday will conclude the event. Among the highlights: A special awards program honoring the legacy of Alex Esclamado, NaFFAA’s Founding Chairman and lifelong advocate of Filipino American unity and empowerment. The Alex Esclamado Memorial Award for Community Service, which was conceived by NaFFAA and GMA International, was first conferred in August 2014 at the 11th National Empowerment Conference in San Diego, CA. GMA International is the international arm of GMA Network, the leading television network in the Philippines, which has been telecasting in the US and worldwide through GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News International. GMA has been a consistent supporter and partner of NaFFAA in many public service and FilAm community undertakings. An Inter-generational Dialogue led by Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC), an initiative developed by the youth to promote best practices for transitioning from student to community organizing. A Plenary session on “Strengthening Government/Political Participation,” featuring elected and appointed public officials. Leading the panel is Rolando Lavarro, President of the New Jersey City Council. Election of National Officers NaFFAA delegates will elect a new set of national officers at the conference for a two-year term. National Chairman JT Mallonga has announced he is not running for re-election. The positions to be filled are National Chair, National Vice Chair, National Secretary and National Treasurer. New members to the Board of Governors (BOG) will also be elected. Formed in 1997 in Washington, D.C., NaFFAA mission is to actively promote civic engagement and community empowerment among the nearly 4 million Filipinos in the U.S. today. In the last 19 years, NaFFAA’s advocacy initiatives have focused on securing equity benefits and recognition for Filipino World War II veterans, voter registration and education, overseas voting and dual citizenship rights. NaFFAA is also part of national Asian American coalitions working on comprehensive immigration reform and other civil rights programs that seek protections against hate crimes and all forms of discrimination that undermines cultural diversity and inclusion. The venue for this year’s National Empowerment Conference is the Valley Forge Casino Resort on 1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406 . For more information, go to http://www.empowermentphilly.com/. Lending their corporate support to the 12th National Empowerment Conference are AARP, Comcast, GMA International, PagIBIG Fund, Santander Bank and Wells Fargo.
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NaFFAA Executive Director Shines at the 2016 Asian American Heroes of Colorado Awards
Congratulations to Giselle Rushford, National Executive Director of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), and founder of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Colorado for receiving the 2016 Asian American Heroes of Colorado Award given by the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network on June 11, 2016. Also shown in photo are awardees: Ramina Kashani, Lily Shen, Pam Sweetser, Bryan Yee. Photo by Dao Than.
NaFFAA Region 1 Participates at the 2016 Philippine Independence Parade in New York
Proudly representing NaFFAA Region 1 were Dr. Aida Navidad Rivera, Region 1 Chair, with Dr. Rommel Rivera, Aries Dela Cruz, Roger Alama, Buddy Deauna and Cely Tabuzo Deauna at the Philippine Independence Day parade in the streets of New York City on June 5, 2016.
A Message from As of June 23, 2016, we have secured 68 co-sponsors in the Senate, one more than the 67 votes required. Thanks to Sen. Hirono and Dean Heller who vowed a few days ago to make this happen by July 4. While this development builds momentum towards passage this year of the Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, we still have a long way to go. So we can't slow down and be complacent. In the U.S. House of Representatives, we only have 153 (including both sponsors and co-sponsors). We need 137 more to meet the 290 votes required. That's a tall order, but it can be done if everyone continues to be actively engaged in the next two to three months. Please take advantage of the July 18-29 recess to visit your Representatives in their district offices. Urge your friends and relatives to do the same. WE CAN DO THIS! Our Filipino and American veterans have accomplished their mission. Let's do ours. THANK YOU! 3
NaFFAA Region 10 Receives Awards Celebrates Flag Raising
Members of NaFFAA Region 10 received outstanding awards for civic engagement presented by Mabuhay Festival on June 11, 2016. It was huge honor for Region 10 to bring these special citations: Those who were given awards included: Juanito Amor, Jr. who received the Bayani Award. On June 10, 2016, Myrna Reyes, along with other distinguished Filipinas, received a recognition for their strong community presence and special contribution and accomplishments. This event was hosted by the Filipina Women's Network and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of San Diego held at the Filipino School. Few cities in the city of San Diego declared for the first time, June 10th as "First Filipina Friday." n photo is CEO/President Francine Maigue and spokesperson for the FWN; and Myrna Reyes receiving the civic engagement award for NaFFAA Region 10 Awesome Team! #PinayPower!
NaFFAA Region 10 led by its Region Chair Myrna Reyes attended the Annual Philippine Flag Raising at the KALAYAAN 2016 held at the House of the Philippines in Balboa Park, San Diego. The historic flag raising was raised exactly at 4:48PM, which is the exact time when our first national flag was raised in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. Joining the celebration were Juanito Amor, Jr. Rommel Alberto of HOP, Myrna Reyes, Honorary Consul Audie de Castro and Mr. Rom Sarno, President of the House of the Philippines and member of NaFFAA Region 10. Atty. Edward Pamintuan of Cavite Association hosted the annual Flag Raising at the House of the Philippines!
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 July issue by the 25th. Submission must be in word format and pictures are in jpeg formats. Thank you to all June contributors !le
NaFFAA Region 3East is holding its fundraising event on July 30, 2016. The highlight of the event is the Consular Outreach provided for by the Philippine Consul General Chicago. The organizers of the event will accept monetary donation during the event to raise funds for NaFFAA Initiatives. Please contact NaFFAA R3East Chair Armin Sayson at email chair@naffaa-r3east.org or phone (937) 361-1058. 4
30 JULY 2016 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wright State University (Millett Hall) 3640 Colonel Glen Hwy Dayton, OH 45435
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