What’s Inside?
NaFFAA Invites New Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo As Guest Speaker at the 12th National Empowerment Conference
FYLPRO WWII Veterans Region 11 Region 8 Region3East MI Memorial Parade Region 5 Pamana Dance Group Membership Form
NaFFAA, through its Board of Governors, has sent out an invitation for the newly-proclaimed Vice President of the Philippines, Maria Leonor Robredo to be the Guest Speaker at the Gala event on Saturday, August 6, 2016. Please check naffaa.org, and follow our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NaFFAA.National for updates!
Thank You to Our Conference Partners!
Photo: Google images
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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 5TH FILIPINO-AMERICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (FYLPRO)
NaFFAA Leaders in the FYLPRO: Steven Raga (NY), Anthony Guevara (TX), Abbey Eusebio (IL) The Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago wishes to advise all prospective applicants that the search is on for the ten (10) outstanding next-generation Filipino-Americans who will participate in the 5th annual Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FLYPRO), which will be conducted in the Philippines from 24 November to 02 December 2016. Launched in 2012 as a youth-oriented project of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Madam Ma. Victoria J. Cuisia, FYLPRO aims to tap outstanding young Filipino-Americans who possess a sincere desire to be engaged in their respective communities and be a part of the Philippines’ growth story. The annual immersion program in the Philippines will afford them the opportunity to meet and dialogue with the highest officials and policymakers of the country, leaders of industry, legislators, media, artists and cultural experts, entrepreneurs (both traditional and social), as well as innovators in different fields. The Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the United States will conduct the search in the States under their respective jurisdictions for individuals who meet the following criteria: -- No younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by 24 November 2016, the first day of the 2016 Immersion Program; -- Ready and capable of traveling to the Philippines, arriving in Manila by Wednesday, 23 November 2016 and departing no earlier than 02 December 2016; -- Demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community, workplace or other areas of involvement; and -- Have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino Community, or in issues and/or activities that align with the interest of the Filipino-American community or the Philippines. For the first time since FYLPRO’s establishment, the application process is made accessible online through http:// fylpro.org/apply/. The deadline for the submission of complete application is Sunday, 24 July 2016 at 11:59pm (Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone). In partnership with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) and the FYLPRO alumni association, the 5th FYLPRO hopes to continue to attract more high-performing young Filipino-American leaders who will be among the movers and shakers in the FilipinoAmerican community. Much of the participants’ expenses, including airfare, accommodations, local transportation, and meals will be shouldered by program sponsors. “Now on its fifth year, FYLPRO has proven to be quite effective in grooming new leaders who will shape the future not only of the Filipino-American community, but also of Philippine-US relations. The forty alumni have spearheaded many impactful projects and I strongly encourage all qualified young Filipino-Americans to add to their number,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Questions may be directed to the Philippine Embassy’s FYLPRO focal person in Washington DC, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Darell Artates, at darell.artates@philippinesusa.org.
Family Reunification for Filipino WWII Veterans Washington, D.C. “Yesterday’s announcement from the Department of Homeland Security that family members of Filipino World War II veterans can now apply for parole visas and reunite with their parents here in the United States, is very heartening,” says NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallonga. “Our courageous heroes, who have waited for up to 20 years, deserve the opportunity to be with their children. They must not suffer the pain of separation in the twilight of their years.” Last year, President Obama used his executive authority by establishing a parole visa program to reunite Filipino WW11 veterans with their loved ones. Long visa backlogs, which have separated family members for decades, prompted the President to order an interagency task force to look into this matter. But what spurred his action was a report issued by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) calling on President Obama to grant parole for children of Filipino War World II veterans. The Department of Homeland Security, which will administer this program through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), finally issued policy guidelines spelling out in detail who is eligible to apply. DHS will start accepting applications in June.
Mazie Hirono (D-HI-Senator)
“We thank Sen. Mazie Hirono for pushing the Obama Administration to quickly implement this program and make children eligible for expedited consideration to come to the United States,” adds Mallonga. “We also appreciate the hard work of advocacy groups, like AAJC, the Filipino Veterans Equity Center (FVEC) and the Filipinos for Justice. Their diligence and persistence made it possible to move this policy forward so our veterans and their families can be with each other without further delay.” 2
NaFFAA Advocates ask Congress to honor 'forgotten' Filipino World War II vets Reprint/Photo from Jeremy Harris, KUTV, Utah—May 29, 2016
A group of Filipino-American advocates is asking Congress to recognize the dwindling number of Filipino Veterans who served with U.S. armed forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The National Federation of Filipino American Associations recently received the support of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch for a pair of bills that would award the congressional gold medal to the Filipino veterans of World War II. "It's long overdue," Aimee Belmonte with NAFFAA said. "It is really due process that they be given the recognition they deserve." The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded to people or groups who have had an impact on American history and culture. NAFFAA says they believe the Filipino fighters deserve the recognition, which was also given to the Tusekeggee Airmen, the first group of black military airmen, in 2007 for their service in World War II. Hundreds-of-thousands of Filipino soldiers are estimated to have fought with U.S. forces during the War. NAFFAA has the support of Rep Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who is sponsoring the legislations to award the fighters the Congressional Gold Medal. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch sent an e-mail to NAFFAA that he will support the legislation when it is introduced in the senate.
Region Leaders Unveils New Facebook Page: FilAm Voter FilAm Voter announces new FB page moderators from NaFFAA Region 8: "Our overall objective is to provide an enjoyable environment where registered Filipino American voters can openly discuss their thoughts and feelings about important issues affecting the Filipino American community. We believe that any topic of interest should be open for discussion, but we reserve the right to regulate the manner in which that discussion takes place. Atty. Rodel Rodis is NaFFAA’s Chief Legal Counsel and a member of the Board of Governors, and Rudy Asercion is NaFFAA Region 8 Chair. Photo shows TFC interview of the moderators, with TV Host Gel Santos.
Photo: FilAm Voter 3
30 JULY 2016 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wright State University (Millett Hall) 3640 Colonel Glen Hwy Dayton, OH 45435
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.
Former National Chair Heads Fil-Ams in Michigan’s Memorial Parade Led by NaFFAA Immediate Past National Chair Ed Navarra, Filams in Michigan paid tribute to the many World War II fallen heroes during the annual Memorial Parade, which was organized by the City of Sterling Heights on May 30, 2016. The Philippine float was decorated by the US Pinoys for Good Governance led by its BOD Chairperson Brenda Sanagustin, State Chairperson Willie Dechavez, member Sal Sanagustin, and Mjchelle Celeridad Oh, Ms. USP4GG 2016. Photo shows Fil-Am leaders Brenda Sanagustin carrying the Philippine flag and Willie Dechavez carrying the American flag.
NaFFAA Region V Promotes Fil-Am Vote
NaFFAA Region V launched Fil-Am Vote at the Asian Roundtable of Colorado in conjunction with their Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration on May 14, 2016. FACC Performance Company (L) posed to support NaFFAA's initiative. (R) At the Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado (FACSC) Santacruzan in Colorado Springs.
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NaFFAA’s PAMANA DANCE GROUP OF OHIO Represents the PHILIPPINES at the Asian Culture Night NaFFAA’s member organization from Ohio,The Pamana Dance Group, performed at the annual Wright State University (WSU) Asian Culture Night at the Apollo Room in the Student Union on April 17, 2016. A fully-choreographed, complete with Filipino costumes, repertoire consisted of a medley of one Spanish dance, Panderetas, and six Fiesta dances, which included the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Itik- Itik, Binasuan, Tiklos, Karatong Subli, and the ever-popular Tinikling. The Pamana Dance Group is a proud member of the Region 3East. Region Chair Armin Sayson led the performances which became the most applauded performance at this year’s Asian Culture Night. In addition, several dancers participated in the Fashion Show after the dance performances.
R3East Chair Armin Sayson 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 formats. Thank you to all May contributors !le
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