What’s Inside? NaFFAA Leaders Views…..…....2 Region 3 East Conference.……3 Dr. Aurora Cudal………………....4 Northern Star Awards......…….4 Iowa Joins Walk for Nepal......5 NaFFAA Region 11.….…………..5 Membership Form….....………..6
NaFFAA Leaders: Views and Comments on the Visit of Philippine President Aquino in Chicago As a Filipino leader representing the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA Region 3 Vice Chair), it was a great opportunity to receive an invite to welcome our Philippine President, His Excellency Benigno Aquino during his recent visit held in Chicago, Illinois last May 6, 2015. His message was clear and informative focusing on the positive transformation of the Philippines. It was good to hear that foremost on his term as the President were appointments of honest and trustworthy leaders which have played a major role in great outcomes of what the Philippines is today. What quickly struck me were the truths of what he said about the improved economy and increased employment rate in the Philippines. It was good to hear the collaborative efforts of TESDA and DOLE in meeting the “hard to fill” employment positions. There are better opportunities now for students in professional degrees, as well as technical and vocational schools to get employment anywhere, getting good training and then recruited by companies and corporations. Having been home to the Philippines during my recent visit in March 2015, to celebrate my mother’s 85th birthday/family reunion, I can say from seeing it firsthand, that indeed, the economy has greatly improved. It was easier for me to believe what President Aquino stated in his message. A specific example, in my perRoel Campos, NaFFAA State spective, is the surge of new entrepreneurs. Goldilocks and Red Ribbon are no longer the only Chair, IA and Region 3West Vice choices nowadays. To mention is a new baked product which I had the privilege to taste called Chair. With wife, Malou at the JW Marriott during the Philippine “Custaroonery.” Quality and presentation of the product can compete with old and large corporations. president visit. It was packaged with quality and tasted so good. New businesses boost employment opportunities to our kababayans. Old and new entrepreneurship appeared to be booming and alive in the many areas we visited. There is also the new ecommerce of Asia called Zalora.ph.com, an online shopping which is somewhat similar to the concept of Amazon.com. These are examples that the Philippines is on a competitive market in the world of commerce and technology. The progress and success of the Philippines currently according to President Aquino, is good governance which equates to a good economy which ultimately translates to consistent economic growth. Good governance is the government’s guiding principle under his term. Positive outcomes of increased budget for social services (free high school education, health welfare) without increasing taxes except for tobacco and alcohol has been accomplished. He stated that the Filipinos all over the world are the BOSSES of our nation, calling on to us to continue to uplift the Philippines by continued contribution towards positive advancement of our nation and our fellow “kababayans”. Continued on P.2
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It was a great honor to have the President of the Philippines, his Excellency, Noynoy Aquino, make a brief stop in Chicago on May 6, 2015, while on his way to Canada. The FilAm community was excited and looked forward to meeting him. I have the utmost respect for the Aquino family, especially for his dad and the late President Cory Aquino. I wanted this visit to be well received & recognized by the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and by the mainstream media. President Aquino's good news about the Philippines' rising GNP, and its role as the emerging tiger of Asia was most welcome and reassuring. However, I was very disappointed that he chose to deliver his report in Tagalog instead of English as we had non-Tagalog speaking guests, including city and state officials and a few representatives from Washington, D.C., not to mention Filipinos born and raised here who are not bilingual. I could just imagine how they felt when the President was making jokes and the Filipino-Americans were laughing, having fun with him. I was in the Philippines last October with the Trade Mission of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC). The Philippine Chamber of Commerce Trade & Industry hosted our delegation with a dinner gala in which President Aquino was the guest speaker. At that event with all Filipino guests, the President spoke entirely in English.
Cindy Flores, NaFFAA State Chair, IL, with NaFFAA Newsletter Editor Ryan Tejero, during the President’s visit. The event was hosted at the JW Marriott in downtown Chicago, with over 600 invited guests present.
When Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his speech to Congress last year, he spoke in English, not Hebrew. In Aquino's case it may just have been protocol but if I am not mistaken he was not here on a state visit, so perhaps a little flexibility and common sense should have ruled the day. Adaptation to your audience makes for clarity and effectiveness.
First, I commend the Philippine Consular in Chicago specifically Consul General Generoso Calonge, and his consular staff for hosting the remarkable visit of President Benigno Aquino III. Second, I feel deeply honored that Jelly Carandang have not forgotten me on such a wonderful occasion of my life and the life of all Filipino-American community in Missouri. I could not find any reason not to attend. I was EXCITED! As a result I did not sleep for 38 hours straight. I drove to Chicago and drove back to Missouri right after the meeting was over then pick-up my family in my humble home in Boonville and proceeded to Branson to celebrate my wedding anniversary and Mother’s Day that my loving husband put together. Needless to say, lack of sleep is not new to my daily challenges but this is how leaders do as part of sacrifices to represent the people and the community as a whole. It’s one of my greatest opportunities and experiences of being part of the special meeting with the president of our native land, but most importantly, it serves a strong foundation not only to NaFFAA but to all the leaders in the Midwest. Occasion like this is extra-ordinary.
Anecita Alvizo NaFFAA State Chair, MO
It’s a great honor to hear all updates, successes, improvements of our dear native land from the President Aquino himself, and approximately 100ft. away from where I was seating. Although I was having a hard time following his speech primarily due to the language, dialect and he spoke faster than I anticipated but I was not bored listening to him. He has a great voice and a good sense of humor. Most importantly, I commend His Excellency for taking the time to travel in order to inform us, the Filipino-American community in the Mid-west of all the items that matters to us, and things we needed to know. It is a good gesture for a President. His way of showing us that WE matters and still play a huge part of the success of our native land even if we are living in US was exceptional. His presence, courage, sincerity and positivity meant a whole lot. In every little effort, there is hope for everyone. Sad to say, corruption in the Philippines will never go away, but I hope and pray that it will be lessened for the sake of our future generation. It’s a good speech, and I am looking forward to see him again, someday. Lastly, I am blessed for the opportunity to serve my community and proud to be a Filipino-American! More power to our leaders and to President Aquino!
July 31—August 2, 2015 in Covington, Kentucky Please view details and register at http://www.naffaa-r3east.org/
R/Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba
NaFFAA National Chair JT S. Mallonga, Esq.
Conference Topics Unifying the Asian-American Community – Iowa Experience Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Success as a Minority Starting an Export Business Running for a School Board Estate Planning Immigration STEAM Education and the Scientist as Entrepreneur Use of TRUE COLORS to Empower People Effectively A Look at Clinical Trials AARP Caregiving Program Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project Filipino Dance Workshop Resiliency in Times of Stress and Disaster
Conference Highlight
Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia,
Conference Highlight
Former NaFFAA R10 Chair Gets Recognized at the 2015 San Diego Legends: Living Well Celebrating Older American's Month San Diego County Library is celebrating Older Americans Month by honoring San Diego elders who serve as a testament to the value of hard work, spiritual integrity, and commitment to others. The 2015 San Diego Legends art and photography exhibit was launched in an opening reception on Friday, May 29 at the Lemon Grove Branch (3001 School Ln). A partnership with the County of San Diego's Aging and Independence Services Department, this award-winning project is comprised of painted portraits by local artist Mona Mills, photographs by Library Director Jos Aponte, and impact statements about five local elders who lead by example, written by the library's Deputy Director Susan Moore. Chosen as one of this year’s San Diego Legends is the immediate past NaFFAA Region 10 Chair, Dr. Aurora Cudal. She is recognized for her outstanding leadership and accomplishments in the community and for the values that San Diego Legends stand for. The Filipino American community in San Diego and NaFFAA celebrates this honor for Dr. Cudal. She is thanking her friends for their unwavering Dr. Aurora Cudal on canvas, and is currently displayed at the support and their presence at the Opening of the Photo Exhibits of The Lemon Grove Library. San Diego Legends: Living Well. Dr. Soriano said “Your presence made the event more meaningful for me. Thank you San Diego County Filipino American Employees Association for your dance performance and for nominating me to be in such prestigious circle of achievers. Now I belong to the ages. Seeing myself in a larger than life oil painting by Mona Mills, a great artist, and being displayed in a library visited by so many people everyday is indeed a very humbling experience.”
NaFFAA, partner organizations, Present The Northern Star Awards The Northern Star Award embodies the individual whose involvement in the Filipino community has inspired others to become active in the advancement of Filipinos and Philippine Culture in the United States. Please fill out the following information in order to submit your nomination for the 2015 Northern Star Award, presented by the 2015 New York Metropolitan Philippine Graduation Ceremony Committee. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations are limited to (1) per person. Base Guidelines/Criteria Undergraduate or Graduate student receiving their diploma within the 2014-2015 academic year; Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; and Leadership and/or involvement that contributed to making an impact in the Filipino/Filipino-American community The award recipient will be presented with a plaque and certificate of authenticity at the New York Metropolitan Philippine Graduation Ceremony on June 9th, 2015. In addition, the recipient will be provided the distinguished honor of speaking at the ceremony.Nominations can be submitted at http://bit.ly/PGRADNSAward. The winner must be in attendance to receive the award. The 2015 Northern Star Award is decided by the New York Metropolitan Philippine Graduation Ceremony Committee. The 2015 New York Metropolitan Area Philippine Graduation Ceremony is brought to you by Legacy Mentorship Inc., the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA), and Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro) with the support of the Philippine Consulate General of New York.
The devastating earthquakes, 2 in a row, hit Philippines’ neighbor country Nepal, which killed thousands of residents of Kathmandu Village. In Iowa, this tragedy has created a lot of worry and concern from members of the Nepalese community. The Iowa Nepalese Association have organized fundraising efforts to help support the victims and families in Nepal who have been affected of its aftermath. On a rainy Saturday, May 2, 2015, a "WALK FOR NEPAL" took place at Gray's Lake Park in Iowa’s capital city of Des Moines. Despite the wet roads, hundreds of area residents including NaFFAA members led by Region 3 Vice Chair, Roel Campos and his wife Malou Guieb-Campos, joined Nepalese community leaders and friends participated in a 3-mile walk around the lake, to express support for the family, compassion for the grieving nation, and in remembrance of all those who perished as a result of the earthquake. In line with the continuing efforts to support Nepal, a fundraising event called “A Bollywood Night” was held on May 24. The fundraiser was a huge success and gathered a wide backing from Nepalese community and other minority groups in Iowa, including the FilAms. "It brings to my mind when typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines back in 2013, the outpouring generosity from people that you don’t even know and the compassion from other communities. This experience only proves that many good things come out of a bad situation which helps people recover fast," says Roel F. Campos.
Malou and Roel were joined by Sanjita Pradhan (middle), President Obama's Advisory Commissioner on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
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 May issue by the 25th. Submission must be in word format and pictures are in jpeg or jpg formats.
Thank you to all May contributors! Ple
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