What’s Inside?
Statement of JT Mallonga, National Chair National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
A Call to Action NaFFAA SF NaFFAA Missouri NaFFAA Iowa NaFFAA R10 2016 NaFFAA EC 2016 Las Vegas Summit Membership Form
America has a long and cherished tradition of welcoming refugees from all parts of the world. This humanitarian gesture affirms our moral values of inclusivity, tolerance and compassion towards the world’s most vulnerable, regardless of national origin, ethnicity, race or religion. Sadly, following the terrorist attacks in Paris, more than half of the nation’s governors appear to have forgotten this tradition by stating their refusal to accept Syrian refugees. The House of Representatives are threatening to cut off funding for refugee assistance. And some Presidential candidates are irresponsibly talking about discriminating against refugees on the basis of their religion. Google pics
Even worst, the mayor of Roanoke, Virginia has invoked the xenophobia that led to the unjust internment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II, when he recently stated: “I’m reminded that President Franklin D. Roosevelt felt compelled to sequester Japanese foreign nationals after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and it appears that the threat of harm to America from ISIS now is just as real and serious as that from our enemies then.” We join other Americans in demanding a sincere apology from Roanoke Mayor David Bowers for his inflammatory and despicable remarks against both the Syrian refugee community and Japanese Americans. The American people do not want to repeat one of the darkest chapters in American history when Japanese Americans were incarcerated because of race prejudice and wartime hysteria. We must remain vigilant against racial profiling, distrust of each other’s differences and the vilification of entire communities. In this light, we are encouraged by the bold leadership exemplified by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee who have gone out of their way to welcome Syrian refugees. As Gov. Hickenlooper said, we can protect our security and still provide a place where the world’s most vulnerable can rebuild their lives. We also agree with Gov. Inslee that fear should not be the basis for preventing the resettlement of these new arrivals. These refugees have been displaced b y conflict and are themselves victims of terrorism. They deserve a safe haven from persecution and oppression. We are a stronger nation when we chose to uphold those very values that make America a sanctuary of freedom and a beacon of hope throughout the world. 1
A CALL TO ACTION: Urge Congress to Pass the Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 Call your U.S. Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor this bill, now!
“I AM A WARRIOR AND A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. I WILL ALWAYS PLACE THE MISSION FIRST. I WILL NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT.” Among NaFFAA’s major initiatives is to support the national campaign to secure U.S. recognition of our Filipino World War II veterans’ dedicated service and selfless sacrifice. This recognition is long overdue. To make this happen, NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallonga is calling on NaFFAA members to educate and engage the Filipino American community about this issue. We need 67 U.S. Senators and 218 U.S. Representatives to pass this bill. But they must hear directly from their constituents. All the information and resources you need to contact members of Congress are in the website of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, which is leading the effort: www.filvetsrecognition.org. Our Filipino veterans accomplished their mission. Our own mission is to ensure they are duly recognized and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. They have been waiting for more than 70 years. Let’s act, now!
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“Many of the Filipino veterans of WWII are aging and dying. It is important to ensure that their stories are not lost - they deserve our recognition and respect in our history.” Fiona Ma, Co - sponsor of AB199 "The American Legion Bataan Post 600 started converting historical documents to digital format so that the story of the Filipino WWII veterans can be made available to students online." FilAmVet History Project I am honored to lead the advocacy which can help ensure that our children and future generations don’t forget the contributions and sacrifice of these brave Filipino WWII soldiers.” Cdr. Rudy Asercion, NaFFAA R 8 Chair
November 23, 2015. NaFFAA Missouri State Chair Anecita Alvizo met with Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler to discuss the importance of Veterans History Project and the Filipino American Congressional Gold Medal – HR 2737/ SB 1555. Anecita recalls her meeting with the solon as, “It's an honor to finally meet her and discussed the importance of the Missouri Fil-Am community’s support for Veterans History Project and Filipino American Congressional Gold Medal Campaign, HR 2737/SB 1555. I know that most politicians are always trying to be nice to their constituents, but there is something about her sincerity, her caring personality, that I felt when she gave me a hug couple times and even when she was talking to us. I hope and pray she will co-sponsor the bill.” Anecita also expressed to NaFFAA Editor that she will continue to gather lawmaker’s support in Missouri by signing the petition and co-sponsor the bill. She thanked everyone who already signed the petition.
Anecita, Cong. Hartzler (3rd, 4th from R, respectively.)
NaFFAA Iowa, along with other Fil-Am organizations, in Iowa led fundraiser for victims of the Philippines’ worst storm that hit the country in 2015. The fundraiser event gathered local Filipino American talents led by the popular musician Larry Berenguel at the Valley Church of Des Moines on November 22, 2015. The other lead organization was the Filipino American Association of Iowa (FAAI). Proceeds of the event, "Helping Hands," provided food and entertainment to the delight of Filipino Americans in the area who came out and supported the cause for “Typhoon Lando."
(L-R) Taken during the fundraiser event to benefit Typhoon Lando: Larry Berenguel, Filipino American guitar-vocalist from Des Moines, IA, Dory Taylor FAAI President, and Roel Fortich Campos, NaFFAA Iowa State Chair.
Google pics Typhoon Lando hitting the northeastern part of the Philippines in October, 2015.
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The City of San Diego Proclamation of the Larry Itliong Day presented by Council Member Todd Gloria on October 27, 2015. International labor hero and Filipino leader, Larry Itiong initiated the Delano grape strike in 1965, collaborated with Cesar Chavez and thousands of farm workers that established the United Farm Workers. Thank you CM Todd Gloria for the phenomenal & outstanding job to honor the life and history of Larry Itliong. Organized by the City of San Diego FilipinoAmerican Employees' Association with President June Olson, Ex-President Alfred Bajet, Ex-VP Michelle Abella-Shon, member Teddy Ramos & member/ photographer, Antero V Peñaflor. Attended by the Philippine Honorary Consul Audie de Castro, City of SD Deputy Chief Operating Officer Paz Gomez, Chula Vista District Commissioner Rita Buencamino Andrews, COPAO President Vangie Meneses, FilipinoAmerican Chamber of Commerce President/ Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzales' District Director/ Pampered Pinay Filipino Press writer Francine Maigue, House of the Philippines President Romulo Sarno, NAFAA Region 10 Vice Chair Juanito Jr Amor, County of SD Filipino-American Employees Association Residential Ardee Apostol, Operation Samahan Community Relations Lorna Delos Santos, Myleen Abuan & Jason, Silayan Filipina (SF) Executive Director Joy Joy Ella DeGuzman & SF VP Karen Adan-Burks, SF Membership Director Leslie E. Borromeo, SF Evelyn Avinante, UNIPRO Alicia Ricafrente, Dr Catherine DrCatherine Sy Luib, community leaders Salvador Flor& Kirin A Mac. 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 December issue by the 25th. Submission must be in word format and pictures are in jpeg or jpg formats. Thank you to all November contributors !le
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Summit on Strategies and Action Plans for FilVet Recognition & Education Project and FilAm Vote January 9-10, 2015 Las Vegas, Nevada (specific location TBA) Participants: BOG, Directors, Directorate Members and NaFFAA Members who are interested to join the Summit in Las Vegas RSVP Required by December 15th Contact: Chair Emraida Kiram at pekiram64@gmail.com Co-Chair Jing Espiritu at jvspirit2@yahoo.com
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