National - Asian Beat News

Issue 8
1322 18th St. NW Washington, DC 20036-1803
Tel. 202-361-0296
Volume 2
May 2013
NaFFAA
National
THE OFFICIAL NEW SLET TER OF THE NATIONAL
F E D E R A T I O N O F F I L I P I N O A M E R I C A N A S S O C I A TIONS
LEADER ON THE SPOT:
In This Issue:
Rommel Rivera, M.D.
Remembering on how you first got connected with NaFFAA: Sometime in 2001, NaFFAA Pennsylvania honored me
with the “Award of Freedom”. Inspired, I began researching NaFFAA further.
What you do now for NaFFAA: In conjunction with NaFFAA Pennsylvania, we educate our community on Voter
Registration and the Go-Out-To-Vote campaigns. We help organize NaFFAA Pennsylvania’s state-wide yearly summit conference. As one of the new NaFFAA Directors for Programs, I promote NaFFAA’s initiatives to advance leadership and education, encourage civic participation, and attract young Fil-Am leaders to the organization.
What would be the things that you do in your personal life that you think would be helpful in your position or role in NaFFAA: As a practicing physician specializing in Psychiatry with subspecialization in Geriatric
Psychiatry and part of the clinical faculty of 2 medical schools in our area, I have a special emphasis on education and
lifelong learning. I organize community educational events, health fairs, free lectures, and participate in medical missions to the Philippines. As a commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs, I focus on monitoring the disparities in mental health care in the Asian American community.
Dr. Rommel Rivera
Member, Board of Governors
Director of Programs
Leader on the Spot
1
Summit
2
Fil Vet Ammendment
3
FYLPro
3
Region 4 Event
4
AAPI
5
APAICS
5
Region 3 Conference
5
Pilipino Graduation
6
Jessica Sanchez
6
Region 4 Greetings
6
NaFFAA Statement
7
DACA
7
Membership Form
8
Highlights of major accomplishment/s in NaFFAA: As part of
NaFFAA Pennsylvania, I co-chaired the first-ever NaFFAA Pennsylvania state-wide conference in 2011. We campaigned for the passage of
the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill. We also campaigned to prevent the
deportation of a Pennsylvania Filipino physician, Dr. Pedro Servano
and his wife, with signature petitions and eventual referral of their case
to the Filipino American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
(FALDEF). As president of 2 member organizations of NaFFAA, I
accomplished the following: During my term as president of the federation of Fil-Am organizations in our area, I campaigned for the support
of the Gawad Kalinga Project and was able to build homes for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. During the same term, I headed a
collaborative project with Drexel University, the Filipino Intercultural
Society of Drexel University and the Asian American Women’s Coalition in bringing the Smithsonian Exhibition – Singgalot- The Ties That
Bind, a pictorial of Filipino History in the USA, to Philadelphia. As the
current president of the Filipino-American Association of Philadelphia,
Inc., founded in 1912, I headed the successful Centennial Celebration
last year. This year we will unveil and dedicate the first-ever Filipino
Mural in the East Coast.
What do you believe in the strengths of NaFFAA: NaFFAA’s strength lies in its stature as a national alliance and its track record of Filipino-American advocacy and empowerment.
What are you hopes and dreams for NaFFAA ; your message to NaFFAA membership and to the Fil-Am community: I hope that
NaFFAA will stay a dynamic organization that continually addresses the needs of the Fil-Am community and continually assesses its ways of
providing advocacy and empowerment. I hope NaFFAA continues its successful initiatives and “best practices” while tackling and improving
upon its weaknesses. For instance, it has to continue finding ways to harness and harvest the strengths of the Fil-Am community most especially how to attract the younger generation of newly graduated Fil-Am student leaders and young professionals.
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2013 NaFFAA Strategic Planning High Level Summit
Theme: “NaFFAA: One Vision, One Voice, Moving Forward”
Venue: Bally's Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Dates: Friday Aug. 16 - Sunday Aug 18, 2013
Attendees: All NaFFAA National Board of Directors
(27 Regional Chairs & Board of Governors) &
Presidential Appointees
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013
12 Noon
Room1)
1:00 pm (EXACT)
6:30pm - 8:00pm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
8:00 am
REGISTRATION
South Tower of Bally’s
(In front of Las Vegas
DEADLINE FOR ROOMS:
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
(no extension)
Summit is CALLED TO ORDER
WELCOME RECEPTION
(To give folks time to still enjoy LV night life!)
South Tower Suite Room to be announced (Hosted)
9:00 am (EXACT)
12 nn - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
SUMMIT CONTINUES
Continental Breakfast
South Tower of Bally’s
(In front of Las Vegas Room 1)
Summit Agenda Continues
Lunch to be served in Meeting Room
Summit Agenda Resumes for the Day
FREE EVENING
Viva Las Vegas
SUNDAY, AUGUST18
8:00 am
SUMMIT CONTINUES
Continental Breakfast
South Tower of Bally’s
(In front of Las Vegas Room 1)
Summit Agenda Continues until 12 noon
(No lunch will be served)
9:00 am (EXACT)
NaFFAA:
One Vision
One Voice
ROOMRATES:
Thursday, August 15, 2013 - $69.00
per room
Friday, August 16, 2013 - $89.00
per room
Saturday, August 17, 2013 - $89.00
per room
Sunday, August 18, 2013 - $69.00
per room
Please email Gloria T. Caoile at
[email protected]
Should folks want
to arrive early - they
should indicate
soonest!
Moving Forward
RESERVATIONS PROCEDURE:
As we are dovetailing on another convention to get
their super rates, please send Gloria T. Caoile your
reservation request - it will be put in the system and
ATTENDEE HAS TO CALL IN AND GIVE THEIR
CREDIT CARD # for the one night's deposit as required by the hotel. Information will be provided to
attendees who send Gloria Caoile their request.
2
ALL NaFFAA ROOMS ARE WITH TWO
QUEEN BEDS - thus conducive to sharing either with another attendee/guest BUT maximum of FOUR to a ROOM. Attendees will
divide cost - GLORIA can only list two persons for the room - but if you go with 'four to
a room' let her know.
Senate Judiciary Committee Adopts
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Amendment
Washington, D.C. – Filipino World War II veterans who have waited for
years to reunite with their adult children have something to cheer about
today. The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved an
amendment introduced by U.S. Sen. Maize Hirono (D-HI) that would
fast track these children’s approved visa applications.
“We thank Sen. Hirono for pushing this amendment through so
that our aging veterans can reunite with their loved ones sooner than
later,” said NaFFAA National Chairman Ed Navarra. “We also thank
the many advocates and activists in the Asian Pacific American community who have worked hard for an immigration reform bill that preserves families and restores a measure of justice especially to our veterans who risked their lives for our country.”
The Hirono amendment was among 300 items submitted to the
committee during its mark-up session, which started three weeks ago.
Chances for its approval was high because both houses in Congress had
previously approved a similar measure.
However, other amendments submitted by Hirono failed, including one that would have provided limited relief for families due to prolonged separation from their siblings or children not in the U.S. “This is
extremely disappointing,” adds Navarra. “We are nonetheless appreciative of the senator’s determined efforts to fight for families and speak
for millions whose voices aren’t often heard.”
Jon Melegrito & Bing Branigin
L to R: Celestino Almeda, 96 years old, Filipino World War ll Veteran, and
Jose Antonio Vargas, at the U.S. Congress during the Congressional Asia
Pacific American and Islander Caucus, held last May 8.
Photo by Bing Branigin
NaFFAA’s Youth Coordinator Shines at the
2013 Filipino American Youth Leadership Program
Now on its 2nd year, the Philippine Embassy presents this year’s 10 outstanding young Filipino-Americans to participate in the 2013
Filipino American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPro) that will take place in Manila from 7 to 11 July 2013.
The NaFFAA community congratulates Anthony Guevarra for bringing pride to the organization in his inclusion in this year’s batch of
FYLPro participants. NaFFAA National Chair Ed Navarra comments, “I am hoping to see more of our NaFFAA youth taking leadership in community organizing initiatives and championing
advocacies that foster unity among Filipino Americans.” Anthony joins the ranks of NaFFAA’s Region I, Steven Raga, who was picked last year.
Anthony lives in Houston, Texas. At 26. he founded the Filipino American Council of South Texas
and has served on the board of the Philippine
American Chamber of Commerce of Texas. He is
currently the Regional Youth Coordinator of National Federation of Filipino-American Associations-Region VI. Anthony is a graduate of Texas
A&M University, where he served as president of
the Philippine Student Association. He is currently
employed as a Senior Loan Officer at Affiliated
bank Mortgage.
“I am happy that we have once again
come up with another group of outstanding and
dedicated young leaders,” Ambassador Cuisia
said. “In going through their application, I was
Anthony getting interviewed by a local news station, Channel 13 on a recent Fil-Am
event “Adobo Hoedown” in Houston, Texas.
struck with their sense of idealism and passion to
help their respective communities and Filipinos
back home.” Ambassador Cuisia said the 10 participants will take part in an immersive program in the Philippines that will afford them the opportunity to meet and dialogue with top officials
and policymakers, leaders of industry, legislators, media, artists and cultural experts, entrepreneurs and innovators in different fields.
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NaFFAA REGION 4 ROCKS!
Eight Southern States under NaFFAA Region 4 came in full force the weekend of May 18th in Atlanta. The occasion was the
launching of the National Archives of Atlanta and in celebration of the Asian Pacific Heritage Month of May. Special guests during the
symposium & gala were the descendants of the first Filipinos who settled in Louisiana in the 1800s,the 5th generation of the Madriaga
clan. The event was in cooperation with the Federation of Filipino Associations of Georgia (FFAOG), the umbrella organization. Philippine
Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Joy Bruce, Rozita Lee, Auring Cudal, Honorary Consul Donato graced the occasion among others, and recognized the women of NaFFAA. Vickie Navarra, my wife, sang Mutya ng Pasig with interpretative dance in
the foreground. Loida, in her inimitable way, delivered an impassioned speech on her secrets of a successful and meaningful life.
Notable among the young professionals (35 to 40's young) present were Rowena Racca Esq of Florida, VonCzar Doromal - US
Army Reserve - Georgia, Matthew Solis, IT specialist from Tennessee, Jen Almeda - a migrant specialist from South Carolina, Brian Rodriguez, Social Security Administration Specialist from North Carolina, Bing Ryan, another community activist from Alabama and many
more behind the scenes. Marilyn Doromal is so proud of the above YP's that she promises more challenges for them in the region.
Chair Ed Navarra
A Special Message from NaFFAA Region IV Chair on the Huge Success of
Filipino American Experience Symposium and Exhibit, National Archives in Atlanta, May 18,2013
in celebration of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month
With the First Filipino Settlers of Louisiana
descendants/representatives of nine generations of
Felipe Madriaga Family "Manilamen Villages" to
wit; Left to Right, Ms. Rhonda Lee Richoux, Ms.
Julie Hoffmeister, Ms. Lillian Mae BurtanogFaxon and Ms. Joyce Pascual who were main
Honorees at the Filipino American Experience
Symposium and Exhibit,National Archives at
Atlanta,May 18,2013. Joining in the picture is
Romy Dela Paz, NaFFAA Media Communications.
Philippine Ambassador Cuisia at the
Symposium.
Dr. Vickie Navarra singing “Mutya Ng
Pasig” during the Gala Night.
May 18,2013 - National Archives Source of Documentation 1500 we started our journey. 2013 we landed in the palms
of America's attic of history - The National Archives Registry Administration (NARA).The preservation and documentation of
modern day community leaders starts here. The authors: Morrow
Georgia Mayor JB Burke & NARA's James.McSweeney. My
warmest thanks to generous NaFFAA Family! To distinguished
women headed by Ms. Loida N. Lewis, we are indeed thankful.
Your gracious presence awakened 240 Gala guests. Eleven states
representatives added to Georgia's Augusta, Warner Robins, Atlanta, Jonesboro's, Lawrenceville, Columbus, Ft. Benning, Phenix
City, Alabama, Knoxville and all the neighboring main hub of
Filipino-Americans in the southeast. From the re-discovery of the
descendants of Louisiana's first settlers to the new wave of Filipino-Americans in the south, NaFFAA advances its mission to empowerment. An impressive 500 guests to both events were prodded by a collective travel collaboration of: North Carolina - Vivian
Brown & Brian Rodriguez and party of 18 Alabama - Gloria Vergara & Bing Ryan, party of 10 Florida - Dr Joy, Atty. Rowena
Racca , Romy , and Dick, Pat Aquino South C,- Frank & Zeny
Mendoza, Jennifer Almeda , Ph.D Tennessee : Matthew Solis and
party of 12 Georgia & Mississippi - 150 attendees plus 50 volunteers Washington DC - Ambassador Cuisia, Gen. Del Lorenzana,
Eric Lachica. Indeed, an emerging power in the south! Salamat
Po! On May 29, 2013, I was invited by the U.S. Commander of
Martin Army Hospital, Ft.Benning Georgia - world's largest military installation to speak about NaFFAA Leadership as a culmination of Asian American & Pacific Islanders Heritage Month.
Thanks to Manang Rozita for sharing me an original copy of the
President's proclamation where they put it on display during the
event. "Leaders inspired Leaders," said the Commander of Martin
Army. All of you at NaFFAA became my inspiration. Added to
the event was my rendition of Carlos Bulosan's poetry. I thought
everyone was awestruck by his eloquence The Commander presented me a "coin" USA MEDACC presented for Excellence. Again, thanks to NaFFAA's Leadership! Thanks
to NaFFAA women: Tita Auring, Dr. Vickie, Commissioner
Rozita, Dr. Joy and most especially to the wisdom of an ultimate
leader advocate - Ms.Loida Nicolas Lewis and Chairman Ed Navarra.
Marilyn Doromal, Chair, NaFFAA Region 4
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HONORING NaFFAA WOMEN
L-R Nenette Guerrero , Chair Ed Navarra,
Dr. Vickie Navarra, Ambassador Cuisia,
Marilyn Doromal, Atty. Loida Lewis , Dr.
Joy Bruce, Aurora Cudal, Rozita Lee
and Atlanta HCG Ray Donato.
Cultural presentation at the Gala
L-R Nenette Guerrero , Chair Ed Navarra,
Ambassador Cuisia, Marilyn Doromal,
Atty. Loida Lewis, and Atlanta HCG Ray
Donato.
Excerpts from the President’s Remarks at the
2013
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration
Regional
Conferences
May 28, 2013
East Room, THE WHITE HOUSE
THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White
House, everybody. And thank you, Joan, for
the introduction. And I want to thank everybody who’s here -- the incredible warmth of
the reception. A sign of the warmth is the lipstick on my collar. I have to say I think I know
the culprit -- where is Jessica Sanchez? Jessica - it wasn’t Jessica. It was her aunt. Where is
she? Auntie, right there. Look at this. Look
at this. I just want everybody to witness. So I
do not want to be in trouble with
Michelle. (Laughter.) That's why I'm calling
you out right in front of everybody.
Photo by Bing Branigin
NaFFAA Leaders at the 2013 APAICS
Annual Gala Awards
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) held its
19th Annual Gala Awards Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, May 8.
APAICS has been instrumental in inspiring the new generation of Asian American leaders to
actively participate in the political process. President Barack Obama, who addressed last
year’s APAICS gala dinner, appointed an unprecedented number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders to senior positions in his Administration and the federal courts.
Region 11–– No schedule
Region 22—
—No schedule
Region 3 - August 99--11
11—
—Greenville,
Ohio
Region 4 - August
Region 5 - October
Region 66—
—No schedule
Region 7 - July
Region 8 - March
Region 99—
—No schedule
Region 10 - May
Region 11 - October
Region 12 – October/November
NaFFAA Region 3
CONFERENCE
Greenville, Ohio
August 9 -11, 2013
If YOU ARE FLYING-IN,
please use the Dayton International
Airport (DAY) as your terminal for
arrival. Try to arrive no later than
noon, August 9, so we can provide
pick-up services. If unavoidable to
arrive later on that day, please
make special arrangements with
Ruby Horner. Send e-mail at [email protected]
or
like
NaFFAA Greenville, Ohio on Facebook and send a private message
on your arrival details: Airline,
Flight Number, Origin Airport and
your cell phone number. Please
make your reservation by June 9 by
calling directly the Holiday Inn
Express Hotel and Suites (937) 5481328, Room Rate starts at $85.99 per
night.
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 within the Filipino American
community.
Editorial Staff
Ryan Tejero
[email protected]
P. Emraida Kiram
[email protected]
Eduardo “Ed” Navarra
[email protected]
Photo by Bing Branigin
L to R: Commissioner, White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Rozita Lee, former Vice
Chair NaFFAA, Cristeta Comerford, White House Executive Board, A Filipino American Community Leader, and
Bing Cardenas Branigin, Board of Governor, NaFFAA, the annual celebrations of Asia Pacific American Institute for
Congressional Studies (APAICS), at the Washington Hilton Hotel last May 8.
5
Please forward comments and news
articles in your community
for the June issue by the 25th.
Special Thanks for those
who forwarded articles in this issue!
NaFFAA Co
Co--hosts
st
1 Annual Community Pilipino Graduation, NY
Photo by Steven Raga
Dr. Gabriel Esteban, President of Seton Hall University, giving his commencement keynote to the Class of 2013 at the 1st annual community
Pilipino Graduation, hosted by the Philippine Consulate NY, NaFFAA,
and UniPro.
Jessica Sanchez at AAPI Event in DC
GREETINGS TO THE
SUCCESS OF NAFFAA
REGION 4 EVENT!
Congratulations to Marilyn Doromal, the energetic and
tireless Chair of NaFFAA Region 4 The Westin Hotel
in Atlanta is so classy that I told her the venue is worthy of a national empowerment conference site in the
near future.
NaFFAA Chair Ed Navarra
My congratulations to the moving spirit and dynamic
leadership of Marilyn Doromal in NaFFAA region 4.
She has energized the entire region of SouthEast United States! God's blessings!
Loida Nicolas Lewis, NaFFAA BOD
L to R: Virgie Bugay, the Fil-Am grandmother of singing sensation Jessica
Sanchez, Edna P. Pestano, Jessica Sanchez, Editha Sanchez (Jessica's Mother),
Bing Branigin, Board of Governor, National Federation of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA), and Cristeta P. Comerford, White House, Executive
Chef, at the reception for Asian American and Pacific Islanders leaders at the
White House, May 28.
Fil Am Virgie Bugay, was the culprit in leaving a lipstick on the Presidential
collar which made it to the national news.
6
Great Job Marilyn! Rozita came back to LV with such
high praises for your organizational talents and the
wonderful accomplishments of Women you honored YES - we really need to shout our successes and empower our youth! Best always and see you in LV!
Gloria Caoile, NaFFAA BOD
REMINDER TO ALL NAFFAA MEMBERS
June is the month to re-new your NaFFAA
Membership. Please complete the Application Form on this Issue and send payment to
the National Treasurer.
NaFFAA Statement on the
Death of Mylene De Leon Scott
Bing Branigin and Jon Melgrito
Washington, D.C. – NaFFAA National Chairman Eduardo Navarra issued the following statement on the tragic death of Mylene De Leon Scott of Sterling, Va., a 38-yearold Filipina worker and mother of two young children. She was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon by Loudoun County Sheriff deputies, who were summoned to handle a
reported disturbance at the Costco Wholesale Store in Sterling.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Deputy-Shot-at-Costco-in-Sterling209389621.html
Filipino American community leaders who learned of the incident from news
accounts have reacted with outrage at the use of lethal force in subduing the Filipina
worker.
An interview with Ms. Scott's family in the Philippines was recorded by ABS
CBN News:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/global-filipino/05/30/13/pinay-runs-amokshot-dead-us-mall#.UaekItYCsI8.email
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Ms. Scott,” said
NaFFAA National Chairman Eduardo Navarra. “We extend our profound sympathy
to her family and share their anguish over the untimely and tragic death of their
loved one. We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers as they grieve over this
most painful loss.
NaFFAA Promotes
PATH for DREAMs Event:
“Based on reported accounts, it appears that police authorities may have overreacted in trying to handle a situation that may not have warranted the use of excessive force. In this light, we join Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. in calling for “a
thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation of the incident.”
FREE DACA Legal Clinic
“It is also with deep sorrow that we learn of Ms. Scott’s depression over her
divorce and loss of custody of her two children. Research studies point out that Filipino Americans are experiencing high rates of depression, but they are not seeking
treatment because of the social stigma attached to it. Instead, they try to cope by pretending that everything is fine, while suffering internally. They must have early treatment.
We are asking the community for help
in making announcements of this free service. If
you can help spread the word, please contact us
at [email protected]
“There is, therefore, a compelling need to educate our community about the
issue of depression and other forms of mental illness. Those who need the assistance
of mental health professionals must have access to such resources. They must be able
to seek help in community health facilities. Our role as community leaders is to ensure that there are no language or cultural barriers to their treatment. It takes a village
to heal the wounds of those who are struggling, like Ms. Scott, to find peace, healing
and comfort and be whole again before it's too late."
Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. issued the following statement yesterday:
The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Mylene De Leon Scott, a member of the Filipino-American Community, who was shot dead by police officers responding to a reported disturbance
inside the Costco Wholesale Store in Sterling, Virginia, on Wednesday, 29 May 2013.
The Embassy stands ready to extend its assistance to the family of Ms. Scott.
We will continue to coordinate with police authorities in Loudoun County to secure
more information on this case. We share the concerns expressed by Ms. Scott's family
in the Philippines and the members of the Filipino-American Community that law
enforcement officials may have responded with disproportionate force. We request
authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation of the incident.
7
Due to lack of information, confide...nce
in the process and insufficient funds to seek legal
assistance, many potential DACA applicants
don't come forward to apply. Potential DACA
applicants are also hesitant to come forward,
waiting for the passing of the new immigration
reform. PCGNY, NAFFAA, Pilipino American
Unity for Progress (UniPro), FALDEF, and South
Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY)
come together to answer questions and help process applications, free of charge.
As immigration reform is being debated
in Congress, PCGNY, NAFFAA, UniPro, FALDEF and SABANY recommend that DACAeligible people to apply, and secure temporary
work permit authorization.
If you know anyone who is DACA eligible, please do encourage them to take advantage
of this free DACA legal clinic.
Membership Form
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Please do not send cash.
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NaFFAA National Treasurer
c/o Bart Tubalinal
3 Villa Verde Dr., Unit 114
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089