The Philippine American community can finally celebrate a victory for our Filipino World War II veterans!
Almost 63 years to the day of the enactment of the infamous Rescission Act, the United States Congress and President Barack Obama restored what was taken away from our World War II veterans on February 18, 1946.
We have much to be thankful for. THANKS to the members of Congress who, for many years, sponsored and fought for legislation which would provide varying degrees of benefits to our veterans. THANKS to the veterans themselves, whose blood, sweat and tears during World War II made it possible for all of us, and future generations of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans to enjoy the blessings of liberty. And THANKS to the many men and women, young and old, who believed in the righteousness of the cause and who steadfastly stood by the side of our veterans as they brought their fight to the halls of Congress.
Allow us to briefly recall the events leading to this momentous event:
On July 26, 1941, with war clouds looming on the horizon, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the U.S. Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) and called the Philippine Commonwealth armed forces into the service of the U.S. armed forces.
There were over 200 thousand of them then, but only some 18 thousand remain today. As President Harry Truman said, "They fought as American nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under the most difficult conditions."
IN SPITE OF THAT, on February 18, 1946, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 79-301, otherwise known as the "Rescission Act of 1946." Among other things, the law stated that "Service before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President, dated July 26, 1941 . . . shall not be deemed to have been active military, naval or air service for the purposes of any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges or benefits . . . upon any person by reason of the service of such person or the service of any other person in the Armed Forces."
Although he signed that bill into law, President Truman must have recognized its injustice to the Filipino veterans. On February 20, 1946, he stated, "I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of the Philippine Army veterans."
Over the years, fighting for the restoration of that recognition and for the benefits rightly due them, they met with varying degrees of success. However, specific recognition of their military service eluded them.
Finally, on February 13, 2009, the United States Congress passed the reconciled version of H.R. 1, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" also known as the Economic Stimulus Bill. President Obama signed it into law on February 17, 2009.
The bill included an Administrative Provision authorizing the use of previously budgeted funds in the "Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund" which was approved by Congress in 2008 for payment of their lump sum benefits. Most importantly, it recognizes their military service as "ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN THE FAR EAST DURING WORLD WAR II."
Righting a wrong inflicted on our veterans for 63 years, the legislation specifically states that the payments shall be considered as "damages for human suffering."
Established 1971
MISSION STATEMENT
COPAO San Diego is a collaborative of organizations united by a common concern for the economic, social and political empowerment of its members through developmental programs and projects.
COPAO OFFICERS
2009 and 2010
Marita "Merly" Ferrer
President
Fred Gallardo
Executive Vice President
Normita F Atangan
Vice President for Finance
Benjie Podschun
Vice President for Operations
Pete Cortez
Secretary
Alice Podschun
Treasurer
Ernie Singson
Auditor
Arlito Reclosado
Sergeant-at-Arms
George Alfonso
Norma Baladad
Nita Barrion
Larry Breitfelder
Jeremy Buenviaje
Amy Buluran
Vince Bumanglag
Dr. Aurora Cudal
Femie Cupit
Mary Garrido
Henry Gonzales
Nario Idos
Nedy Lao
Rudy Liporada
Jun Mataban
Dr. Riz Oades
Blanca Paloma
AP Chief Cesar Solis
Directors
Ditas Yamane
Executive Director
Rita Buencamino Andrews Chair
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Last updated 7/1/2009
COPAO CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY. HONORS PAST PRESIDENTS, CHAIRS AND SPEAKERS
The Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. celebrated its 35th founding anniversary on November 19m 2006, with a luncheon at the Aswan Hall in National City.
The occasion was highlighted by the presentation of leadership medals by Rita Buencamino Andrews, current president of COPAO to past presidents and chairs of the organization, and to the speakers of COPAO's now defunct House of Delegates.
Among the former presidents/chairs present, with their spouses, were Ronnie Caccam, president in 1973; Grace Pena Blazskowski, 1979-1980; Bayani Abueg, 1981; Jay Ruiz, 1987-1988; Ferdinand Balagtas, 1994; Aurora S. Cudal, 1997-98 & 2003-04; and Oscar Garcia, 2001-02. Mrs. Barbara Monzon and her family represented the late Leonardo Monzon, 1978.
Former chairs who were also awarded medals were Roy Bautista, 1994; Zeny Ravelo, 1995-96; Greg Alabado, 1999; and Lulu Penetrante, 2000.
(Click on pictures to enlarge)..
COPAO LEADS UNVEILING OF SIGNS FOR FIRST FILIPINO-AMERICAN HIGHWAY IN U.S.
On October 6, 2007, Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon led California State and local officials in the official unveiling of the signs for the Filipino-American Highway. The Filipino-American highway stretches for seven miles from the Interstate 5 junction in the West to the point where it merges with State Route 125 in the East. COPAO president Rita Andrews read Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 157, authored by former Assemblyman Juan Vargas.
Because Resolution 157 did not budget funds for the new signage, COPAO allocated $4,000 from its funds for the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to prepare the highway signs to complete the name change. The Filipino-American Highway is the first such public highway to be renamed to honor Filipino-Americans and their contributions to American society.
RIZAL DAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
& INDUCTION OF 2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Assemblyman Marty Block
Councilmember Todd Gloria
Mayor Ron Morrison
Merly Ferrer
President, COPAO
Members of the New Board of Directors pose with some of the guests who attended.
Members of the Morse High School Kaisahan Choir sing "Bayan Ko"
Some of the many guests who attended the induction and program.
Members of Kaisahan recite Dr. Jose Rizal's Poem "Sa Aking Mgs Kabata"
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2009 AND THE FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS PARADE
A GREAT SUCCESS.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2010
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2009 QUEENS & THE ROYAL COURT (L to R) Tiffany Pascua - Miss Teen PF; Rachel Mortera - Mrs. PF Friendship; Patricia Duenas - Miss Teen Phil Faire; Femie Cupit - Mrs Phil Faire; Ezralyn Avinante - Miss Phil Faire; Isabella Ricasa - Little Miss Phil Faire; Alyssa Buluran - Little Miss PF Friendship; Shyriel Grace Pilitro - Little Miss PF Unity. Back row: Merly Ferrer - President, COPAO.
