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.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2013
Dr. Rey Monzon
President
Erwin Sanvictores
Executive Vice President
Luisito Melchor, Jr.
Vice President for Finance
Alicia De Leon-Torres
Vice President for Operations
Den Dominguez
Secretary
Devie Yu
Treasurer
Dina Ellorin
Auditor
Sergeant-at-Arms
Directors
Regina Agarma
Juanito Amor, Jr.
Beth Atendido
Nita Barrion
Aurora Cudal
Herb Delute
Sal Flor
Rosalina Idos
Nedy Lao
Rudy Liporada
Ludy Luevanos
Joseph Mazares
Frank Montanez
Crisabel Ramos
Arlito Reclosado
Marita "Merly" Ferrer Chair
Members
Rita Buencamino Andrews
Fred Gallardo
Palma Hooper, Esq.
Myrna T.F. Reyes
BOARD OF ADVISERS
Questions, Comments and Suggestions?
Last updated 5/8/2013
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
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.
COPAO President Merly Ferrer and NaFFAA Chair Greg Makabenta with COPAO Philippine Faire 2008 Beauties after the wreath laying at the Rizal Bust
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.
MAY LAKAS SA PAGKAKAISA - IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH
COUNCIL OF PHILIPPINE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS
OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, INC.
P.O. Box 1504, National City, California 91951-1504 Telephone: 619-477-4090
COPAO is a California Public Benefit Corporation and IRS 501 (c) (3) organization.
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE
FOR A SUCCESSFUL CENSUS 2010
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2010 AMBASSADORS OF GOODWILL L TO R) Roselle Lopez, Little Miss Phil Faire ; MARIE JUNTILLA, Miss Teen Phil Faire; Mikaela McLeish, Miss Teen PF Friendship; KATHY MIRANDA, Miss Phil Faire; LITA MARTIN, Mrs. Phil Faire; Demy Din, Ms. PF Friendship; Victoria Anne Panganiban, Miss PF Friendship.
Some of the partcipants in the colorful Festival of Festivals Parade in 2010. This early, plan on join the 2012 Parade. Bring your family and enjoy
the whole day of entertainment for the whole family!
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2010
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2011 & COPAO AMBASSADORS OF GOODWILL
Tina Monzon-Palma, program director of Bantay Bata 163 stresses a point as she appeals for help for the many children in the Philippines who are in need of food and education. She visited COPAO and spoke before a full house at the COPAO Center on Mothers' Day, May 8, 2011.
Academic Excellence, Leadership, Athletics and Community Service
COPAO is proud to announce the launching of its search for Outstanding Filipino-American High School Seniors of San Diego County for 2013. Awards will be given to recognize four (4) graduating Filipino-American High School Seniors for their achievement in any of the following categories: Academic Excellence, Leadership, Athletic, and Community Service.
SEARCH FOR THE 2013 DELEGATES TO THE FILIPINO AMERICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
19 March 2013 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles is pleased to announce the search for the second batch of outstanding young Filipino Americans (aged 18 to 40), who will be tapped as future leaders of their Filipino-American communities and advocacies. The involvement of these emerging leaders in the Filipino-American community is expected to further add vibrancy and dynamism to the development of the Philippines and to the Filipino-American community in the United States.
The second Filipino American Youth Leadership Program or FYLPro (pronounced “fil-pro”) will build on the success of the first-ever program, held from 13 to 16 July 2012 in the Philippines, which yielded a remarkable batch of young Filipino-Americans who continue to embark on different advocacies to help promote further progress in the Philippines and to further engage the multi-faceted Filipino-American community. The first batch of FYLPro delegates have gone to undertake, among others, political advocacy initiatives, cultural and tourism promotion programs, social entrepreneurship activities, education innovations, Filipino-American heritage projects, voter awareness and education, and have even launched political campaigns of their own.
In partnership with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), this year’s edition of the FYLPro hopes to attract more young Filipino-American leaders who we hope will be among the movers and shakers among the emerging generation of Filipino-Americans. Program sponsors shall fund the cost of the participants’ airfare, local transportation and accommodations.
Among the qualifications for the outstanding Filipino-American achievers and leaders are the applicants’ scholastic achievements and other accolades, leadership skills, accomplishments, active involvement in school, civic, political, business and other organizations as well as their vision, innovativeness and commitment to making a difference in the Philippines and within the Filipino-American community.
The chosen delegates will take part in an immersive program in the Philippines from 7 to 9 July 2013 and will likewise participate in the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) from 9 to 11 July 2013. The special FYLPro program will afford them the opportunity to meet and dialogue with the highest officials and policymakers in the Philippines, leaders of industry, legislators, media, artists and cultural experts, entrepreneurs (both traditional and social), as well as innovators in different fields.
Applicants should be between the ages of 18 and 40 years old by 1 July 2013. They should be ready to travel by this date (i.e. have a valid passport for international travel), and are expected to commit time, skills and resources to engage with the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the US in ways which would advance the causes and interest of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans.
Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles, 07 May 2013 – The Overseas Voting for the 13 May 2013 elections will terminate on 13 May 2013 at 4 a.m. Los Angeles time.
Overseas Voters (OV) who have not yet received their mailed ballots may proceed to the Philippine Consulate General and be provided with ballots to be able to vote. Pursuant to the COV Guideline No. 2013-06 dated 02 May 2013, issued by the Committee on Overseas Voting (COV), the following directives have been issued:
•Overseas Voter shall personally appear at the Philippine Consulate General;
•COMELEC-deputized Consulate staff will verify the name of Overseas Voter if he/she is listed in the voter’s list, mailing list, list of voters who failed to vote in two (2) successive elections or seafarers’ list;
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING FOR MAY 13, 2013, PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS: DID YOU NOT YET RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT IN THE MAIL?
•Overseas Voter must present a valid identification card for the purpose of establishing his/her identity;
•Once the verification has been completed, COMELEC-deputized Consulate staff shall issue to the Overseas Voter, an unnamed electoral mail packet;
•Overseas Voter shall accomplish the ballot inside the premises of the Philippine Consulate and he/she shall not be allowed to bring the ballot outside the premises of the Post;
•After accomplishing the ballot, the Overseas Voter shall personally submit his/her ballot to the COMELEC-deputized Consulate staff;
•Any Overseas Voter who has not yet received his/her mailed packet may proceed to the Philippine Consulate at the following Los Angeles dates/hours: (Address: 3600 Wilshire Bl., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90010, U.S.A.)
08 May 2013(Wednesday)from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
09 May 2013(Thursday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
10 May 2013(Friday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11 May 2013(Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
12 May 2013(Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
13 May 2013(Monday) from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Ballots received after 4 a.m. Los Angeles time of 13 May 2013 shall be invalidated. Overseas Voters are therefore encouraged to vote and personally submit their ballots early.
Overseas Voter shall personally appear at the Philippine Consulate General;