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
2012
Marita "Merly" Ferrer
President
Myra Lopez
Executive Vice President
Normita F Atangan
Vice President for Finance
Rudy Liporada
Vice President for Operations
Priscilla Garrovillas
Secretary
Arnel Encabo
Treasurer
Dina Ellorin
Auditor
Glenn Abille
Sergeant-at-Arms
Directors
Regina Agarma
Florfina Arce
Gloria Aspiras
Nita Barrion
Aurora Cudal
Sal Flor
Joselito Guinto
Julio DeGuzman
Ronaldo Dinogan
Rosalina Idos
Nedy Lao
Ludy Luevanos
Jun Mataban
Frank Montanez
Dr. Rey Monzon
Crisabel Ramos
Arlito Reclosado
Erwin Sanvictores
Rita Buencamino Andrews - Chair
Fred Gallardo - Member
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Last updated 1/13/2012
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!
SUPPORT BANTAY BATA 163
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.
COPAO COLLABORATING WITH GAWAD KALINGA FOR TYPHOON SENDONG RELIEF
ALSO KNOWN AS FILIPINO-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Established by the Filipino American National Historical Society in the year 1988. Filipino American History Month is an opportunity to study the advancement of Filipino Americans in the United States and as a time to renew efforts toward the examination of history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation.
PHIL OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER REGISTRATION TO START ON 2 NOVEMBER 2011
(Press Release from Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles)
Los Angeles, 25 October 2011 - Notice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election, and who are registered overseas absentee voters with approved application to vote in absentia, may vote for Senators and Party-List Representatives. For this purpose, all qualified Filipino citizens not registered as voters under Republic Act No. 8189, otherwise known as “The Voters Registration Act of 1996” (the system of continuing registration) shall file an application for registration while those who are already registered under the said Act shall file an application for certification.
For purposes of the 13 May 2013 elections and pursuant to Section 6 of COMELEC Resolution No. 9269, the filing of applications for registration/certification and transfer of registration records shall be filed at the Post or other designated registration areas from 2 November 2011 until 31 October 2012.
For details, please contact:
Philippine Consulate General
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90010
DONATIONS are urgently needed to help those affected by this latest disaster to hit the Philippines. Therefore, COPAO is collaborating with Gawad Kalinga USAand it's Operation Walang Iwanan (No One Left Behind) fund drive for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the Philippine, COPAO is asking the Filipino-American community in San Diego to donate to the relief effort either through COPAO or directly to GK USA at its website (click here).
or the headquarters of GK USA at 13860 Stowe Drive, Poway, CA 92064. If sending checks, be sure to memo "Typhoon Sendong Relief."
As of December 27, 2011, the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reducation Management Council (NDRRMC) disaster report was as follows: 1,249 dead, 4,594 injured, and 84 missing (subject to verification). A total of 113,336 families / 719,485 persons in 789 barangays/56 municipalities/8 cities in the 13 provinces of Regions VI, VII, IX, X, XI, CARAGA, and ARMM have been affected. 42,325 houses have been damaged/destroyed.
Although donations are flowing in, there is so much more needed by the victims of Typhoon Sendong, considering that hundreds of thousands are without housing and adequate shelter, food and potable water. There is also a crying need to prevent the outbreak of cholera, dysentery, dengue and respiratory problems, particularly in congested evacuation centers.
Interested parties may also get additional information from the website of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, at http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/. Additional information and updates concerning the typhoon may be found at the website of the NDRRMC: http://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph
(Press Release from Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles)
