News

COPAO ELECTS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2009 AND 2010

The COPAO Center in National City was filled to capacity on December 8, 2008, as representatives of member organizations, volunteers, candidates and guests showed up to elect a new Board of Directors for the 37-year old community organization.

Rita Andrews, outgoing president, welcomed everyone and thanked them for their presence and for supporting the organization. She also greeted Paul Ones, longtime community leader and a three-term chair of COPAO, who had decided to celebrate his birthday with the group. Rita led the group in singing "Happy Birthday" for him. This was followed by the award of certificates of commendation to key members of the outgoing Executive Council, who had made significant contributions to the success of the organization during her term of office. She also announced that COPAO had entered into a consulting agreement with Ditas Yamane, who would serve as interim Executive Director of COPAO. Finally, she designated Merly Ferrer as acting president of COPAO while she would be away on vacation.

On behalf of the outgoing Board, Executive Vice President Merly Ferrer presented a plaque to outgoing President Rita in recognition of her outstanding service as president of COPAO from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008. Merly pointed out that Rita's "dedication to duty and pursuit of excellence in running the affairs of the organization, have greatly benefited the Filipino-American community and gained the respect and admiration of your fellow members in the Board of Directors."

Heading the incoming Board of Directors for a two-year term to take effect on January 1, 2009, was Marita Ferrer of the Philippine Nurses Association and UP Alumni Association, who was elected as President. Other officers elected were Fred Gallardo as Executive Vice President; Normita Atangan as Vice President for Finance; Alice Podschun as Treasurer; and Arlito Reclosado as Sergeant-at-Arms. Elected as Directors with two-year terms were the following: Aurora Cudal, Riz Oades, George Alfonso, Nita Barrion, Nedy Lao, Larry Breitfelder, Nario Idos, Cesar Solis, Vince Bumanglag, and Jun Mataban. Also elected as Directors for one-year terms were the following: Mary Garrido, Henry Gonzales, Amy Buluran, Rudy Liporada, FemieCupit, Norma Baldad, Jeremy Buenviaje, Blanca Paloma and Alicia De Leon Torres .

The COPAO "Comelec" which took care of the preparations for the election was chaired by Normita Atangan. Volunteer members of the "Comelec" who took charge of the conduct of the secret ballot elections were Ditas Yamane, Ellen, Nobles-Sexsion, Juliet Nobles-Decadiz, Rita Andrews, Maria Corazon Paclibar, Ariel Iglesia, Bert Andrade, Ed Herrera, Winlove Cudal, Pete Cortez, Bill Flores and James Buencamino. Under their direction, the elections, followed a strict timeline and went smoothly without a hitch.

MANY THANKS to all the candidates, the volunteers who assisted us, and the delegates/representatives of the different member organizations of COPAO for making the elections orderly and efficient.

On Saturday, October 24 at the Kimball Senior Services Center in National City, the Council of Philippine

American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO) and community volunteers organized and hosted the Kick-Off event for the First San Diego Filipino Complete Count Committee (FCCC). The gathering was the first step towards providing the Filipino community with the correct information and the importance of why we must all stand and be counted for the U.S. Census 2010. To understand why it is important one must first understand what the Census is. The United States Constitution mandates the Census Bureau to collect population data so that federal funds of up to $400 billion annually could be properly allocated to provide funding to hospitals, job training centers, schools, emergency services, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects. The data collected by the census also helps to determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, and serves as the basis for States in planning redistricting.

The U.S. Constitution stipulates that the Census be taken in each year ending with “0”. According to data given by Nampet Panichpant Michelsen, the Census Bureau Representative, San Diego county had approximately 200,000 -250,000 Filipinos when the last census was taken in 2000, but less than 125,000 Filipinos mailed in their Census forms. For every one person not accounted for, the county misses out on approximately $12 thousand in funding. It is now estimated that there are over 350,000 Filipinos residing in San Diego; therefore, the Filipino Complete Count Committee was organized to increase awareness of the Census so that every Filipino in the county will be accounted for. Following the U.S. Census motto, “It’s in our hands” the goal of the committee is to provide our community with the right information about Census 2010, the most important being that ALL information given to the Census is confidential and is only provided as population data to provide a better economic outlook in our region. No individual will be asked to provide a social security number and everyone must be counted whether they are a US citizen or not. “Filipino Tayo! Magpabilang!”

The committee is represented by Committee Chair Dr. Aurora Cudal and assistant Marcel Ocampo. The sub-committees of the FCCC and their respective chairs are as follows: Media - Virgil Yalong, Education - Dolores Balane, Business - Ditas Yamane, Seniors - Bert Andrade, Youth - Luisito Melchor Jr., Veterans & Military - Vincent Bumanglag, Faith Based Organizations - Arnel Encabo, Health Organizations - Cyd Gallardo, and Government Organizations - Dina Ellorin.

COPAO TO HOST PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2011 AND THE FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS PARADE,

THE LARGEST FILIPINO-AMERICAN GATHERING TO BE HELD AT KIMBALL PARK IN

NATIONAL CITY ON SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

National City, Calif. - The Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO) has announced that it is ready to stage Philippine Faire 2011 and the colorful Festival of Festivals Parade on May 28, 2011, at the Kimball Park in National City. The parade will be led by Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, who is this year’s parade Grand Marshal. She will be joined by elected officials and dignitaries from Federal, State, County and cities within San Diego County who have been invited to attend, as well as representatives from COPAO and the many local Filipino-American organizations.

As in past years, students and teachers from the Sweetwater Union High School District and the San Diego Unified School District, as well as the Council for the Teaching of Filipino Language and Culture, will be participating and depicting popular Philippine festivals from all over the archipelago of over 7,000 islands like the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, Panagbenga, Kadayawan, Pintados, Flores de Mayo, Santa Cruzan and others.

Parade participants will assemble at the Walmart Parking area in National City starting at 7:30 a.m. The parade will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. and will wind up at Kimball Park for the opening ceremonies, entertainment program and booth exhibits at the faire grounds from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the event is FREE.

Negotiations are being finalized for a one and a half hour Variety and Game Show to be hosted by Philippine TV giant GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV with celebrities from the Philippines – all well-known TV and movie personalities. In addition to the GMA Celebrity Showcase, there will be additional entertainment for the whole family featuring local singing and dancing talents, FREE health screenings and access to community resources, ethnic and mainstream food, vendor & information booths, and the presentation the 2011 Philippine Faire ambassadors of goodwill and scholarship awardees

Volunteers are still needed to help with the event. COPAO is also still accepting applications for the parade as well as food, vendor & information booths. These are limited in number and are going fast, so interested parties are requested to turn in their applications on a first-come, first-served basis before May 1, 2011. Likewise, Filipino-American students who are graduating from area high schools in May or June this year still have up to May 1st to submit their applications for the $1,000 scholarships that are up for grabs.

For application forms and more information about Philippine Faire 2011, visit COPAO’s website at www.copao-sandiego.org or send an e-mail to philfaire2011@yahoo.com.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – About 90 executive board members and representatives of the 12 regional chapters of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) attended the organization’s Strategic Planning Conference at the Las Vegas Bally’s Hotel on May 13-15 to discuss the federation’s national agenda for 2011-2012. (Note: COPAO is a member of NaFFAA.)

“It was a very successful conference,” said Ed Navarra of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, NaFFAA national chair. “We unified our ranks throughout the US, defined our strategy of primarily empowering our community through advocacy, discussed ways and means of strengthening all NaFFAA regions, and approved resolutions of concern to our community.”

FilAmVOTE

NaFFAA’s FilAmVOTE project to encourage more Filipino Americans to be registered voters and to actively participate in the political process was the first issue tackled at the conference. Co-chairs Merit Salud, a Democrat from New York, and Rudy Asercion, a Republican from San Francisco, discussed the need to increase the registration of FilAm voters to become a political force in US politics.

The Political Empowerment plenary session was presided by Gloria Caoile, former Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), a major sponsor of the NaFFAA conference. Vida Benavides, a Democratic Party strategist and former White House official in the Clinton Administration, encouraged NaFFAA members to bring the issues of the community to whatever political party they join.

SAVE Act

Newly-appointed Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. addressed the NaFFAA members in the afternoon plenary about the Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act, sponsored in the US Senate by Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) which would allow apparel products from the Philippines to enter the U.S. duty-free.

“The Philippine government understands how important this legislation is to our workers and our relationship with the U.S.,” Cuisia said. “The SAVE Act would provide tens of millions of dollars in new exports for U.S. businesses and save hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Philippines,” he added.

NaFFAA leaders also discussed with Cuisia the need for closer cooperation between the Philippine consulates and NaFFAA regarding assistance provided to “disadvantaged Filipinos” pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding previously entered into between then Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople and then NaFFAA Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis.

Medicare portability

NaFFAA delegates unanimously passed the resolution “supporting the campaign for portability of US Medicare benefits” after Eric Lachica, lead organizer of US Medicare PH, Inc., spoke in the afternoon session about the need to amend US Medicare law to allow US retirees to avail of their Medicare benefits in the Philippines. According to the Medicare Trustees 2010 Report, the annual cost per Medicare beneficiary has doubled to $11,743 since 2005.

“US taxpayers will save at least $5,000 per year for each Filipino American retiree who chooses to return to the Philippines if Medicare reimburses their medical expenses. If 100,000 US retirees reside in the Philippines, Medicare yearly savings would be $500,000,000 and would greatly help our US government meet budget priorities in job creation, education and deficit reduction,” Lachica stressed.

DREAM Act

NaFFAA also unanimously endorsed passage of the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act which was recently reintroduced in the US Senate on May 11, 2011. The bill would provide conditional permanent residency to illegal alien students who graduate from US high schools, are of good moral character, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill’s enactment if they complete two years in the military or two years at a four year institution of higher learning.

NaFFAA Legislative Affairs Director Jerry Clarito explained that tens of thousands of Filipinos would benefit from passage of this Act including Miguel Gulfin, who was only 7 when his parents brought him to the US in 1991. After graduating from high school in New Jersey, US Immigration authorities placed him in deportation proceedings after learning of his illegal status. While fighting deportation, Gulfin serves as president of the Campus Crusade for Christ based in Brookdale, N.J. where he regularly participates in evangelization work among students.

Gulfin’s application for a stay of deportation before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is being handled by the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) headed by New York immigration attorney J.T. Mallonga, national vice-chair of NaFFAA.

Global Summit on Filipinos in Diaspora

NaFFAA also announced plans to continue the Global Filipino Networking Conference it initiated in San Francisco in August 2002 after delegates unanimously voted to co-sponsor the Global Summit of Filipinos in Diaspora which is scheduled to be held in Manila on September 27 to 29, 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The Diaspora Summit will be co-hosted by the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) headed by Chair Secretary Imelda Nicolas and the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) whose national chair is Loida Nicolas Lewis.

NaFFAA national chair Navarra appointed former Region 2 chair Bing Branigin to coordinate NaFFAA’s participation in the Global Summit. Branigin said that the three issues NaFFAA intends to present at the Summit are the legal defense of Filipinos abroad, human trafficking particularly in labor and global coordination of Philippine disaster relief.

Branigin will also inform Summit delegates about NaFFAA’s participation in the successful campaign to pass a Veterans Equity Bill that provided financial benefits to about 20,000 surviving Filipino WW II veterans. She will also update Summit delegates about NaFFAA’s lobbying work for passage of the Save Act, the Dream Act and the Medicare Portability Act.

RIZAL DISPLAY AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

16 June 2011, Washington, DC – To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Asian Division of the Library of Congress will have a program and display of Rizal materials from 17 to 27 June 2011 at the Asian Reading Room.

The display will feature the many versions of the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, reproductions of some of Rizal’s poems, various mini portraits of Rizal and many books about Rizal. A second Rizal display will take place in December which will include the Spanish newspapers that featured his trial and monographs on his execution and martyrdom.

Among the books that will be on display include:

DS 674.M8 1890 Sucesos de las islas Filipinas por el doctor Antonio de Morga, obra publicada en Mejico el ano de 1609, nuevamente sacada a luz y anotada por Jose Rizal y precedida de un prologo del prof. Fernando Blumentritt. In Spanish. Paris, Libreria de Garnier Hermanos (1890)

DS 675.8.R5A4 One Hundred Letters of Jose Rizal to his Parents, brother, Sisters, Relatives. Published by the Philippine National Historical Society (1959).

Original handwritten plates with corresponding translations. Jose P. Apostol, editor, notes that Rizal gave instructions to his sister Maria in Dec.1882 that all letters in Spanish that begin with “Mis queridos padres y hermanos…” be sequestered because in these he tells all that has happened and will further explain their contents if and when he returns home.

Frontispiece photograph signed by Rizal. The Appendices include a letter dated 25th Dec. 1896 on the letterhead “Josefina” to Trinidad Rizal, and a separate document titled “Description of My Life dated 22nd February 1897” both allegedly authored by Josephine Bracken in two different handwritings. The latter is signed “Josephine Bracken de Rizal A Widow”

DS 675.8.R5 C8 Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal, Philippine Patriot. A Study of the growth of free ideas in the trans-Pacific American Territory. Austin Craig. Published by Philippine Education Company (1913) Heavily illustrated with sketches by Rizal and portraits at different times in his life.

DS 675.8.R5 I7 JOSE RIZAL, Antonio Iraizoz. In Spanish. Limited Edition No. 782. published by Habana Molina & Company, printed in Cuba (1929)

PQ 8897.R5.M4 1916 Mariang Makiling, A Philippine Folk Tale by Dr. Jose Rizal. In English. Foreword by Austin Craig and signed. Translated by Charles Derbyshire. (July 31, 1916) Softcover 13cm x 8-1/2cm. No publishing details.

PQ 8897.R5.N5 1902 Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal, Novela Tagala; edicion completa con notas de R. Sempau. Casa Editorial Maucci – Mallorca, 226 y 228. Buenos Ayres / Mexico. (Barcelona, 1902) Hardback 4-1/2x7, 413pp. Index. In Spanish. Touch Me Not, by Jose Rizal, a Tagalog novel. Published by the Editorial House of Maucci.

Introduction: brief bio of Jose Rizal, background on the Noli and includes Rizal’s poem, My Last Farewell, written in prison before he faced the firing squad in 1896. Also includes a journalist’s description of the crowd that gathered in Luneta during his execution. Quoted from the newspaper La Correspondencia (Puerto Rico), dated December 30, 1901, on the 5th anniversary of his death. Illustrated colored cover at the back of the Maucci edition.

DOJ ADVISORY ON DRUG MULES

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised Filipinos abroad that the Department of Justice has issued an advisory on drug smuggling and the victimization of Filipinos as drug couriers. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima stated that the advisory opinion, which was issued on April 29, “seeks to explain to the public the issues surrounding the recruitment, arrest, detention and conviction in foreign countries of Filipino who are caught transporting illegal drugs.”

The advisory opinion outlined 10 recommended points for the Filipino public. These are the following:

1. Carry at your own risk.

2. Knowledge is immaterial and intent is not a requirement in drug trafficking.

3. Be vigilant of the modus operandi of drug courier syndicates.

4. In the unfortunate event of arrest or detention for drug trafficking, have presence of mind and do not resist arrest.

5. Assert your legal rights, inquire on the legal remedies and request for consular assistance.

6. Presumption of innocence will always apply.

7. The laws of the country of arrest apply.

8. If sentenced, the Philippine government can only be of limited assistance.

9. “Blood money” cannot be paid to erase the liability of a person convicted of a crime involving illegal drugs.

10. Take full responsibility of your actions.

Secretary de Lima said that it is not a valid legal defense that the carrier of a package did not know it contains illegal drugs or that he had no intention to commit a crime. Therefore, she advised Filipinos to be always on-guard when dealing with strangers and when dealing with request for carrying of packages.

Secretary de Lima also stated that the Philippine Government can only offer limited assistance to arrested persons. She said that the government cannot interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

“The best the government can do for you is to assist in protecting your rights and arranging your legal defense. Outside of this, the government cannot insist that you be given a different treatment than that which the laws of other countries provide,” said Secretary de Lima.

The DFA has called for personal vigilance and responsibility on the part of Filipinos who travel overseas. They should not agree to carry any packages or luggage for strangers, even supposed friends or employers, or consent to carry packages in exchange for money. Our people can take fuller responsibility for their actions by always being on guard against such inducements.

PASACAT OFFERS OPEN RONDALLA WORKSHOPS AT PASACAT CENTER

(NATIONAL CITY, CA) PASACAT will have open Rondalla workshops on Mondays beginning July 11, 530 pm - 645 pm at the PASACAT Center, 102 East 16th Street National City. Participants will be provided the history of the Rondalla and other indigenous instruments of the Philippines. The workshops serve as an introductory class on playing the unique instruments - the bandurria, octavina and laod. The bandurria originated from Spain and has fourteen strings divided into six groupings and played with a plectrum.

The PASACAT Rondalla was established in 1979 under the direction of Bayani Mendoza De Leon. De Leon has scored over 300 pieces of folk songs, dances, traditional and contemporary for PASACAT.

Additional sessions are on July 18, 25 and conclude on August 1. The workshops are free and PASACAT has limited quantities of instruments for rent.

"The lilting sounds of the Rondalla captures the essence of the Philippines and with our folk dance, completes the picture of the richness of our culture," affirmed Anamaria Labao Cabato, PASACAT Executive Director.

For more information contact PASACAT 619-477-3383 or admin@pasacat.org, website: www.pasacat.org.

This program is funded in part by the County of San Diego Community Enhancement Fund.

MANILA F.A.M.E. INTERNATIONAL

16 – 19 October 2011

Mall of Asia Complex, Metro Manila

Los Angeles, 5 October 2011 – The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is inviting participants to the 54th edition of Manila F.A.M.E. International which will be held from 16 to 19 October 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Since 1983, FAME has been nurturing and promoting Philippine exporters, helping them gain a foothold in the international market for furniture and furnishings, holiday gifts, and fashion.

In its 28-year history, FAME marks an industry milestone as it brings together under one roof four world class event brands-Manila FAME + Manila Now + Cebu Next + Bijoux Cebu to create and promote one show and solidify FAME’s position in the Asia circuit of shows.

The 54th edition will highlight new and exciting features such as: Weaving Dreams, Merchandise Specialist Program, Trend Stores, T’boli Dreamweavers, Creation Station and The Red Box.

Interested parties may obtain further information (e.g. registration fee) from the Secretariat through the following:

Telephone: (632) 833-1258 / 831-1265 / 832-5033

Email Address: manilafame@citem.com.ph