NaFFAA Applauds Obamas Executive

Action on Immigration
By Jon Melegrito and Bng Cardenas

20 November 2014. Washington, D.C. We whole-heartedly support President Obamas executive action that
provides immigration relief to undocumented immigrants who have made significant contributions to this country, and yet have been denied access to the same opportunities that Americans enjoy, says NaFFAA National
Chairman JT Mallonga. His bold decision is a step forward in alleviating the plight of millions of undocumented immigrants who have been unfairly treated by our broken immigration system.

Whats Inside?
From Advocacy Director... 2
Leaders Speaks....3
NaFFAA Retreat4-5
TPS.. ...6
SF Petition7
Awards... .7
FilVote MI.8
Region 10... 8
FilVets ..9
NaFFAA Application ..10

Mallonga adds: NaFFAA stands in solidarity with other immigrant communities in demanding policies that unite families and
celebrate the many contributions immigrants have made regardless of legal status to the social, political and economic well-being
of this country. President Obamas actions today affirm that we are indeed a nation of immigrants, a nation that values freedom, a nation that works together and keeps us together.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) estimates there are 270,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants in the
U.S. today. NaFFAA, and other national organizations, have called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Filipino nationals in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. President Obamas action is expected to benefit at
least 150,000 Filipinos who have been here for at least five years.
In view of the limits imposed by the Presidents decision, we continue to call
on Homeland Security to grant TPS to the Philippines, Mallonga adds. The humanitarian arguments we have put forward are still valid, and require immediate response.

(AP Photo/Jim Bourg, Pool)

In his announcement, President Obama said he is taking an important step

to fix our broken immigration system by providing legal status for undocumented immigrants who pay a fine and taxes, pass a background check, learn English and go
to the back line. Moreover, this action boosts our economy and keeps families together by cutting red tape to simplify our legal immigration process.

President Obamas decision to provide affirmative relief means that parents

of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (of any age) who have been continuously present since January 1, 2010, and who
pass background checks and pay taxes, will be eligible to apply for deferred action (DACA), which will be granted for a 3-year period.
Parents of DACA recipients are not eligible. DACA will be revised to eliminate the age cap, and to change the date that continuous
presence must have started to January 1, 2010.
Obama also calls on securing the border, holding nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants accountable, requiring undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay their fair share of taxes as they register to temporarily stay in the US
without fear of deportation.
We recognize that these steps only provide temporary protected status to undocumented immigrants who qualify, Mallonga
points out. Congress must finish the job and work with the President in passing a comprehensive, bipartisan bill. The U.S. Senate
passed one more than a year ago, with 68 senators from both parties voting for it. Its up to the House leadership to do the right thing,
now.
NaFFAA plans to hold educational forums in the coming weeks and months to educate the community about these executive
actions and their implications to individuals concerned.

From NaFFAA National

Directorate for Advocacy:
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE OBAMA EXECUTIVE
FIAT OF 112014
In view of the impact to all FILAM community of the
Executive Order of Pres. Obama on 112014, it behoves
NaFFAA , as the voice of the Filipino community all over the
nation, to go down in their respective jurisdiction and to lead in
the information dissemination on the whys and wherfores of
this executive order.
Accordingly, the NaFFAA National Directorate on Advocacy has taken the initiative of providing pertinent materials
on the subject. Included herein are the following. 1). A copy of
the Immigration chart for easy understanding and handling of
the material points impacting the community and 2). Data on
demographics from PEW Foundation as to the impact of the
executive order to the nation. Other relevant information are
posted at naffaa.org.
It is hope that these materials would provide exciting
and relevant information to our respective communities as
NaFFAA goes down nationwide with its information dissemination activities in the days to come.
For their immediate consideration and appropriate ac-

tion.

Emerito Salud, Esq.

National Directorate for Advocacy

NaFFAAs Leaders Speak on the Presidents

Immigration Initiative
President Obamas Executive Action on Immigration is a huge accomplishment for immigrants. Although
temporary and not all-inclusive, this presidential initiative surely brings relief for undocumented immigrants,
who are covered by this policy change. I urge my fellow leaders in the Filipino American community across
the nation to work with their legislators by engaging in discussions that may lead to the eventual passing of
a comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill.

Cindy Flores, Chair, NaFFAA Illinois

It was a victory for many Filipino Americans and other immigrant communities across the United States.
And while the Executive Order helps many, there are numerous undocumented Fil-Ams do not qualify;
as such, this serves as a benchmark for NaFFAA to keep advocating for Comprehensive Immigration
Reform.
Steven Raga, Member, Board of Governors (NY)

President Obama's "Immigration Accountability Executive Action" reflects the call to hospitality and welcome that is at the core of our faith traditions and is a core American value. In the absence of congressional responsibility to address immigration reform, this action was essential to address this critical national issue. As we continue to reflect on the gains for human rights in this historic moment, let us continue to build relationships with those impacted members in our community and recommit to walking in
solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.

Dennis Apuan, Chair, NaFFAA Region 5 (CO)

I applaud President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration. I consider it a palliative to the problem of
undocumented but law-abiding immigrants. But it is better than no action at all. I am looking forward to
the day when Congress will come up with an Immigration Reform Bill incorporating the provisions of the
Executive Order. Many Filipino families can breathe a sigh of relief now that they are protected by the
Executive Order.
Aurora S. Cudal, Chair, NaFFAA Region 10 (SD-CA)

Congratulations to the Successful NaFFAA Retreat in Las Vegas

Special Thank You to all the participants for coming to Las
Vegas, Region XI for hosting and Ms. Gloria Caoile for coordinating room reservation, conference room and food at the hotel.
Please find highlights of the Retreat in pages 4-5.
Reports by Giselle Rushford, National Executive Director
Photos by Jon Melegrito, National Communications Director

Highlights of NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallongas Message:

2016 President election, Comprehensive Immigration and NaFFAA as an advocacy

group.
Requesting NAFFAAs attendance to the consular meeting in D.C., to promote
NAFFAA as the go-to organization on Filipino issues.
Effective NaFFAA governance with establishment of the following: National database of all; Filipino American voters, database for all advocacy groups, and database of undocumented Filipinos

Creation of 3 Region Centers and Appointment of Chairs within NaFFAA

(Reports to Emraida Kiram, National Vice ChairHead of Operations.)
Atlantic Region consisting of Regions I, II, III East & Region IV Aida Rivera, Chair
Central Region consisting of Regions III West, V, VI, Region XI Emraida Kiram, Chair
Pacific Coast Region consisting of Regions VII, VIII, IX, X & XII Rudy Asercion, Chair
Confirmed Directorates and Directors
(Reports to Giselle Rushford, Executive Director- Administration & Planning)
Merit Salud -- Advocacy
Bing Branigin Legislative
Gloria Caoile, Juanito Amor Jr., Dick Aquino, Ed Navarra-- FilAmVote
Jon Melegrito--Communications
Lorna DietzDigital Training and Archives
Armin SaysonInformation Technology
Mariela Fletcher & Marilyn Doromal - Community Development
Jing Espiritu--Finance/Funding
Rommel Rivera--Health
Donna LaVigne--Programs
NaFFAA to create a 501(c)(4) entity to reflect NaFFAAs avowed purposes, allowing
members to engage in political activities, endorse candidates/issues and engage in substantial lobbying activities. Nadia Jurani, a tax lawyer and CPA, was tasked to continue
the work on NaFFAAs 501(C) 3 issues.
Finalizing the Amendments to the By-Laws, which will be published in naffaa.org.
Confirmed Appointments:
Dick Aquino as Atlantic Region Co-Director of FilAm Vote
Lidy Chan of Massachusetts as National Assistant Treasurer
Nadia Jurani as Internal Auditor
Announcements

National conference manual will be circulated around within three (3) months to be
used as a guide.
Amended Bylaws will also be circulated to all directorate members.
Provide support to all other national Filipino organizations and initiatives,
including those by non-NAFFAA members.
Copy of the Delano Manongs documentary for $305 is available for every region,
order at: http://www.delanomanongs.com/.
Region 1 announced the 2016 EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE in
Philadelphia on July 28-31, 2016.

Major Key Initiatives report from each Directorate:

PROGRAMS (Headed by Donna LaVigne, Members present: Rudy Asercion, Jinni Bartolome and Amie Belmonte)
A. HELPING KIDS GET HOME SAFE - Successful implementation of ongoing self-funded programs:
SAFE HAVEN PROGRAM (SHP) for older kids who are not accompanied by parents
1. Anti-bullying programs - go to Safe Haven entities/ storeowners with yellow stickers.
2. Philippine Consulate is in partnership with NAFFAA on this SF programs
3. ACTION ITEM: Ask entities to be participant of SHP
B. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
ACTION ITEMS:
To add the NAFFAA logo on the reflectors to be distributed to the community.
To introduce resolution to avoid double tasking of tour bus drivers to avoid the accident in San
Francisco where a slow moving tour bus ran over a Filipino woman crossing the street when the
driver was also acting as the tour guide.
For effective succession of NAFFAA- be a mentor by partnering with young people.
Distribute to every member by December 15, 2015 existing programs to be modeled by regions
that will adopt the initiative.
C. Alex Esclamado Scholarship: Regionalize the scholarship program to encourage more applicants and for the AE Program to be sustainable.
ACTION ITEM:
Each Region is encouraged to fundraise at least a $1500 per year starting January 2016. Scholar
to receive $1000 in cash and the $500 to be used to travel to the NaFFAA Empowerment Confer
ence (NEC). One Scholar a year. Each Scholar to attend the NEC. Coordinate with the National
AE Committee.
HEALTH (Headed by Dr. Rommel Rivera, Members present: Jelly Carandang, Aurora Cudal,
Aida Rivera, Beth Ilagan)
Tagline: A healthy Filipino Community is an empowered community.
KEY INITIATIVES/ ACTION ITEMS/FUNDING SOURCES:
To apply funding sources from American Beverage
To apply to Gilead Pharmacy for a $50,000 national grant.
FINANCE & FUNDING (Headed by Jing Espiritu, Members present: Luly Esclamado, Resty
Lopez, Rey Lopez, Nadia Jurani & Gloria Williams)
Tagline: Show me the money!!
ACTION ITEMSTo prepare proforma Financial Report by 12/15/2014
To submit sample Quarterly Reports by 12/15/2014 as guide for all regions to use.
To coordinate with other Directorates to generate fund raising initiatives.
ADVOCACY (Headed by Merit Salud, Members present: Gloria Caoile, Cesar Lumba, Juanito Amor Jr., Dick Aquino)
Tagline: Together, We count!
INITIATIVES/ACTION ITEMS:
FilAmvote- visit Regions to train- restricted funds for specific purpose, Veterans issues, Senior
citizens care, Comprehensive immigration, Youth Development, Medicare portability, Identity,
Speakers. All fundraising activities need close collaboration with partnership.
COMMUNICATIONS (Headed by Jon Melegrito, Members present: JT Mallonga, Marilyn
Cante and Emraida Kiram)
Tagline: NAFFAA makes empowerment happen.
Deliver a knockout vote
ACTION ITEM: for the Newsletter a Directors Corner for at least one Directorate (or more as
space allows)
Directorate of Legislative Affairs- Bing Branigin
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Headed by Mariela Fletcher & Marilyn Doromal, Members
present: Romeo Jurani, Cynthia Deriquito, Minda Banaria and later Amie Belmonte.)
Tagline- A community that works together, thrives together.
KEY INITIATIVES/ACTION ITEMS:
FilAm History Month- declaring Oct. as FilAm History Month; Recognition of Delano Manongs;
Carlos Bulosan
Increase and retain NaFFAA membership - continuous drive by membership committee.
Include mentors and mentee membership drive Templates by December 31, 2014 on prospective
programs such as Medical Mission, Disaster Relief, Consular Outreach, Gawad Kalinga, etc.
Data base and Membership Brochure- by December 15, 2014.

NaFFAA Renews Call for TPS

By Jon Melegrito and Bng Cardenas

Washington, D.C. As the Filipino American community prepares to mark the first year anniversary of
Typhoon Haiyan, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is renewing its call on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to do the right thing and grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to
200,000 Filipino nationals in the U.S.
Allowing undocumented Filipinos this immigration relief for at least 18 months will help the Philippines tremendously in its rebuilding efforts, says NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallonga. Its been a year since Nov. 8, 2013,
when the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Haiyan took thousands of lives, displaced thousands more and destroyed their source of livelihoods. Immediate and positive consideration of this request is critical to their recovery.
Mallonga added: As we observe the first year anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, we are grateful to the remarkable outpouring of international, U.S. government and community support and assistance. But we need to be constantly reminded that more needs to be done. And the granting of TPS will help immensely in the countrys reconstruction efforts. The one year anniversary would be a timely opportunity for the U.S. government to act.
NaFFAA is mobilizing its members in all 13 regions
to continue putting pressure on DHS. As a partner to
the Relief to Recovery Coalition, which has been at the
forefront of this campaign, NaFFAA is also joining efforts by several national organizations urging DHS and
the US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) to
act and implement this important measure of relief on
behalf of the millions of Filipinos who continue to feel
the effects of the storm. The 2014 hurricane season
has also continued to batter the Philippines with storms
such as Hurricane Rammasu in August and we are not
yet out of the woods. The Relief to Recovery Coalition,
comprised of diverse organizations and individuals
across the United States, came together in the aftermath of Haiyan and has consistently engaged DHS,
USCIS, and the White House for the last eleven months
calling for TPS.
Google pics

On September 24, 2014, delegates from NaFFAA, US

PINOYS for Good Governance (USPGG) and the Filipino
American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), met with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del
Rosario who unequivocally expressed support for the Philippines continuing request for the grant of TPS. In letters
to Secretary of State John Kerry and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson on Sept. 22, Del Rosario underscored the importance of the request, saying its approval would not only alleviate the plight of eligible Filipinos in the US but also
greatly ease the strain placed in the countrys infrastructure and resources. Many of my countrymen in the US
were affected by Typhoon Haiyan, he wrote. This humanitarian assistance would provide temporary relief for
them from the natural disasters.
On August 13, 2014, NaFFAA officers discussed the urgency of granting TPS with DHS Assistant Secretary
Alan Bersin and USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez in a meeting set up by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. at the Philippine Embassy. Filipino American leaders from all over the U.S. joined NaFFAA, FALDEF and USPGG in pressing DHS
to make a decision based on legal, economic and humanitarian grounds. In reply, DHS officials said they were
weighing all the considerations based on the facts presented. They did not, however, indicate when a decision will
be made.
Even before the Philippines formally filed for TPS designation in December, a few weeks after Typhoon Haiyan, Filipino American community organizations and church groups across the nation were already holding fundraisers and other ways to assist victims of the calamity. The most powerful storm in history devastated the Central
Visayas, killing more than 6,000 people and severely affecting more than 1.4 million others in 17 provinces.

NaFFAA Spearheads the Petition to Change Tour Bus Regulations in San Francisco,
Please visit our website or facebook page to sign the petition
By Rudy Asercion

NaFFAA Region 2
Elects New Officers
Chair: Bing Branigin
Vice Chair: Eric Macalma
Secretary: Elvi Bangit
Treasurer: Elvie Melegrito
Northern Virginia State Chair: Mitzi Pickard
Southern Virginia State Chair: Andy Lazo
Maryland Chair: Beth Wong

NaFFAA Leader Receives Lions Mission Hope Award

By Jelly Carandang

Skokie, Illinois Plan Commissioner

and Region 3West Chair, Angeles "Jelly"
Carandang, received the "Mission HOPE
Award" from the Houston Royal Oaks Lions
Club (HROLC) during its 6th Gala and Masquerade Ball last October 4, 2014. The
award is given to those who helped others
excel through service. Jelly has started a
biennial humanitarian mission in 2005,
where HROLC has provided consistent help
and support as a co-sponsor, along with
NaFFAA and other organizations in Illinois.
The Mission provides free medical, dental,
and optical services to selected areas in the
Philippines. The next mission is scheduled
for February 2 to 6, 2015. The photo below
shows Jelly (7th from left) with Ms. Maria
Theresa Mendoza (5th from left), immediate
past president of HROLC and a consistent
volunteer at the mission, the Lions District
Governor, and other awardees for different categories. Also accepting the plaque for the Philippine Chamber of Commerce of Houston is
Anthony Guevara (1st from left), NaFFAA Region 6 chair.

FilVote Michigans telethon

reaches out to 2,000 voters
By: Willie Dechavez

By Willie Dechavez

FilVote Michigan reached out to more than 2,000 voters during a

telethon it conducted last November 1 at the Fuji Japanese Buffet in Madison Heights. During the telethon, the 31 participants called by phone potential voters and urged them to cast their ballots in the midterm elections
held three days later (Nov. 4). FilVote Michigan Executive Director and
NaFFAA State Chair Willie Dechavez said that most of the potential voters
contacted by phone promised to go to the polls to cast their ballots. The
telethon started at 11 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. Most of the participants,
who had free buffet meals, were members of the Michigan chapter of the
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).
FilVote Michigan is a newly launched, non-partisan movement
tasked to convince more Filipino Americans to participate in the electoral
process by exercising their rights of suffrage. JT Mallonga, National
NaFFAA chairman, had earlier announced that FilVote is one of the federations priority advocacies, noting that of the 1.4 million eligible Filipino
American voters, only 500,000 have been voting in elections. He called on
all chapters of NaFFAA to launch FilVote in their states. Heeding Mallongas call, Dechavez, who is NaFFAA-Michigan chairperson, formed a core
group that made preparations for the launching of FilVote-Michigan.
Dechavez said that FilVote Michigan will also undertake activities aimed at
persuading Filipinos and Filipino Americans (dual citizens) to register for
the Philippine presidential elections in 2016. FilVote also sent out approximately 100 pledge cards which remind people to vote on November 4.
They also setup 472 robocall to mainstream community members and distributed 400 flyers to families to remind to vote.

New Group Joins NaFFAA Region 10

CARMEN PEREZVILLANUEVA
ANNABEL DEBARR
PHILLIP DEBARR
ANETINE SIEGA
JENNY HEADRICK
DEVINE JUCO
MARISSA RADOWICK
CHRIS PRUYT
GREG HOMBREBUENO
FLOR PENNER

LOLITA GUADEZ
CONNIE SUMALDE
CAROL D'AGOSTINO
RONALD ILAGAN
ED NAVARRA
DAN ORILLE
MANUELA ORILLE
NINA MCCAULEY
FE SAN AGUSTIN
JOY PRECHER
SALLY NOVERAS

ANAMARIE SHECLY
KEANE SHECLY
ARI MOSES
LOIDA MOSES
DIANE GONZALES
MARY BASTE
TONY ANTONIO
PERCY ANTONIO
MARLENE VIOLA
WILLIE DECHAVEZ

NaFFAA National is a monthly newsletter with the goal of circulating information on NaFFAAs advocacy events and projects, appointments, messages from leadership and other related activities in
the Filipino American community.

Editorial Staff
The FilAm Unity Group of San Diego is the first organization
member of NaFFAA Region 10. Shown in the picture are
some of the officers of the FilAm Unity Group of San Diego
County led by its President: Cora B. Anderson, Chair
NaFFAA San Diego County: Myrna Farias Reyes and
Chair, NaFFAA Region 10 Dr. Aurora Soriano Cudal, Chair,
NAFFAA Region 10.

Ryan Tejero

editor@naffaa-national.org

Eduardo Ed Navarra
chair@naffaa-national.org

Please forward comments, event announcements and news articles

in your community for the December issue by the 25th.

By: Jon Melegrito and Bing Cardenas

Washington, D.C. A nationwide public information and education

campaign to highlight the service and sacrifices of Filipino veterans
of World War II and preserve their historic legacy in a digitized education program is now officially underway with the formation of The
Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP)
on September 13, 2014.
The purpose of this Project is to tell the Filipino and FilipinoAmerican WWII Soldiers story of patriotism, duty, and uncommon
valor. Their story is over 70 years in the making and the Project
takes on the task of bringing it forward. The importance and value
of advancing the Project at local and national levels, and in uniting
our community to support the Veterans, will have a lasting impact
on future generations.

As a non-partisan, community-based charitable organization and an all-volunteer national educational initiative, FilVetREPs
Participating in the planning meeting last summer to launch the Filipino main mission is to raise the American peoples awareness about
Veterans Recognition and Education Project are (from left, front row) Maj. the valuable role Filipino WWII veterans played; gain recognition for
Gen. Antonio Taguba, Marie Blanco, Gina Jones, Christy Panis Poisot, their selfless sacrifice and uncommon valor in the form of a ProclaAtty. Erick Soriano, Jon Melegrito; (back row) Jude Soundar, Ben de Guz- mation; and secure the Congressional Gold Medal award for their
man, Phil Olaya, Maj. Gen. Del Lorenzana, Sonny Izon, Jason Tengco, dedication to duty and distinguished service to the nation. FilVetREP plans to achieve these goals through a nationwide public
Hector Vargas, Romeo Ymalay. (Photo by Bing Branigin).
information and education campaign, legislative action, academic
research and study, a national tour and exhibition of the Congressional Gold Medal, and development of a digitized national educational program for secondary schools and colleges.
The Filipino WWII soldiers are likely the last minority veterans of World War II who have yet to receive the Congressional
Gold Medal. Other minority veterans who were previously recognized include the Tuskegee Airmen, Montford Marines, Navajo
Code Talkers, Women Air Service Pilots, Japanese American Nisei Soldiers, and Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65 th Infantry Regiment. Information about the project can now be accessed at www.filvetsrecognition.org and on Facebook at https://
www.facebook.com/FilVetsRecognition. Keep an eye out for key documents for FilVetREP, bios for project leadership, and other
timely updates.

UPDATE Deadline to enter the

Logo competition has been
extended to December 15, 2014!
The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (herein Project or FilVetREP) is a nonpartisan, community
-based, all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to
raise awareness through academic research and public information and obtain national recognition of Filipino and FilipinoAmerican WWII Soldiers across the United States and Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines
from July 1941 to December 1946. The Project intends to
seek 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as a public charity under
applicable Federal law.
To promote the Projects important work, we need a
memorable logo that conveys the mission of the Project and
invokes the spirit of the Filipino American WWII veterans that
are the core of the Projects work.

San Franciscos Observance of Veterans Day

We need your help to design our logo. Please send

inquiries to: FilVetsRecognition@gmail.com.

JROTC cadets bowing their heads in honor and recognition of

Filipino WWII Veterans on the reviewing stand of the Veterans
Day Parade in San Francisco.
By: Rudy Asercion

10