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COMMUNITY

09/23/2008

NaFFAA to forge new Filipino American agenda in Seattle September 26-28

Seattle, WA. - Over 500 Filipinos and Filipino American leaders, entrepreneurs, community advocates and members will convene in the Emerald City’s Westin Hotel on September 26-28 to discuss how to ” Forge a New Filipino American Agenda for the 21st Century” and promote the well- being of Filipinos and Filipino Americans. The delegation is sponsored by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

NaFFAA was established in 1997 and has built affiliate organizations from all over the United States including Guam and the Marianas, and growing into a huge international body. In over a decade, NaFFAA has helped, not only its members but also the Filipino community at large, in areas of education, voters education, and working partnership with government and non-government agencies to promote diversity. Specifically, NaFFAA had been in the forefront of the Campaign for Filipino Veterans Equity and Justice through the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity ( NAFVE) .

NaFFAA monitors legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans and works in coalition with other national groups around common issues and concerns. In addition, the national office serves as a communications link between affiliate members as well as an information source on federal and legislative initiatives and policies relevant to Filipino Americans.

Veteran United States Representative from the State of Washington Jim McDermott will keynote at the Gala night. “My roots in and commitment to Seattle’s Filipino community go back over 30 years to my days as a Washington State legislator. Working with community leaders, I championed issues like reciprocity for Filipino doctors and dentists, and state bi-lingual education with Filipino American Educators. As a medical doctor, I was deeply committed to the passage of the first physician assistant program in the State of Washington. In Congress, my efforts have continued on behalf of the Filipino community, and I continue to fight for the Wards Cove Workers Act and Filipino Veterans Equity.

I believe our community is strong because of the strong ethnic ties we nurture and maintain. Rest assured that I will continue to speak out on behalf of the Filipino community I proudly represent in the U.S. House of Representatives”.

Over 30 enriching workshops designed to benefit the needs of this diverse community. ” This is an election year, it is important for us to hear from both the Democrats and Republicans, Peter Su from the McCain Campaign will be here, as well as Charmaine Manansala from the Obama Campaign,” said Alma Q. Kern, NaFFAA National Chair.

Health and Education are big topics in this conference as well. A report on the national pilot study done on Filipino children in public schools K-12 will be discussed. Workshops on Health include: prevention of domestic violence and human trafficking, cancer and other common illnesses plaguing Filipinos . Business workshops by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce in the Pacific Northwest are offered all day, from IT infrastructure for small business, access to capital, branding and marketing to international trade opportunities.

“ It is not all work, during this important weekend. There is Golf Tournament, arranged by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce. Golf aficionados are really excited by this. We also have fellowship night on Friday night at the Muckleshoot Banquet Hall. There will be talent contest among regions and a surprise. We typically do this to promote camaraderie and sort of warm up for all of us,” explained Mariela Fletcher, Overall Conference Chair.

” We are ready and have our speakers lined up. Workshops for the youth include: identity and culture, leadership, networking with other youth, to name a few. We also have field trips planned. We shall tour historical sites : Bulosan Exhibit, Rizal Park and Rizal Bridge”, said Ian Purganan, Region 7 Youth Chair.

“We are inviting all of you, students of all levels, young professionals, young parents, retirees, seniors. This conference is all about how we can empower ourselves as individuals, families, as a community, and productive members of this country, the United States. This conference is designed for all. Please attend and be part of the unity movement. We need to be not just initiators of change but also the implementers of change. This is our only option, moving forward,” said the impassioned Kern.

Kern adds, “In less than two weeks, delegates will start coming in. Organizers of this major event are in high spirits — making phone calls daily, e-mail blasting, inspiring fellow Filipinos to attend and be part of change.”

The registration fee is $195 per NaFFAA delegate, which includes all workshops, materials, meals, and a gala dinner. The registration for Chamber’s one-day business workshop is $ 125, which also includes lunch. Students with ID badge and below the age of 25 are free to attend the workshops.