Akbayan takes poll campaign to Filipino-Americans (tags)
LOS ANGELES—Akbayan’s Rep. Walden Bello began a campaign tour of Filipino American communities to raise support for his party and President Benigno Aquino III’s common reform agenda in the coming May elections.
ALL SET FOR NOVEMBER 11 12th JFAV PROTEST MARCH/RALLY IN HOLLYWOOD (tags)
They Served, they Deserved Benefits.” The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and its allied organizations announced that they are all set for the biggest demonstration, the 12th JFAV Protest March/Rally in the entertainment capital of the world-Hollywood on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 12;00 noo at Holywood and Vine intersection. For the first time, the JFAV march and rally in Hollywood and not in front of the Federal building in Downtown LA. as it usually does since 1997. Arturo Garcia, JFAV National coordinator explained the rationale for the change in venue : “ The Federal Building in downtown LA is usually closed for the November 11 holiday so all the rallies there are symbolical. Now we will bring it to the eyes entire world an not an empty edifice.” After the post-election victory of re-elected President, the JFAV wrote an appeal and demand letter asking the president to issue an executive order for full recognition of 43,000 Filipino World War II Veterans and their survivors who for more than 66 years were still unrecognized American veterans. Post Obama Election Protest Rally The JFAV stopped the lobby on the US Congress for HR 210 after the GOP controlled House of Representatives refused JFAV a hearing on HR 210 at the House Veterans Affairs Committee last August 2012 even with 96 co-sponsors for the bill.
ALLIANCE PHILIPPINES CONDEMNS GMA RELEASE ON BAIL (tags)
“Above the Fray” Like Pontius Pilate, PH President Aquino III washed his hand as the court let former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed her bail and was set free from her detention at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. In this scenario, Alliance Philippines (AJLPP), West Coast Coordinator Arturo Garcia... vehemently condemned this latest charade and travesty of justice. Garcia said that:“ The Alliance, the Filipino American community and all freedom loving people of the United States, detest and must expose this newest political “moro-moro “ of the Aquino III.” Garcia elucidated “ Aquino III actions seems to show that he is above the fray but in reality he tolerates and in cahoots with the schemes against the people.
REMEMBER THE “GREAT CALAMITY” IN ARMENIA , 1915 (tags)
Los Angeles--Today, the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) stands with Armenians across LA and the United States to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We must speak out and acknowledge the 1.5 million who lost their lives in the genocide in 1915. It is very revolting that until today the Turkish authorities and their allies in the United States refused to recognize and still denies the genocide also known as the “Great Calamity” which became the model of a later Holocaust by Nazi Germany in World War II.
JFAV 70th Bataan Day Benefit Dance-Dinner at FACLA, April 9, 2012 (tags)
“Remember Bataan, Honor our Heroes!” The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and Seniors for Filipino American Community Empowerment (S4PACE) ,surviving the Filipino veterans especially the defenders of Bataan and their advocates will hold a commemoration of the 70th Bataan Day, on Monday, April 9, 2012 at FACLA Social Hall ,1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 at 5:00 PM. The event dubbed as “ Gabi ng Kasaysayan at Kasiyahan”.—a dinner dance party is a fundraiser of JFAV for its delegation that will lobby at the US Congress from April 16-18, 2012 in Washington DC.
Pulongbayan with Amb. Cusia in LA: Cusia Brags About US-RP Military Support vs China (tags)
Saying he was received with warmth in Los Angeles by the Filipino American community from the cold spell in the East Coast, Ambassador Jose L. Cusia Jr. regaled the capacity crowd with facts and figures on Filipino-American relations. The EPCC NEWS reported today that the newly designated Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Cusia held a Pulongbayan at the Rizal Hall of the Philippine Consulate General at 3600 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles last Friday Night, December 2, 2010 He was on his way to the 10th NAFFAA Regional Conference in San Diego on December 3, 2011 as a guest speaker.
FIL-AMS MARKED 2nd YEAR OF MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE OF 2009 IN LA (tags)
“Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.” Scores of Filipino Americans attended the photo exhibit and prayer memorial honoring the 58 Maguindanao Massacre victims on November 23, 2009 last Wednesday November 23, 2011at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) Social Hall in Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles. The event was organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-US Chapter, the Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles, Philippine American Press Club, Philippine Press Photographers-USA, Frontliners Media Group and F7, in cooperation with the Alliance Philippines (AJLPP), the Justice for Filipino American Veterans and People’s CORE.
MARCH FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE AND PEACE!” ON 11ITH JFAV VETERANS DAY ON 11/11/11 (tags)
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and different community, youth, students, and allied groups are all the 11th Annual Veterans Day Protest March called “March for Equity, Justice and Peace” in Los Angeles on Friday, November 11, 2011. The protest march will start at 11:00 in the morning at the Downtown LA intersection of Broadway/Olympic and end at the INS Federal Building, 300 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. There will be a JFAV last assessment meeting on Wednesday, November 9 at 7:00 pm at the Silver Lake Medical Center (SLMC) at the Cafeteria Meeting Room, ground floor, 1711 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. All interested groups are invited. Pre-Rally Program The JFAV forces will assemble and hold a pre-rally program at 8:00 in the morning at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) 1740 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Deal with disasters, not blame the masses (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States wrote to your newspaper to vehemently condemn the criminal neglect and the breast thumping of the Aquino III?s NDRRMC , the agency and its head, Benito Ramos. The NDRRMC is the agency who is task to mitigate disasters and warn the people of the impending disasters and conduct relief work such as the fury of the Thypoon Pedring and Quiel that hit the Philippines and devastated most of Northern and Central Luzon. Very poor Response And yet with no less than President Benigno C. Aquino in attendance during their televised briefing, there was nothing new on the typhoons and floodings that hit the country recently. Pedring has passed and another storm came in and had passed but still the waters released by the dams still has flooded the whole Metro Manila and Central Luzon.
Los Angeles City Council Passes Resolution to Support AB 199 and AJR 6 for Filipino WWII V (tags)
The Los Angeles City Council today unanimously approved the resolution in support of California AB 199 and AJR 6 in a legislative effort to recognize the presence and contribution of Filipino World War II veterans in our history books, To support Asssemblyperson Fiona Ma?s effort City Coouncil member Richard Alarcon introduced the resolution. It was seconded by Councilmen Tom Lebonge, Eric Garcetti, Jose Huizar,Ed Reyes and Bill Rosendhal, a Vietnam War veteran. All of them spoke to support the resolution to the delight of the crowd.
FIGHT BACK. FIGHT THE CUTS! PEOPLE FIRST! (tags)
The Allliance-Philippines (AJLPP) , JFAV, S4PACE Seniors, EPCC, Bantay-LA and ANSWER-LA calls on all to: FIGHT BACK. FIGHT THE CUTS! PEOPLE FIRST! August 11, Thursday at 4:00 PM Picket/Rally at the Reagan Federal Building Corner of 3rd St/Spring Sts (Where the California State Office is located
REMEMBER AND COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY AT THE BATTLE OF BESSANG PASS, 1945 (tags)
On June 14, 1945, one of the greatest battle of World War II ended in a victory for the Filipino and American soldiers in Bessang Pass, in the Cordilleras Northern Luzon, Philippines. Before the light of day, on June 14, 1945, units of the 121st Infantry launched the final assault of Bucual Ridge, In dramatic but costly rushes they obliterated the last enemy soldier on Bessang Pass. To the end with flourish, the greatest feat of Filipino arms in modern times, the Filipinos secured the hill held by the Japanese Imperial army. It was a payback for the defeat in Bataan, three years ago. Presidential Citation No higher honors can be bestowed on the heroes of the battle of Bessang Pass , who avenged the defeat of Bataan and Corregidor than the tribute of President Elpidio Quirino in 1952 to the United States Forces in Northern Luzon (USFIP-NL) during the 7th anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass: ?To win the liberation of Northen Luzon in which the USFIP-NL played a a major role, you accomplished no ordinary achievement. Your battle of bessang Pass in eastern ilocos Sur in n1945, for instance stands out prominently as one of the major decisive battles of the Philippine Liberation Campaign.?
On the 69th Pearl Harbor Day, Fight Racism in the United States (tags)
The Day that will live in infamy” Today, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), AWARE and MHC marks the 69th year of the infamous Japanese fascist sneak attack on Pearl Harbor naval base in December 08, 1941 ( in the Philippines, Dec.7 Pacific Time). The public should know, that at that time the attack coincided with the bombing of the major cities of the Philippines and two days later, the Japanese invaded the country and the Philippines was involved in a colonial war not of its choosing. JFAV with People's CORE marked the day with a memorial meeting yesterday in FACLA with a private ceremonies and meeting. Scores of Filipino World War II veterans, widows and relatives as well as advocates attended the memorial.
HUNDREDS MARCHED FOR JUSTICE,EQUITY AND PEACE ON VETERANS DAY IN LA (tags)
The 3-mile long march began at around 10;45 Am. With the student groups like Kappa Psi Epsilon, Chi Rho , XPO, TBD, Samahang Pilipino at UCLA, Kababayan of UC Irvine. Katipunan UC Riverside, CalPoly BARKADA, FASA from CSUN, Long Beach PAC, San Marcos, Andres Bonifacio Samahan from San Diego,SDSU to mention a few leading the way. They were joined by student activist groups from Pro People Youth KMB, ANSWER-LA, BANTAY PILIPINAS-USA, EPCC, AJLPP, the EFJPP while ve veterans and widows from the Society of Guerilla and Scouts (SGS), United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV), VFP-UC Chapter, AWARE-LA, Seniors for PACE (SPACE ) rode in the vehicles. Big streamers calling for recognition, justice and equity as well as immigrant rights were very prominent. Filipino, AJLPP and KMB flags flew high and proud during the march. The youth and advocates shouted slogans all the way.
ON NOV.11 IN LA: MARCH FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY AND PEACE! (tags)
MARCH FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY AND PEACE! Everbody is ready for the Ninth Veterans Day Protest March next Thursday, November 11, 2010 in Los Angeles! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) still calls on all community organizations, school and youth organizations in Southern California; advocates of justice and peace, veterans groups, widows and relatives of veterans to join the protest march to downtown Federal building on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010. The assembly area is at Search to Involve the Filipino Americans (SIPA), 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 at 9;00 AM. The march route will be from Temple St right at Glendale to 2nd St to downtown Federal building at 300 Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The march will start at 10:30 AM.
ALL SET FOR THE 9th VETERANS DAY MARCH, NOV.11 IN LA: MARCH FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY AND PEACE (tags)
MARCH FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY AND PEACE! All is set for the Ninth Veterans Day Protest March next Thursday, November 11, 2010 in Los Angeles! We in JFAV calls on all community organizations, school and youth organizations in Southern California; advocates, veterans groups, widows and relatives of veterans to join the protest march to downtown Federal building on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010. The assembly area is at Search to Involve the Filipino Americans (SIPA) at 9;00 Am and the march route will be from Temple St right at Glendale to 2nd St to downtown Federal building. The march will start at 10;30 AM.
Honor our Heroes, Celebrate their Greatness on Aug. 30 at SIPA (tags)
Honor our Heroes, Celebrate their Greatness The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA) cordially invite the public for their very first Philippine National Heroes Day Celebration in the United States on Monday, August 30, 2010. The commemorative event will be held on Monday, August 30, 2010 at the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) Community Hall, 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 around 6;30 PM.
MHC HOLDS SUCCESSFUL FIFTH ANNUAL PEOPLES BALL, JUNE 26, 2010 (tags)
With the theme: “Bringing People Together to Foster a Culture of Unity and Service”, more than 1,000 people attended the ball and the dinner. MHC gave awards to 18 awardees in their respective services to the community. Leading the awards were Retired General Antonio Taguba, Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos and human rights activist Mellisa Roxas. MHC Executive Director Atty, Arnedo Valera announced also announced during the ball that the MHC is collaborating with the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) in pursuing a case against the DVA on delayed and denied payments for Filipino WWII veterans and benefits for Filipina widows.
AJLPP Forces Commemorates 112th Independence Day in the United States (tags)
On the anniversary of the 112th Independence Day from Spanish colonialism, June 12, 1898, the Alliance-Philippines and its allies commemorated the day of struggle in different cities of the United States in different forms. From San Francisco in the north to Los Angles in the south, and from New York in the east to Chicago in the Midwest different groups allied with or allies of AJLPP commemorated June 12 with renewed strength.
ITS ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE MAYFLOWER FESTIVAL AND PARADE ON MAY 15 IN 3rd/VERMONT, LOS AN (tags)
It’s all systems go for the MayFlower Festival and Parade on May 15. The MayFlower Festival- a Neighborhood fiesta and inter-faith parade will be held on Saturday May 15, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the First Church of the Nazarene, 34101 3rd St near Vermont Ave. Los Angeles. We invite all organizations and individuals to participate in the festival and parade that will feature the cultures of the Philippines. Those who are interested to join the parade can register and come as parade participants. They must be dressed in Filipiniana or any Filipino customs.
ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE MAYFLOWER FESTIVAL AND PARADE ON MAY 15 IN 3rd/VERMONT, LOS ANGELES (tags)
Its all systems go for the MayFlower Festival on May 15 in LA. The MayFlower Festival , a Neighborhood fiesta and inter-faith parade will be held on Saturday May 15, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the First Church of the Nazarene, 3401 West 3rd St near Vermont Ave. Los Angeles. a We call on all organizations and individuals to participate in the festival and parade that will feature the cultures of the Philippines. Those who are interested to join the parade can register and come as parade participants. They must be dressed in Filipiniana or any Filipino or Filipiniana customes.
DEBATE SA PTOWN TAGUMPAY! (tags)
Kung may napatunayan ang BANTAY PILIPINAS: ito ay ang pagkakaisa ng Filipino American community sa paghahangad ng tunay at makabuluhang pagabago sa ating bansa. Noong gabi ng Abril 21, sa KAPISTAHAN Grill sa Historic Filipinotown sa pusod ng Los Angeles, nagtipon ang maraming tao para dingin at saksihan ang DEBATE sa PTOWN at sa loob ng halos dalawang oras, natigib ng sigla, palakpakan at masigabong talakayan ang KAPISTAHAN. Nagsagutan at magalang na nagtunggali sina, Jay Valencia at Linda Cross ng Villanueva camp, Terry Herrera ng Aquino campaign (na pumalit kay Manny Lopez na hindi nakarating sa debate) , Bobby Reyes ng Villar-Legarda at Eliseo Art Silva ng Teodoro at Errol Santos ng Binay for vice president groups sa loob ng isa at kalahating oras na palitang kuro at plataporma kung bakit karapatdapat ang kanilang kandidatong maihalal sa Mayo 10.
JFAV/AWARE REMEMBERS BATAAN DAY IN FACLA, APRIL 10 (tags)
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away...” On April 9, 1942, the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), the largest US army garrison in the Pacific, surrendered its 90,000 troops to the Japanese Imperial Army. More than 30,000 US Army and 60,000 Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth surrendered after holding out for more than four months. This past Saturday, April 10, 2010, with over a hundred veterans, widows, and advocates in attendance, Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equity (AWARE) remembered Bataan Day at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, California. With the American and Philippine national anthems, the commemoration began with the acknowledgement of our mother nations for which these veterans had fought and sacrificed so much. Next, Pastor Sonny Rivera of the Walk by Faith Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation.
JFAV/AWARE REMEMBERS BATAAN DAY AT FACLA (tags)
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away...” On April 9, 1942, the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), the largest US army garrison in the Pacific, surrendered its 90,000 troops to the Japanese Imperial Army. More than 30,000 US Army and 60,000 Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth surrendered after holding out for more than four months. This past Saturday, April 10, 2010, with over a hundred veterans, widows, and advocates in attendance, Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equity (AWARE) remembered Bataan Day at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, California. With the American and Philippine national anthems, the commemoration began with the acknowledgement of our mother nations for which these veterans had fought and sacrificed so much. Next, Pastor Sonny Rivera of the Walk by Faith Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation.
MHC DEMANDS GENUINE PUBLIC APOLOGY TO THE FILIPINOS FROM ADAM CAROLLA AND THE CBS (tags)
We are speaking on behalf of the Filipino American immigrants and the Filipino people in general on your recent public pronouncement against us. In your radio program you mentioned that Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is illiterate and prays to chicken bones. You further added that the Philippines is nothing but Pacquiao and sex tours. Really, Mr. Carolla, these whole racist remarks from a supposedly intelligent person like you, being part of the media, is all about you and not us.
LETTER TO THE RACISt ADAM COROLLA (tags)
It is high time that you practice professionalism in media, Mr. Carolla. On behalf of the Filipino American immigrants and the Filipino people whom you have unnecessarily hurt, we demand a real and genuine public apology from you . This time we will not take your racial tirade sitting down. We are writing to your sponsors for them to withdraw their support as your program is not worthy of public trust and respect.
JFAV salutes Commander Florencio C. Cadiente, age 89 (tags)
Another strong pillar of the Filipino veterans rights and equity movement has passed away. Commander Florencio C. Cadiente of the United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV), one of the pioneer Fil-Am veterans organizations in the United States based in Los Angeles, went back to his creator last March 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Manong (Brother) Flor, as he is fondly known to the community, was born on January 3, 1921 in Narvacan, Ilocos Norte in Northern Luzon, Philippines.
JFAV/AWARE Commemorates 68th Year Bataan Day April 10 at FACLA (tags)
“Remember Bataan, Fight for Justice!” The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Los Angeles Steering Committee and the Association of Widows,Advocates and Relatives for Equality( AWARE) cordially invites you to join our commemoration of the 68th anniversary of Bataan Day,April 9, 1942. On Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, JFAV and AWARE will be honoring our local Filipino American World War II veterans, especially those who survived the Bataan Death March, at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) 1740 W Temple St, Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Commemorate the 68th anniversary of Bataan Day, April 9, 1942 (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Los Angeles Steering Committee cordially invites you to join our commemoration of the 68th anniversary of Bataan Day, which memorializes the military surrender at the Bataan Peninsula. On Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be honoring our local Filipino American World War II veterans, especially those who survived the Bataan Death March, at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) 1740 W Temple St, Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Filipino Americans Nationwide Stand Up Against War and Occupation-- March 20, 2010 (tags)
As the invasion of Iraq enters its eighth year, the Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (Alliance Philippines) expresses their solidarity with the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and every place there are occupying US forces. “Ordinary people are rallying across the country and around the world demanding an end to wars of aggression and longstanding imperialism”, says New York-based Ugnayan Interim Spokesperson Chevy Evangelista. Queens-based organizations Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Linking the Children of the Motherland) and Damayan Migrant Workers Association as well California-based organizations, Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB, Pro People Youth) Los Angeles and San Diego, are urging Filipino and other immigrant communities to join coordinated DC/West Coast anti-war rallies on Saturday, March 20, 2010.
2010 Philippine Election Campaign Heats Up in the US (tags)
Supporters of different presidential candidates stepped up their campaign of support for their respective presidential candidates in the United States as the formal campaign period started in the Philippines on March 7. -- In Southern California, Villar supporters led by the Pimentel group known as TROPANG VILLAR are also held their fundraiser in Duarte, California last Friday, March 5. They were supported by Filipino and American realtors and relatives of Villar in the Los Angeles area. They were heartened by the latest news that Villar is on a statistical tie with Aquino according to latest survey results.
CLAIMS DENIED IS JUSTICE DENIED! (tags)
CLAIMS DENIED IS JUSTICE DENIED! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), a national alliance of veterans, youth, students and community organizations and activist for veterans rights based in Los Angeles expressed disgust as the DVA announced that it has denied 16,000 claims for lump sum. JFAV media coordinator Joy Alonica Bautista said, “ This is an outrage considering that the US and Philippine government made so much political capital of the lump sum.
More than 16,000 Veterans Claims Denied as Feb 16 Deadline Ends (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), a national alliance of veterans, youth, students and community organizations and activist for veterans rights based in Los Angeles expressed disgust as the DVA announced that it has denied 16,000 claims for lump sum. JFAV media coordinator Joy Alonica Bautista said, “ This is an outrage considering that the US and Philippine government made so much political capital of the lump sum. Now, the truth is out. That they have taken the Filipinos and the Filipino-American community and our veterans for a ride. This is another dirty act and a living proof of racism. ”
JFAV's Letter to the Editor (tags)
As the deadline for the application nears, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the national alliance of veterans,youth / students and community advocates bewails the sad fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has reportedly denied 7,000 claims out of the 34,000 applications. The Filipino-American media outlets in the United States have reported that more than 11,000 veterans have received their claims according to the report of the DVA.
JFAV Letter to the Editor (tags)
As the deadline for the application nears, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the national alliance of veterans,youth / students and community advocates bewails the sad fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has reportedly denied 7,000 claims out of the 34,000 applications. The Filipino-American media outlets in the United States have reported that more than 11,000 veterans have received their claims according to the report of the DVA.
JFAV Letter to the Editor (tags)
As the deadline for the application nears, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the national alliance of veterans,youth / students and community advocates bewails the sad fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has reportedly denied 7,000 claims out of the 34,000 applications. The Filipino-American media outlets in the United States have reported that more than 11,000 veterans have received their claims according to the report of the DVA.
JUSTICE FOR BEN ORENLAS, JUSTICE FOR HYATT REGENCY HOTEL WORKERS! (tags)
The Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) based in Los Angeles county called on the management of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Long Beach to be fair in evaluating Ben's Orenlas suspension. As members of the community of Long Beach ,we are asking for a fair process and that he is treated with equal respect. Ben Orenlas, a Filipino Hotel worker at Hyatt who has worked for the Hyatt for 8 years. He was once rewarded at he Hyatt for being the best worker in the Kitchen. He was suspended by the management last Friday.
Nationwide Protests Demanding Justice for Maguindanao Massacre Victims (tags)
On the International Human Rights Day, and the whole week before that the Filipino American community was on the protest mode. The Alliance Philippines strongly expressed its militant support to the people’s movement in the Philippines oppose to the declaration of martial law and demanded justice for Maguindanao massacre victims by holding protests in key cities all over the United States from December 5 to 10, 2009. - Last December 5, Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan New York/New Jersey Chapter held their 5th anniversary celebrations by honoring the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. The event was held at the Renaissance Charter Schoo at Jackson Height , new York City from 10:00 Am to 5:00 PM. - On December 8, a Community Forum led by the AJLPP, ANSWER-LA and AFFIRM was held at the FACLA Social Hall, 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca 90026. A panel of speakers from different organizations condemning the massacre featured the event. A candle-light ceremony capped the tribute and honor to the 64 victims of untold cruelties. - On December 10, International Human Rights Day, scores of activists held a candle light vigil and a picket/rally at the Philippine Consulate at Wilshire Blvd. from 6:30 to 8:00 in the evening.
CALIFORNIA STUDENTS FIGHT BACK (tags)
“ TO REBEL IS JUSTIFIED” The Alliance-Philippines or AJLPP based in the United States militantly condemns the unwanted police violence against UC students in different UC campuses. We –in the AJLPP ,again reiterate wholeheartedly supports the California-wide walk-out of students and is militantly in solidarity with the stud entry and campus academic and working people in rising up against unjust budget-cuts and tuition fee hikes recently imposed by the UC Board of regents. The Alliance also congratulates the militant action of the UCLA students who defied police brutality and violence. They acted and occupied the Chancellors Office after they decided to increase the student’s fees by 32% or more than $ 2,000 next fall.
JFAV/ FIL-AMS ALL SET FOR VETERANS DAY PROTEST MARCH ON NOVEMBER 11 IN LA (tags)
CLAIMS DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED! DEMAND JUSTICE! For more than eight years the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) commemorate Veterans Day with an annual parade around Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles to honor the Filipino World War II. This years 2009 will be different. Led by JFAV- a national alliance of veterans,youth and students and AWARE, composed of widows and seniors, the Filipino American community will hold a protest march towards downtown Los Angeles to the Federal building to dramatize their protest against long delays and slow-processing of the veterans claims. The JFAV protest march will start at FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. Assembly will start at 7:00 PM. A program will be held inside the FACLA Hall and the march will commence at 10;00 AM. Invited guest is Assemblyman Kevin De Leon of the 45th District.
Claims delayed is Justice Denied (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, widows, students and youth and community advocates in the United States and the Association of Widows, Relatives and Advocates for Equality (AWARE) in Los Angeles again raised it voice against the insidious and unfair propaganda of the DVA against the Filipino World War II Veterans. For us it is the fault of the DVA that they only projected 18,000 veterans to be filing pension claims under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. Now that nearly double that number -- or 32,795 applications.
REJECT US PUPPETS AND HIRELINGS IN THE COMING PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS 2010 (tags)
United States intervention in the Philippines knows no bound. The Kilusang Dekada 70 (KD70) vehemently condemns the US Department of Defense and the Heritage Foundation think-tank for meddling in the coming presidential elections in the Philippines on May 2010. The United States by propping up the presidential ambitions of Arroyo’s heir apparent Philippine defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro and giving him the necessary propaganda mileage during his visit in Washington DC and other states, is making the notion that Teodoro is the US “anointed one”. Teodoro is deliberately toeing the US line against terrorism and profess loyalty to the “US War Against Terror in Asia.”
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR COMMUNITY: SUPPORT THE LONG BEACH HILTON BOYCOTT! (tags)
The Echo Park Community Coalition based in central Los Angeles , community alliance of veterans, youth, students and community organizations and activist expresses our unequivocal support to the announced boycott being called by the workers of Hilton Long Beach starting September 3, 2009. Exactly one year ago, we warned the management of Hilton Long Beach that the Filipino American community of Long Beach will not tolerate discrimination of any kind or form most so of Filipino workers inside the hotel. Instead the situation turned from bad to worst. We are appalled at the intransigence of the management that does not only exploits the workers of all nationalities but oppresses them by practicing the most anti-labor measures such as dismissal of worker organizers, checking the workers lockers, preventing them from organizing and other anti-workers measures.
Peace now, Resume the Peace Talks, Now! (tags)
The Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) with the five million strong Filipino American community in the United States wrote to you in the interest of true justice and lasting peace in the Philippines. The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) expresses its alarm and consternation on the recent developments on the peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). We are greatly troubled that the Philippines have never known a period of relative peace since 1972 when the US-Marcos dictatorship waged war against the New People’s Army (NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Moro people represented by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) until it surrendered in 1996 and then by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Up to now Mindanao is a battle ground with more 2.6 million people affected by the war and more or less 750,000 war refugees in Central Mindanao and elsewhere.
Hilton Hotel Workers in Long Beach Calls for a Boycott (tags)
On behalf of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) a national alliance of veterans, youth, students and community organizations and activist for veterans rights based in Los Angeles, California, we express our unequivocal support to the announced boycott being called by the workers of Hilton Long Beach starting September 3, 2009. Exactly one year ago, we warned the management of Hilton Long Beach that the Filipino American community of Long Beach will not tolerate discrimination of any kind or form most so of Filipino workers inside the hotel. Instead the situation turned from bad to worst. We are appalled at the intransigence of the management that does not only exploits the workers of all nationalities but oppresses them by practicing the most anti-labor measures such as dismissal of worker organizers, checking the workers lockers, preventing them from organizing and other anti-workers measures.
Long Beach Colation Sues City of Long Beach (tags)
On Friday, August 21, the Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community filed suit against the City of Long Beach claiming the development of the 125-room Hotel Sierra at the Pike needs a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to assess the possible impact the hotel development will have on the environment and local communities. “A few weeks ago, we spoke to City Council about this project with regard to the environmental, social, and economic impacts on our community. In response, a majority of the Council voted to postpone the vote to provide an opportunity for the community to voice its support for responsible development,” said CSULB Sociology Professor Gary Hytrek and Coalition Steering Committee Member.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 77 (tags)
The Filipino American community in the United States lost one of its staunchest friend and ally- a champion of human rights, the oppressed and the elderly, a true blooded democrat till his end - Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, 77. On behalf of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) a national alliance of veterans, youth, students and community organizations and activist for veterans rights based in Los Angeles, California, we express our deep and sincere condolences to the family, friends and the constituents of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
Lest We Forget: The Martyrs of Martial Law in the Philippines (tags)
The Kilusang Dekada 70 (KD70) commemorates the 26th death anniversary and the assassination of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr on August 21, 1983. Aquino’s martyrdom gains special significance today, August 21 because of two reasons: First, the assassination was not solved though everybody knows who is the mastermind and second because of the rampant abuse of power and corruption under the present US-Arroyo administration. Senator Aquino even during the days before martial law opposed the abuse of power under the US-Marcos dictatorship regime that does not respect democratic rights and treats itself as above the law. His martyrdom gains special significance today as we fight the US- Arroyo regime with a track record of abusing power and dispensing public funds without any concern for accountability.
The Filipino American community in the United States and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) in Los Angeles is united with our compatriots in our motherland in their grief and their celebration of the life the 11th President of our republic, Mrs. Corazon “Tita Cory” Aquino. Today, as the Filipino people sends off Mrs. Aquino to her grave and pays their last respects, her spirit of resistance against tyrannty continues. Mrs. Aquino, a simple housewife, was reluctantly thrust into the center-stage of history with the assassination of her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in August 21, 1983.
FILAM COMMUNITY HOLDS MEMORIAL MASS FOR PRESIDENT CORY AQUINO, AUG 6 (tags)
The Filipino American community led by the Parish Community of St. Columban Church will hold a memorial mass for President Cory Aquino on the feast of transfiguration on Thursday, 7:00PM - August 6, 2009 at the St. Columban Filipino Church at 125 S. Loma Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90026 in Historic Filipinotown. The endorsing organizations for the memorial mass are the Bangon Pilipino,Bangon Pilipinas, Confederation of Filipino American Organizations (CONFAA)-Carson, Council of Fil-Am Leaders of Southern California, Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC), Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), Parish Generation Choir of St. Columban and Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA).
Mrs. Corazon C, Aquino, 76-11th President of the Philippines (tags)
The Filipino American community in the United States and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) in Los Angeles is united with our compatriots in our motherland in their grief and their celebration of the life the 11th President of our republic, Mrs. Corazon “Tita Cory” Aquino. Mrs. Aquino, a simple housewife, was reluctantly thrust into the center-stage of history with the assassination of her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in August 21, 1983 and made her mark as an opposition leader and then as a president of the Republic after the dictator was deposed in a people’s power uprising in 1986. Before that, for three significant years, from 1980-83 the Filipino American community was lucky enough to have the Aquino family in exile in Boston, in the east coast until Senator Aquino decided to come home to his martyrdom at the hands of the much hated dictatorship. Then rest is history.
On the PGMA-Obama Meeting On July 29-31 in the US (tags)
“ I did not become president to be popular”. Taking a cue from the dictator Marcos who said, “I did not become president to preside of the death of the Philippine republic” in 1972, Gloria M. Arroyo made her intentions very clear and went to the United States to seek the blessing and support of the new US president. Like all Philippine presidents before her, she will kowtow and try to impress the chief executive officer of the ruling capitalist class of the United States. She will for sure in the name of “fighting global; terrorism and “climate change” align her interest with the US of the capitalist class.
TAYO Launch Party to Celebrate the Community’s Talented Writers and Artists (tags)
TAYO is presented by the Filipino American Library (FAL) and led by Co-Directors Kristine Co and Melissa Sipin.
JFAV SUPPORTS DALUYONG: 3-Day Filipino American Youth Consultation in LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), national alliance of veterans, students/youth and community advocates for veterans justice and equity rights, militantly and wholly supports the National Youth Consultation to be held in Historic Filipino Town in Los Angeles on July 24 and the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) Auditorium at 1300 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 on July 25-26, 2009 . On July 24-26, a three-day consultation bringing together grassroots Filipino American youth organizations to build mechanisms of coordination on national issues, and bridge the divide amongst the Filipino Diaspora in addressing Philippine and International concerns. The national consultation, “DALUYONG: Surging to Confront the Crisis of Our Times”, is organized by the Bagwis Collective (IL), Committee on Pilipino Issues (IL), Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (NY/NJ), and the host organization Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB or Pro-people Youth, CA) under the auspices of the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (Alliance Philippines). The event is also endorsed by a number of other progressive organizations across the U.S. and Canada (see complete list of current North American endorsements).
SENATOR PIMENTEL CALLS ON OFW’S TO VOTE ON 2010 ELECTIONS; ALLAYS FEARS OF CHACHA ON SONA (tags)
Senate Minority leader and oppositionSenator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. calls on all overseas Filipinos to vote on the May 2010 Presidential elections in the Philippines. Calling the OFW votes as “the decisive factor and the cleansing votes” he appealed to Filipino American voters in the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) Hall at the regular Media Breakfast Club of LA Wednesday meeting, yesterday, July 22. " There are around 14 million Filipinos abroad. If only 6 million of them votes. that can be decisive in any elections. In the United States there are around 2.9 million of you here. Your votes are not tainted, you cannot be bought. Therefore your vites are important." Pimentel told the crowd.
DALUYONG: Surging to Confront the Crisis of Our Times (tags)
Filipino American youth, both immigrant and US-born, are agitated and getting ready to tell the rest of the country where they stand and how they are to respond to the current economic crisis affecting their families, their education, their work, and their rights. They are concerned over current immigration policies, race relations, exploitation of women and children, and how these and other issues are linked to the broader global economic crisis and war. They are surging forward to claim what is inherently theirs – the future.
Long Beach City Council postpones vote on Pike Hotel (tags)
Another victory for Hotel workers and Coalition in South Bay! Led by dozens of members of the Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community (LBC) who were in the crowd, with their concerns on whether the hotel would provide decent wages for its employees, they told the council to work for workers interests. Urged on by a crowd of hotel worker's-rights supporters, the City Council on Tuesday voted 7-1 to continue for one week a vote that would move a proposed hotel at the Pike one step closer to approval.
Daluyong: National Filipino American Youth Consultation (tags)
Daluyong: Surging to Confront the Crisis of Our Times is a national Filipino American Youth Consultation that will bring together progressive youth from California, New York, and Chicago to assess, share, and plan the necessary steps to advocate for our community’s concerns and to build a broad movement and program towards fundamental change.
The Filipino American Library (FAL) presents free Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown (tags)
The FAL Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown, narrated by a knowledgeable tour guide, will cover significant sites, events, and individuals in and around Historic Filipinotown, providing a rich historical overview of Filipinos in Los Angeles.
PGMA CONSOLIDATES US FORCES, MEET AND GREET FIL-AM COMMUNITY (tags)
"Ati cupong singsing, metunyan timpukan" With the Kapampangan music sung by the choir, amidst heavy security and with a intimate mostly Kapampangan crowd, Philippine President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo met and greets the Filipino American community in Los Angeles in a breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel last Saturday, June 20. The President paid tribute to the Filipino American overseas workers PGMA also mentioned the fact that “ more than two-thirds (2/3) of all overseas remittances to the Philippines comes from the more than3 million Filipinos in the United States.” She also acknowledges that these remittances keeps the Philippine economy floating.
PGMA CONSOLIDATES US FORCES, MEET AND GREET FIL-AM COMMUNITY (tags)
With the Kapampangan music sung by the choir, amidst heavy security and with a intimate mostly Kapampangan crowd, Philippine President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo met and greets the Filipino American community in Los Angeles in a breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel last June 21. The President paid tribute to the Filipino American overseas workers PGMA also mentioned the fact that “ more than two-thirds (2/3) of all overseas remittances to the Philippines comes from the more than3 million Filipinos in the United States.” She also acknowledges that these remittances keeps the Philippine economy floating.
JUNE 11 INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMUNITY FORUM HELD IN LA (tags)
Two poles apart. As thousands of well heeled, best dressed Filipinos gathered in a plush hotel for a gala Independence Day night on June 13 for the Philippine consulate, scores of angry Filipino American and their allies voiced out their protests against fake independence in the Philippines. “ Fight for real independence and sovereignty!” —this was the call of the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP), GABNET-LA and ANSWER-LA as they held their community forum last June 11 at ANSWER office at 137 Virgil St. Los Angeles, CA. 90004.
Celebrating Philippine Independence Day (tags)
The Philippine flag acquires added prominence these days on the occasion of the observance of the Declacration of Philippine Independence.
STOP THE US- INSPIRED ARROYO CHARTER CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES (tags)
The Alliance –Philippines (AJLPP) strongly condemns the US Imperialism and its fascist puppet-Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo in meddling and direct intervention in the political process in the Philippines. The US government is pushing for Charter Change by amending the 1987 constitution. We in the Filipino American community add our voices and militantly are in solidarity with the Filipino people in stopping and exposing the US-inspired charter change that seeks to perpetuate GMA in power. The AJLPP noted that it was very evident last June 1, 2009 when the GMA controlled House of Representatives passed resolution 1109 that will convene Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 constitution.
FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE! (tags)
The AJLPP expresses our militant solidarity to the Palestinian people and demand an end to the criminal siege of Gaza. Today, June 6 marks the 42nd anniversary of the Israeli seizure of Gaza. Today we join all progressive people and forces that will hit the streets all over the United States and with the Arab and Muslim community we are one in protests on this major event. We add the voice of the Filipino American community and show that our voices will not be silent--we will not sit by idly as the people of Gaza suffer!
Submissions Deadline Extended for TAYO Literary Magazine (tags)
TAYO is the first independent literary magazine dedicated to the creative expression of Filipino American youth. It is presented by the Filipino American Library (FAL) and led by Co-Directors Kristine Co and Melissa Sipin. Guidelines and additional information are available at www.tayoliterarymag.com.
US- Arroyo Regime Replicating Dictator Marcos Charter Change Circa 1973 (tags)
In 1973, after declaring martial law, dictator Marcos changed the 1935 constitution. Today-2009, GMA will change it after a legislative coup in the lower house of Congress. The Philippine Peasant Support Network (Pesante)-USA based in the United States is one with the Filipino American community in vehemently condemning in the strongest terms US Imperialism and its fascist puppet-Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo in blatant direct intervention in the political process in the Philippines. The US government is pushing for Charter Change by amending the 1987 constitution.
New Fil-Am Literary Magazine Requesting Submissions from Youth (tags)
TAYO is the first independent literary magazine dedicated to Filipino American youth in Southern California. All of the following are accepted: poetry, essays, short stories, digital art, drawings, graffiti, photography, and paintings. Art and written work focusing on the Filipino American experience is encouraged, but not required. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2009. Guidelines and additional information are available at www.tayoliterarymag.tk.
JFAV Commemorates 67th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor in the United States. (tags)
The Filipino American community in the United States and the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) militantly salutes all Filipino and Americans veterans, living or departed for the 67th Anniversary of the fall of Corregidor, May 6, 1942. With the fall of the island bastion of Corregidor it paved the way of the total surrender of the whole Philippines to the Japanese invaders in May 9, 1942.
JFAV Commemorates 67th Anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor in the United States. (tags)
The Filipino American community in the United States and the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) militantly salutes all Filipino and Americans veterans, living or departed for the 67th Anniversary of the fall of Corregidor, May 6, 1942. With the fall of the island bation of Corregidor it paved the way of the total surrender of the whole Philippines to the Japanese invaders in May 9, 1942. For their heroism in Bataan, Corregidor and other battlefields in the Philippines, the brave soldiers and guerillas held the line for more than three months and farther on for another three more years waging a fierce war of resistance against the Japanese fascist invaders.
Unity in diversity. Five major coalitions for immigrant rights marched in different parts of the city of Los Angeles, mirrored the differences that united them in 2006. In almost every major city of the United States, workers and immigrants took to the streets to demand legalization and immigration reform. Hundreds of thousands marched and rallied US-wide for May 1 in a militant and defiant show of unity for a call for immigration reforms to the Obama administration. The Labor Front in Turmoil This year, several labor federations banded together to form a single unified union of all unions. Like the old AFL-CIO they want to strengthen the labor front that has been greatly weakened by the division between the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Coalition.
AJLPP MOBILIZES FOR MARCH FOR FULL IMMIGRANT RIGHTS US-WIDE ON MAY 1 (tags)
The Alliance Philippines (AJLPP) calls on all immigrant right advocates and activists all over the United States to MARCH FOR FULL RIGHTS FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS! AMNESTY NOW! On May 1, 2009. The AJLPP Coordinators Arturo P. Garcia from the West Coast and East Coast Coordinator Riya Ortiz announced that the Filipino-American contingent composed of students, youth, women, domestic workers, veterans and community activists will join protest marches in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. In Los Angeles, AJLPP forces and allies will assemble at PEOPLE’S CORE on 1610 Beverly Blvd, Suite No. 2 Los Angeles, CA 90026 in Historic Filipinotown from 11:30 AM to 12:00 noon and proceed to assembly area in Broadway and Olympic, where the march starts at 1.00 PM
EPCC STATEMENT OPPOSING AND CONDEMNING HR 737 (tags)
The Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) composed of different community and people’s organization in Los Angeles vehemently condemns and opposes the HR 737 or the Nograles Resolution seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions. The EPCC stands with the Filipino people and the Filipino American community that militantly oppose the treasonous bill only seeks favorable and one-sided benefits to foreign corporations and business and is virtually giving away the Philippines to foreigners.
JFAV Commemorates 67th Bataan Day (tags)
The Filipino American community in the United States and the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) militantly salutes all Filipino and Americans veterans, living or departed for the 67th Anniversary of the fall of Bataan, April 9, 1942. For their heroism in Bataan, Corregidor and other battlefields in the Philippines, the brave soldiers and guerillas held the line for more than three months and farther on for another three more years waging a fierce war of resistance against the Japanese fascist invaders. For their bravery the American people should honor the Filipinos and reward them with the recognition and benefits that they deserve. Because of their steadfast defense, the men in Bataan -- the Allied powers most specially the United States bought time and was able to prepare defenses and later on wage a counter attack to liberate the countries occupied by Japan and eventually defeat Japan during the war.
The Association of Widows, Relatives and Advocates for Equality (AWARE) (tags)
AWARE was formed after the passage of S. 1315 which excludes Filipinos veterans in the enhanced American veterans law of the 110th US Congress. This is the 2nd Recession Act of our time that discriminates against the Filipino World War II veterans. In its place, on February 17, 2009- the 111th US Congress passed the Stimulus Bill or the American Recovery and Reinvestments Act (ARRA) that includes a one time-lump sum benefits for Filipino veterans. But the lump sum has quit claim, no recognition to the veterans and no benefits for Filipino World War II widows. Thus on December 8, 2008, the widows and relatives of veterans banded together and formed this organization-AWARE in Los Angeles and San Francisco to fight and advocate for equal rights. The widows started to get organized at first to support he veterans struggle but later to fight for themselves. They held their protests in July 25, 2008, September 22, 2008, February 18, 2009, March 9, 2009 and March 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other areas of the country.
More than 900 Veterans Have Applied for Lump Sum in Los Angeles (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) reported today than more than 900 World War II veterans in Los Angeles area have applied for their claims for benefits to the veterans Administration.. This was learned by JFAV through its senior coordinator Faustino Baclig who is helping processing claims. The JFAV have not monitored the number of veterans who filed their claims directly to the Veterans Administration office.
CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR EQUITY (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) reiterates its stand on the long-standing battle of Filipino- American veterans to claim what is due them in the name of justice and equity. We would like to emphasize that this movement, waged valiantly for 63 years by veterans who are in the twilight of their lives, is beyond personal and family interests. It has to be viewed as an issue of national interest and dignity. Sadly, there are a few Filipinos who see this struggle in an unsympathetic and twisted sense. The JFAV would like to correct this sentiment and ask them to instead look at the veterans’ issue on the light of respecting the rights of our war veterans and honoring our dignity as a country. Filipino- American veterans all over America have unanimously agreed to accept what the recently signed Stimulus Package of Pres. Barrack Obama has given them. But will continue with the struggle for equity as they did for so many years now.
FRANCIS MAGALONA, PEOPLE"S ARTIST, 44 (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) together with the Filipino American community in the United States mourns the passing of The 44-year-old musician, songwriter, record producer, actor and TV host Francis Magalona.last March 6, 2009 Francis Magalona was a foremost- a nationalist artist who loved his country. He was also known as the “master Rapper” .He was recognized for his painstaking efforts to elevate Pinoy rap beyond its novelty phase in the local music scene. The AJLPP recognizes Magalona who did not only lived for show business but also integrated his patriotic fervor in his life and his music and contributed a lot to its culture and arts. In the Philippines, rap was considered novelty music until Magalona came along. Magalona—influenced and made it as a commentary on Pinoy life and culture. Magalona recorded his debut album “Yo!” in 1990. The album became a hit with the single “Mga Kababayan,” whose lyrics about racial pride and love of country stirred nationalist fervor at a time when the Philippine government was besieged by a series of military revolts. His parents, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, were film and TV matinee idols of the ’40s and ’50s. Pancho Magalona held the distinction of the First Filipino movie actor to appear in Hollywood. He was also known for starring in nationalist fims life “El Flibusterismo” and “Jikiri”
CIRCULO PAMPANGUENO FUNDRAISER, FEB. 28 IN PANORAMA CITY (tags)
The fundraiser party of the Circulo Pampangueno of Southern California (CPSC) held in Panorama City last February 28 was a resounding success. More than 200 people attended the annual fundraiser party of the Circulo Panpangueno of Southern California, one of the oldest regional group in the United States . Then affair was held at the Madonna Hall of the St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City, Los Angeles, CA.
Statement of Solidarity for Filipino Workers of Hanjin Subic bay (tags)
We, the Filipino American community in the United States and their allies express our militant solidarity with Hanjin Shipyard workers in their struggle to unionize and thus end their deplorable working conditions which has led to at least 24 deaths. In January of this year, two more were killed while just as February began, 24 were hurt when a bus carrying workers to the shipyard overturned. We are appalled at the slow response of the Philippine Senate and the Executive branch and their failure to act on the continuing fatal accidents and deaths of workers at Hanjin Shipbuilding.
CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) reiterates its stand on the long-standing battle of Filipino American Veterans to claim what is due them in the name of justice and equity. We would like to emphasize that this movement, waged valiantly for 63 years by veterans who are in the twilight of their lives, is beyond personal and family interests. It has to be viewed as an issue of national interest and dignity. Sadly, there are a few Filipinos who see this struggle in an unsympathetic and twisted sense. The JFAV would like to correct this sentiment and ask them to instead look at the veterans’ issue on the light of respecting the rights of our war veterans and honoring our dignity as a country. Fil-am veterans all over America have unanimously agreed to accept what the recently signed Stimulus Package of Pres. Barrack Obama has given them. But will continue with the struggle for equity as they did for so many years now.
CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR EQUITY (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) reiterates its stand on the long-standing battle of Filipino- American veterans to claim what is due them in the name of justice and equity. We would like to emphasize that this movement, waged valiantly for 63 years by veterans who are in the twilight of their lives, is beyond personal and family interests. It has to be viewed as an issue of national interest and dignity. Sadly, there are a few Filipinos who see this struggle in an unsympathetic and twisted sense. The JFAV would like to correct this sentiment and ask them to instead look at the veterans’ issue on the light of respecting the rights of our war veterans and honoring our dignity as a country. Filipino- American veterans all over America have unanimously agreed to accept what the recently signed Stimulus Package of Pres. Barrack Obama has given them. But will continue with the struggle for equity as they did for so many years now. JFAV believes that the veterans, and widows or legal heirs of the deceased ones, deserve the full rights of naturalization and welfare benefits, including health and pension which the Rescission Act of 1946 has denied and the Stimulus Package has only partially fulfilled.
On the History of Veterans Equity Struggle (tags)
A certain lawyer from San Francisco wrote his own version of the 63 years Filipino veterans struggle for equity and justice. Patterned after the waves in the history of Filipino migration to the United States, he ended the history with a glorious victory for the lump sum and so-called recognition and he called it“ the rescinding of the rescission act.” Like a typical American historian/academician he tried to simplify it in “ five different and distinct phases”
LETTER OF SOLIDARITY TO HANJIN WORKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES (tags)
We, the Filipino American community in the United States and their allies express our militant solidarity with Hanjin Shipyard workers in their struggle to unionize and thus end their deplorable working conditions which has led to at least 24 deaths. In January of this year, two more were killed while just as February began, 24 were hurt when a bus carrying workers to the shipyard overturned. We are appalled at the slow response of the Philippine Senate and the Executive branch and their failure to act on the continuing fatal accidents and deaths of workers at Hanjin Shipbuilding. While we hold Hanjin, a South Korean transnational corporation employing 15,000 workers in the Philippines, directly accountable for the extremely unacceptable living and working conditions of Filipino workers, we equally hold the Philippine government complicit for acting against the country's national interests and against Filipino workers interests. We demand that the Philippine Government compel the Hanjin Shipyard company to clean up the docks and work areas, ensure worker safety, enforce environmental laws and provide just wages and benefits to Filipino workers.
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY FOR HANJIN WORKERS (tags)
We, the Filipino American community in the United States and their allies express our militant solidarity with Hanjin Shipyard workers in their struggle to unionize and thus end their deplorable working conditions which has led to at least 24 deaths. In January of this year, two more were killed while just as February began, 24 were hurt when a bus carrying workers to the shipyard overturned. We are appalled at the slow response of the Philippine Senate and the Executive branch and their failure to act on the continuing fatal accidents and deaths of workers at Hanjin Shipbuilding.
SCPASA SUMMIT HELD IN RIVERSIDE, JAN 31 (tags)
The Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance (SCPASA) held their 2009 Summit at the University of California, Riverside this Saturday, January 31st. It was attended by more or less 200 students who attended different workshops given by Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), FAIR. PWC and other resource speakers.KmB Secretary General Ernest Tamayo was the keynote speaker.
SCPASA SUMMIT HELD IN RIVERSIDE, JAN 31 (tags)
The Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance (SCPASA) held their 2009 Summit at the University of California, Riverside this Saturday, January 31st. It was attended by more or less 200 students who attended different workshops given by Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), FAIR. PWC and other resource speakers.KmB Secretary General Ernest Tamayo was the keynote speaker.
The Filipino American community send a letter to President Barack Obama on his first day in office, January 20, 2009. The letter to Obama was discussed and written by less than a hundred Filipino American composed of community leaders, Balitang America viewers and experts on the economy, immigration, and Filipino World War II veterans and their advocates in a community town hall meeting last December 10, 2008. The letter was read again in a broadcast yesterday, January 20, 2009 at the ABS -CBN Filipino Channel with a more than 300,000 subecribers and more than six million viewers.
OUR HOPES AND DREAMS; FIGHT RACISM AND STRUGGLE AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION! (tags)
On January 20,2009 a new President- An African American named Barack Obama will be inaugurated in Washington DC. To many, the dream that racism is no more is reality and the dreams of equality for all will be achieved. But not for the Filipino American community who still feel the fangs of racism at the hands the US Congress. On September 22, the US Congress House of Representatives passed the SB 1315 or the American Veterans Benefits Enhancement Bill, But they removed the whole section that pertains to Filipino World War II veterans. They excluded again the Filipinos, in a blatant act of racism in the law.
MORE than 10,000 MARCH IN WESTWOOD FOR PALESTINE (tags)
More than 10,000 Protestors marched on Westwood, Los Angeles in a big show of solidarity and support for Palestine and the besieged people of Gaza. At the van of the march were Palestinian flag draped coffins symbolizes the death and destruction in Gaza wrought by Us-Israel war machine terrorists.
Jan 1 Westwood march/Rally for Palestine (tags)
More than 10,000 protestors marched on Westwood, Los Angeles in a big show of solidarity and support for Palestine and the besieged people of Gaza. At the van of the march were Palestinian flag draped coffins symbolizes the death and destruction in Gaza wrought by US-Israel war machine. They were followed by a sea of Palestinian red and green flags that symbolizes resistance and defiance of the US-israel war machine.
REP. MANDANAS VISITS LOS ANGELES, CONDUCTS DIALOGUE WITH FILAM VETERANS (tags)
Philippine Congressman Herminigildo Mandanas together with Los Angeles Consul General Mary Jo B. Aragon held a dialogue with the Filipino American veterans and community leaders last Friday, January 9 at FASGI, 135 N. Parkview St. Los Angeles. They discussed the Filipino Veterans Support Bill, or SB 3689 that passed the Senate hearings last November 17 remains as the foremost concern of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV). Heated Discussion There was a heated discussion on the lump sum bill when JFAV leader Arturo P. Garcia brought put the fact that the SB 3689 has a quit claim and offers no recognition to the veterans. He also scored the vagueness of the bill.
FILAMS HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING, WRITES OBAMA (tags)
Less than a hundred Filipino American composed of community leaders, Balitang America viewers and experts on the economy, immigration, and Filipino World War II veterans and their advocates held a year end-Community town hall meeting last December 10, 2008 and after a spirited discussion read a letter to be sent to the President –elect Barack Obama who will assume office on January 20, 2009.
AJLPP Year End Report, 2008 (tags)
The year 2008 started with a flurry of activities with the anti-war movement marking the 5th year of the US-occupation of Iraq and the War Against Terror and ended with a militant rallies at the Israeli Consulate against the siege and bombing of Gaza on Dec. 30,2008. As an opening salvo, the AJLPP participated in the first ever Women’s March Against the War in Los Angeles led by the GABNET of the MARIPOSA ALLIANCE that drew more than 800 people. The AJLPP also supported the militant Screen Actors Guild Strike in Hollywood. The AJLPP mobilized its forces together with its allies against the successive visits of US prime puppet Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in July in the East Coast and November on the West Coast
Filipino Americans Hold Town hall meeting (tags)
More than a hundred Filipino American community leaders held a year end-Community town hall meeting last December 10, 2008 and after a spirited discussion read a letter to be sent to the President –elect Barack Obama who will assume office on January 20, 2009. In a belated telecast on December 31, 2008 and January 1-2, 2009 of the community town hall meeting held at the ABS -CBN Broadcast Center at Redwoods City south of San Francisco, the Filipino American leaders were united and were filled with optimism with the coming New Year despite the threats of global recession.
NEW FACLA BOARD FOR 2009-2011 ASSUMES OFFICEEXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR 2009-11 (tags)
The new FACLA Board for 2009-2011 led by the new FACLA president Rizalino Manuel of Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) was sworned –in to office last Sunday,January 4. 2009 at FACLA Community Hall. Attended by more than a hundred guests and FACLA members,sworned in as new executive officers were Rizalino Manuel, President;Adolfino Aguayon -1st Vice Pesident; Terry Herrera as 2nd Vice President; Gloria Resureccion as 3rd Vice President; Darlene Salvador as Secretary; Cris Florendo as Treasurer and Romy Jaravata as Auditor.
THE FILIPINO AMERICAN LIBRARY OUTREACHES TO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (tags)
The first and largest Filipino library in the country continues to share Filipino children’s books to families around Greater Los Angeles. Through its Children’s Reading Program, the Filipino American Library (FAL) will have events on Saturday, January 24 at 2:00-3:30pm at the Panorama City Branch Library (14345 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City 91402) and Saturday, January 31 at 2:00-3:30pm at the Filipino American Library (135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles 90026). Please RSVP to these free events by contacting filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488.
JFAV/PEOPLE”S CORE PARTICIPATES IN 4th HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN LANTERN PARADE (tags)
Maligayang Pasko! Scores of Filipino World War II Veterans with the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) marched along the busy Temple Street sidewalks together with more than a hundred seniors, young students and residents from the Manila Terrace Apartments to Search to Involve The Pilipino Americans (SIPA) compound with lighted lanterns or ” Parols “last Friday, December 19. The Parol parade started at around 5:15 PM. Filipino American organizations like People’s CORE, veterans, students and parents from Burlington School, Pilipino American Democrats of Los Angeles(PALAD), Filipino Christian Church( FCC), Lord of Harvest Ministry, GEPENC, JFAV, PANA, TWNDC and SIPA marched up Temple St through the sidewalks.
OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE... (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) condoles with widows and relatives of departed veterans and widows while it continues it unrelenting advocacy even in the advent of the Christmas season 2008. This happens as the Filipino Veterans Support Bill, SB 3689 hangs in the balance like SB 1315, in the meantime , different JFAV chapters continued it activities everywhere.
JFAV Represents in Big Events (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) continues it unrelenting advocacy even in the advent of the Christmas season 2008. While the Filipino Veterans Support Bill, SB 3689 hangs in the balance like SB 1315, different JFAV chapters continued it activities everywhere.
JFAV Represented in Big Events in WAshington DC and SFO (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) continues it unrelenting advocacy even in the advent of the Christmas season 2008. While the Filipino Veterans Support Bill, SB 3689 hangs in the balance like SB 1315, different JFAV chapters continued it activities everywhere.
AJLPP Commends Dec. 12 People’s Mass Actions Against Charter Change (tags)
Moral corruption and objectivity is the latest victim of the US-Arroyo’ regime’s propaganda in the Philippines. It is really unnerving that even the mass media including the ABS-CBN News, the Inquirer Publishing Inc. and others who cannot get their facts straight. It is but fine for the military and police in the Philippines to diminish the effect of the mass actions in the Philippines by under estimating the people’s turn-out, but for the media to quote police estimates and fail to make its own estimates really makes people sad. To the AJLPP based in the United States, this means they even failed to count the number of people who attends rallies honestly.
More than 300 UHW workers and allies rallied and picketted the SEIU International mock elections at the Radisson LAX Hotel last night Dec. 11 in Los Angeles. World War II veterans and leaders from JFAV and other community advocates from the Filipino American community joined the UHW rally. UHW president Sal Roselli reported that the UHW submitted more than 80,000 signatures to protest the mock elections. He said less than 10% voted. More than 40,000 protest signatures was earlier submitted to SEIU International against the elections.
AJLPP SUPPORTS DEC 12 MASS ACTIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES (tags)
Today, in commemoration of International Human Rights Day all over the world the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States and the Filipino American community also strongly and militantly supports the mass actions on December 12th against the charter change in the Philippines. We stand in solidarity with stalwarts of the opposition and all the progressive lawmakers for standing up against tyrant puppet of the US Imperialist Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts who wanted to change the charter by unlawful means.
AJLPP SUPPORTS DEC 12 MASS ACTIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) National Coordinator Mario Santos vehemently condemns in the highest terms the GMA schemes to change the constitution by a constituent assembly she controlled, Therefore, the AJLPP based in the United States and the Filipino American community also strongly and militantly supports the mass actions on December 12th against the charter change and against the imperial and fascist presidency of Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo in Manila and the rest of the Philippines.
AJLPP Support the Protest Vs Charter Change Dec 12 in the Phiippines (tags)
ntly condemns in the highest terms the GMA controlled House of Representatives led by well known GMA puppets Speaker Prospero Nograles that the impeachment complaint by voting it down by a vote of 183-21 Last December 2. The AJLPP also hail the Thai people in their recent victory against the deposed Thai prime minister Songchai who was ordered to quit by Thai Constitutional court for cheating in the elections. The AJLPP based in the United States and the Filipino American community also strongly and militantly supports the mass actions on December 12th against the charter change and against the imperial and fascist presidency of Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo in Manila and the rest of the Philippines.
WIDOWS AND RELATIVES OF FILIPINO VETERANS WILL FORM GROUP FOR EQUITY AND BENEFITS (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) together with the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) will hold an organizing meeting for widows and relatives of Filipino World War II veterans on Monday, at 10:00 AM December 8, 2008 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center at Fountain St/Vermont, CA 90027. The event will mark the formal entry of the United States into the Second World War with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.
JFAV SUPPORTS SAYAW, SIGLA, SAYA SA PASKO IN GLENDALE. DEC.13 (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)wholeheartedly supports the Filipino Cultural Group as they present SAYAW, SIGLA.SAYA SA PASKO- A “Filipino Cultural Show” on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91209. JFAV cordially invites the public to support such worthy endeavor for our community and our culture. JFAV as member organization of the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) based in central Los Angeles. The JFAV commends this early Christmas present which is a fund raiser for some constructions and renovation at the St.Columban Filipino Parish in Historic Filipinotown.
SCARED GMA RAN AWAY TO PERU AS FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY PICKETS (tags)
OUST GMA, YOU’RE OUSTED! YOU’RE BUSTED! US puppet Gloria Arroyo just ran scared as she always does, this time to the APEC meeting in Lima, Peru. This while hundreds of activist from the ALLIANCE for a JUST and LASTING PEACE in the PHILIPPINES (AJLPP), ANSWER-LA and GABNET/LA and their allies turned out in full force Friday, November 21, 2008, 6 PM, with a picket and a rally in front of the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045, to protest her supposed reception for the community in the US.
GMA RAN AWAY SCARED TO PERU AS FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY WITH THE AJLPP RALLY/PICKETS AT (tags)
OUST GMA, YOU’RE OUSTED! YOU’RE BUSTED! US puppet Gloria Arroyo just ran scared and as she always does to the APEC meeting in Lima, Peru. This while hundreds of activist from the ALLIANCE for a JUST and LASTING PEACE in the PHILIPPINES (AJLPP), ANSWER-LA and GABNET and their allies turned out in full force Friday, November 21, 2008, 6 PM, with a picket and a rally in front of the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045, to protest her supposed community reception to the community in the US.
PROTEST US-ARROPO REGIME, NOV.20 (tags)
Join us to protest US puppet Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! DATE: Friday, November 21, 2008 TIME: 5:00pm PLACE: Sheraton LAX Gateway Hotel.6101 West Century Blvd. LA, CA 90045
PESANTE CONFIRMS HR RIGHTS GROUP FINDINGS: Rights abuses continuing in RP (tags)
Pesante-USA, a Filipino American peasant , environmental and human rights advocacy groups confirmed thorough relaisble news sources that human rights abuses are continuing in the Philippines with 21 extrajudicial killings taking place in the third quarter of the year, a local rights monitor said Thursday. Pesante reported that of the killings 19 took place on the restive southern island of Mindanao where the government is fighting Muslim and communist secessionist groups, substantiated and according to a report by Karapatan, an umbrella organization of human rights groups in the Philippines.
PETITION FOR THE US CONGRESS (tags)
e: www.myspace.com/jfavla PETITION FOR THE US CONGRESS TO IMMEDIATELY CALL A JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND RECONCILE FILIPINO VETERANS BILLS NOW! Restore Section 4 of SB 1315 for the Filipino Veterans and junk HR 6897—the quit claim bill. We call on the US Congress to immediately call a joint conference committee and reconcile SB 1315 and HR 6897, which were both passed at the House of Representatives last September 22, 2008.
JFAV PETITION TO US CONGRESS (tags)
Restore Section 4 of SB 1315 for the Filipino Veterans and junk HR 6897—the quit claim bill. We call on the US Congress to immediately call a joint conference committee and reconcile SB 1315 and HR 6897, which were both passed at the House of Representatives last September 22, 2008. We demand that the joint US Congress conference committee restore the provision in SB 1315 on the Filipino Veterans, the full recognition and benefits for the last surviving veterans, for the widows and relatives of the Filipino World War II Veterans.
UFAV Induction of New Officers for 2008-2010 (tags)
The newly inducted officers of the United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV) for 2008-2010 were sworn–in by Rep. Lucille Roybal Allard of the 34th District last November 14, 2008 at the 3rd Floor of the Angelus Plaza , 255 N. Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90012. The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) congratulates the new set of UFAV officers. UFAV was organized in 1984 and was always in the forefront of the veterans equity struggle. UFAV is a member of JFAV organized in 1998.
OBAMA'S VICTORY AND THE FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY (tags)
Many have been said about the historical significance of the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States Some says that the this is the apex of the four centuries, of African Americans enslavement, Jim Crow segregation, lynch mob terror and racist discrimination manifested in countless ways. Other says a final blow to racism against African Americans and other oppressed nationalities that has in reality been far more integral to so called American democracy. It will not suffice to say millions of people yearned for real change, for an end to war, unemployment, foreclosures, and more. The popular revolt expressed in millions of voters turning out, millions out in the streets waiting for the result of the election is an outpouring never seen before in American history. The sight of millions out in the streets of major cities like Washington DC, New York. Chicago and other areas for sure, send jitters to some of the ruling class who labeled Obama as “socia
VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATIONS TO BE HELD NATIONWIDE FROM NOV. 6-11, 2008 (tags)
“Despite delays in passing the Filipino Veterans benefits and equity bill in the US Congress this year, the Filipino American community is highly hopeful the reconciled bill will pass this year. This will be the focus of the Veterans Day commemoration nationwide from Hawaii to Washington DC ” JFAV National Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia boldly announced this optimistic prediction.
ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE 8th ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE IN HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN LA NOV.8 (tags)
It’s all systems go for the 8th Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) 8th VETERANS DAY PARADE and Community Fair NOVEMBER 8, 2008, in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. “Despite delays in passing the Filipino Veterans equity bill in the US Congress this year, the Filipino American community is highly hopeful the reconciled bill will pass this year. This will be the focus of the 8th Veterans Day parade.” JFAV National Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia boldly announced this optimistic prediction. The march and Community Fair will be held at LAKE STREET PARK,227 N. Lake St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. The Veterans Day festivities had three parts: The first part is the commemorative rites that starts at 10;30 AM at the veterans memorial with an ecumenical mass and wreath laying ceremonies.
The Filipino American Library presents Free Bus Tours of Historic Filipinotown (tags)
What is Filipino about Historic Filipinotown? The Filipino American Library (FAL) answers this question in its Bus Tours of Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, November 22 at FAL (135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles 90026). Four 1.5-hour tours will begin at 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm. To reserve a seat, please contact filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488. While the tours are free, space is limited and they usually fill up in advance.
JFAV CONFRONTS FILNER IN SAN FRANCISCO, DEMANDS RECOGNITION AND EQUITY (tags)
A strong delegation of the Filipino American Veterans led by Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) –San Francisco met and dialogued with Congressman Bob Filner in the San Francisco War Memorial last night, October 30. The veterans led by Commander Mordeno and Yoma and JFAV’s Augustus Pedalizo confronted Filner while on a break on his address to American Vietnam War veterans and reiterated their call for the reconciled bill and the convening of the joint conference committee on the lameduck session of the US Congress on November 17, 2008.
AJLPP Blast Pro-Imperialist 2nd GFMD in Manila (tags)
On behalf of the of the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) we express our militant solidarity for the all the mass actions and protests against the Manila ‘s Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). The AJLPP West Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia said: “ The AJLPP and the Filipino American community in the United States strongly condemns the United nations (UN) pro-imperialist and anti-migrant GMFD framework and agenda of the conference in Manila. The agenda of the conference lay bare the exploitative foundation and consequences of so-called neoliberal globalization on the lives of migrants, refugees and their families.
AJLPP Statement on the Return of Jocjoc Bolante to the Philippines (tags)
“ The essence of justice is strained. It is not a drop of mercy from heaven but how the system explains and implements it” The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States, vehemently condemns the complicity of the United States and the US- Arroyo regime in facilitating the return of former undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante who was “ deported” back to the Philippines basically as a free man today, October 28. It was pathetic that the United States deported Bolante after refusing his asylum request and like in the case of Imelda Marcos the laws of the United States were used as instrument of making mockery of the laws and does not stand up for its core principles.
Racism- Alive, Brave and Strong (tags)
As a Filipino-American, one lesson I learned in America, Americans are very frank but indirect. Very blunt but courteous. That is the face of racism in the United States today. The Democratic Party choose Barack Obama as their candidate but before that, a lot of Clinton supporters were sacked for uttering racist remarks. They want to prove that racism is a thing of the past in America. But they are mistaken.
JFAV Oct 10 Nationwide Mass Actions-Fight Racism! (tags)
Bailout the Filipino Veterans, Not the Corrupt Capitalists! No Justice, No Peace! On Friday, October 10, in Los Angeles and San Francisco,hundreds of Filipino American students, youth and veterans with their allies from AJLPP, ANSWER-LA, PCORE, SIPA,SEIU, LAANE and other groups held their rallies in front of the Federal Building in the two cities for Filipino veterans rights.
JFAV Oct 10 Nationwie Mass Actions -A Success! (tags)
Bailout the Filipino Veterans, Not the Corrupt Capitalists! No Justice, No Peace. On Friday, October 10, in Los Angeles and San Francisco,hundreds of Filipino American students, youth and veterans with their allies from AJLPP, ANSWER-LA, PCORE, SIPA,SEIU, LAANE and other groups held their rallies in front of the Federal Building in the two cities for Filipino veterans rights.
AJLPP Supports JFAV Mass Actions (tags)
Bailout the Filipino Veterans, Not the Corrupt Capitalists! The AJLPP urgently calls on the US Congress focused on the Senate to call a conference committee to pass the veterans bill, AJLPP West Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia announced. In this regard the AJLPP supports the Justice for the Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) in its call for nationwide mass actions against blatant racism and struggle for for veteran rights.
BAILOUT THE FILIPINO VETERANS NOT THE CAPITALIST (tags)
Today, we protest the racist attacks against the Filipino World War II Veterans. Again, the fast disappearing Filipino World War II veterans and the seniors were the first victims of the Bush $700 capitalist bailout. We gather today at the foot of the monument to the Spanish-American War of 1898. At proof that the United States occupied the Philippines and colonized the Philippines. And that on 1941, when the Second World War broke out, we have to fight a war that is not of our own making. Filipinos were ordered and conscripted into the United States army and were ordered to fight for the war. But the United States refuse to honor the wartime services of the Filipinos saying the fought for their own country. What a shame!
BAILOUT THE VETERANS NOT THE CAPITALIST (tags)
Today, we protest the racist attacks against the Filipino World War II Veterans. Again, the fast disappearing Filipino World War II veterans and the seniors were the first victims of the Bush $700 capitalist bailout. The US Congress again insulted the veterans and Filipino American community by passing SB 1315 bill minus their recognition and one billion's worth in benefits.
AJLPP Support JFAV Mass Actions for the Final Push for Filipino Veterans Rights- (tags)
he AJLPP stands for and supports the final offensive in the US Congress focused on the Senate to call a conference committee to pass the veterans bill, AJLPP West Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia said. The mass actions will be held from October 6 to 10, 2008 U.S wide.
SAT, OCT 25 – Filipino Children’s Reading Event in Chino Hills (tags)
For the very first time, the largest Filipino library in the country will share Filipino children’s books to families in San Bernardino County. Through its Children’s Reading Program, the Filipino American Library (FAL) will have an event on Saturday, October 25 at 2:00-4:00pm at the James S. Thalman Chino Hills Branch Library (2003 Grand Ave., Chino Hills 91709). It is recommended for children ages 4-10. Please RSVP to filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488.
AJLPP Support JFAV Mass Actions for the Final Push for Filipino Veterans Rights- (tags)
“ The demand of Filipino World War II veterans for their benefits and rights is just and reasonable cause and no amount of denial and delay from the US Congress can justify its callous and racist actions of stalling the benefits bill denied from them for 63 years.” The AJLPP stands for and supports the final offensive in the US Congress focused on the Senate to call a conference committee to pass the veterans bill, AJLPP West Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia said. The mass actions will be held from October 3 to 10, 2008 U.S wide.
NO TO RACISM AND BIGOTRY (tags)
Yesterday, we came to San Francisco Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi to protest and express our support to SB 1315 and opposition to HR 6897 of Congressman Bob Filner. HR 6897. As we protest, we heard that SB 1315 passed but take out all provisions pertaining to our veterans. This says the Congress does not recognize their war time services and do not give the same benefits as our American counterparts have. It is an insult to Filipino American community and the historical contributions of the Filipino people who lost one million lives in the war.
OPEN LETTER TO REP. MIKE HONDA, 15th District,CA (tags)
We are writing to you on the matter of the pending House version of SB 1315 pending at the House of Representatives. First, we would like to express our deep appreciation for championing the cause of Filipino World War II veterans. We are very thankful to you and the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus that despite the grandstanding of Congressman Bob Filner, you are sincerely on our side. We would like to express our opposition to HR 6897 of Congressman Bob Filner which is a quit claim and an insult to our veterans and the Filipino American community. We want you to support the House version of SB 1315. Stay steadfast on the course- PASS THE House version of SB 1315 Now!
SB 1315 STILL HOPES TO PASS! (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV) and other veterans advocates have rejected the Filner proposal- HR 6897 confident that S-1315 still has a chance of passing. “1315 is alive and well,” stressed Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans. “ The house version of SB 1315 still can pass,” says Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) leader Arturo P.Garcia said: “ If the democrats will do their job, they can pass it. We do not want the Filner’s quitclaim bill. Let our voices be heard loud and clear.”
17th FPAC, A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS (tags)
he week-end of September 6 and 7th was not a typical day. On those two days, the 17th Festival of Filipino Arts and Culture (FPAC) came back with vengeance. While some detractors believed the FPAC is dead and some of them even did their own festival in the suburbs of Los Angeles , for two days, more than 15,000 people flocked to the festival grounds at Point Fermin in San Pedro and enjoyed the display of Filipino and Filipino American sounds and furies and affirmed that FPAC is vibrant, alive and filled with enthusiasm.
OBAMA SHIFTS TO THE RIGHT (tags)
Democrat presumptive candidate Senator Barack Obama completes the turn to the right. By picking the pro-War Senator JoeBiden as a running mate, he sought to appeal to the most backward sectors of the U.S. voting population and to show the ruling class that he is not really a liberal. Obama affirmed the fact that he is insecure of Clinton and he cannot hold a candle to Hillary Clinton in rightist policy making. He proved that he is not the man for himself and he is being lead by other policy makers like the Kennedy clan. The Filipino American community primarily the elite among democrats--immigrants, working and oppressed people are all left out. As usual neither candidate speaks in their interests, even thought the vast majority of workers are against the war and favor maintaining abortion rights.
OBAMA SHIFTS TO THE RIGHT (tags)
Democrat presumptive candidate Senator Barack Obama completes the turn to the right. By picking the pro-War Senator JoeBiden as a running mate, he sought to appeal to the most backward sectors of the U.S. voting population and to show the ruling class that he is not really a liberal. Obama affirmed the fact that he is insecure of Clinton and he cannot hold a candle to Hillary Clinton in rightist policy making. He proved that he is not the man for himself and he is being lead by other policy makers like the Kennedy clan. The Filipino American community primarily the elite among democrats--immigrants, working and oppressed people are all left out. As usual neither candidate speaks in their interests, even thought the vast majority of workers are against the war and favor maintaining abortion rights.
FAL Children’s Reading Program --- Aug. 30 in Montebello & Sep. 6 in San Pedro (tags)
The first and largest Filipino library in the country continues to share Filipino children’s books to families around Greater Los Angeles. Through its new Children’s Reading Program, the Filipino American Library (FAL) will have events on Saturday, August 30 at 2:00-4:00pm at the Asian Pacific Resource Center (Montebello Regional Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello 90640) and Saturday, September 6 at 1:00-3:00pm at the Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture – FPAC (Point Fermin Park, 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro 90731). They are recommended for children ages 3-8. Please RSVP to filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488.
AN OPEN LETTER TO SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI (tags)
Dear Ms. Speaker, We are writing to you on the matter of the pending House version of SB 1315 pending at the House of Representatives. We hold you, as the Speaker and the leader of the Democratic Party, responsible for not passing the bill in the house You have the responsibility to answer why the bill has not been discussed or have not been put into vote despite several promises. Time is of the essence for these American veterans who were victims of the unjust Recession Act that was passed on February 18th, 1946. Of the 250,000 Filipino soldiers who served under the American Flag during World War II, only 18,000 are still alive with more veterans dying everyday.
A CALL TO ACTION: PASS THE EQUITY BILL, NOW! (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, students, youth and community advocates calls on all Filipinos, Filipino Americans and allies to write to Speaker of the House Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and 245 congresspersons to discuss and pass the equity bill, HB 760 pending before the lower house of the US Congress, NOW! Last July 18 and 19, during the emergency conference of the JFAV ,Filipino veterans groups like PAVA-SC, SGS and UFAV with the Washington ACFV we decided to ask for a vote on th HR 760 on the floor of the US Congress. This is after a long wait and the promise of Speaker Pelosi that " if we got 290 votes she will put the bill on the floor." We feel that at most we have 220 votes to pass the bill. Waiting for 290 will just delay the bill to eternity. For four times, Congressman Bob Filner and Pelosi promised to pass the bill for the last two years to no avail. Please email, write them letters and call or fax their offices for them to act on the bill ASAP. The US Congress is ending its session by August 31. Remember its election time this year. Let not the elections sidetrack our advocacy for our veterans.
Long Beach Mass Action, July 10 Displays Community Unity (tags)
More than 600 people turned out in a two-hour march-rally last July 10 proving that the community is “the heart of Long Beach” The march led by the Long Beach Coalition for Better Jobs and Healthy Communities started with a picket at the Hilton Hotel at around 5:00 PM . Then the coalition marched to the Long Beach light house near the Aquarium of the Pacific where they held an hour long rally. Led by Hilton Hotel workers who are organizing themselves, Filipinos, Latinos, African- American hotel workers demanded hotel administration neutrality over their efforts to organize themselves.
EPCC Supports UHW-West mass action in LA (tags)
The Echo PArk Community Coalition (EPCC) supports the mass action on July 14 is slated to be held at the Manhattan Beach Marriot Hotel by the United Health Care Workers (UHW) -West against the plan of the SEIU /International to divide the UHW-West. The mass action by the UHW-West was called for the hearing that could result in tearing apart the UHW based on a plan by the SEIU International to divide the UHW. The 150,000 UHW which has a large Filipino membership among its unionized workers is a member of the SEIU International which has 2 million members.
JFAV and the Filipino Community Salutes Companero Don White (tags)
We, in the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) were profoundly shocked and saddened on the news of the sudden death of Don White, a dear comrade and friend of the Filipino World War II veterans and the Filipino immigrant community. Don White, the Director of the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) in Los Angeles, 70, died of a massive heart attack in his apartment last Friday, June 20, 2008 in Los Angeles.
Pass the Equity Bill NOW -JFAV (tags)
For us in the Filipino American community , the passage of the H.R. 760 , the Filipino Veterans Equity is of the utmost importance. This issue continues to be the most urgent and longest standing injustice our community has faced for decades. Thank you for your continued leadership and support in fighting for the enactment of the Filipino WWII Veterans Act of 2007, H.R. 760. As a faithful constituent, we recognize that you are an ally in this campaign and ask that the Filipino WWII Veterans Equity bill be made a priority in your already historic role as Speaker of the House.( As a congressperson from ____)
JFAV : A Tribute to Ka. Crispin Beltran, The Hero of the Filipino Working Class (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American veterans (JFAV), the alliance of veterans groups, student / youth, community organizations and veteran rights advocates in the United States and as a founding member of the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) pays tribute and homage to Crispin Beltran, 75 , who passed away last May 20, 2008 in the Philippines Ka. Bel, as we fondly call him, was a representative of BAYAN MUNA and later the ANAK-PAWIS Party list group, BAYAN Chair, Past Chair and Chair emeritus of Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) labor center and was the first chairperson of the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) from 2001-2004. As a chair person of the ILPS Ka Bel supported the Filipino World War II and gave due course to the resolution of the ILPS in 2001 and again in 2004 ILPS Assemblies recognizing the contribution of the veterans to the struggle against fascism in World War II and the justices of their current struggle for recognition, justice and equity.
30,000 IMMIGRANTS/ WORKERS MARCH-RALLY ON MAY 1st IN LA (tags)
For the third year in a row. more or less 30,000 marchers from three major groups- the MIWON, March 25 Coalition and the April 7th Coalition for Full Immigrants Rights in Los Angeles and demand full rights and legalization for immigrants. A stop on ICE raids and deportations and to commemorate International Workers Day. The media called it “a combination of a holiday parade and party celebrations” Different media outlets and the LAPD have different estimates like a conservative estimate from as low as 7,000 from KCRW and as high as 30,000 from NPR radio. In Los Angeles, California, shouting: MAKIBAKA, HUWAG MATAKOT, LEGALISAYON, NGAYON and ANG TAO, ANG BAYAN NGAYON AY LUMALABAN. the newly formed Filipino American For Immigration Reform (FAIR) with the Pilipino Workers Center marched from Historic Filipinotown to Macarthur Park and joined 15,00 strong MIWON contingent that marched from Macarthur Park to downtown Broadway.
Workers/Immigrants US-Wide Rallies on May 1 (tags)
The Coalition in Defense of Immigrants Rights (CDIR) –USA and the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) announced today that mass actions for May 1 that were held in major U.S. cities was a resounding success. In scores of major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New York.Phoenix and Chicago, Filipino Americans immigrants and advocates joined up with their Latino immigrant allies to demand full rights and legalization for immigrants, a stop to ICE raids and deportations and workers rights during May 1 International Workers Day. Arturo P. Garcia, CDIR and AJLPP deputy national coordinator said: “while the bourgeois media tends to praise the police for “good behavior” and chide the rallyist for supposed the low-turn-out, immigrant groups were satisfied with the unity shown at the marches and rallies all over the United States. For the third year in a row, after the repeal of the infamous HR 4437, the need for a comprehensive immigration reform and a pathways to citizenship was again thrust into the limelight and the national stage. It clearly shows the immigrant rights movement is alive and kicking, more united and consolidated.” Garcia added.
Workers/Immigrants March Rally in LA on May 1 (tags)
—For the third year in a row. more or less than 30,000 marchers from three major groups- the MIWON, March 25 Coalition and the April 7th Coalition for Full Immigrants Rights in Los Angeles and demand full rights and legalization for immigrants and to commemorate International Workers Day. The media called it “a combination of a holiday parade and party celebrations” Different media outlets have different estimates like a conservative estimate from as low as 7,000 from KCRW and as high as 30,000 from NPR radio. In Los Angeles, California the newly formed Filipino American For Immigration Reform (FAIR) with the Pilipino Workers Center marched from Historic Filipinotown to Macarthur Park and joined 15,000 strong MIWON contingent that marched from Macarthur Park to downtown Broadway.
AJLPP Sautes the 35th Year of the NDFP (tags)
On behalf of the Filipino American community in the United States and all its allies, we in the Alliance Philippines (AJLPP)consider it fitting and proper to extend warmest greetings to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in celebration of the 35th anniversary of its founding on 24 April 1973 when its 10-Point Program was unfurled and promulgated. We share in the Filipino people's jubilation that the NDFP has won great victories in the application and development of the policy and tactics of the united front in advancing the people's democratic revolution against foreign monopoly capitalism, domestic feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism in the Philippines.
Ester Soriano. Community Activist Laid to Rest (tags)
Filipina-American activist Ester Soriano was laid to rest last Saturday. April 19, 2008 at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California Ester, who passed away last April 3, 2008, three day short of her 62nd birthday. was one of the founders of the National Committee for the Restoration of Civil Liberties in the Philippines (NCRCLP) in San Francisco in 1972. On the very weekend that martial law was declared by dictator Marcos in Philippines. A SERVICE OF CELEBRATION was held at the First AME Church of Los Angeles at 2270 South Harvard Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90018 at 10:00 AM last Saturday, April 19, 2008. Thousands of people from all walks of life, professions and races attended the service.
May Day Rallies Against ICE Raids (tags)
In response to nationally coordinated raids conducted by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) the Coalition to Defend Immigrant Rights (CDIR) in Los Angeles will join the Press Conference of the newly formed Filipino American for Immigrant Rights (FAIR) and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) on April 26, 2008 and the May 1 Rally Immigrant Workers Day March-Rally in downtown Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, more recent ICE Raids More than 200 immigrants have been arrested in Los Angeles this month. On April 4, more than 60 Mexican and Korean workers were arrested by ICE in Torrance and in downtown LA.
Ester Soriano-Hewitt, 62 (tags)
The Alliance Philippines (AJLPP) with deep sorrow condole with family and friends of Ester Soriano-Hewiit who passed away last April 3, 2008. Ester Soriano-Hewitt was one of the founders of the National Committee for the Restoration of Civil Liberties in the Philippines (NCRCLP) in San Francisco in 1972. On the very weekend that martial law was declared by dictator Marcos in Philippines. She later headed the NCRCLP Chapter in Los Angeles and later the Alliance for Philippine Concerns (APC) with Dr. Enrique and Prosy Dela Cruz and countless others. Under Ester’s able leadership they countless demonstrations and rallies infront of the LA Philippine consulate against the US-Marcos-dictatorship until it was toppled in February 1986.
Bataan Day Protest April 10, 2008 in Los Angeles (tags)
“Money for the Filipino Veterans, Not for the War” With these slogans scores of veterans, community advocates, youth and students signified their protest in front of the monument for the veterans of the Spanish-American War at the Westwood National Cemetery near the federal building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd. and Veterans St. yesterday, April 10 at 5:00 PM “Today, after 66 years, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) commemorate the 66th Bataan Day with a protest rally for the passage of the equity bill in the U.S. Congress.. declared Arturo P. Garcia in an interview with the media. “ If the US Congress can pass a resolution with 415 vote for a free Tibet against China, why can they not do the same with Filipino veterans?” asked Garcia. “ The equity bill has been languishing in Congress for 15 years,” “ What is wrong with Congress? Is this not a case of racism against the Filipinos and a case of China-bashing?” the AJLPP and JFAV declared.
Bataan Day Protest in LA (tags)
“Remember Bataan!” This was the battle cry of American soldiers during the Second World War. The battle cry was a call to avenge the American defeat and the Death March that the Japanese Imperial Army perpetrated against American and Filipino Forces that surrendered in Bataan on April 9, 1942. Today, after 66 years, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of Filipino veterans, student, youth and community advocates announced that they will commemorate the 65th Bataan Day with a protest rally at the Westwood Federal building 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles on April 10, 2008 at 5:00 P.M.. “Money for the Filipino Veterans, Not for the War” will be the slogan of JFAV, AJLPP and Samahang Pilipino at UCLA who were spearheading the rally.
FILIPINO VETERANS TO PROTEST APRIL 10 AT THE WESTWOOD FEDERAL BUILDING IN LA (tags)
Money for Filipino Veterans, Not for the War! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) with the Alliance Philippines (AJLPP ) and Samahang Pilipino at UCLA will mark the 66th Fall of Bataan Day with a protest rally for equity and justice on April 10, 2008 at 5: 00 PM at the West wood Federal Building at the corner of Veteran and Wilshire Streets.
Pelosi and McCain: Pass the Equity Bill First Before Talking About Tibet-JFAV (tags)
Fix your own backyard. Compensate the Filipino World War II veterans . Pass the Equity Bill first, before you speak of justice and freedom in Tibet.” This was the admonition of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) to Republican Senator John McCain and Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who was strongly criticized by the Chinese government for meddling in the current Tibetan crisis.
Remember ther Recission Act, Fight Racism and Racial Discrimination! (tags)
On February 18th, we commemorate the 62nd year of the infamous Rescission Act. On February 18, 1946, the 79th US Congress removed the benefits and all entitlements for 250,000 Filipino World War II veterans by stating “their military service were not deemed active”. By a stroke of a pen,the US government removed the recognition of the wartime services and the sacrifices of the Filipino nation during World War II. For 62 years, Filipino veterans suffered discrimination and racism. Of all 66 nationalities that served the American flag, only the Filipinos were excluded from their benefits and recognition. To add insult to injury, the promise that they will given citizenship was granted later in 1990, when the immigration reform bill was passed.
JFAV ALL SET TO MARCH FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE and FAMILY REUNIFICATION, FEB 19. (tags)
What do We want, Equity ! No Justice, No Peace! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) an alliance of different Filipino World War II veterans groups, youth and students and community groups are all set to mark the 62nd year of the Rescission Act on February 18, and March on Feb 19. 2008 in Los Angeles.. The JFAV will mark February 18 with two mass actions. The first event called JFAV EDUCATION AND ACTION FORUM will be held on February 18 from 9:00 to 2:00 PM at the Lake St. Park Community Center. The invited speakers for the events are Senator Gil Cedillo of 22nd District, California and Muna Cobtee of ANSWER-LA. The forum seeks to study more about the Filipino Veteran's Struggle and strategize ways to gain justice and equity in 2008
FILIPINO VETERANS ALL SET TO MARK 62nd YEAR OF THE RESCISSION ACT IN LA (tags)
No Justice, No Peace! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) veterans council composed of different Filipino World War II veterans groups held a meeting to prepare for the 62nd year of the Rescission Act on February 18, 2008. Prominent veteran leaders attended the council meeting last February 9. Among those who attended were Franco Arcebal of ACFV; Jack Vergara of Society of Guerillas and Scout Inc.(SGSI); Ramon Lladoc of Veterans Center of the Philippines; Eugene Mondok of United Filipino American veterans(UFAV); Peping Baclig and Nick Gadia of JFAV and Arturo Garcia of People’s CORE.
FILIPINO VETERANS ALL SET TO MARK 62nd YEAR OF THE RESCISSION ACT IN LA (tags)
No Justice, No Peace! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) veterans council composed of different Filipino World War II veterans groups held a meeting to prepare for the 62nd year of the Rescission Act on February 18, 2008. Prominent veteran leaders attended the council meeting last February 9. Among those who attended were Franco Arcebal of ACFV; Jack Vergara of Society of Guerillas and Scout Inc.(SGSI); Ramon Lladoc of Veterans Center of the Philippines; Eugene Mondok of United Filipino American veterans(UFAV); Peping Baclig and Nick Gadia of JFAV and Arturo Garcia of People’s CORE.
Fil-Vets ask candidates for bill support (tags)
Statements of support from the presidential candidates are being requested from Filipino American veterans and the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc. (ACFV) before Feb. 18 to help pass their benefits bills and garner more community allies for the Bataan Day commemoration rallies being planned across the U.S. “We are asking the presidential candidates to release their statements of support for our cause clearly before February 18, the day of the Rescission Act of 1946,” said Eric Lachica, Executive Director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc. in an exclusive interview with BALITA. “We have been, and will continue to the rounds here in Washington D.C. to get the candidates’ commitment.”
FILIPINO COMMUNITY MARKS 62nd YEAR OF THE RESCISSION ACT (tags)
REMEMBER THE RESCISSION ACT! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) an alliance of veterans, community, youth, students and other groups will hold a two-day event recognizing the contributions of Filipino veterans of WWII, as well as the injustices they continue to endure. On February 18, 1946, 672 years ago, the 79th US Congress passed the infamous Rescission Act that removed the recognition to 250,000 Filipino American veterans who served during the Second World War. The first event called JFAV EDUCATION AND ACTION FORUM will be held on February 18 from 9:00 to 2:00 PM at the Lake St. Park Community Center . The forum seeks to study more about the Filipino Veteran's Struggle and strategize ways to gain justice and equity in 2008 The second mass action will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 from 8 AM to 12 PM. Called the MARCH FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE, the JFAV is calling on everyone join in calling for full recognition, benefits, and family reunification for Filipino Veterans.
FORUM FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO (tags)
The 2008 Immigration Forum called “Preparing the Fields to Plant the Seeds” was held last Saturday, January 26, 2008 from 12: 00 to 5:00 PM at the Mission Presbyterian Church at 3261 23rd St. in downtown San Francisco, CA. The immigration forum discussed the Dream Act, the Sanctuary Movement, the Kennedy-McCain Proposals and anti-immigrant bashing in the United States. They also discussed the roots and causes of imm9gration. The forum was sponsored by the Faith in the Movement Coalition (FMC) composed by Manos Unidas Community Center of the Mission, Alliance For A Just and Lasting Peace (AJLPP), Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) Damayan New York-New Jersey, Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, JAC of the Presbyterian Church of the USA, KM Pro People Youth, Grace Urban Ministries and the Mission Presbyterian Church.
JUSTICE FOR FILIPINO AMERICAN VETERANS HOST ACTION FORUM LAST JANUARY 24-25 in LA and CA (tags)
Despite the stormy weather, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), in conjunction with the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), Peoples CORE and Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), held a community action forum last Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 6:00 PM, The Forum was held at SIPA’s community room. It was attended by a fairly good size crowd of veterans, students and community advocates.Veterans groups like Society of Guerillas and Sc outs (SGSI), United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV) and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines(VFP) , lobbyists, organizers, and other supporters was present They were updated by ACFV Executive Director Eric Lachica, JFAV Coordinator Al P. Garcia and Franco Arcebal on the current progress of campaign efforts and relevant legislative bills in the continued pursuit of recognition of the Veterans sacrifices in World War II.
JUSTICE FOR FILIPINO AMERICAN VETERANS HOST ACTION FORUM ON JANUARY 24 (tags)
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), in conjunction with the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), Peoples CORE and Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), will be hosting a community action forum on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 6:00 PM, The Forum will be held at SIPA’s community room. JFAV is also hosting another forum in Carson on January 25 at 3:00 PM at the C and C Adult Day Care Center at 451 E. Carson Plaza Drive
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act (tags)
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 has gone through its shares of ups and downs this year. If passed, an estimated 7,000 Filipino American veterans living in the US and 12,000 Filipino veterans in the Philippines, who both fought during WWII, would restore US Veterans status and be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension benefits.
Ruby De Vera won Her Discrimination Case in the Los Angeles City Council (tags)
It’s a victory for Ruby ( De Vera), a Filipina, It is a victory for the Filipino Community!” The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Peping Baclig and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) Jack Vergara today express elation that De Vera was vindicated. JFAV and EPCC also hailed the decision of the Los Angeles City Council to award De Vera a settlement of $ 125,000 for her lawsuit against discrimination and injustice. De Vera run for District 14 council office and came out 3rd place among 12 candidates in 2005. She later was fired as an office manager boss for “embarrassing his boss, Council Member Ed Reyes”, was awarded $ `125,000,00 settlement last week by the City of Los Angeles. The Philippine News correspondent Yong Chavez reported this event in this US wide weekly paper for August 22-28.
FILIPINO VETERANS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS CONDEMN HARRASMENT OF US-BASED GABRIELA NETWORK LEA (tags)
Different Filipino World War II veterans and community organizations in Los Angeles today condemned the harassment perpetrated by the Philippine authorities against GABRIELA Network (GABNet) USA National Chairperson Dr. Annalisa Enrile. Dr. Enrile was barred from boarding her return flight to the United States. This act of harassment occurred on the culminating day of the 10th bi-annual Women’s International Solidarity Affair in the Philippines, a conference that draws hundreds of women from all over the globe and covers issues such as sex trafficking and other international human right violations. The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the Society of Guerillas and Scouts Inc (SGSI) and other community organizations like the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC), Philippine Peasant Support Network (Pesante)-USA and other groups were outraged by the violations of Dr. Enrile’s rights.
FIL-AM COMMUNITY/ JFAV HAILS HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE’S PASSAGE OF EQUITY BILL (tags)
“Better late than never!” ( Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din!) The Filipino American community in Southern California and the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) hailed today the passage of the Equity Bill in the House Veterans Affair Committee headed by Congressman Bob Filner by a vote of 15-12. The bill passed the Veterans Affairs Committee hearing last Tuesday, July 17. Earlier Filner promised to have the bill passed by June 30. JFAV coordinators Peping Baclig and Al P. Garcia of People’s CORE also thanked everybody who tirelessly work for this efforts for the last 18 years. Earlier the U.S. Senate passed their version that will grant old age pension to Filipino veterans in the U.S. and in the Philippines.
Confronting U.S. Empire: Reviewing Filipino American Insurgent Intellectual Production (tags)
This new intervention by internationally renowned Filipino scholar E. SAN JUAN, Jr. signals a renewed self-reflection by the Filipino American community and the entire diaspora of nearly 10 million Overseas Contract Workers.
The Recent Philippine Supreme Court Split Decision, Splits the Public (tags)
The recent Supreme Court split decision on the TRO filed by GO Candidate Koko Pimentel clearly shows how polarize is the Philippine society. The decision again highlights that justice is partial and serves the status quo. The decision, religiously followed by the Filipino American community in the United States, clearly shows how divided the Filipino society is and it is reflected among the 14 justices of the Supreme Court. In its recent decisions especially in the 2007 national elections. It just repeated the injustice perpetrated against presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr in 2004 only now, it is against Koko Pimentel. Basically it refused to decide on the conduct of elections and refers the cases to the Presidential, the
Gentrification or Development? (tags)
New infrastructure projects from both the public and the private sectors is prepping up Historic Filipinotown district. City Council President and Council 13 District Member Eric Garcetti made the announcements during the get-together breakfast meeting ?held at Remy’s on Temple Art Gallery last May 25. But still EPCC want to see more affordable and low-cost housing in central Los Angeles that will help the newly arrived immigrants and the low-paid workers living in Echo Park area.”?
On the Defeat of SB 1348 in the U.S. Senate Vote (tags)
“The Immigrant Rights Bill SB 1348 is Dead! Long Live the New Immigrant Rights Bill!” The Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR) and the Echo Park Community Coalition(EPCC) believed that the defeat of the current immigration reform bill in the Senate is just temporary. For all immigrants, the failure to pass the bill is just tactical.
Film Review: The Piracy of the “Pirates: On the World’s End” (tags)
What I enjoy with Hollywood is that it has a license to do everything with anything. Like the voyages of the pirates that went awry from Southeast Asian port of Singapore to the icy poles and to the sea of legendary Hades. They were quiet on the fact by piracy, England and Holland built their empires on the skulls and bones of their victims at the sea. Try to visit Amsterdam and you can see the monuments to the Dutch pirates who colonized a lot of nations like Indonesia also called the Dutch East Indies for the Netherland
A Cultural Review: A Good and Exceptional Filipino Cultural Night (tags)
If “ the Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night is the culmination of a yearlong journey of education and preparation undertaken by the Samahang Pilipino cast and the by-product serves as an important avenue to share and explore Pilipino culture,” then the last presentation “BALIKBAYAN: The Journey Home “ on May 19 was a success. Going further, it served its purpose to “address issues relevant to the Pilipino and the Pilipino-American community. We in the Filipino community, further salute the Samahang Pilipino especially the script development groups who was able to integrate the issues like immigration, immigrant rights, Pilipino Diaspora, identity issues among Pilipinos and Filipino American youths, the yearning to go back to the homeland, the issue of political killings, systemic change and nationalism as well as integration to the mainstream- the real community empowerment in the American society into the cultural event.
May 9 Town Hall Meeting on Philippine Overseas Election Held in Los Angeles (tags)
Los Angeles—The first town hall meeting in Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles on the May 14 Philippine overseas voting was held last Wednesday, May 9 at 6;30 PM at the SIPA Multi-Purpose Hall, 3200 W. Temple St. The Historic Filipinotown hall meeting was attended by the Philippine consulate officials and a modest crowd of Filipino Americans. Consul General May Jo Aragon, Consuls Helen Barber and San Agustin who heads the overseas voting at the Los Angeles consulate. They clarified and answered many questions about overseas voting from the interested multi-ethnic crowd.
CELEBRATE GREAT CINCO DE MAYO WITH GREAT ANTI IMPERIALIST PRIDE (tags)
The Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace (AJLPP)-USA greets the Mexican people with the highest militance and anti-imperialist salute of international solidarity on their great holiday Cinco De Mayo. SALUD!!! That is why we in the Filipino American community is takes pride with this anti-imperialist event with our brother Mexicans victory over the colonial army of France while America was embroiled in their own civil war. As Ho Chi Minh said “ There is nothing more precious than Independence.” That is the great historical anti-imperialist lesson of Cinco De Mayo
JFAV JOINS US-WIDE MAY DAY MARCH/RALLIES IN LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of 5 veterans, 32 youth, student and 25 community organizations in Southern California, militantly supports the nationwide mass action on the International Worker Day, may 1, 2007 all over the United States/ On May 1, 2007 we will again march in Historic Filipinotown and join the march rally in MaArthur Park. We call for family reunification, justice for veterans and full rights for all immigrants, now! We strongly condemn the racist attacks and raids against immigrants all over the nation. More than 4,000 Filipinos has been deported because of such massive raids.
JFAV JOINS US-WIDE MAY DAY MARCH/RALLIES, STANDS FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND FULL RIGHTS (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of 26 veterans, youth, student and community organizations in Southern California, militantly supports the nationwide mass action on the International Worker Day, may 1, 2007 all over the United States/ On May 1, 2007 we will again march in Historic Filipinotown and join the march rally in MaArthur Park. We call for family reunification, justice for veterans and full rights for all immigrants, now! We strongly condemn the racist attacks and raids against immigrants all over the nation. More than 4,000 Filipinos has been deported because of such massive raids.
JFAV Commemorates Bataan Day, April 9, 2007 in Los Angeles (tags)
In a rare show of unity and justice for the Filipino community, The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the regional alliance in the West Coast of Filipino veterans, student, youth and community advocates together with the Filipino Veterans Foundation commemorated the 65th Bataan Day yesterday, April 9, 2007 with simple commemorative rites at the memorial monument at the Lake Street Park Memorial Monument at 227 Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Willy Gaa; Consul Helen Barber of Los Angeles: Alberto Alpasan ,Babes Navarra and Jay Vargas of the Veterans Administration(VA); Council Member Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles graced the April 9 event. Filipino Veterans Foundation by Dra. Jenny Batongmalaque led the commemorative rites. More than 150 Filipino World War II veterans, their widows and families, relatives and veterans advocates attended the four-hour event.
JFAV Bataan Day Commemoration, April 9, 2007 in Los Angeles (tags)
Remember Bataan!” This was the battle cry of American soldiers during the Second World War. The battle cry was a call to avenge the American defeat and the Death March that the Japanese Imperial Army perpetrated against American and Filipino Forces that surrendered in Bataan on April 9, 1942. Today, after 65 years, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the regional alliance in the West Coast of Filipino veterans, student, youth and community advocates announced that they will commemorate the 65th Bataan Day on April 9, 2007 at 9:00 A.M with simple commemorative rites that will highlighted by the blessing of the memorial monument and wreath laying at the Lake Street Park Memorial Monument at 227 Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Progressive FilAm Organizations in Los Angeles Snubbed the March 26 PNP-AFP “Pulong Bayan (tags)
More than 20 Filipino American journalists attended the Philippine Consulate General’s “Pulong Bayan sa Konsulado” on Human Rights in the Philippines with deputy director General of the PNP, General Avelino Razon last Monday, March 26 at 3600 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles. But prominently absent were representatives from different Southern California Filipino American progressive organizations like the Alliance Philippines (AJLPP), Gabriela and other organizations who were also invited but who boycotted the affair.
JFAV-Samahang Pilipino Conference March 10-11: ALL OUT FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE! (tags)
“All Out for Equity and Justice” With this battle cry, the community advocates, students, youth and the remaining Filipino World War II veterans in Southern California and Los Angeles cordially invite the public to come and gather for a Unity Conference on March 10-11, 2007 in UCLA in Los Angeles, CA 90095. Veterans leaders like Commander Jack Vergara of the Society of Guerillas and Scouts Inc (SGSI); Commander Franco Arcebal of ACFV; Commander Peping Baclig of JFAV; Commander Joe Samonte of Long Beach and Veterans Federations of the Philippines (VFP; Commander Flor Cadiente of FACLA; Commander Eugenio Mondok of the United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV) and Sam Icalina and Manny Aquino of Carson full mobilized heir membership and will grace the occasion.
AJLPP-USA Nationwide Mobilization for March 17 -18 Protests in Four Major US Cities (tags)
The Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP), an alliance of Filipino American and allied solidarity organizations working for peace and justice, anti-war and racism in the United States and a member of the ANSWER Coalition will mobilize for the nationwide mass protests against the 4th year of the U.S Invasion and Occupation of Iraq and the 40th anniversary of the people’s march in Pentagon. March 1967 at the height of the US War in Vietnam. Los Angeles and Washington DC will be the focus of the anti-war mobilizations on March 17 while Seattle and San Francisco will mobilize tens of thousands of the anti-war protestors on March 18. AJLPP will be present on the four major cities mobilization against the war and racism both in the east and the west coast.
“Equity and Justice Through Unity“ Conference on March 10-11 at UCLA (tags)
Equity and Justice Through Unity“ Conference. Collectivizing our Efforts to Attain Full Recognition for Filipino World War II veterans- will be held on March 10-11, 2007 at Kerchoff Hall, UCLA in Los Angeles, CA 90095. Gathering more momentum for the passage of the Equity Bill after the successful February 15 hearing at the US House of Representatives in Washington DC, the Filipino American community in Los Angeles led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Samahang Pilipino at UCLA will holding the conference . The Veteran, Student, and Community Educational Conference theme is "Collectivizing our efforts to attain full recognition for Filipino World War II veterans." This is to follow-up and activate more pro-active advocacy for the passage of the veterans equity bill.
JFAV-Samahang Pilipino “Equity and Justice Through Unity“ Conference on March 10-11 (tags)
“Equity and Justice Thron Full Recognition for Filipino World War II veterans- will be held on March 10-11, 2007 at Kerchoff Hall, UCLA in Los Angeles, CA 90095. Gathering more momentum for the passage of the Equity Bill after the successful February 15 hearing at the US House of Representatives in Washington DC, the Filipino American community in Los Angeles led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Samahang Pilipino at UCLA will holding the conference . The Veteran, Student, and Community Educational Conference theme is "Collectivizing our efforts to attain full recognition for Filipino World War II veterans." This is to follow-up and activate more pro-active advocacy for the passage of the veterans equity bill.
Pesante-EFJP Los Angeles Remembers Mendiola Massacre (tags)
Filipinos and their solidarity allies militantly remembered the 20th year of the Mendiola Massacre of January 22, 1987, solemnly paid tribute to the 820 victims of political killings in the Philippines and reaffirmed their solidarity to the people’s struggle in the Philippines last night, January 22, 2007 at Remy’s on Temple Art Gallery in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.
Pesante-EFJP Los Angeles Remembers Mendiola Massacre 20th Year and Political Killing Vict (tags)
Filipinos and their solidarity allies militantly remembered the 20th year of the Mendiola Massacre of January 22, 1987, solemnly paid tribute to the 820 victims of political killings in the Philippines and reaffirmed their solidarity to the people’s struggle in the Philippines last night, January 22, 2001 at Remy’s on Temple Art Gallery in Historic Filipino town, Los Angeles. Scores of Filipino Americans and their solidarity allies held a 20-minute ecumenical service led by Rev. Frs. Joe Tronco, Dennis and Rene De Guzman. A 12-minute short film “ The Golf War” explaining the situation of the Philippine peasantry was also shown.
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Year-End Report, 2006 (tags)
The year 2006 was a fruitful and a meaningful year for Filipino World War II Veterans and their advocates. The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) started the year with a collective action and ended it with a Christmas celebration. JFAV was formed in December 16, 1998 in Los Angeles. It took over from the December 7 Movement (D7M) that started the veterans movement gfor recogntion, justice and equity campaign with the first mass action infront of the Westwood Federal building on Decmber 7, 1993. Now JFAV is composed of 32 youth and student organizations, 25 community organizations and 5 veterans organizations based in Southern California and a network all over the United States. We in JFAV take this opportunity not only to report our activities and greet our activist and advocates a new year, but to thank everybody for a year well done and accomplished!
The AJLPP-USA Year End Report, 2006 (tags)
The SolCom was able to gather more than 5,000 petitions, sent more than 2,000 signed postcards to the Europe, sold more than 500 books, issued thousands of postcards, hundreds of posters and buttons in its three years of action until AJLPP came into existence. It is worthwhile to look back and retrace the steps the AJLPP has taken during the last year 2006 so it can look forward in this current year 2007. It is but fitting to move forward with greater zeal and determination to serve the Filipino people and the Filipino American community in the United States.
Statement On the US-Wide Anti-War Mobilization against the Bush “Iraq Troop Surge” (tags)
The Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) - USA, a member of the national steering committee of the International A.N.S.W.E.R., stands with the American people not only in opposing all unjust wars and racism being perpetrated by the imperialist system. For the Filipino American community, all imperialist wars are not patriotic crusades and a worthy cause to die for. We vehemently oppose Bush’s new policy of the “Iraq troop surge” or the Iraq alternative, for this is just a carbon copy of the failed Nixon “ Vietnamization” during the Vietnam War. It is now called “Iraqis solving Iraq’s problem.”
ON THE 143rd BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF ANDRES BONIFACIO AND THE 42nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE KM (tags)
Those of us who are from the Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) are especially proud to celebrate the 143rd birth anniversary of the great Supremo (Supreme Leader) Andres Bonifacio, the founder of the Katipunan, which ended over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines. On November 30, 1964, on his very 101st birthday, the organization of the Kabataang Makabayan (KM – Patriotic Youth), meanwhile, was founded. Subsequently, various other youth-student organizations and those in the community, such as the Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan (SDK), Katipunan ng Kabataang Demokratiko (KKD), Samahang Molabe (SM), Kamanyang and others, were also founded in different parts of the Philippines.
JFAV STANDS FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND SUPPORTS FULL IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS NOW! (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of 26 veterans, youth, student and community organizations in Southern California, wholeheartedly supports and salutes the all veterans and their families on the solemn occasion of Veterans Day, November 11, 2006
NOV. 11, 2006 6TH VETERANS DAY PARADE IN HFT: A SUCCESS (tags)
With the slogan" “”Full Rights for All immigrants, Justice for Veterans, Now” more than 2,000 people participated last Saturday’s PCORE/JFAV Annual Veterans Day Parade and Community Health Fair in Historic Filipinotown , Los Angeles. The event started will the unveiling of the Filipino World War II Memorial Monument at the Lake Street Park. The memorial monument is a tribute of the City of Los Angeles to honor the contribution of Filipino Word War II veterans during the Second World War.
6TH VETERANS DAY PARADE IN HFT : JUSTICE FOR VETERANS, FULL RIGHTS FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS! (tags)
dale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 With the slogan" “”Family Reunification and Veterans Equity, Now! , Filipino Americans in Los Angeles are all set for the 6th PCORE/ JFAV Annual Veterans Day. The Annual Veterans Day Parade and Community Health Fair in Historic Filipino town in Los Angeles will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2005 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.The event will start with the unveiling of the Filipino World War II Memorial Monument at the Lake Street Park 227 N. Lake St. at 9:00 in the morning. The memorial monument is a tribute of the City of Los Angeles to honor the contribution of Filipino Word War II veterans during the Second World War. Invited guests are Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, federal,state and city officials. Philippine Consulate officials, Filipino veteran, community, youth and student leaders
All is set for the 6th JFAV Annual Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2006 (tags)
“”Family Reunification and Veterans Equity, Now! The Historic Filipinotown is all set for the 6th JFAV Annual Veterans Day. The 6th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Community Health Fair in Historic Filipino town in Los Angeles will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2005 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.The annual community event will start with the unveiling of the Filipino World War II Memorial Monument at the Lake Street Park 227 N. Lake St. at 9:00 in the morning. The memorial monument is a tribute of the City of Los Angeles to honor the contribution of Filipino Word War II veterans during the Second World War. Invited guests are Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, federal,state and city officials. Philippine Consulate officials, Filipino veteran, community, youth and student leaders
US IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUPS STEPS UP MASS ACTIONS (tags)
Diffferent Immigrant rights groups and coalitions stepped up their mass actions nationwide in more than 6 major cities to force the US Congress to enact laws that will give amnesty and full rights to more than 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. More mass actions is slated from September 7 to September 9 in protest of the much delayed congressional action on the immigration reform law that will legalize at least 3 to 5 million undocumented immigrants and at least 7 million workers as “guest workers” in the SB 2611 or the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill that all immigrant rights groups and advocate rejects as “modified HR 4437”.
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUP STEPS UP RALLIES FOR AMNESTY AND LEGALIZATION (tags)
Different Immigrant rights groups and coalitions stepped up their mass actions to force the US Congress to enact laws that will give amnesty and full rights to more than 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. From September 2, 2005 different mass actions were held all over California and other parts of the United States like Seattle, Phoenix, Arizona, Chicago and other states during the long Labor Day weekend. Labor groups, anti wart and other progressive groups together with the immigrant rights advocates banded together to push the people’s agenda.
Filipino Workers reject US navy offer, insist justice be done first (tags)
The Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR), in support of the Filipino wokrers demands and just struggle, printed this news that appeared both in the Balita Weekend , a Filipino American news weekly in Southern California and in the Filipino Channel North American that featured the discrimination of Filipino civilian workers at the US navy facility here in San Diego. The Workers flatly rejected an offer by their manager to take them back in, saying it sweeps off their complaints against repeated abuse and discrimination and demands for better working conditions, and releases the US Navy from any responsibility in their dismissal.
The Filipino American Community Problems on the Pilipino Language (tags)
August is usually the National Language Week ( Linggo ng Wika) in the Philippines. Pesante-USA presented this paper this week for Filipinos in the Philippines and America to ponder. Its an irony while the Philippine government ( US-Arroyo regime) is reverting to the colonial mendicancy of propagating English to compete in the international market for labor exports, Filipinos abroad and Filipino Americans in the U.S are advancing the propagation of Pilipino in the United States. This is an important development we should monitor and work on. The more than 3 million Filipinos in the United States might be away from their homeland but their patriotism is afire and will never forget their roots.
Are the Filipinos Really United? (tags)
This year, the 4th year commemoration of the Historic Filipinotown district on August 5, 2006 will take the form of the traditional Pilipino “Pistahan “(Community Feast ) in a common Filipino town. Different community as well as private entities have lined-up different program of activities. They will be the sites of the different events that will last the whole day.
In the light of the profound economic and political crisis in the Philippines today, what could be the significance of celebrating the one-hundred year anniversary of the coming of Filipino contract labor to Hawaii? Are Filipinos the new compradors for the militarist U.S. Empire? Or are they harbingers of a new generation of combatants from the oppressed communities? At the turn of the century, the revolutionary organizer Rosa Luxemburg elegized the dismal plight of the subjugated natives. Today, US Special Forces are back to reconquer the neocolony, with the natives no longer smiling, now up in arms, united with people of color in Venezuela, Palestine, Hawaii, Nepal, Mexico, and other battlefronts of our beleaguered planet. Whither the Filipino diaspora?
On the 65h Year of the Formation of the USAFFE (tags)
On the 65th Anniversary of the impression of Filipino Army to the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) today, on July 26, 1941 different groups held different kinds of commemoration all over California.FAV, People’s CORE are calling all Filipino American community activists, youth leaders and all concerned individuals and organizations all over the United States to be vigilant and struggle to have the Senate Bill or any compromise bill pass with the amendment for Filipino American veterans and their families.
FilAm Vets Lobby Congress on July 26 (tags)
Filipino American World War II veterans will march again on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 on Capitol Hill to conduct face-to-face lobbying with members of congress, according to the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, a Washington-based advocacy group. The veterans from California, Texas, New York, New Jersey and other cities will mark the 65th anniversary of the 1941 Military Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt that drafted morethan 140,000 Filipino soldiers into the U.S. Army by appealing to key House members and White House officials to pass the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification immigration amendment.
2nd Los Angeles Historic Filipinotown Flores De Mayo Festival May 27, 2006- A Success (tags)
The Historic Filipinotown residents and organizations marked the centenary of the Filipino workers migration to the United States in 2006 with a successful 2nd Mayflower Festival (Flores De Mayo) last Saturday, May 27 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.
The Bush Temporarty Guest Workers Program and the Democrat Compromise (tags)
The Coalition in Defense of immigrant Rights (CDIR) express deep concern on the direction that the US Congress and President Bush is pushing the immigration issue that affects the more than 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
CDIR -People's CORE Statement of the Cinco De Mayo, 2006: Que Viva La Raza! (tags)
The Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR) and all its allied organizations in the United States send its most militant greetings to our Chicano Brothers and sisters and to the Mexican people in their celebration of Cinco De Mayo.The Cinco De Mayo, 2006 takes a significant feature this year with the success of the Greta American Boycott last May 1 and the series of immigrant mass actions from March 25 to may 1. The unity and the outpouring of the immigrant workers of all nationalities especially the Chicano people are tremendous and awesome.
A CALL TO ALL FILIPINOS AND IMMIGRANTS OF ALL NATIONALITIES TO UNITE TO DEFEND IMMIGRANT R (tags)
The Coalition to Defend Immigrant Rights (CDIR), a multi-ethnic alliance of immigrant rights advocates in Los Angeles, calls on the Filipino American community to march shoulder to shoulder with their Latino brothers and sisters and come out in force on May 1, 2006. Rallyists will assemble at Broadway and Olympic St at 12:00 PM and march to the City Hall and at 7th and Wilshire St. (MacArthur Park) to La Brea in Los Angeles.
In Remembrance of the 91st Year of the Armenian Genocide by Turkish Authorities, April 24, (tags)
Every April 24, the Armenian community all over the world remembers the Turkish genocide of the Armenian people which began with the arrest of 250 prime leaders and intellectuals of the Armenian community in Turkey and their subsequent massacre in the hands of Turkish rulers on April 24, 1915 at the height of the First World War.
Student Protest for immigrant Rights Mounts (tags)
For two straight days, tens of thousands of high school students from California and Texas walked out of their classes in support of immigrant rights and protest the oppressive and racist HR 4437.
FILIPINOS IN THE U.S.A. AND AROUND THE WORLD: WHENCE AND WHITHER? (tags)
About ten million Filipinos are now scattered in the U.S. and around the world, chiefly as exploited migrant labor. Meanwhile, 85 million Filipinos--with the exception of a tiny privileged minority--are sufffering and resisting the current repressive regime in a rapidly deteriorating neocolonized social order. The Philippines has one of the most durable and vibrant revolutionary traditions in the whole world--the first Asian people to revolt against Western colonialism. 4.1 million Filipinos died opposing U.S. domination in the Filipino-American War at the turn of the last century. Today Filipinos are engaged in a popular democratic revolutionary process against U.S. imperialism and its local agents. Can overseas Filipinos contribute to the radical transformation of a world afflicted by the atrocities and terrors of global capitalism?
The anniversary of the death of the Philippines' national hero Jose Rizal this Dec. 30 affords us the occasion to reassess his work, particularly in the context of ongoing fierce class war in the Philippines between the oppressed, impoverished majority and the few privileged landlords and politicians bought by global capital. This is taking place at a time when the Philippines is being re-colonized by the U.S. as the world's imperialist hegemon. Would Rizal want the country partitioned to greedy transnational corporations and their national elites in the current terrorist war against peoples of color in particular? These reflections hope to provoke a re-thinking of what it means to be a Filipino with the Philippines in permanent crisis, using Rizal as a point of departure, especially in the light of its citizens becoming an embattled diaspora--more than ten million OFWs as exploited domestics and contract workers around the planet, while the country's rich natural resources, cultures and traditions are wasted by foreign profiteers of globalizing capital supported by local comprador parasites currently headed by the corrupt Arroyo regime. "O where is the hope of the motherland...."?
A better job for the "Minutemen"? (tags)
Here's a satirical take on a better place for the Minutemen to "police the borders." Repost from Colorado Indymedia.
Los Angeles City Council Recognizes "Historic" Filipinotown in LA (tags)
There is now an official Filipinotown. The article gives some insight into how these ethnic districts are created, and why they are important.