To our loyal readers,
Throughout the past year, our organization has been very mindful of the numerous talented and driven individuals clamoring to showcase their impressive talents and innovative ideas. Some of these people have been tapped to contribute to our Newsletter Team.
Moving forward, the Newsletter Team’s primary goal is to provide a refreshed resource “From the desk” of our Executive and Regional Leaders, for members and friends of NaFFAA. In the subsequent issues, you will see further updates, geared to streamlining the communication lines between our leadership and our supporters. We will also provide an opportunity for our readers to contribute to our amazing national programs.
Thank you for all your support,
NaFFAA Newsletter Team
NaFFAA to Celebrate its 20th Anniversary in October
This October, several events are being planned from October 19-21 to celebrate NaFFAA’s 20th anniversary, which coincides with the national observance of Filipino American History Month. They will culminate with NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 21 from 5:00-10:00pm.
“Our 20th anniversary is an exciting occasion to reflect on our accomplishments and to reaffirm our mission as we move forward into the future,” said NaFFAA National Chairman Brendan Flores. “We will also honor our Filipino World War II veterans, whose cause we have championed since our founding; recognize the movers and shakers who embody the spirit of leadership and civic engagement; and thank NaFFAA’s founders who blazed the trail for unification and community empowerment.”
With its theme “NaFFAA 2.0: One Voice, Four Million Strong,” NaFFAA will recognize the legacy and accomplishments of the organization over the past 20 years, and highlight its comprehensive vision to unite and amplify the voices of the four million Filipinos living in the United States. “NaFFAA 2.0” represents how NaFFAA is honoring its past while forging a new forward-thinking and balanced approach in uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse Filipino American individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy.
Individuals tickets are $150, and community tables for 10 people are $1250. More details about the program will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.naffaa.org.
National Chairman’s Corner
Dear Friends,
This past July 4, many Americans donned their red, white, and blue attire, fired up the barbecues, and sat in awe of the mesmerizing fireworks—all to celebrate American independence. It was on July 4, 1946 that the Philippines declared independence from the United States via the Treaty of Manila.
After a hard fought independence from Spain in 1898 and signing of the 1946 Treaty, the Philippines was free to govern itself, establish its own relationships with other nations, and elect its own leadership.
However, while the Philippines was finally able to call itself an independent nation, its relationship with America had remained strong. The U.S. military and the Philippine guerillas and others forged a partnership of mutual respect and admiration that still remains to this day. Brave patriots from both nations sacrificed their lives to prevent global tyranny and to ensure a freer world. I truly hope that in years to come, continue to remember. As a result, Filipinos and Filipino Americans also celebrate July 4 as Philippine-American Friendship Day. Despite a complicated history, both nations have been stalwart allies and partners in the fight for good. Philippine-American Friendship Day is an annual reminder of the rich shared culture, traditions, and respect that has been passed down to generations in both nations.
My hope is to continue to lead NaFFAA with the spirit of Filipino American partnership in mind, with the overarching goal of preserving our rich culture and tradition and advocating for the best interest of Filipinos who now call America home.
Among my travels in July, Jason and I had the opportunity to speak at UniPro’s conference in New York. As a NaFFAA member, my goal was to connect the themes of their annual meeting to our programs and initiatives. I had great conversations with their new leaders and some of the numerous millennials in attendance. While in New York, I had the pleasure of not only attending the Philippine Independence Day Parade, but I also joined Tita Aida Rivera and Region 1 in the parade. I was in awe as we traveled past thousands of Filipino Americans celebrating together. In Florida, Viva Tarroza-Taft, Bob Bontilao, and Mae Thomson have been steadily building out my home Region 4. In just a few months under Viva’s leadership, I have seen membership grow at a steady rate.
In Ohio, Jason and I attended Region 3 East’s conference. I was not surprised that it was well attended, and they had a great lineup of speakers. The delegates all spoke of great takeaways, and the day culminated in a fun-filled gala dinner. In Nevada, local leaders Bernie Benito and Loni Andal did such a great job in coordinating a welcome event for 82 newly hired special education teachers in the Clark County School District. This is why you are cordially invited to our upcoming 20th anniversary events that honor a twenty-year legacy of leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy. Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 21 for a fun-filled, nostalgia-packed weekend we will remember for years to come.If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any member of the Board of Governors or email 20thanniversary@naffaa.org with your inquiries.
I hope you have a great rest of your summer!
Brendan
Executive Updates
Week in the Philippines: Bridging the Filipino and FilAm Gap
Manila, Philippines – NaFFAA Executive Director Jason Tengco had a short, yet productive week in the Philippines in July. The purpose of Jason’s trip was to reconnect with leaders from the homeland, strengthen relationships with NaFFAA partners, and to help bridge the “Filipino vs. FilAm” gap. Jason reconnected with General Delfin Lorenzana, Defense Secretary; Jose Cuisia, former Philippine Ambassador to the U.S.; and Dexter Ligot-Gordon, former NaFFAA National Youth Chair. Furthermore, Jason had the opportunity to interview with Cathy Yang, the anchor of ABS-CBN News Channel’s Market Edge, where he discussed immigration and health care in the United States, as well as Filipino American perspectives on the Duterte Administration.
Finally, Jason was joined by NaFFAA leaders Myrna Reyes, Marilyn Doromal, Fresas Balistreri, Andrew Esmele, and Lakhi Siap who filmed a “NaFFAA 2.0” video throughout Manila, including at Rizal Park, Intramuros, and Manila Bay. The video was generously supported by Tony Olaes and The Filipino School, and will be shown during NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary Gala. Jason closed out his trip to the Philippines with a Young Leaders Networking Mixer, where he spoke on a panel about bridging the Filipino and FilAm gap with representatives from the Filipino American Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND), Kaya Collaborative, Tripkada, and Bambike. Jason looks forward to working with NaFFAA leaders of all generations to tell stories about our diverse history and culture.
NaFFAA Becomes Chamber Training Institute Certified Organization
Washington, D.C. – After attending three Chamber Training Institutes (CTIs) sponsored by Wells Fargo, NaFFAA was recognized as a CTI Certified Organization by the University of Notre Dame! NaFFAA Executive Director Jason Tengco attended trainings on Strategic Planning in San Jose, CA in February; Fundraising and Development in Washington, DC in June; and Program Evaluation in Las Vegas, NV in July. The two-day trainings have been beneficial in helping NaFFAA enhance its short-term and long-term planning and fundraising strategies for its programs focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy.
Since 1997, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has been the standard-bearer for promoting the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA is the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization and national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its fourteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
