ADVOCACY

• Dual Citizenship/Overseas Voters Rights: (2003/2004) Initiated and lobbied for the successful action by the Philippine Supreme Court to grant voting rights to all dual citizens.
• Temporary Protected Status (2013) for Filipino nationals after Typhoon Haiyan, achieved through collaboration with civil and immigrant rights groups, and coordination with DHS and USCIS.
• Filipino World War II Veterans: For 50 years, Filipino Americans have campaigned for justice and equity for Filipino WWII soldiers. Efforts include passing laws in Congress to support these veterans.
  • *Equity Benefits (1997-2009): In 2009, Filipino WWll Veterans won partial equity benefits with the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund (FVEC), awarding $15,000 to veterans residing in the US and $9,000 to veterans in the Philippines.
  • *FilAm Veterans Family Reunification: The comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) bill passed by the U.S. Senate in April 2013 included a provision to fast-track the visa applications of eligible children of Filipino World War II veterans, reuniting families that have been separated for many years. This amendment was added to the main measure without debate, largely due to the support from members of Congress who have consistently advocated for Filipino veterans’ benefits. However, CIR did not progress this year because the House leadership did not bring the Senate bill up for a vote. NaFFAA participated in an information dissemination campaign when this initiative required community support through press releases and official statements from national leadership.
  • *Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015: This legislation recognized Filipino World War II veterans for their services to the United States. NaFFAA played a major role in the passing of the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) through its grassroot campaigns, together with FilVetRep. It was signed into law by President Obama and more than 250,000 Filipino World War Veterans and their survivors received a replica of the CGM. The medal was awarded to those who served honorably from July 1941 to December 1946. This is the highest civilian honor in the United States.
  • *Parole visas for families of Filipino Veterans (2016):  Beginning June 8, 2016, U.S.         Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will allow certain Filipino World War II     veteran family members who are beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions an opportunity to receive a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case    basis, so that they may come to the United States as they wait for their immigrant visa                        to become available.    
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  • *Filipino Veterans Fairness Act (2018) NaFFAA officially supported which aimed to rectify benefit disparities by ensuring that all Filipino WWII veterans – including those from the Commonwealth Army and guerrilla forces – qualified for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation on par with US veterans.

Temporary Protected Status (2013) for Filipino nationals was implemented following Typhoon Haiyan. This involved collaboration with various civil rights and immigrant rights organizations, as well as coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform:  In coalition work with national immigrant rights groups, like the Asian American Justice Center, NaFFAA mobilized grassroots support for legislation that would provide a path to citizenship to 11 million undocumented immigrants and to reform an immigration system that kept families apart.

Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund (FALDEF) (2014) is a national organization offering pro bono legal services to Filipino Americans facing legal injustices due to their immigrant status and poverty. Founded with the support of a NaFFAA chair, NaFFAA continues to promote FALDEF’s services within the political landscape.

FilAm Alerts Program (2019) NaFFAA launched the FilAm Alerts Program with community leaders representing the Filipino Diaspora in the U.S. This program coordinates humanitarian relief efforts to the Philippines through a “text alerts” platform, ensuring efficient resource distribution. Supported by the UN’s International Organization for Migration and the Philippine Embassy, FilAm Alerts aims to reach all Filipinos in the U.S.  

Combating Anti-Asian Hate (2023) The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) works to raise awareness about the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and provides victim services. The Filipino American community, being one of the largest AAPI groups in the U.S., has historically faced exclusion, hate, and discrimination. TAAF’s efforts are vital in protecting this community from violence.

Change InSight (2025) NaFFAA partners with this unique Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data platform for AANHPI communities, which reveals disparities masked by aggregated data. This data supports NaFFAA’s push for equitable resources, representation, and policies. By using Change InSight’s tools, NaFFAA and its chapters can create evidence-based grant proposals and enhance funding access for programs aiding Filipino Americans. Our Northeast Region (New York chapter) supports this initiative.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

FilAm Vote is NaFFAA’s key civic engagement program aimed at community empowerment, including voter education, registration, protection, and mobilization. Since 2016, this initiative includes grants for activities in targeted states like Virginia, Colorado, and Nevada.

Run for Office Program – NaFFAA initiated this program in 2020 to address the gap in civic leadership and to create a pathway for individuals interested in public service. Speakers from various political backgrounds share their knowledge, expertise, and experiences.

Civic Leadership Forum: The forum aims to expand and engage the Filipino American voter base in specific areas through NaFFAA’s renowned program, FilAm Vote. NaFFAA leadership considers the Civic Leadership Forum an effective method to involve community partners, including those outside the FilAm community, in GOTV efforts. Furthermore, the Elected Officials Panel Discussion and Run for Office session are designed to motivate our members to participate in future Run for Office programs.

APIA Vote: NaFFAA participates in round-table discussions and meetings with APIAVote at the White House and US Congress. APIA Vote is the leading national organization dedicated to voter mobilization and civic participation of the AAPI community.

National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA): NCAPA is a coalition of thirty-two national Asian Pacific American organizations around the country, which aims to represent the interests of the greater Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for AA and NHPI issues.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) was established during the 2014 NaFFAA National Empowerment Conference Pre-Conference Leadership Institute in San Diego, California. A group of young Filipino American leaders convened to form a coalition comprising student leaders, youth development organizations, and individuals dedicated to youth empowerment.

Alex Esclamado Community Service: Established by NaFFAA and GMA International, was first awarded in August 2014 at the 11th National Empowerment Conference in San Diego, CA. It acknowledges various national organizations for their contributions to the Filipino American community.

Alex Esclamado Scholarships: Introduced in 2014, these scholarships provide financial awards to deserving Filipino American students pursuing careers in public service.

Biennial National Empowerment Conferences: Conducted every two years in August, the National Empowerment Conference (NEC) evaluates the organization’s programs, plans its future directions, and elects a new set of national officers.

NaFFAA starts each year with its National Leadership Summit, focusing on strategic planning, key initiatives, and addressing critical issues.

Regional organization setup: Decentralizing and empowering regional leaders with increased local involvement and improved NaFFAA’s infrastructure.

Development of a national communications infrastructure.

UPLIFTING FILIPINO CULTURE

NaFFAA has long championed initiatives that celebrate and uplift Filipino culture across its chapters nationwide. These efforts include hosting events, fostering community engagement, and promoting Filipino heritage and traditions. These initiatives strengthen Filipino American identity and pride, increases awareness of Filipino culture within the broader community and enhances engagement among second- and third-generation Filipino Americans.

*Philippine Independence Day celebrations (June) – Partnering with local consulates and Philippine cultural organizations, NaFFAA chapters host parades, festivals and flag raising ceremonies.

*Cultural Forums and Exhibits – Promotes Filipino art and literature through collaborations like the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and local art councils.

*Filipino Heritage Nights with professional sports teams – partnering with teams like the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Knicks, NaFFAA chapters organize Filipino Heritage Nights to highlight cultural pride and unity.

*Simbang Gabi and Christmas Traditions – Many NaFFAA chapters host Simbang Gabi novena Masses followed by communal feasts to celebrate Filipino Christ traditions.

*Barrio Fiesta Celebrations – Chapters organize Barrio Fiestas highlighting Filipino music, dance and cuisine.

*Filipino American History Month (October)- Chapters across the country host events such as cultural exhibits, storytelling sessions and lectures to honor Filipino American contributions. Featured activities are parades, film screenings and panel discussion on Filipino heritage.

CIVIL RIGHTS, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION, RACIAL STEREOTYPING

In coalition with Asian American and national civil rights organizations, NaFFAA mobilized its network around the following issues:

            Asian Hate Crimes – the murder of Filipino American Joseph Ileto in Los Angeles, Calif.                            by a white supremacist and several assault cases across the country.

            “Desperate Housewives” – a TV sitcom’s derogatory depiction of Filipino American                                 Doctors

            Texas-10 – discriminatory deportation of Filipino aviation workers in Dallas 

            Breach of contract by a major health care facility, which victimized Filipino Nurses in                               New York

            Racial discrimination of a Filipino professor in Atlanta, GA. denied tenure

            Joan Rivers’ derogatory racial slur describing Filipinos as “dog eaters.”

US-PHILIPPINE RELATIONS

Assistance to Filipino Nationals (2001)—NaFFAA and the Philippine Government signed an MOU to assist distressed Filipino nationals.

California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS): NaFFAA collaborated with Philippine Ambassador Albert Del Rosario to prevent CalPERS from dis-investing in the Philippines.

Overseas Workers Remittance: Recommended that the Philippine Congress take timely action to enact laws in alignment with the international Anti-Money Laundering Agreement in order to comply with bank regulations related to overseas workers’ remittances to the Philippines.

SAVE Act: In August 2012, NaFFAA backed the Philippine Embassy’s effort to pass the SAVE Act in the U.S. Congress. This trade legislation aimed to help the Philippines compete with low-cost apparel exporters while providing opportunities for U.S. textile manufacturers to export fabric to Asia. However, the bill did not gather enough support and died in committee. During this time, NaFFAA led an information campaign to rally community support through press releases and statements from national leaders.

US-Philippines Friendship Caucus: The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) actively participated as a partner in the re-launching of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy. NaFFAA has advocated for increased Congressional membership in the Caucus, which is chaired by Congressman Daryl Issa and Vice-Chaired by Congressman Bobby Scott. The objective of this Caucus is to foster more meaningful and productive engagement and interaction between the governments and citizens of the Philippines and the United States.

CFO’s Global Diaspora: NaFFAA has promoted the Global Diaspora, organized by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in Manila. This summit attracts Filipino participants worldwide. Loida Nicolas-Lewis states that this CFO initiative aims to increase positive political influence in the Philippines and foster connections for good governance.

USP4GG: The US Pinoys for Good Governance aims to improve the Philippines by influencing international policies and supporting honest leadership. They address issues faced by overseas Filipinos and seek solutions. NaFFAA promotes USP4GG’s campaigns through newsletters, press releases, and official statements.

Mental Health Services: Effective May 2024, NaFFAA has entered into a partnership with Mind You in the Philippines to provide our members with accessible mental health care through an application. This collaboration is designed to offer culturally sensitive support, thereby fostering mental and emotional well-being within our community. Ensuring mental health is a collective responsibility.

US Medicare Portability for the Philippines: The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), in collaboration with other national organizations, is partnering with U.S. Medicare Philippines, Inc., led by Eric Lachica, which has spearheaded the portability campaign since 2011. The Medicare Portability bill, aimed at benefiting tens of thousands of Filipino American seniors who intend to retire in the Philippines, was recently reintroduced as a rider in the US House of Representatives 2026 budget bill. This proposed legislation would extend benefits to American retirees across 12 countries, including the Philippines.

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORTS AT THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND STATE LEVELS

PDRF: The NaFFAA Board approved the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) as a non-exclusive partner for disaster response in the Philippines. In February 2014, NaFFAA Region 5 donated $20K to PDRF to construct a category 5 resistant school room. Jay LaVigne, Chair of the NaFFAA Committee on Disaster Relief, delivered the check. The Committee aims to develop a process to monitor donated funds, establishing Best Practices for NaFFAA.

EWC-USAID Support: In June 2015, NaFFAA formed a project alliance with the East-West Center, USA, and the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC to submit a Concept Paper to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Call for Partnership for Diaspora Engagement. This initiative aims to promote sustainable development, micro-financing, disaster-resilient policies, preparedness, and environmentally compliant reconstruction in the Central and Eastern Visayas regions impacted by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). It involves strategic engagement with the Philippine private sector, Filipino diaspora communities, and international expertise.

TULONG SULONG

            “Tulong Sulong” during Covid 2020 to 2021– Partnered Philippine Humanitarian Council and successfully raised a little over $95,000 that assisted 8,054 families in the Philippines (estimated total # of people @5 pax/family 40,270)

            “Tulong Sulong” #Help Maui 2023– raised over $12,000 to help Maui FilAm victims.

NATIONAL STUDIES/SURVEYS

• The study, edited by Remy Grefalda, on the role of performing arts in community building was published through a grant from the Ford Foundation.
• A study conducted by Dr. Tony Ogilvie from Washington State on K-12 Filipino American education was funded by NaFFAA.