1

NaFFAA is Sari-Sari?....2
Shout-outs.......3
Awards Updates....4
11th NEC Updates.5
Announcements....6
NaFFAA First Person...7
11th EC Form....8
Membership Form.9
Washington, D.C. San Diego County, the home of more than 150,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans
will host the biennial empowerment conference of the National Federation of Filipino American Associa-
tions (NaFFAA) on August 7-10, 2014.

Framed by the theme, We Break the Dawn: Master Planning the Future, the four-day gather-
ings centerpiece is the inauguration of the Alex Esclamado Community Service Award and the Alex
Esclamado Scholarship Fund.

The service awards, which are open to non-NaFFAA members, will honor three national Filipi-
no American organizations that best exemplify the spirit of community service in the field of education,
arts and culture, civic involvement, womens affairs, politics and government, and aid to the Philippines.
Deadline for nominations is June 30. The scholarship fund provides financial assistance to deserving
students, notably those who plan to pursue public advocacy and public service.

Esclamado, who died in November 2012, is one of the leading founders of NaFFAA and its first
National Chairman. Driven by his vision of a unified and empowered community, he and his wife Luly
travelled all over the U.S. 17 years ago, urging community leaders to join the Filipino American commu-
nity empowerment movement. Close to 2,000 delegates, including hundreds of young people, attended
the August 1997 founding conference in Washington, D.C.

The Alex Esclamado Community Service Award was conceived by NaFFAA and GMA Net-
work, Inc., which has been rendering exemplary service to Filipinos worldwide through GMA Pinoy TV,
GMA Life and GMA News International.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. Another highlight this year is the launching of a nationwide campai gn to
press the U.S. Congress to issue a national proclamation and award the Congressional Gold Medal to
Filipino soldiers for their wartime service to the United States. Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), who is
leading the Filipino American World War II Soldiers Recognition Project, will address the conference.
There has never been a formal declaration to recognize them for their sacrifice and loyal service, he
said. Its about time we thank and honor our brave soldiers for their exemplary record of selfless sacri-
fice and love of country. He notes that other groups have been recognized with a Congressional Gold
Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States. They include the Japanese American Nisei sol-
diers, Navajo Code Talkers, Montford Marines, Tuskegee Airmen, and Women Air Service Pilots
(WASP). Filipino American World War II soldiers are equally deserving of this award because they
fought valiantly under the American flag, Taguba points out. But the Rescission Acts of 1946 deprived
them of all nonservice-connected veterans benefits and changed the status of Filipino Veterans almost
immediately upon conclusion of the War.

Under Esclamados leadership from 1997 to 2001, NaFFAAs advocacy of full equity for Filipino World
War II veterans helped gain public attention to this important civil rights issue. NaFFAA continued to
press for their rightful benefits over the years, working in coalition with other veterans organizations and
advocacy groups. In 2009, President Obama signed a bill providing a one-time cash payment to more
than 18,000 veterans. Continued on p2
Highlights of four-day confab include:
Inauguration of The Alex Esclamado Memorial Award for Community Service
Launching of nationwide campaign to secure The Congressional Gold Medal Award for Filipino World War II
Conference
Sponsors
United Domestic Workers
Wells Fargo
Reginald Lewis Foundation
GMA Network
By Jon Melegrito and Bing Branigin
2
By: Eduardo Navarra, National Chair
Should we run NaFFAA like a sari-sari store?
"Run NaFFAA like a business, Ed !" I've been told that many, many times. Maybe like a sari-sari store (small variety store)
back home? But all the mom and pop stores here in the US and in the Philippines have almost been taken over by corporate con-
glomerates. Even in the provinces back home the small businesses have been pushed towards extinction and relegated to small
villages to serve their immediate communities.
On the other hand, NaFFAA is a national organization, which exists under the rules of a tax-exempt, non-profit entities and
under the scrutiny of the IRS. We are indeed in a position to serve the greater Fil-Am communities and run it like a corporate busi-
ness enterprise. We are not here to make profit, we exist to serve the well-being of the almost 4M Filipino Americans in the
US. Our strengths are in our cohesiveness in the spirit of volunteerism.
Which brings us to the idea of streamlining our operations to make it more focused and efficient. Like a big corporation, we
need to work on our programs with the end in view of reducing unnecessary ways to reduce timelines for success. It is amazing
indeed that we now live in the age of the internet, and cyberspace is our milieu, reaching each other is fast and furious, so to speak.
Doing business nowadays involves, more work on our attitudes and personal conflicts. We cannot mandate unity after all.
This year is the second time in four years that we are ratifying the NaFFAA by-laws, I have assigned the veritable P. Emrai-
da Kiram to .work on the changes and will be presented to the body shortly. Please read it thoroughly before the San Diego confer-
ence and make suggestions so that there will be no surprises. She is also working on the regional and national conference manuals
as well the comprehensive election rules for both areas. Contact Emraida at <pekiram64@gmail.com> if you have any input so she
can discuss them with the committee.
I have defined Empowerment since 2003 as the "can-do" attitude, and we are at the crossroads, our young members are
poised to take over with open arms and vice versa. Please, always remember the four elements of empowerment: Political, Eco-
nomic, Cultural and the Youth.
San Diego FilAms Continued from p1.
CAPACITY BUILDING. The conference is expected to draw more than 500 community leaders and
guests from across the country. It will focus on the development of key strategies to address the political,
social, health, education and economic concerns of the Filipino American community.
Our goal is to provide a venue in which we can assess current conditions and move in a positive
direction to ensure the growth and improvement of our communities, says NaFFAA National Chairman Ed
Navarra. Adds host Regional Chair Aurora Cudal: We also want to engage our young people by tapping
their skills and resources as we build together a new master plan for the next generation of leaders.
Standing on the shoulders of those before us, we hope to become stronger advocates for community em-
powerment by building our capacity to face the challenges before us.
Issues critical to the Filipino American community will be taken up at plenary sessions. They include
immigration reform, health care, voter participation, electoral politics, business development and Chinas
encroachment in Philippine waters.

SPEAKERS. To address these issues and concerns, NaFFAA has invited elected officials, busi-
ness leaders and entrepreneurs, civil rights and community activists and other public officials. Among
them: California State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, Amb. Jose L. Cuisia, Philip-
pine Disaster Recovery Foundation President Rene Butch Meily, immigration rights activist and journalist
Jose Antonio Vargas, Presidential Advisory Commission on AAPI Commissioner Billy Dec, White House
Initiative on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) Senior Advisor Jason Tengco, APALA Presi-
dent Johanna Hester Puno, Ramar Foods International CEO and Filipina Womens Network President Susie
Quesada, Gawad Kalinga USA CEO and Board Chairman Tony Olaes, Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret),
State of California Secretary of Appointments Mona Pasquil, and NaFFAA National Chair Emeritus Loida
Nicolas Lewis.
More than a dozen workshops will be conducted during the conference, focusing mainly on capacity building, civic engagement,
professional development, cultural identity/narratives and Empowering Pilipin@ Youth through Collaboration. These workshops are de-
signed to be participatory, engaging and interactive. An all-day pre-conference leadership institute is slated on August 7.
The conference will also elect a new national chair, national vice chair and members of the Board of Governors.

REGISTRATION & OTHER DETAILS. Venue for the 4-day conference is the Town and Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center in
San Diego. More detailed information can be found in the Internet, http://empowerment.naffaa.org/
Loida Nicolas Lewis speaks
on political empowerment
at the 11th NEC
3
Join us in the exciting national conference of the National Federation of Filipino Ameri-
can Association (NaFFAA) on August 7-10, 2014 at Town and Country Resort & Convention Cen-
ter, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA, 92108. We feature hot issues of Filipino empowerment and
determination to progress our interest in the United States. Learn good with concurrent work-
shops on professional development, civic engagement, cultural narrative, capacity building, elec-
tive education, training strategic alliance and political empowerment. Share our strategy on US
Pinoy for good governance; social movements; immigration, fight against human trafficking and
poverty in the Philippines.
"When you go home, tell them of us, that for their tomorrow, we gave our today," was inscribed
in the burial marker of an unknown soldier found in the jungle in Southeast Asia in WWII. The Pursuit
of Equality for Filipinos and Filipino Americans, was in the heart of the Filipinos who gathered in Wash-
ington, DC, in August 1997. But, we must constantly review the progress that was achieved. The Filipi-
no Americans has a role to play in the US-Philippines Relations, to build on what is positive, and that
the US will continue to consider the Philippines a natural partner.

In the gathering in San Diego, California, from 7 - 10 August 2014. we will recognize the role
of the FILIPINO-AMERICAN YOUTH, to find their identity, and accept the challenge, that they are OUR
STRENGTH FOR THE FUTURE, We hope that the Filipino Americans will appreciate the need for po-
litical visibility. We will pay homage to Rosa Park, Reverend Doctor Leon Howard Sullivan, Reverend
Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Carlos Bulosan, Philip Vera Cruz, and the thousands who died in the night
of the Civil Rights Movement. The passage of the Civil Rights Act, signed by US President Lyndon
Johnson in 1964, directly benefitted the Filipinos today. I urge you to join NaFFAA in the conversation,
the 11th National Empowerment Conference in San Diego by registering TODAY.
"I invite all Filipino Americans across the United States to come out and experi-
ence NaFFAAs 11
th
annual National Empowerment Conference this August in San Die-
go. This year is especially crucial as the top young Fil-Am leaders from various cities will
be present to partake in a proactive intergenerational and intercultural dialogue that will
set up NaFFAA the community leadership for years to come. "
"I would like to invite and encourage everyone who is
passionate about the Filipino-American community and
the Philippines to attend NAFFAA's Empowerment Con-
ference in San Diego! This event only happens once
every two years and will gather different individuals from
all sectors. It will be a meeting of the minds where differ-
ent generations will gather and work together for a better
future. Personally, I look forward to meeting everyone
that is truly dedicated in helping the Filipino-American
community, the Philippines and sharing it with the world."
Steven Raga
Member, Board of Governors
NY State Chair
Ernesto Gange
Director, Membership
Romeo Jurani P.E.
Past Region XI Chair
Anthony Guevarra
Region VI Chair
Be challenged, be empowered, be inspired, reunite with old friends, meet new
friends, enjoy the beautiful surroundings... these are only a few of the many things you
can earn by attending the 11th National Federation of Filipino American Associa-
tions' (NaFFAA) Empowerment Conference. Be a member and join us in our efforts to
make a positive difference in the lives of many, through advocacy and education. Meet
dignitaries, learn from relevant topics, honor other FilAms. For details, go to: empow-
erment.naffaa10.org.
Angeles Jelly Carandang
National Secretary
Region III (West) Chair
4
Attending the 11
th
National Empowerment Conference defines our loyalty to
NaFFAA, and bringing its founder Alex Esclamados dream a reality. Join us and let
us hear all voices. Make this an opportunity to increase your networking and actively
engage in meaningful and productive discussion on unity, cultural identity, capacity
building, economic and political empowerment, responsible citizenship, consumer
advocacy, and professional development. Let us show our support as our young
leaders participate in this years conference. Be the first to witness the winners of
the Alex Esclamado Memorial Awards for Community Service. Your presence and
mine will surely make a difference in the change that we all want to happen.
Marilyn Doromal
Region IV Chair
WHY NAFFAA? For years, I have been asked this question, and every time I offer an an-
swer, I ended up explaining that it is the most important organization that represents the
Filipino American Community. I would say, one that is all inclusive, which values all VOIC-
ES, and one that fights for the issues that impact our lives and stand for justice and equi-
ty! When our founder, Alex Esclamado, started this organization, we thought it was a one
man's journey, but that man never intended for it to be for himself. Our founder laid it all out
for us. NaFFAA has become our constant reminder of what we have done for our communi-
ty back then, what we can do to make our community better for now, and how our actions
make our tomorrows best for all. Your active participation at the 11
th
National Empower-
ment Conference will bring us all closer to one another. And as one community, we will hold
on to and appreciate our milestones, count every efforts today to be meaningful and pro-
ductive, and keep the torch burning by moving forward together toward a better future for
all Filipinos and Filipino Americans. Don't be a no show - you will miss out on a lot, and
we will miss your VOICE!!
Gloria Caoile
Member, Board of Govenors
Submission of entries is
extended to July 2, 2014,
no later than 5:00 PM.
Please visit the
website: naffaa-national.org
for awards mechanics and
nomination forms.
Entries from the following organizations
have been received as of June 30, 2014:

Philippine American Society of Greater Dayton
Lubang-Looc International
Eskwela Natin
Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas
Awards UPDATES
5
This is NaFFAAs 17
th
year and in San Diego we gather for the 11
th
Empowerment Conference. But the road to the conference is
paved with challenges and opportunities. As I participate in the Program Committee for the conference, I came to work with very dedicated
leaders whom I do not wish to label as young or seasoned. I found them to be hard workers, respectful, open to ideas, and steadfast to
their guiding principles. All traits that we are lucky enough to have in our Conference to lead, guide and engage us.
Breaking the Dawn, Master Planning the future might be another buzzword to some of us. But to those who truly believe in the
philosophy of NaFFAA, it is a call to arms. We cannot fall down in that calling: we represent the best of the Filipino Americans and we are
tasked to uplift the rest of the community while moving forward to the next few decades.
Four days of learning, doing and sharing are in the offing to those who want NaFFAA to succeed and join its leaders to accom-
plish its mission and see its vision come to fruition. Below are highlights of the events:

On Thursday, August 7
th
, our young leaders will have a fill of the hows, whys, whats and when to lead albeit nonprofit or for profit. More
importantly, they create a village of learning, a network of friends and safe environment for them to be who they are. Most of them are
Millennials whom many the Boomers created. Marketing books define Millennials as the most cosseted generation because they were
taught early on that they could do whatever they set their minds to. And we ignore them at our own peril.

Friday, August 8
th
, gives us a day of grounding what NaFFAA is all about. We have a fine collection of speakers who are now our role
models in a world when Filipino Americans are barely seen as figures of authority. We have Ed NavarraNaFFAA National Chair, wel-
coming us, 13 Region Chairs with short acknowledgement of their Region delegates, JT Mallonga, National Vice Chair, telling where
NaFFAA is today and strategic plans for the future. And Jason Tengco, a Senior Advisor at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders, a role model highly recommended by our younger planners, will walk us through what Breaking the Dawn means to
him.
Thereafter, workshops continue on issues that concern us here in the US and the Philippines but at the same time NaFFAA lead-
ers will meet for half a day to fine tune the structure we have set in motion last year at the Las Vegas Strategic Planning. Jose Antonio
Vargas will close the day with his own journey as an undocumented child to fame including winning the prestigious Pulitzer Award and his
own struggle on Immigration Reform. Finally, we will have a fun congregation of all regions, highlighting their accomplishments in a fun
and engaging way.

Saturday, August 9
th
, provides us an opportunity to further captivate and educate the general community on NaFFAAs accomplishments.
We start with our national leaders who made NaFFAA possibleFounder, past National Chairs and Vice Chairs: Rodel Rodis, Greg Ma-
cabenta, and Gloria Caoile. We will hear issues that concern us such as Filipino American/Filipino Veterans equity from Major General
Taguba, then Bill Dec, a newly minted Commissioner of the White House Asian Pacific American Initiatives, will provide insights on his
own journey as a successful Filipino American entrepreneur. The rest of the day will be spent on development through workshops and our
plenary closer will be graced by Tony Olaes, President and CEO of Gawad Kalinga USA, who will enthrall us with his own lifes journey
from entrepreneur to philanthropy. We end the day by electing our National Officers and Board of Governors. As dusk sets, we start Satur-
day evening with a Gala event that will feature the Alex Esclamado Community and Student Awards, Loida Nicolas Lewis as the keynote
speaker and thereafter install the newly elected National Officers and Board of Governors. We will be entertained all throughout the night
from the local and out of state luminaries. Finally we dance to our hearts content.

On Sunday, the newl y elected Chair will call a Board meeting to path NaFFAAs direction. This will take most of the morning. The
Board of Directors and Board of Governors are mandated to attend but everyone else is welcomed to join.
We will continue to forge NaFFAAs relentless advocacy for the Filipino American issues. We are the descendants of trailblazers
and warriors: Lapu-lapu, Gom-Bur-Za (Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora), Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio, Melchora
Aquino (Tandang Sora), Trinidad Tecson (Mother of Biak na Bato), Marcella Agoncillo, Generala Agueda Kahabagan, Larry Itliong, Philip
Veracruz, Carlos Bulosan and so may more who paved the way so we can move forward in this country we call our own. And yes we will!
Why join NaFFAA in San Diego this summer?
By Giselle Rushford, Region 5 Chair and Member of the National Task Force Committee
6
NaFFAA National is a monthly news-
letter with the goal of circulating infor-
mation on NaFFAAs advocacy events
and projects, appointments, messages
from leadership and other related activ-
ities in the Filipino American commu-
nity.
Editorial Staff

Ryan Tejero
editor@naffaa-national.org

Eduardo Ed Navarra
chair@naffaa-national.org

Please forward comments,
event announcements and news
articles in your community
for the July issue
by the 25th.
Congratulatons to Dr. Aida Rivera of NaFFAA-Pennsylvania and Frank Celosa of NaFFAA -
Massachusets , as the newly elected NaFFAA Region I Chair and Vice Chair respectvely.
Source: Merit Saluds FB
MEDIA ADVISORY - July 4th Natonwide
Rallies Set to Call on President Obama
to Grant TPS for the Philippines .

Filipino American leaders are calling on
Filipino American communites across
the country to stage picnic rallies on
July 4, which is commemorated by both
countries as Filipino-American Friend-
ship Day.

Bing Branigin DC 202-361-1024
Eric Lachica DC 202.246.1998
Leandro Lachica NJ 201-779-8889
Jon Melegrito DC 202-361-0296
Rodel Rodis CA 415 334-7800
7
Leadership comes with a great price. Yolanda Ortega Stern of One World Institute (a.k.a. Manang Yo) once told me that when you
are a leader, people will come from you in all directions, expect you to know all the answers, and expect you to LEAD. For many years, I de-
cided it was easier to stay behind a person (like a mentor), with the excuse that I was learning how to be a leader. Nothing prepares anyone
for leadership unless youre thrown into the water. It then becomes sink or swim! Although I consider myself above average in taking in lifes
lessons that are thrown at me, my defensive nature can get me into trouble. Thus, Ben Menor taught me to use the word, NOTED.
Greg uses this word really well! Ben told me. Yes, Greg Macabenta uses his infamous NOTED every time someone disagrees
with him. What does NOTED mean to me? (1) I hear what youre saying. I might not understand what youre saying yet I hear it. NOTED. (2) I
understand what youre saying. Ill remember what you said the next time a similar situation comes into my life. NOTED. (3) I stand corrected.
NOTED. (4) Weve discussed this already. That was yesterday. Todays actions are what matters. Move on! NOTED.
Be strategic when you communicate. I have a question. As a leader, how do I portray myself as studied yet authentic? Where do I
meet common ground between effective leadership and efficient management of a project? Am I hearing this correctly from my mentor? That
being a great organizer like President Obama --- is more about selling HOPES and DREAMS? Not necessarily the ACTION? What I do know
is that I need to adjust to the people I'm working with, in talking to them in a language they understand. People I interact with understand: (1)
A great idea! - Details are coming. I'm supporting the author. (2) Compliments! - I know I do this a lot! One liners in an email. Maybe it would
be a good idea for me to ask them: (1) Do you want the macro? The big picture? (2) Or, do you want the details now? Now, if only I could stop
feeling as if I've been beaten up Honor my feelings! I know that this, too, shall pass.
As a spokesperson, everything you say will be used against you --- UNLESS the author is saying, "It's ok to use it under the
NaFFAA banner." Good news could be privileged for your ears only.
Among my mentors, it was Greg Macabenta who succeeded where everyone else failed. He knew how to reach out to my stubborn
nature. Some of my fellow advocates did not understand that I gave permission to Greg to give me a crash course in becoming an effective
project manager. What he learned in his corporate life translated well into community-based organizations. Greg has softened a lot in his re-
tirement years. Greg would tell me: (1) Get to the point! You write very long emails. Bullet-point! (2) Don't complain to me without presenting a
solution.
Loida Nicolas Lewis likes to start a meeting with a prayer. I confess that, for
many years, I did not understand why she would do this. I realize now that a meeting's
energy and tone can be heavily influenced by good thoughts or prayers. NaFFAA is not
based on religion YET it is based on human relationships, human beings helping other
human beings live up to its highest potential while being of service to others.
"Remember, Lorna, you are empowered! You can make decisions on behalf of
NaFFAA!" Loida counseled me during my second year in NaFFAA, when I was in the
Philippines coordinating the Third Global Filipino Networking Convention in Cebu City,
Philippines. I was very intimidated by the men within the organizing committee and I
was hesitant to make executive decisions. Sure enough, Loida's words helped a lot,
especially when the convention proved to be one of the most successful events ever co
-convened by NaFFAA: 1,100 delegates!
Rodel Rodis once told me: "You have to decide which is more important in a
situation --- form or substance?" That is like "the chicken or the egg" question. Which
comes first? This was when I realized that I hadn't done enough homework regarding
how NaFFAA facilitates its crisis management. With the guidance of Jon Melegrito, one
of NaFFAA's incorporators, I discovered that I had intuitively followed its crisis manage-
ment process and practices when a potential advocacy happens or a situation occurs
that could threaten NaFFAA's perception among its stakeholders. Do your homework.
Just do it quickly or else, we lose the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot!
I wrote this memo to my NaFFAA Region 8 board during my first few months as the regional chair. I know that my actions speak
louder than my words. It looks like I have a lot of improvement work to do on myself. Quoted: Please take my input with "your love for serving
your community" as the mindset when you read this. (1) Let's be kind and compassionate when we speak to each other. We're members of
the same team, Genevieve Jopanda would remind me. What can be taken off-line should be taken off-line. Whatever it is that you say and do,
please don't make your top-ranking executive officer look bad in front of your colleagues and the public. (2) This is a new leadership team.
What happened in the past is the past. Let's work IN the present while honoring our past --- and work toward the future. Change is inevitable.
Let's work on making positive changes. Sometimes, we won't know if it's our ego talking. When in doubt, we can start asking ourselves, "Am I
putting the community ahead of me? Or am I putting ME ahead of the community?" (It took Ben, our strategic facilitator and adviser, many
hours just to help me process the difference.) (3) I am recommending and asking the approval of the executive officers first re: the Santa
Clara County event before it can be agendized for the whole board to consider. You'll see this happen many, many times as we move forward.
(4) Tita Charito Benipayo also advised me about finding out what NaFFAA national's standing rules are --- as well as making sure NaFFAA R8
has our own standing rules. Let's look at this more closely. Being too technical isn't good yet knowing what will work for our team is good for
us, too. (Any of your input is appreciated.) (5) Questions re: how we proceed (protocol) with what affects national policy and NaFFAA National
are totally separate from supporting what our chapters are doing. Instead of criticizing our chapter chairs --- let's support their initiatives. I am
looking forward to hearing from each chapter chair re: what they want to do in their chapter as we move forward with our new strategic plan.
(6) As chapter chairs, your primary goal is to be in touch with your communities, to know and understand their needs and chal lenges and, with
the rest of the regional board members, advocate for them. Having town hall meetings or "meet and greet" events are a couple of easy ways
of staying in touch. (7) The executive officers will keep receiving more communications from everyone because that is that way it is. That is
why you are an executive officer. When we conduct NaFFAA "business," we aim to keep it among the officers working on a situat ion FIRST
before escalating it to the rest of the board or membership.
Lorna with two of her mentors: Loida Nicolas Lewis and the
late NaFFAA Founder, Alex Esclamado at the 3rd Global
Filipino Conventon held in Cebu City, 2005.
NaFFAA, First Person:

Excerpts from Lorna's Lardizabal Dietz's Chronicles about Leadership (One of Two Parts)
8
Form and photo byArmin Sayson, Co-Chair, Communicatons Commitee
9
NaFFAA Natonal Treasurer c/o Bart Tubalinal
2447 N. Lowell Ave. #1
Chicago, IL 60639-2043.