Filipino Community of Seattle celebrates 72nd anniversary

Bert Caoili, president of the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS), invites all Filipinos to the 72nd anniversary of FCS. This will be held at the Filipino Community Center (FCC) on 5740 ML King Jr. Way, Seattle, WA 98118. on November 17, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. The celebration includes the recognition of deceased FCS leaders, scholarship awards, and coronation of the new FCS Queen. Dancing follows the program.

Caoili said, “The Filipino Community Center is a legacy handed down to us from our forefathers. It is our turn to maintain, develop and build programs now and for the future.” Caoili reported that Phase I renovation of the Main Hall was completed in November 2004. Thirty percent of Phase II renovation, including the additional two-story building, has now been constructed. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2008.

Caoili encourages everybody to support the ongoing FCC construction. Donors of $500 and above will have their names in the Wall of Fame when the building is completed.

Filipina Voices: Changing the face of power in America

The Filipino Women’s Network (FNW) is the non-profit association for women of Philippine ancestry. The group strives to enhance public perceptions of Filipina women’s capacities to lead, change biases against Filipina women’s leadership abilities and promote the entry of Filipina women into positions of leadership in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. FNW provides Filipina women with opportunities to share practical career and business opportunities.

Last October 25, 2007, the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States were named and honored at a formal gala in Washington, DC. Organized by the FNW, the nationwide search was “a campaign to identify the Filipina women who are shaping our community’s influence in American society today and are impacting our future.” The awardees reflected the diverse nomination field grouped into six categories, namely: Founders and Pioneers, Builders & Emerging Leaders, Policymakers & Visionaries, Innovators & Thought Leaders, “Nicole” and Behind the Scenes Leaders.

Luzviminda Sapin Micabalo, a U.P. Alumni and one of the awardees for the Founders and Pioneers category, told me that there were about 15 U.P. alumni awardees in the top 100 list. Micabalo is a retired RN & Health Care Administrator at the Cabrini Medical Center in New York, New York. She told me that by accepting the honor of being one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina in the United States, each honoree has agreed to commit to help other Filipina women as they begin their careers. Or take on other challenges in their communities. The goal is to change the face of power in America.

One of the categories, “Nicole,” honors Filipina women whose words, actions, and activism, inspire others to act and revolutionize our society’s way of understanding traditional beliefs and customs. This “Nicole” category was inspired by a young Filipina, identified only by this name, who was raped by a US Marine deployed to the Philippines in the 2005 joint war exercises. Nicole sparked an international dialogue about women’s rights, national sovereignty, and international law as she steadfastly pursued justice against her rapist. The “Nicole” Award was given to Evelina Galang, an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami and author of “Her Wild American Self and One Tribe.”

Incidentally, Leila Benitez-McCollum, a retired broadcaster in New York and one of the awardees in the Innovators and Thought Leaders category, was a popular TV host during my time. She co-hosted Student Canteen with Pepe Pimentel and Eddie Ilarde. Parang kahapon lamang, nagbabalik sa aking ala-ala na sumali ako sa Student Canteen. I sang Nat King Cole’s “Love Letters.” Hindi ako nanalo, he-he-he.

The Awards night witnessed a unique way of presenting the awards. Instead of walking to the stage to claim their awards, for the award, the honorees held hands and formed a circle inside the ballroom to a standing ovation by some 200 guests.
All participants are looking forward to 2012, when all 100 are invited to bring a protégée that they will “womentor” from that day on.

FASA Helps Tahanan

Honor Veterans

Tahanan, a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by Mars Rivera, honored Filipino veterans with a dinner dance at the Filipino Community Center. For past nine years now, Tahanan has been providing a comprehensive system of caring for Filipino elderly immigrants. Tahanan provides referrals for victims of domestic violence, citizenship training, youth and family services, job training and vocational counseling,

“Our organization continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to provide services for the seniors and newly arrived immigrant members of our Filipino Community,” said Esther Hipol Simpson, Tahanan president. “We are honored to recognize the men and women who served America in uniform – past and present, at home and abroad, war and peace.”

It was a delight to see young boys and girls who volunteered to serve dinner. No, they are not professional waiters. They are members of the Filipino American Student Association (FASA) of the University of Washington. I was told that a FASA member participates in events and donates time through educational, political, cultural, and social advancements to use unity and pride to gain support from the Filipino community.

Some of the FASA year-round activities include “Sayaw,” a night dedicated to young Filipino American talent (Filipino Night), and events dedicated to exploring and celebrating our history during October’s National Filipino American History Month. Throughout the year, FASA members serve as volunteers at the Tahanan.

As part of the evening’s program honoring the veterans, FASA received a certificate of appreciation from Mars Rivera and Esther Simpson in gratitude for the FASA’s services to the Filipino community, particularly Tahanan.