1. THE STATE
OF NAFFAA
Report of the National Chair
Greg B. Macabenta

2. • Voted Nat’l Chair in Sept. 2008 at 8th
EC in
Seattle, with Rozita Lee as Nat’l Vice-Chair,
•*NaFFAA had serious problems:
• Perceived as single issue org. (Vets Equity)
• Regions had doubts about role; waiting for
marching orders from national leadership
• No funds, sponsorships and member dues nil
• Office rent and salaries unpaid
• 8th
EC had a deficit and payables
• The Recession had set in

3. Our detractors said NaFFAA was
terminal.
Even NaFFAA’s loyal supporters
felt that NaFFAA had one foot in
the grave.
Our challenge was to keep
NaFFAA alive and nurse it
back to health.

4. The NaFFAA National Team
GREG B. MACABENTA ROZITA V. LEE FLORIAN PURGANAN
National Chair National Vice-Chair National Youth Chair

5. The NaFFAA National Team
GREG B. MACABENTA ROZITA V. LEE
National Chair National Vice-Chair

6. The NaFFAA National Team
LUDY CORRALES REUBEN SEGURITAN LULY ESCLAMADO JERRY CLARITO
Nat’L Treasurer General Counsel Nat’l Director for Nat’l Director for
Development Legislative Affairs
JON MELEGRITO BING BRANIGIN LORNA DIETZ BEN DE GUZMAN
Nat’l Director for Nat’l Media Nat’l Online NCAPA
Communications Coordinator Coordinator Representative

7. The NaFFAA National Team
BART TUBALINAL RODEL RODIS LULY ESCLAMADO JERRY CLARITO
Nat’L Treasurer General Counsel Nat’l Director for Nat’l Director for
Development Legislative Affairs
JON MELEGRITO BING BRANIGIN LORNA DIETZ BEN DE GUZMAN
Nat’l Director for Nat’l Media Nat’l Online NCAPA
Communications Coordinator Coordinator Representative

8. Strategic Planning Conference held in Washington DC in Nov.
2008, attended by almost 70 leaders. Direction of NaFFAA charted.

9. • NaFFAA redefined as COALITION of autonomous
organizations and advocacy groups – not a
monolithic umbrella organization
•In line with spirit of the NaFFAA Constitution
•By-Laws need to be amended to allow entry of
national and regional FilAm organizations (FANHS,
FWN, etc.); current ByLaws discourage this.
•In interim, establish alliances with FilAm
organizations and other advocacy groups.

10. •Address wider range of issues, not single issue
•Shift burden of activism and advocacy to the
regions
•National officers to motivate, integrate, coordinate
and assist
•Regional champions assigned to specific
causes/issues
•Change fund sharing to 80-20 instead of 50-50 to
motivate regions

11. •Revived alliance with Greenlining Coalition;
Appointed NaFFAA Reg 8 Chair Jose Pecho and
9th
EC Chair Ben Menor to represent NaFFAA.
•Activated alliance with NCAPA and other advocacy
groups; appointed Ben de Guzman (NAFVE Exec
Director) as NaFFAA rep in Washington DC
•Strengthened ties with White House and Capitol
Hill; joined meetings with Obama transition team

12. •Raised $16,000 initially to cover payables.
•Paid off office back rental.
•Partially paid auditor
•Moved office to cheaper and then to RENT-FREE
location in Washington DC area.

13. • NaFFAA office is at National Philippine
Multicultural Center in Oxon Hill, MD,
courtesy of Hon. David Valderrama,
NaFFAA charter member and former member,
Maryland House of Delegates

14. •Discontinued services of Exec Director and Admin
Asst.; Nat’l Chair assumed functions.
•Raised funds from regions to cover back wages.
Loida Nicolas-Lewis offered $5,000 Challenge
Grant

15. •Negotiated and paid off back wages of Admin
Asst; Exec Dir waived balance of back wages
•Raised funds from regions to cover 8th
EC
payables.
•Reg 3 biggest contributor.
•Gen. Counsel Reuben Seguritan negotiated
reduction.

16. •Nat’l Chair visited all regions early in term to talk
to leaders, resolve local conflicts, attend NaFFAA
events.
•Nat’l Vice-Chair made several
trips to Washington DC to
represent NaFFAA and work
on issues.
•All expenses paid from
personal funds – not from
NaFFAA.

17. .
• NaFFAA operated with no overhead.
• Operating expenses absorbed by Nat’l Chair
• Operational and management functions
handled by Nat’l Chair and Nat’l Vice-Chair
• Recession worsened. Fund sources dried up.
NaFFAA had to dig in and go into SURVIVAL
MODE

18. .
• Advocacy continued despite financial and logistical
difficulties.
• FilVets struggle partially won with $198 mil benefits
package. Charge led by NAFVE with NaFFAA
leaders Rozita Lee, Jon Melegrito, Nony Abrajano,
Ernie Ramos, Jerry Clarito , Bing Branigin, Eric
Lachica and Ben de Guzman
•

19. .
• FilVote campaign launched nationally with
media support
• .Immigration advocacy pursued; rally in
Washington DC

20. • Foreclosure prevention workshops held, led
by Reg 8
• NaFFAA represented in meetings of Obama
Transition Team. Active endorsement of
FilAms for key positions.
• Nat’l Vice-Chair Rozita Lee appointed to White
House Advisory Committee on Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders, along with
FilAm Hector Vargas.
• Much needs to be done. We still lack CLOUT.

21. .
• Focus on Philippine presidential elections:
• Voter education in cooperation with Ad
Foundation of the Phils.
• Planned Presidential
Debate, initiated by
Region 1, FALDEF
and Aquila Legis
• Intensified Dual Citizenship and Overseas
Absentee Voting campaign
• US Pinoys for Good Governance led by
NaFFAA leaders

22.
•The regions responded positively.
•NaFFAA Spirit demonstrated.

23. .
• Visibility of NaFFAA kept high in national
media and on the Internet
• NaFFAA on White House email loop
• NaFFAA assistance sought on State Sec
Hillary Clinton’s visit to Manila
• Attacks of vicious detractors neutralized with
media counter-attack and Vote of Confidence
of entire leadership

24. .
• NaFFAA condemnation of Floyd Mayweather
for racial slur vs. Manny Pacquiao and
Filipinos carried in USA Today, ESPN and
international media

25. Regions were featured
in Filipinas Magazine

26. .
• Media & Communications Team did superb job:
• Jon Melegrito, Nat’l Communications Director
• Bing Branigin, Nat’l Media Coordinator
• Lorna Dietz, Nat’l Online Coordinator

27. THIS IS THE STATE OF
NAFFAA TODAY
We have a federation that
is operating on empty and in
Survival Mode.
But NaFFAA is alive and
still actively pursuing its Mission

28. .
• The situation is NOT IDEAL.
• Full-time Exec Director and staff needed for
NaFFAA to operate optimally.
• But this is the best option under present
circumstances.
• Hopefully, the new leadership will find better
options until the Recession is over.

29. .
• Where we have been remiss is in forging a
partnership with the Youth.
• The theme of this conference is designed to
address that need.
• We ask the incoming leadership to follow
through on what we are trying to do today.

30. DIGEST OF REGIONAL REPORTS
The activities of the regions represent
the sum total of the importance of
NaFFAA in our community’s
struggle for empowerment.

31. REGION 1 – Eastern Region
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island & Vermont
Regional Chair – Roger Alama
Regional Vice-Chair – Lito Pernia
•

32. REGION 1 – Eastern Region
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island & Vermont
Regional Chair – Roger Alama
Regional Vice-Chair – Lito Pernia
KEY INITIATIVES
• FILIPINO AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION
FUND (FALDEF) – JT Mallonga, Chair
- Aid to Sentosa Nurses
-Assistance to Dr. Pedro and Salve Servando
- FILVETS – Lobbying for Veterans Equity
- SELF-RELIANCE & ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM
- PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
•

33. REGION 1 – Eastern Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•*FILVOTE – House-to-house voter registration

34. REGION 2 – Capitol Region
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia
Regional Chair – Gicelle Fundales (on leave)
Acting Chair (Regional Vice-Chair) – Bert Dayao
KEY INITIATIVES
•CAPITOL HILL LOBBYING
•FILVETS – Led lobbying efforts for Vets Equity and
approval of $198 mil benefits package
•Health Care Bill – Met with Congressmen to lobby
approval
•Comprehensive Immigration Reform – Led lobbyng
efforts
• OBAMA TRANSITION TEAM –
•Led NaFFAA efforts for FilAms to be appointed to
key positions; Nat’l Vice-Chair Rozita Lee and
Hector Vargas appointed to WHACAAPI

35. REGION 2 – Capitol Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•FREE-RENT NAFFAA OFFICE –
Negotiated and handled physical transfer to rent-free
quarters in Oxon Hill
•NCAPA –
Represented NaFFAA in alliances with other minority
groups (NCAPA, etc.)

36. REGION 3 – Midwest Region
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin
Regional Chair – Ed Navarra
Regional Vice-Chair – Princess Emraida Kiram

37. REGION 3 – Midwest Region
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin
Regional Chair – Ed Navarra
Regional Vice-Chair – Princess Emraida Kiram
KEY INITIATIVES
•FILVOTE – Ed Navarro co-chair of national
FilVote campaign
•FILVETS & CIR – Jerry Clarito, Nat’l Director
for Legislative Affairs active in NAFVE and in
lobbying for Comprehensive Immigration
Reform

38. REGION 3 – Midwest Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•AID TO THE PHILIPPINES – Gawad Kalinga,
Books for the Barrios, first responders to
calamities
•First 2nd
Gen FilAm in US Congress – Rep.
Steve Austria
•FILAM HISTORY MONTH – Major activities in
region commemorating October as FilAm
History Month

39. REGION 4 – Southern Region
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
North & South Carolina and Tennessee
Regional Chair – Marilyn Doromal
Regional Vice-Chair – Gloria Vergara

40. REGION 4 – Southern Region
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
North & South Carolina and Tennessee
Regional Chair – Marilyn Doromal
Regional Vice-Chair – Gloria Vergara
KEY INITIATIVES
*FILVETS – Was among the prime movers in
lobbying with Dr. Ernie Ramos
•POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE – Hosted
organizational meeting of separate PAC (Filipino
American Public Affairs Coalition with the late Dr. Ernie
Ramos as Chair)

41. REGION 4 – Southern Region
KEY INITIATIVES
*HOSTED AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR
YOUNG POLITICAL LEGISLATORS (ACYPL)
– Funded by US Department of Justice. Four young
Philippine political leaders welcomed; discussed how
they can help new Admin of Pres. Noynoy Aquino
*PINOY FIESTA –Welcome FilAm soldiers from Fort
Benning and Middle East war fronts
-* LANGUAGE IMMERSION - Program for
children 8-14 yrs old

42. REGION 4 – Southern Region
Regional Chair Emeritus – Dr. Ernie Ramos (Deceased)

43. REGION 5 – Central Region
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska,
North & South Dakota, Wyoming Regional Chair – Donna
LaVigne
Regional Vice-Chair – Dr. Erlinda Rojas-Santos
Regional Youth Chair – Francis Macalalag

44. REGION 5 – Central Region
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska,
North & South Dakota, Wyoming Regional Chair – Donna
LaVigne
Regional Vice-Chair – Dr. Erlinda Rojas-Santos
Regional Youth Chair – Francis Macalalag
KEY INITIATIVES
•CULTURAL PROGRAM – Concert of Young
Symphonic Ensemble conducted by Michael Dadap.
Dubbed event Fiestiva Asiana and involved Asian
community. So successful, it will become an annual
“Filipiniana” event.
•FUND-RAISING FOR PHILIPPINE RELIEF -
Funds raised went to Philippine calamity victims.
Donated $6,000 for typhoon Ondoy victims thru Red
Cross.

45. REGION 5 – Central Region
KEY INITIATIVES
* GAWAD KALINGA - Funds raised built GK
Colorado Village in the Philippines: 30 individual homes
that shelter 30 formerly homeless families, victims of
2005 mudslide in Luzon.
•ANNUAL CONSULAR OUTREACH – Hosted
Phil Consulate; over 500 Dual Citizens took oath.
•* PROJECT CURE – Fil-Am Community of
Colorado with Rotary Club and Province of Aklan;
$600,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies
donated to Aklan Provincial Hospital.

46. REGION 6 – Southwest Region
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Regional
Chair – Norma Benzon (Deceased)
Interim Regional Chair – Gus Mercado
.

47. REGION 6 – Southwest Region
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Regional
Chair – Norma Benzon (Deceased)
Interim Regional Chair – Gus Mercado
KEY INITIATIVES
•ENTREPENEURSHIP – In line with goal of
economic empowerment, DataLogix Texas,
Inc., fastest-growng wireless firm in US. Gus
Mercado, Pres & CEO. Cited as “minority-
owned company creating jobs in Silicon Valley
while other companies are retrenching.”
•TRADE MISSION TO PHILIPPINES - Just
came from successful trade mission, closed
millions in new business deals.

48. REGION 6 – Southwest Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•TEXAS 10 RECALLED – Region 6 hit national
and international news when Gus Mercado
took up the case of 10 Filipino airline workers
jailed by INS. Entire NaFFAA network
contributed to legal defense.
•FOUNDERS AWARD – Region 6 given
Founders Award at empowerment conference
in Hawaii for aid to Katrina victims thru Filipino
Disaster Relief of Texas (FDRT).

49. REGION 6 – Southwest Region
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
Regional Chair – Norma Benzon (Deceased)

50. REGION 7 – Pacific Northwest Region
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Regional Chair – Tess Atayde
Regional Vice-Chair – Mariela Fletcher

51. REGION 7 – Pacific Northwest Region
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Regional Chair – Tess Atayde
Regional Vice-Chair – Mariela Fletcher
KEY INITIATIVES
•HOST OF 8TH
EC - Region 7 hosted the 8th
National Empowerment Conference in Seattle.
•DISTINCTION – Seattle in Region 7 is the
only city in the US with a Rizal Bridge leading
to a Rizal Park adorned with a Rizal Bust. All
initiated by the FilAm community, most of
whom are NaFFAA leaders.

52. REGION 8 – Northern California Region
San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley
Regional Chair – Jose Pecho
Regional Vice-Chair – Lorna Dietz
Regional Youth Chair – Jenab-I Pareja

53. REGION 8 – Northern California Region
San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley
Regional Chair – Jose Pecho
Regional Vice-Chair – Lorna Dietz
Regional Youth Chair – Jenab-I Pareja
KEY INITIATIVES
•CRADLE OF NaFFAA – Home region of
NaFFAA founders, Alex Esclamado and Rodel
Rodis (NaFFAA General Counsel); outgoing
National Chair Greg Macabenta; National
Online Coordinator Lorna Dietz; NaFFAA
Greenlining Representatives, Jose Pecho and
Ben Menor.

54. REGION 8 – Northern California Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•HOST OF 9TH
EC - Region 8 is the host of this
conference. Ben Menor, Santa Clara Count
Chair, is Chairman of Organizing Committee.
•NAFFAA REPRESENTED IN GREENLINING
COALITION (ORIGINAL BENEFACTOR OF
NaFFAA) – Jose Pecho and Ben Menor
represent NaFFAA in this coalition of minority
advocacy organizations.

55. REGION 8 – Northern California Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•FORECLOSURE PREVENTION
WORKSHOPS – In the face of mortgage
meltdown, conducted workshops in
cooperation with Mabuhay Alliance and
Greenlining Coalition
•MASS ACTION VS. SAN FRANCISCO –
Protest over discimination vs. FilAm non-profit
service entity in terms of financial subsidy and
absence of Filipino art and FilAm trustee in
Asian Art Museum. Successful.

56. REGION 8 – Northern California Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•FILVETS - Among the earliest and most
active proponents of veterans equity; lobbied
and succeeded in winning citizenship for
Filipino WW II
•TYPHOON ONDOY FUND DRIVE – Staged
major fund-raiser with Dancing with the Stars
champion Cheryl Burke as host.

57. REGION 9 – Los Angeles Region
Greater Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties North
Regional Chair – Susan Maquindang Dilkes
Regional Vice-Chair – Cha Carrera
Regional Youth Chair – Berwyn Salazar

58. REGION 9 – Los Angeles Region
Greater Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties North
Regional Chair – Susan Maquindang Dilkes
Regional Vice-Chair – Cha Carrera
Regional Youth Chair – Berwyn Salazar
KEY INITIATIVES
•FILVOTE – One of the earliest and most
active in FilAm voter registration; conducted
study on significance of FilAm vote in
mainstream elections.
•FILVETS – Among the the most active in
lobbying for FilVets Equity, led by Susan
Maquindang Dilkes and FASGI

59. REGION 9 – Los Angeles Region
•LA HAS LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF
FILIPINOS IN ONE METRO AREA – Yet
NaFFAA has not been able to establish a solid
presence in it. Pioneers like Soc Inonog and
Susan Maquindang Dilkes have kept the fire
burning, but they need support.

60. REGION 10 – San Diego Region
Greater San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties
Regional Chair – Aurora Cudal
Regional Vice-Chair – JoAnn Fields
.

61. REGION 10 – San Diego Region
Greater San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties
Regional Chair – Aurora Cudal
Regional Vice-Chair – JoAnn Fields
KEY INITIATIVES
* FILVETS – Home district of Rep. Bob Filner,
principal sponsor of FilVets Equity Bill; Region
actively lobbied and supported Rep. Filner
through the years.
* GAWAD KALINGA – NaFFAA leaders helped
organize fair for GK in San Diego and built
houses for slum dwellers in the Philippines.

62. REGION 10 – San Diego Region
•SAN DIEGO became inactive with the
relocation of Region Chair Al Villamora to Italy.
Dr. Aurora Cudal, Region Chair Emeriti, has
committed to nurse the region back to life.
* SAN DIEGO HAS ALMOST 200,000
FILIPINOS, NEXT TO LOS ANGELES IN SIZE
OF FILAM POPULATION – The region needs
special attention and support from NaFFAA
national.

63. REGION 11 – Greater Nevada Region
Arizona, Nevada and Utah)
Regional Chair – Nadia Jurani
Regional Vice-Chair – Rex Velasquez
Regional Youth Chair – Brendan Flores

64. REGION 11 – Greater Nevada Region
Arizona, Nevada and Utah)
Regional Chair – Nadia Jurani
Regional Vice-Chair – Rex Velasquez
Regional Youth Chair – Brendan Flores
KEY INITIATIVES
* LAS VEGAS - Home turf of national vice-
chair Rozita Lee and Comelec Chair Martin
Celemin
* FIL VOTE – National leader in FilVote effort,
thru Gloria Caoile, national vice-chair emeriti,
and Rozita Lee.

65. REGION 11 – Greater Nevada Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•SENATE ACTION ON FILAM HISTORY
MONTH – Lobbied Sen. Harry Reid to file and
get approval of Senate Resolution designating
October as Filipino American History Month.
* FIL VOTE – National Vice-Chair Rozita Lee
lobbied hard for Vets Equity, thru Senators
John Ensign and Harry Reid.

66. REGION 11 – Greater Nevada Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•VITA PROGRAM – Launched annual VITA
(Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) Program.
* REGIONAL EXPANSION – Activation of
Arizona State Chapter with Philippine Public
Health Foundation USA under Dr. Rinly
Gecosala of Tucson, AZ.

67. REGION 11 – Grreater Nevada Region
KEY INITIATIVES
•ANNUAL FIESTA FILIPINO – Philippine
Independence Day Fair.
•CENSUS 2010 - Leadership in Census
participation by FilAm community. Rozita Lee
represented NaFFAA national.

68. REGION 12 – Pacific Islands Region
Hawaii, Guam and The Marianas
Regional Chair – Ron Menor
Regional Vice Chair - Amy Agbayani
Regional Youth Chair – Rouel Velasco

69. REGION 12 – Pacific Islands Region
Hawaii, Guam and The Marianas
Regional Chair – Ron Menor
Regional Vice Chair - Amy Agbayani
Regional Youth Chair – Rouel Velasco
KEY INITIATIVES
•FILVETS – Hawaii is home district of Senators
Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye, principal
sponsors of Vets Equity Bill in the Senate.
Region 12 lobbied actively for their support.
•POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT - Hawaii has
elected largest number of FilAms to State
legislature and the first FilAm State Governor,
Gov. Ben Cayetano

70. THA NK YOU FOR
THE HONOR AND THE PRIVILEGE
OF SERVING YOU
AS YOUR NATIONAL CHAIR.
I WISH THE INCOMING NATIONAL
CHAIR, NATIONAL VICE-CHAIR
AND BOARD MEMBERS
ALL THE BEST.