October 21-23, 2005

Crowne Plaza Union Square

San Francisco

 
   
 
 
(C) Community & Political Empowerment Learning Sessions

 

C1.  Filipino Pop Culture:  the development of the Filipino Image in America (truths, lies, secrets and legacies) 
An exploration of the various forms of popular culture that have shaped the perceptions of the Filipino community in the U.S.: music, film, television, advertising, sports, fashion, toys, magazines and comic books, and the medium in which this message moves, cyber culture.  For discussion:
- cultural artifacts (balikbayan box, mail-order bride, "texting", dollar remittances, etc.)
- examination of the conscious and unconscious links of Filipino pop culture to the larger stories in our community
- understanding our present by understanding our past (how our culture has changed over time)
- current media representations
- "Fil-Ims" and "Fil-Ams" (the character of the Filipino community in the U.S. in the last 25 years)
Invited panel speakers are:
- Leslie Guevarra, Deputy Managing Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
- May Briosos, General Manager, Prime Image Media Group
- Regina Reyes, North America News Bureau Chief, ABS-CBN International

- Bambi Francisco, Editor, Columnist, Correspondent. Lead Reporter (internet and new technologies), MarketWatch; Reporter, CBS MarketWatch Weekend, CBS Radio
Moderator:  Tessie Zaragoza, Chair of the FWN Board

C2.  Run, Filipina, Run:  Campaigning to Win
Honest conversations about the "prohibitive price of admission to politics" (in terms of funding and the emotional pressures of self and the family), what it takes to run for political office, seek a board or commission appointment, or lead an advocacy campaign

The overall theme is to "plant the seed" and encourage Filipina women to consider political office and invite women in politics to share the concerns and decision-making angst in seeking public office. Ideas to explore for discussion:
- Why did you seek public office?
- What do you see happening locally, regionally and nationally that sustains your purpose?
- How did you develop your campaign strategy? 
- What qualities and resources do you need to win?
- How did you tell your family about your decision to run for public office?

Invited panel speakers are:
- Rachel Puno Juliana, Attorney; Trustee, Jefferson Union High School District
- Rozanna Verder-Aliga, Board Member, Vallejo City Unified School District, CA; candidate for Vallejo City Council
- Janet Reilly, Democratic Candidate for the State Assembly, District 12
- Alice Lai-Bitker, Supervisor, District 3, Alameda County
- Gloria Megino Ochoa, Assistant Chief Counsel, Senate Judiciary Committee; former California State Senator; former candidate for U.S. Representative (against Michael Huffington)

Moderator: Stella Edralin, Esq.

C3.  YouthSpeak: Growing Up Bi-cultural in the U. S.

Young Filipina American women discuss assimilation, culture pressures at home, multi-generation gaps, making it through college with education budget cuts.

Invited speakers are:
Nikki Santiago, President, Pilipino Student Union, Skyline College
Moderator:  Genevieve Jopanda, District Operations Manager, Hertz Corporation; Vice President, Youth & Community Advocacy @ FWN

C4.  Developing Our Community of Influence

Invited political leaders representing global, national, state and local offices will share their thoughts on the following issues:
1.  What events/situations/movements have most affected Filipina women’s economic, social, political and personal power?
2.  What are the most pressing issues facing Filipina women in the near future?
3.  What are ways individuals and organizations like FWN can have an impact?
4.  Why should Filipina women care about the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)?

Moderator:  Vida Benavides , Political and Public Affairs Consultant (expert on Asian Pacific American electoral politics); Member, Democratic Party Presidential Primary Timing and Scheduling Commission

Download Filipina Summit 2005 registration form.

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