Many of you have kept me posted about your travels...and are either  in Manila now or will be travelling soon for the various trips being organized such as the -

• SF Manila Sister City Committee Trade Mission with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
• Feed the Hungry typhoon disaster relief efforts,
• medical missions, and
• family and class reunions . . .

So, if you are (or will be) in Manila and available on Feb. 15, please join FWN members at a kapihan / merienda-cena hosted by the TOWNS Foundation (The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service) awardees / members.

FWN supported the TOWNS Foundation's Justice for Nicole Legal Fund and was a 2006 V-Day FWN beneficiary of the Filipinas Against Violence Campaign.

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"FWN and TOWNS: What can we do together? Investing in the power of Filipina women and girls."

• February 15, 2009, 5pm
  
• Kapihan / merienda cena
• Home of Nina Lim Yuson PhD, co-founder, Museo Pambata; 1992 TOWNS awardee or her pioneering work in early childhood education.
• Click to register online.
• Nina's address provided with your RSVP

Meet other like minded, socially and politically engaged Pinay sisters for an afternoon of networking and collaborating.
Limited registrations - for FWN Members and their guests only.  Please RSVP early.

To learn more about the TOWNS Foundation, go to http://towns.org.ph

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See you in Manila on February 15.  It will be FUN.

Marily

We may not understand why Cory Aquino left this earth so soon, or why she left before we were ready to say good-bye. Our feelings when we lose someone we love, seems that time stands still and what moves us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more embrace..But little by little we begin to remember..not just she died but also lived. And that her life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.

Cory exemplifies a true leader - in her stand to fairness and love of Filipino People. Her unshakable faith as Catholic remains the cornerstone of her family and how she lead her beloved Philippines. She is a true Hero and stands for Simplicity, Good Christian Values, Classic with true Integrity.

My Love, Prayers and Sincere Condolence to Aquino Family and to All Filipinos.

By: Edna Mabanes Casteel, MNA , (Proud  Ilonga, Filipina/San Francisco, FWN Member, Past President of St. Emydius Fil-am Club and University of San Francisco Board Member)

 

Cory Aquino made it possible for us to make it normal for a woman to be president.  Against all odds, seven coup attempts in the six years she was president, she restored our confidence, instilled hope in a future of possibilities, and demonstrated a new brand of leadership – compassionate, committed and kind. 

Filipina women’s contributions are too often omitted from the narrative of the building of our community.  Cory Aquino changed that, and she continues to be an esteemed role model for Filipina women. 

Cory Aquino urged us not only to be proud of our roots but also to unite and remember how a strong and proud community, acting together, can make a difference.  A reluctant leader, she graciously embraced her role and once she did that....politcians, community leaders and business executives followed.  

I think she encouraged all of us especially the youth of the 80's to participate in the dialogue of change and why we need to be part of the decisions that affect our lives.   She planted the seeds of leadership in me and birthed many of the leaders today.

I reflect on her legacy and to honor her...we should carry on the torch of Cory leadership.

- Marily

Is calling the Filipino community the "adobo circuit" derogatory?  I felt the statement offensive and negatively stereotyped.  Would the Latinos like it if they are called the "burrito circuit"?  Or the Japanese the "sushi circuit"?  What do you think?

Press Release

For Immediate Release

YMCA OF THE EAST BAY RECOGNIZES EVANGELINE CANONIZADO BUELL AT 11TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., COMMUNITY CELEBRATION "Tied In A Single Garment of Destiny" 6 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2009 Kaiser Center Auditorium 300 Lakeside Drive Oakland, CA 94612 Oakland, CA - January 27, 2009 - The YMCA of the East Bay has announced that activist, author and nationally recognized Filipina leader Evangeline Canonizado Buell has been named to receive its 2009 YMCA Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Human Dignity and Brotherhood.   An award-winning East Bay writer, activist, and musician, Buell was recently selected as one of the "100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States" by the Filipina Women's Network and received the 2007 Global Filipino Literary Award for her book Twenty Five Chickens and a Pig for a Bride: Growing Up in a Filipino Immigrant Family. She is the co-editor of Seven Card Stud with Seven Manangs Wild; her most recent book on Arcadia Publishing is Filipinos in the East Bay. Buell serves as co-chair of the Asian Pacific Advisory Council for the Oakland Museum of California and is the National Vice President of the Filipino American National Historical Society. Earlier she also served as the president of the City of Berkeley Art Commission, and has received many community awards for her activism.  The YMCA's recognition of Ms. Buell highlights her work as an advocate for social justice and humanity, consistent with the timeless teachings of Dr. King, whose legacy is celebrated by the YMCA annually through a series of community based events.  The YMCA of the East Bay's  Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration will also recognize the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Senior Pastor of the historic Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, a nationally recognized leader in the faith and social justice movement. Dr. Smith is Distinguished Professor of Christian Ministry and Preaching at the American Baptist Seminary of the West and the Graduate Theological Seminary in Berkeley. Centering on the many complex challenges faced by the East Bay community as we enter 2009, "Tied Together in a Single Garment of Destiny," will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Kaiser Center Auditorium, 300 Lakeside Drive in Oakland.  In addition to the awards, the program will feature a dialogue engaging leading thinkers and social justice advocates from diverse cultures, disciplines and generations to explore the personal values, social justice and ethical issues posed by the economic collapse of 2008.  Calling on the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi and Dr. King, the evening will feature a moderated discussion with interludes of cultural music and dance expressions. Discussion and presentations are designed to stimulate active reflection, spiritual awareness and communal harmony. Tickets are $75.00 per person and space is limited.  $25.00 for Filipina Women's Network (FWN) members and friends of Vangie Buell.  For ticket or sponsorship information, please call the YMCA at 510-451-8039 ext. 457, or email mlkrsvp@ymcaeastbay.org. Photo credit:  Gary Cruz About YMCA of the East Bay The YMCA of the East Bay is a community-based charitable service organization dedicated to building the spirit, mind and body of each individual with programs unique to each community. With programs founded on Christian principles, emphasizing education, health and recreation, the YMCA serves men, women and children of all ages, religions, races and abilities, with a focus on youth. We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.   About Filipina Women's Network The Filipina Women's Network (FWN) is the non-profit association for women of Philippine ancestry living in the U.S. FWN's Goals: Enhance public perceptions of Filipina women's capacities to lead Change biases against Filipina women's leadership abilities Build the Filipina community's pipeline of qualified leaders, to increase the odds that some will rise to the President position in all sectors

Filipina Women's Network Marily Mondejar President 415.278.9410 YMCA of the East Bay Diane Mann dmann@YMCAeastbay.org 510-326-9191