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OCTOBER 22. Cristeta Comerford, first woman Executive Chef at the White House, shared her journey as NaFFAA and the US Department of Commerce celebrated more than 430 years of Filipino American history, while looking forward to the current generation's stories to come. Don Tagala of Balitang America TFC reports.
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NaFFAA and the US Congress (Legislative Branch) celebrated #FAHM2019 on Capitol Hill last October 23, 2019. Led by US Congressman TJ Cox and NaFFAA Capital Region, the first-ever Congressional celebration of Filipino American History Month took place at the Agriculture Committee room of the Longworth Building, and attended by several members of the U.S. Congress including Filipino American Rep. Bobby Scott and Rep. Judy Chu along with other distinguished community leaders and members.
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During the event, Filipino Americans also gave tribute to the legacy of Rep. Elijah Cummings, who was the first African American lawmaker to lie in state at the Capitol.
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All across the country, NaFFAA Regions celebrated Filipino American History Month in impactful ways.
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IOWA. For 6 years in a row, the National Federation of the Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA)’s initiative is the Proclamation of the Filipino-American History Month (FAHM) every October. History was made again on this day October 18, 2019, with the Signing of the Proclamation of FAHM by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in her office and presented to NaFFAA Regional Chair, Roel Fortich Campos and NaFFAA Regional Vice Chair Dr. Clarence Padilla with NaFFAA IOWA officers, supporters and volunteers: Naty Balines, Lita Brannon, Dory Cajes Anthony, Malou Guieb-Campos, Je Pino-Bassenden, Maria Collins, Janice Mendoza, Steve Molitor, Benjamin Jung (Commissioner Asian Pacific Islander). The Filipino-American Association of Iowa (FAAI) was represented by Dave Legg (Secretary) and Tim MJ Brazan Osborne (Treasurer).
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MIDWEST. On October 20, 2019, NaFFAA Illinois/Midwest in partnership with FANHS Midwest, they hosted a Filipino American History Month celebration at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Niles, Illinois. Attendees enjoyed parol making, information about Filipino American History, cultural performances by the youth, and delicious Filipino food.
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SAN FRANCISCO. Installation of the Contextual Bronze Plaque on the base of the Dewey Monument in San Francisco's Union Square, which memorializes the struggle of the Filipino people after Commodore Dewey defeated the Spanish Fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay and American troops took possession of the Island nation. For the Filipino American community, there is more to that historic victory than is told in the current marker. That battle embodies several significant junctures in the history of the Philippines and the United States. In celebration of FAHM last October 30, 2019, led by the Philippine American War Centennial Committee: Rudy Asercion, Yolanda Ortega Stern, Rodel Rodis, Greg Macabenta, and Dennis Normandy.
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PENNSYLVANIA. Proclamations from PA Governor Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor Kenney, and City Councilman Oh were presented to NaFFAA Pennsylvania, in celebration of Filipino American History Month. Receiving the Proclamations were Dr. Rommel Rivera, Pennsylvania State Chair, Roman Ventura, Pennsylvania Executive Director. Also in photo are Jeanilyn Ficarra, Northeast Region Treasurer, Purita Acosta, Pennsylvania Secretary and Dr. Aida Rivera, Trustee. Filipino American Mayor of Phoenixville, PA, Peter Urscheler and Consul Arman Talbo were guests speakers.
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SOUTH CAROLINA. "Filipino Americans are thankful to Governor Henry McMaster for the proclamation of Filipino American Heritage Month in the great state of South Carolina. We will therefore ask all of our Filipino American communities and Organizations all over South Carolina to celebrate this momentous occasion every year henceforth. In behalf of NaFFAA, thank you Governor McMaster for your positive response and support to our request. God bless you and your staff." - Silver PM (via Facebook Post)
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Firsts for Filipino Americans in Hollywood and Media. The #TimeIsNow for Filipino Americans to shine in mainstream media! Disney Pixar unveiled their new collection of short animated films in "Pixar SparkShorts" — which includes a Filipino American animated story called "Float" from Filipino American writer and producer Bobby Rubio. The new short film features for the first time, CGI animated characters with Filipino descent. It is set for worldwide release via the Disney+ app on November 12.
NaFFAA also congratulates Director Diane Paragas and her team, as Sony acquired worldwide rights for her film "Yellow Rose."
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All these and more, in just a month! What a wonderful thing it is to celebrate our history, and look forward together as a community. Indeed, we can all make history each and every day, even by just counting ourselves in for Census 2020 — in our own small ways, we leave a mark in history today and every day.
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Since 1997, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has been promoting the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. As a non-partisan and non-profit organization, NaFFAA is the largest national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
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Watch out for more news from our Regions
in our upcoming NaFFAA Newsletter!
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For real-time updates, follow NaFFAA on Social Media:
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