Archive for the Filipina in the News Category

A size of your hand
Peculiar yet cute
Eyes can’t move
But head can turn 180 degrees
Solitary and territorial
Needs at least a hectare of space per individual
This big-eyed arboreal primate known as “Tarsier”
also settles in my home province Bohol.

Visit its sanctuary at Corella Bohol. For more info click this link http://www.tarsierfoundation.org/content/

Click here to download

Vector Illustration : Darlene Sanguenza Copyright ©

Tarsier

It was a Saturday morning. A Filipina American of Chinese ancestry was busy handing out window signs and fliers in front of Safeway (Supermarket) on Mission Street, deep in the heart of the Excelsior District in San Francisco, California, one of the areas that encompasses District 11. Recipients were not immediately aware that the face on the fliers and window signs was also the face of the same person handing them out. Many were quite surprised to chat directly with a candidate for political office right in the heart of their neighborhood.

“Goodness, this is you? May I have your autograph?” was a common comment.

The Filipina laughed and responded: “You should give me your autograph instead. You’re more important than I am.”

The first time Myrna Lim ran for Board of Supervisors in the year 2000, all she had was her gutsy attitude in getting things done. Sometimes quite irreverent and always passionate, she debunked some of the traditional Filipino community leaders’ ideas of what a politician should look like and behave.

Here’s a comment from a Filipino gay businessman: “You should dress up like Diane Feinstein.”

Myrna jokingly responded, “Are you kidding? Diane Feinstein would kill to look like me.”

Only Myrna Lim can say this and get away with it!

I’ve walked through this Mission Street corridor at least three times with Myrna Lim in the last eight years. I really wanted an “up close and personal” experience with someone who was determined to find out what her district’s needs were so she could become a more effective legislator. Although my feet hurt, I was happy to see old friends as we visited business after business after business… and I also got a realistic sense of the frustrations and shattered hopes of these small business owners because of unreasonable anti-small business policies imposed by the local government.

Myrna Lim did me a favor. I was forced to reach out of my comfort zone (since I’m usually a “virtual” or on-line personality) and hit the streets to get a taste and feel of what residents and citizens of District 11 in San Francisco were thinking, talking, and protesting about. Myrna, I’ve observed, embodies representation of District 11’s multi-racial neighborhoods: Chinese, African-American, Filipino, Irish, Italian, and Latino. Spiritual sustenance is also a strong component in this District, represented by Epiphany Church, Corpus Christi Church, and St. Emydius Church.

Now, it’s 2008. Elections are coming up in November! So, if you have relatives and friends in zipcode 94112 (Excelsior, Ingleside, Outer Mission, Crocker Amazon, and Oceanview), let them know that a Filipina American is running for political office, Myrna Lim for District 11 Supervisor — and that it’s time for Filipinos in San Francisco to be represented. There are 67,000 Filipinos in San Francisco. Help her out! Myrna is fiercely loyal and dedicated, especially to the people who believe in her. She will win. She can do this. And we will be proudly Filipina!

This video showcases the Filipina American that will make it to a much-coveted legislative position (Board of Supervisors) in the City and County of San Francisco. WHEN (I’m optimistic) Myrna Lim wins, she will open the doors to opportunities for more minorities and women — opportunites only available to the old boys and old girls networks. Listen to her speak! And check out the documentaries she produced (as an independent TV producer for Channel 29 and Channel 76, San Francisco Public Broadcasting) at her campaign website, MyrnaLim.com.

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Our dearest Fil-Am Video Blogger Ms. Christine Gambito more popularly known as Happy Slip have just deleted her MySpace account for the reason that she objects on its inappropriate ads (powered by Google). She says that the ads are in direct conflict with the HappySlip brand and especially misrepresentative of Filipina women.

Having read her latest blog and her endeavor to further create a cleaner image of Filipinas thru Cyberspace, my respect and admiration for her grew even bigger.

Interesting quote I’ve read from it;

According to a Human Protection Law enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines, it is unlawful “To establish or carry on a business which has for its purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail order basis or personal introduction”. It is unlawful “To solicit, enlist or in any manner attract or introduce any Filipino woman to become a member in any club or association whose objective is to match women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail order basis or through personal introduction for a fee”. This law was enacted to “take measures to protect Filipino women from being exploited in utter disregard of human dignity in their pursuit of economic upliftment.”

More information on her blog.

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino woman has been hailed as an anti-trafficking hero in the US state department’s Trafficking in Persons Report-2008 released on June 4.

A US Embassy statement in Manila said Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, executive director and president of the Visayan Forum Foundation, was among only 10 anti-trafficking advocates from around the world who were recognized in the report for exemplary efforts toward combating trafficking in persons.

“Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, a longtime advocate against trafficking and former political prisoner, continues to pave the road for NGO and government collaboration on anti-trafficking efforts in the Philippines and around the world,” the report read.

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During my travels, I meet many Filipina women who uplift my spirits and inspire me through their magnificent talents, skills, and life experiences as well as their beautiful, caring personalities. When Marily Mondejar introduced me to Faith Rivera, one of my “Summit Weaver”* partners at the 2005 Filipina Women’s Network Annual Summit in San Francisco, it was easy to build rapport with her because truly, Faith is one amazing, inspiring Emmy Award-winning songwriter and singer. She remains grounded and humble in the bling-bling ambience of Los Angeles. When I listen closely to the messages within her songs, I smile and celebrate the truths we share. For those of you who haven’t heard of this lovely Hawaiian-Filipina-American, I invite you to take the time and listen to her songs — and BE PROUDLY FILIPINA (or Filipino)! Faith is also invited to perform at many inter-faith gatherings because her songs are universal and inclusive, acceptable to both the religious and agnostic.

Note: * SUMMIT WEAVER was our FWN term for summit facilitator / emcee.

I’m delighted to hear from Faith, the activist, about her latest projects and activities. I’ve included a couple of my favorite videos for you to enjoy. I also found a YouTube video of Faith Rivera receiving HUB’s Biggest Giver Award. What an honor!


Compliments of YouTube.com

Let’s read what Faith has to share with us today.

From: Faith
Date: Wed, May 28, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Subject: Press Release - Biggest Giver Award!
To: faith@faithrivera.com

Aloha Friends,

Thanks so much again for the work you are doing in the world - communicating with folks on an on-going basis to offer them inspiration & support!

Attached below is a recent press release on an award I received for an Oprah-style “Big Give” event that I did which raised funds for a homeless family of 6. It was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had.

Please feel free to share it with your readers/listeners. Also, email/call if you have any questions.

I can’t say enough about this “new life” my hubby & I are embracing to continue to “rock-out” yet give at deeper levels in service to others!

Thanks in advance!!!

All the best in your inspiring adventures,

Faith
www.faithrivera.com

p.s. You can personally find out more about HUB (the organization we just joined & that awarded me with this honor) at http://www.faithrivera.com/fr/HUB.html & http://faithandnolan.hubhub.org

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LEXINGTON, Massachusetts–Accomplished Filipina Harvard Medical School professor Ronilda Covar Lacson shares some of her experiences in building a career in the US. Interview conducted by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Erika Tapalla.

filipina doctor
Watch the Video interview

Tearfully Madonna Decena explained that she had to leave her two children behind with their grandparents, until she had raised enough money to send for them. Her rendition of I Will Always Love You made sure there was not a dry eye in the house.

She personifies a lot of Filipinos who goes beyond to uproot their lives from a country that can not promise a good life. She is a mass communication degree holder but went to London as a bar singer. She’s got a lot of sympathy from the Londoners.

Madonna Decena’s performance just captured the heartache and love of Filipinos who have to leave their family so that they can provide a better life.

During the awarding of PSIA Honor Award

Speaking infront of PSIA members about Case Study on IP

Making the news in the IT field these past few days is a Filipina named Ma. Odea “Deng” Ching. She made a big feat by being elected as the Vice President of Archiva, a community based Open Source project of the Apache Software Foundation. Deng, as she is fondly called is a Developer at Exist Global, a company founded by Filipino IT Venture Capitalist and Serial Entrepreneur Winston Damarillo.

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