Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez delivers her opening remarks at the NaFFAA Forum on the 4th Global Filipino Networking Convention as Vicky Bamba, NaFFAA regional Chair (left) and Loida Nicolas Lewis, NaFFAA National Chair (right) listen.
Panelists on the film “1017” from left to right Loida Nicolas Lewis, the film’s director Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, Dennis Normandy, and Greg Macabenta.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco hosted an
overflow meeting of the National Federation of Filipino American
Associations on Monday, 20 March 2006. Consul General Maria
Rowena Mendoza Sanchez kicked off the proceedings with her welcome
remark that “NaFFAA is an important organization that
has helped bring together Fililipino-Americans from all over
this vast country.”
“I do hope that all of you
present here today will attend the Global Filipino Networking
Forum in September 2006. This is a golden opportunity for all
Filipino Americans in the United States to link up and become
a stronger force both economically and politically.” she
said.
Ms. Loida Nicolas Lewis, the National Chair of NaFFAA spoke
on the upcoming global forum and the goals and objectives of
the organization, which aside from empowering Filipino-Americans
also aims to help Filipino World War II veterans secure their
benefits from the United States government. She urged everyone
to go to Hawaii for the forum on 28 September to 1 October 2006.
She said “the Global Filipino Networking Forum is a rare
opportunity to link up so I hope that we will all be able to
come to Hawaii.”
After the talk on the forum, the 15 minute video documentary
“1017” was shown and it explained why Her Excellency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared the State of National
Emergency. Immediately following the screening of the film by
Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara panelists Loida Nicolas Lewis, Greg
Macabenta of Filipinas Magazine, the director of the film, and
Dennis Normandy of the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee
gave their reactions.
Most of the panelists agreed with what was shown on the film
and that the declaration of 1017 was necessary in order to make
sure that no further unrest was caused by certain elements such
as the CPP-NPA, a faction of the military, and opposition politicians
which reportedly forged a tactical alliance to overthrow the
President and the democratic institutions of the Republic.
An open forum followed the film showing and it was here that
members of the audience shared their views on the film. It was
clear that the gathered crowd was very diverse. There were people
airing support while others were questioning the facts presented
in the film. A representative from Gabriela stated “What
about the Party List Representatives who are being imprisoned
by the government?”
Members of the League of Filipino Students also attended the
event and asked a similar question to the panelists regarding
what was being done to protect the freedoms of the Party List
Representatives who, they claim, are not communist insurgents
but duly elected representatives to the Philippine Congress.
Loida Lewis who spoke favorably about the film and the actions
taken by President Arroyo said “They (the Party List Representatives)
should not seek asylum in the Halls of Congress where they cannot
be prosecuted but instead stand up for their beliefs regardless
of the consequences.”
Atty. Rodel Rodis who moderated the discussions said “I
am glad that we are able to have a forum like this, where, in
spite of disagreements we are able to conduct it in a congenial
manner without enmity.”
“This dialogue is essential
in order for us to progress as a people,” he added.
Consul General Sanchez for her part lauded the participants
to the forum “I am glad to see the interest in our community
members regarding this issue. Impassioned discussions are a
sign of a healthy democracy.”
“I look forward
to more lively discussions on other issues pertaining to the
situation in the country,” she added.
