• home
• theme
• workshops
• itinerary
• pre-registration
• accommodations
• directions
• contact us

Session I: GROUNDING ROOTS

 

This workshop will focus on the pre-colonial society of the Moro and Indio and its relation to the issues Filipinos face today. The session itself will revolve around Cultural Dance performances to enthusiastically facilitate the message of the workshop.

Moreover, the speakers will shed light on the present condition that faces the Moro and the Indio so that you, the delegate, will be equipped with the knowledge to trace their situation throughout history and formulate your own opinion on the Moro and Indio people in relation to yourselves as delegates.

This workshop aims to open minds and give insight to the proud ancestry of the Philippines. In evaluating and rationalizing the past those of Philippine ancestry should feel more empowered to share their heritage and be a confident representation of the culture.

This is a performance/forum/workshop where a dance and music (kulintang ensemble and chants) or Silat Martial Art will be performed. The movement will be workshopped with the audience and the historical bases of the dance and story will be elaborated by the speaker and Kinding Sindaw members as a forum, followed by a Question and Answer portion.

 

Speakers: Potri Ranka Manis of Kinding Sindaw and Anne Beryl Corotan

 

Potri Ranka Manis originated from the 15th Pagawidan of the Pat Pangampong ku Ranao- the Sultanate of Borocot , Maguing, Lumba Bayabao. (15th pillar of the 4 Emirates of Lanao). Daughter of Sultan a Gaus Mamintal Dirampaten.  Last July 24, 2005 Potri Ranka Manis was bestowed the title of Bai a Labi a Gaus by the representatives of the 15 Pagawidan of the Pat Pangampong ku Ranao in Marawi City ( Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines). The Sultanate of Mandanue Darusalam held a confirmation ceremony  last March 4th, 2006 for Potri as a Bai a Labi a Gaus celebrated by the 100 years old Sultan Muhammad Guiwan Mastura Kudarat the 4th .

Grew up in the green lush of Borocot where cash economy was not yet a vogue, where lightning and thunder at night means fresh mushrooms in the meadows in the morning. Where the clock was the sound of the kalao (wood pecker) for the hour and tuko (iguana) for the half and hour.

She learned herbal and energy healing from her aunts as well as the chants, ritual and court dances. She grew up praying 5 times a day facing the east and eventually in her later years performed Hadj 8 times. She worked in Jeddah for the National Guard Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The camp where she lived for 8 years was 15 minutes away from the Al Haraam (Makkah al Mukaraama).While in Jeddah she wrote poetry and published it in 1988 " Sandstorm in Jeddah". This book contained the multi-awarded poem" Lullaby for Amira".A poem of a contract worker mother to her 3 month old baby Amira she left behind in the Philippines so she can continue working.

By profession she is a Registered Nurse. She had her degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Philippines. She had Masters in Community Nursing in Hunter -Brookdale Campus, New York. She is a certified Medical Surgical nurse. Meanwhile she is working on becoming certified on Holistic Nursing.

She practiced as a human rights lawyer in the Philippines between 1984-85 where she had to go out of the country in the midst of her practice because the Marcos Martial Law Regime was violently against it.

She wrote the  Cultural Center of the Philippines Gawad award winning poem collections " Disyerto: Isang Kabanata sa Buhay ng Pambayad Utang". Also the same year 1990 she won the Carlos Bulosan Award from Migrante for the poem collection " Sa Aking Pag-uwi" and for the song she composed: "Di Pa Tapos ang Kwento ni Huli".

The dance theater  Kinding Sindaw  was founded by Potri in 1992. It's mission is that by performances of the legends, epics and myths through dances, kulintang ensemble music and silat martial arts the unwritten Melayu heritage of the Philippines preserved by the indigenous people of Mindanao who resisted Spanish colonization in 16th century and the USA colonization in 1898 can be brought to life so that the Filipino descent can assert, re-claim , preserve and re-create these heritage.

As an artist, she created, directed, and choreographed the following off Broadway Dance Theater productions: 2000: Rajah Mangandiri , 2003: Lemlunay , 2004: Parang Sabil, 2005: Sultan Kudarat . 2007: Padang Karbala ( on progress-for La Mama, ETC), 2008: Tao Marayao ( on progress-for La Mama, ETC)

            Every year since 1993 she has been commissioned by the Queensborrough Library to do Storytelling to the cross-cultural community in the Queens. (This year -April 28 2007 at Broadway branch 3pm)

            She is the Community Health Nurse of the Project Aspire of NYU ( Cardio- Vascular research on Filipino immigrants) and the Co- founder and Board of Director of Kalusugan Coalition. Potri is also a Board of Director of the Community Health Worker Network of New York

            Besides Kinding Sindaw she founded Panata an expiremental theater where she had produced and perform together with theater scholars like Dr. Dan Bacalso, PhD and Andrea Assaf( New World Theater- Artistic Director)  the following: 1996: Bells of Balangiga,1997: Oraturyo,2001: Worry Beads,2002: Crazy Nurse,2006: Suspect

She is a faculty member of Lotus Fine Arts since 1992 where she regularly conducts dance classes every Saturday. She is also a faculty in the Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory and Popular Education at the Brecht Forum.

            She also 4th Unit in Clinical Pastoral Education which will make her the first Filipino Muslim woman Chaplain.

 

www.kindingsindaw.org

 

 

Anne Beryl Corotan is a National Advocate for the Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao. Her father, Patrick Corotan Jr., is the Datu of the Mandaya Tribe. She is the granddaughter of the last Mandaya princess, Acosta Mabasa, and great granddaughter of his highness Makatadung. Her grandfather was the respected soldier, teacher and land owner, Patricio Corotan. On June 9th 2007, during the Indigenous People's Caucus, the Datus and Chieftains of all indigenous tribes in the Compostella Valley and surrounding provinces of Davao, Mindanao bestowed upon her the honor to be the National Advocate of the Indigenous People of Mindanao.

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, "Cling" moved to the U.S. on 1997. From the age of 9, she received training at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, where she played "Trinidad" in the first production of the play 'BAYANI'. Further training came from the Dulaang Trinity under the parish of Santissima Trinidad. She is a soprano and the Artistic Choreographer of the Filipino Youth Apostolate Choir in New York City under the supervision of Fr. Erno Diaz. Cling has been performing as a ballroom/cultural dancer and singer with her well known professional mentor, Sir Wally of the Filipino Social Club of New York since 2001 and is currently their represented Miss Philippines of 2006. She has performed alongside several Filipino artists in United States such as Imelda Papin, Carol Banawa and Giselle Sanchez during their East coast concerts.

Currently, she is the Chairperson for District III of FIND Inc. She is also a member of Philippine Forum in New York and is currently the East Coast Director of Sandiwa. She has been the National Director for the Indigenous and Cultural sectors of National Alliance of Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) since 2006. For the last two years, she has also been the National Youth Director of Sampaguita International. She was the President of The Philippine United Student Organization (PUSO) at SUNY Stony Brook from 2005-2006 after she was the Cultural Chairperson from 2004-2005. She graduated with a degree in Public Health and Theater Arts with a minor in International Relations in May of 2006 and is now about to finish the one-year Nursing program at Stony Brook University. As a Filipina native, inspired by the resounding voices in the Philippines, Anne Beryl lives her life as visionary Anthonian alumni, "a herald of Christ and a vanguard of transformation."

 

 

Session II: THORNY STEMS

 

WORKSHOP I: "Land is Life"

 

Over centuries, the 115,000 square miles of fertile land and tropical climate of the Philippines has made this archipelago attractive to inhabitants and foreigners alike.

The system in which land is tilled and natural resources harnessed has long since changed following the Encomienda and the Hacienda era, but some remnants of these systems remain in the social and economic structure of communities, dividing the rich and poor and giving citizens little say over their country's future. Delegates will be challenged to discuss better solutions for a just and fair system beneficial to all Filipino people, in light of our country's colonial past.

 

Speakers: Valerie Francisco and Raul Menchavez

 

Valerie Francisco; "Kwela" of the Rapsodistas/ FIRE

She was born in the Philippines Islands, a land that tells stories of resistance and strength. Across foreign waters into the land of empire, she found bedrock in her family's hope aiming for the sky because they keep her feet on the ground. The repression lives on so she shows improve by creating change and building a movement. The streets were always cold so she made fire with beats and rhymes. The process of change is action so the struggle embraced her. Her commitment to the people is told through her promised work in protraction and reciprocation to the Filipino people's history of struggle.

Valerie Francisco is a doctoral student in the sociology program at the City University of New York, The Graduate Center. She is committed to women's work as a member of the organizing committee for Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FIRE). She is a sister, daughter, emcee, hood scholar, partner, kasama and survivor.

 

Raul Menchavez of the League of Filipino Students, San Francisco State University

 

Community artist.
Born in the belly of the beast.
Searching for a native tongue lost through assimilation.
Revisiting history.
Educated by the struggle.
Found a connection through culture.
Aware of the cost of convenience.
Motivated by the movement for genuine change.
Advocate of putting theory into practice.
Listening to the music of conversation.
Chose art as a medium of communication and protest.
Inspired by the color of the people.

 

WORKSHOP II: Regarding Our Perpetual Travels:  The Matrix of Our Very Own·

 

This workshop will touch on the current immigration trend as it relates to the Philippines. While framing the topic from a global perspective, what makes the Philippines' case different from other nations? We will explore the universal aspects of immigration as well as the Filipinos' reaction to this growing movement. What are the positives and negatives; what are the possible reasons for this mass migration that is common with/diverges from international trends as a whole? The delegates will seek answers to these questions, exploring topics of racism, undocumented aliens, family separation, the brain drain, and the politics of the Visa.

First of all, expect to see that which has never been utilized before at a FIND workshop, ever, guaranteed!  Now that we have your attention, also expect a detailed narrative of Filipino migration to the United States, historically, as well as now, particularly in terms of labor, in other words, HOW AND WHY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAME TO CALL AMERICA HOME, AND WHAT WAYS WE CONTINUE TO TOIL HERE.  When did our people begin to migrate both to North America and internationally, and of course how, and why?  What are the implications of this continued colossal exodus from the Philippines?  Who benefits, and how?  "You take the blue pill, the story ends you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.  You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland and [we] show you how deep the rabbit hole goes· Remember, all [we're] offering is the truth, nothing more·"

Speakers: Adam Diaz and Lakas Diwa Youth

 

Adam D. Diaz, the proud father of six year old Makarya Diwata, graduated from Rutgers University [NCAS] in May of 1997 suma cum laude, phi beta kappa, with a B.A. in History & Philosophy, and earned the Paul Robeson Award for student leadership. His campus based organizing efforts ultimately secured an Asian Studies program at Rutgers-Newark, ironically after which, administration banned him from the Paul Robeson Campus Center. Adam went on to complete coursework for an M.A. in Southeast Asian Studies at Cornell University, focusing on United States Imperialism in the Philippines, and Filipino American Communities, before spending time in Southern California, where he organized the economically dislocated around issues of health care reform. He returned to the Northeast in 2001 to spearhead a gang alternative program for students at Canarsie High School, in Brooklyn, before assuming the position of Organizer, with New Jersey's largest health care union, HPAE, where he subsequently organized nurses in Jersey City, NJ around issues of improved patient care. Adam is currently bi-coastal, splitting time between Southern California where he has made a home for his daughter, and serves as Labor Representative for 1,200 San Bernardino County RNs, which he first organized under the banner of the nation's largest and most progressive nurses union, the California Nurses Association in 2004, and Jersey City, New Jersey, where he serves as the founding Executive Director of Lakas Diwa, a progressive, direct action oriented 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, which works with Filipino youth around issues of community advocacy and cultural literacy...

           

Featuring·

Lakas Diwa Board of Directors:  Renee Carandang, Leo Casayuran, Christian Corrales, Darrell Hipolito, Angelo Llanes, John Lucero, Anne Olaya, Jane Razon, Mae Razon, and Josh Teves.

'Lakas Diwa, Filipino Community Alliance of New Jersey', a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, actively devotes itself to the service and empowerment of youth of Filipino descent, in and around the Jersey City, New Jersey region in tangible and practical ways, utilizing methods deeply rooted in the principles of 'direct action' organizing.

Lakas Diwa's mission, positive alternatives and a safe haven for youth of Filipino descent, through a progressive curriculum, artistic, cultural, educational, and recreational in nature;

Its philosophy, to provide youth of Filipino descent with ready access to leadership positions within the organization, and full inclusion in all community organizing initiative, as a way to foster the development of young minds and voices, as well as a true sense of community ownership;

The culmination of community vision, effort, and sacrifice, the Lakas Diwa collective draws from several progressive Filipino community organizations and initiatives, and is composed of high school and college age students, as well as young professionals.

 

WORKSHOP III: "The Span of the Eagle's Wings"

 

This workshop connects Filipino colonial history to the current state of the Philippines and its people. We will also explore evolving trends of the Filipino economy in relation to the overall global market. In this context, delegates will be able to frame our Independence Day and the Philippine Government within his or her understanding of the present state of the Philippines. This workshop will leave delegates with a more conscientious perspective of Filipino social, economic, and political issues throughout history and today.

 

Speaker: Dr. Robyn Rodriguez

 

Dr. Robyn Rodriguez is currently a Sociology professor at Rutgers University and a member of Critical Filipino and Filipina Studies. Professor Rodriguez earned her a Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University's Center for Comparative Immigration Studies. Using literatures of economic development, globalization and migration, her dissertation "The Labor Brokering State: Producing Filipino and Filipina Migrants for the Global Economy," argues that the state produces, distributes and regulates Filipino migrants. She has taught classes in sociological thought, Philipino/a American community issues, and Asian American culture and society.

Rodriguez's research interests are in the areas of globalization, the nation-state and development; labor and international migration; race, diaspora and trans/nationalisms; and gender. She is currently working on her book manuscript entitled, Migrant Citizenship:  The State, Globalized Labor and Nationalism. She is also currently interested in doing a comparative study of the effects of policies passed in the wake of the 9/11 tragedies on immigrant in the states of California and New Jersey.

 

Session III: BLOOMING PETALS

 

WORKSHOP I "Heroes Are Still Waiting"

 

From Lapu Lapu to Jose Rizal, this workshop will focus on past heroic icons and their impact on continuing struggles of the Filipino people. Within the session a film will be presented, documenting current Filipino issues through the lives of individuals who fight for these causes. In addition, the speakers themselves will provide their accounts of serving the people and their work for the improvement of our nation. This workshop hopes to impart an appreciation of past Filipino heroes and give delegates the opportunity to form judgments on their causes, pushing for action in their own lives.

 

Speakers: Rico Foz and Rusty Fubanan

 

Romerico Foz or "Rico" is the Executive Vice President of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), a national multi-issue alliance of Filipino organizations and individuals in the United States serving to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos by fighting for social, economic, and racial justice and equality. It was launched in San Jose California in 2003.  At present, NAFCON members encompass over 23 cities in the United States. He is also a member of the organizing committee for the Philippine Forum New Jersey branch and the Justice for Immigrants Filipino Coalition (J4I).

In the Philippines, Rico became part of the Economic Planning Commission of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, responsible for drafting legislative proposals to advance the nationalist industrialization program and building alliances like the Coalition Against Oil Price Increase (CAOPI), Stop VAT Coalition, and the Freedom from Debt Coalition. Rico also served as the National Spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students from (1986-87).

Professionally, from 1999, Rico worked his way up in the academe, from a business school instructor to a school vice-president in 2005.  He also owns Fozworth International, a real estate and consultancy company.   However, in 2006, he decided to go back to a life he enjoys the most · community organizing.  Today, he is a community health worker from New York University's Project AsPIRE (Asian-American Partnerships in Research & Empowerment), a community-based participatory research with an aim to reduce hypertension and cardio-vascular diseases among Filipinos in Jersey City.

 

Rusty Fabunan M.S. Ed. has been deeply involved in Filipino-American organizing ever since college. He was on the FIND National Steering Committee from 1993 to 1998 and a member of the District III Executive Board. Rusty Fabunan was the founder for the Filipino Cultural Society at Queens borough Community College as well as serving as Executive Vice President for the Queens borough Student Government; His honors include the Presidential Awardee in1995, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award in1996, Whose who among American Colleges in1996, United States Student Association  as a 1997 Congress Delegate, and  from 1999 to 2002, he was a New York City Teaching Fellow. Mr. Fabunan also served as a Board of Director for the New York Public Interest Research Group in 1997. Also in that year, he co-founded the Philippine Forum and has been the Program Director since 2004. He has been a New York City Public School Teacher since 2002. He is a brother, poet, and student of the people!

 

 

WORKSHOP II: "The Potential Power of Filipino-American Students"

 

What is the potential power of Filipino American college students in the East Coast? What kind of an impact can we make given our presence in this part of the country? This workshop will introduce Fil-Am students who have experienced struggles as Filipino students in both the Philippines and the USA. Speakers will discuss the root causes that continue to plague our young community and help delegates explore our individual and communal identities as Fil-Am college students today, mobilized by a common politics of representation.

 

Speakers: Julia Camagong, Maya Ong Escudero, and Joanna Quiambao

 

Julia V. Camagong is the Co-Executive Director of Philippine Forum. She is a 2003 recipient of the Union Square Awards which honors individuals who make notable contributions to the educational, economic, and cultural life in New York. Julia has recently been elected as Vice President for Programs of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON). She is the Program Director of the Philippine Studies Program, which brings Filipino American youth to the Philippines for a live-and-study program in coordination with the University of the Philippines and the University of California System. In the Philippines, she performed in street plays during the anti-Marcos rallies in the Philippines, as part of the theater group Peryante (Carnival Players), was co-founder and Executive Director of the San Francisco based theater group Teatro ng Tanan (Theater for Everyone), and has produced, directed and acted in plays, films, and television. Julia has been a consultant for FIND since 1997.

           

Maya Ong Escudero is Executive Director of Ayala Foundation USA, and is active in the mid-peninsula SF Bay area community and schools with fundraising events.  During the '90s, she was Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Stanford-Silicon Valley Chapter, and E.D. of Hesperian Foundation, Palo Alto.  In the 80's, Maya was involved in community philanthropy work with Haymarket Foundation in Cambridge, MA, the Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco, CA, and with the United Way of Santa Clara County, CA.  She migrated to the U.S. in the late 70's, and was active in the anti-Marcos work as the National Coordinator of Friends of the Filipino People in Boston, MA, and Coordinator of the SF, CA office of Alliance for Philippine Concerns. She has a B.A. and an M.A. in English, and loves classical and rock music, crossword puzzles, hiking, and M&M's.

 

Joanna Quiambao is a Senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, Majoring in International Social Justice Studies/Minor in Sociology. She was a participant in the Philippine Studies Program in 2004-05. She is also the Coordinator for SanDiwa South East. She has also been working at the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs as a Program Assistant since 2003. She also organizes the VCU School of World Studies Student Advisory Board Committee, Asian Student Caucus Officer, and Vice President of the Council for American/International Student Affairs @ VCU 2007. Future Occupation: Working for THE PEOPLE!

 

 

WORKSHOP III: "Chasing an Illusion": Western Influence in Today's Philippines

 

As in many third world nations, the Philippines continue to see labor exploitation influenced by the hands of global businesses. Consequently the disparity between the rich and poor has only continued to grow; land is increasingly stripped of its resources and used as a dumpsite for production excesses. Despite this, Filipinos still push to catch up with Western trends – from manufactured exports to popular culture as represented on TV and advertising. This workshop discusses these issues and explores how the Philippines can channel its talents and resources to its own enrichment and self-affirmation.

 

Speakers: Julman Tolentino and Vincent Nebrida

           

Julman Arevalo Tolentino has been active in the Filipino community for eight years. His activities include coordinating a conference through the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND); developing activities and outreach for the Filipino arts organization, Arkipelago; and serving as a Youth Program Coordinator for the Filipino American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI). Julman would receive his Masters in Social Work at Hunter College in 2002 after which he worked in the Philippines for a year. Within that year he counseled and facilitated workshops for 40 Filipino American college students as the Program Coordinator for Tagalog On Site (TOS), a language and cultural immersion program, and worked with Atikha, a non-government organization that assisted families and children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Upon returning to the United States in 2003, Julman worked at FAHSI and the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. - Community Development Center (PAFCOM-CDC) as a social/community worker. In August of 2005, Julman was brought on as Sumisibol's full-time Executive Director. Julman is also a founder of the organization and had previously served as its volunteer program coordinator for its first five years.

 

Vincent R. Nebrida wrote and produced "American Adobo" as well as co-executive produced "Crying Ladies."  He has lived in New York City for 25 years, and has written film reviews and feature articles for various Philippine and American publications.  He is currently finishing his new screenplay, "Woodside Story." The rootcutter 2006 producer.

La Visa Loca screening benefit at Imaginasian, Says Vincent Nebrida of NY-based Unitel, "I think LA VISA LOCA is appropriate because it's the sort of movie that instills nationalistic pride in all things Filipino. I can't think of a cultural organization that deserves more support than SOFIA because their mission is also about starvation—in this case, cultural starvation—and what they're doing is important, not just for us now, but for future generations to come. I feel like our collective soul is at stake if they do not succeed."

Nebrida is also serving as executive producer on Nobile's next film, "a myth" that shoots next year on the island of Batanes. "Right in the typhoon belt," said Nobile, an Italian-American New Yorker who shrugged off telling the "long story" of how he started making films in the Far East. "It's the northernmost island in the Philippines, closer to Taiwan that it is to the Philippine mainland. We're scheduled to shoot in January to April of next year; we only have that short window because of the storms. The homes are made out of stone. They're a meter thick to protect them from the storms. It's a pretty interesting place."

 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Father Benjamin Alforque and Dr. Maria Josephina Barrios

 

Opening Speaker:

 

Father Benjamin Alforque

 

Benjamin Escosura Alforque, MSC is a Roman Catholic priest of the religious congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). He was born in General Luna, Surigao del Norte, the Philippines on January 20, 1953 to parents who were both farmers in origin, but who worked their way through college to become leading educators in Gen. Luna, Surigao del Norte, the Philippines and in Minglanilla, Cebu, the Philippines.

Fr. Ben finished his elementary education with high honors in San Fernando Central Elementary School, San Fernando, Cebu, the Philippines and was graduated salutatorian in the secondary education from the Sacred Heart Seminary, Lawaan, Talisay, Cebu. He obtained his AB-Pre-Divinity with minor in Philosophy from the Ateneo de Manila University, and his MA in Theology from the Loyola School of Theology, in Quezon City, the Philippines. He then specialized in the studies of Sacred Scriptures, obtaining a Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures, cum laude, from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

Fr. Ben is a professor in Sacred Scriptures in various theology schools and houses of formation in the Philippines. Prior to his coming to the United States of America, he served as parish priest in the mission of the MSC in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, in the Philippines, where he lived and worked with the indigenous peoples of the Manobo, Banwaon and Talaandig tribes. He organized a secondary school for the native Filipinos, with an alternative curriculum that uses mathematics and the sciences to further the cause of the native Filipinos that promote their cultural identity, ancestral domains claim and prosperity.

As a biblical theologian, Fr. Ben was engaged in various activities that promoted Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation. He co-chaired the Justice and Peace Commission of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (JPC-AMRSP) and the Promotion of Church People's Rights and Response (PCPR). He has given conferences, lectures and retreats on the biblical perspective in the work for Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation, both in the Philippines and in Asia, Europe and the USA. Some of the works that he published have been translated into various European languages.

Because he was detained as a political detainee under Martial Law, Fr. Ben became a founding member of the association of former political detainees in the Philippines (SELDA) and founding member too of the human rights group, KARAPATAN.

In the United States, Fr. Ben is Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Riverside, California and was chosen, after his one year stay in the Diocese of San Bernardino, as Vicar Forane for the Riverside Vicariate by the Bishop of the Diocese. e continues to work for justice, peace, human rights and integrity of creation by involving himself as spokesperson for PRISM and as chairperson of NAFCON even as he continues to lecture on the bible and theology at the Ministry Formation Institute in the Diocese of San Bernardino, California and elsewhere in the US and abroad.

Closing Speaker:

Dr. Maria Josephina Barrios

             

Maria Josephine "Joi" Barrios-Leblanc is currently Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), and until April 2006, was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the U.P. College of Arts and Letters.  After obtaining her Ph.D. in Philippine Literature, she served as Visiting Assistant Professor at University of California Irvine (UCI), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Japan.

She has recently published two books:  Savage Stage:  Plays By Ma-Yi Theater Company, which she edited; and  From the Theater Wings:  the Grounding and Flight of Women Playwrights  (Mula sa mga Pakpak ng Entablado:  Pagyapak at Paglipad ng Kababaihang Mandudula) (UP Press).   Dr. Barrios is also the Founding Editor of the Flash Publication Series which publishes poetry anthologies on contemporary political issues.  Dr.  Barrios has also published a book of plays entitled Bailaya  (UP Press, 1997) and   two volumes of poetry, To Be a Woman is to Live at a Time of War (Ang Pagiging Babae ay Pamumuhay sa Panahon ng Digma), 1990 and Sweetened Fruit and Other Love Poems (Minatamis at Iba Pang Tula ng Pag-ibig), 1998.

She has won more than a dozen national literary awards in the Philippines for her creative work.  In 1999, she was among the 100 women of the 20^th century honored as "Weavers of History" by the National Centennial Commission Women's Sector. In 2004, she was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS). Dr. Barrios is a member of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance of the Philippines.   She is also the literary manager of Ma-Yi Theatre Company  (New York). 

 

CLOSING PANEL: Efren Dato, Attorney Edre Olalia, Esq., Benjamin dela Pena, Potri Ranka Manis.

 

Efren Dato of 80-20 Initiative New Jersey Chapter, Liason Committee Chair

 

Efren S. Dato is the deputy economic director of Franklin Township of Somerset County and concurrently serves as the executive director of Hamilton Street Business & Community Corporation, the management authority of the township's special improvement district. He is also a commissioner of Franklin Township Sewerage Commission and a lay chaplain to Fire District 3. Presently, he is active in the Filipino-American community in his capacities as president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of New Jersey, board chair of newly organized minority business alliance called A-TEAM and board member of Fil-Am Political Action Coalition of New Jersey.

Before migrating to the US, he was awarded the Journalism Award for Press Freedom by the Philippines Catholic Mass Media Award and Rotary International Club of Manila in 1986 for his role in the peaceful transition of the Philippines to democracy as a radio broadcaster of Radio Veritas during the EDSA I People Power. He has championed democracy through his broadcasting, pastoral ministry and community organizing activities.

He has a MSc in Training and HRM from England Leicester University, pastoral planning and research courses at Fordham University, Industrial Relations Diploma from the University of the Philippines, B.A. Philosophy and, an advanced four-year Theological Studies in the Philippines catholic seminaries. He has completed the Leadership Education Program of Harvard University JFK School of Government, and the Broadcast and Management Courses from United States Telecommunications Institute of Washington D.C. Efren has also completed community policing at Somerset Police Academy and community building and non-profit courses of United Way of America and Somerset .

 

Attorney Edre Olalia, Esq. is President of the International Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL), a federation of people's lawyers, jurists, law students, paralegals and legal workers. Atty. Olalia serves as the International Officer for the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL), an organization committed to challenging laws and practices that threaten the human rights endowed under Philippine Constitution and international laws and covenants.

 

Benjamin dela Pena is the Associate Director for Implementation of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute. In addition to daily organizational responsibilities, Benjamin manages the "Development Streamlining and Regulatory Reform" project, funded through a grant from the U.S. EPA.  This four-year project will result in the development of a Smart Growth Implementation Kit for communities actively seeking to advance the implementation of Smart Growth in their community.

Benjamin works in the nexus of politics and policy implementation and helps towns and cities to map a strategic path (using strategic and political analysis) towards more sustainable urban development patterns and more competitive regional economies.  He advises them as they recast the codes and regulations that govern the built fabric of their communities. Benjamin holds a Master in Urban Planning degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of the Philippines. 

Prior to entering the planning profession, Benjamin served for over a decade managing leadership training programs, corporate affairs and community relations for Ayala Corporation.

Disclaimer •  Contact Us •  Copyright © 2007 findinc.org   

Content Management Powered by CuteNews