| Godofredo "Fred" Parawan Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Executive Director for Asian American Affairs/Special Assistant to Congressman Lucien E. Blackwell • Dedicated Community Leader |
After learning more about this gentleman, one can find it difficult to
match his outstanding service contribution to the community of
Philadelphia in a relatively short time. By Providence, Fred's
journey to America was a result from a tragic incident in the family
which inspired him to serve the community. Arriving on April 11,
1987 to give much-needed physical and emotional support to a
terminally-ill daughter, then a registered nurse in Atlantic City, he
felt the need to reciprocate to the generosity, love and concern of
numerous people extended to her late daughter. He is one of
the few Filipinos serving as a volunteer hospice worker - now
caring for two terminally-ill patients. With boundless energy and
selfless dedication, he has served with meritorious services to
the following organizations: Filipino Executive Council of Greater
Philadelphia as Vice President; the Filipino American
Association of Philadelphia as Secretary; the Ilocano Cultural
Society of Pennsylvania as PRO; the Pan Asian Association of
Greater Philadelphia as Executive Director; the Pvt. Tomas
Claudio Post 1063,Veterans of Foreign Wars as Assistant
Adjutant; with the American Legion Post No. 945; Filipino War
Veterans, Inc. as Secretary-General; with the Asian American
Voters' Coalition; the Albert Einstein Hospice Medical Center; and
the Voice of Democrary VFW Dist. 1, Philadelphia County as
match his outstanding service contribution to the community of
Philadelphia in a relatively short time. By Providence, Fred's
journey to America was a result from a tragic incident in the family
which inspired him to serve the community. Arriving on April 11,
1987 to give much-needed physical and emotional support to a
terminally-ill daughter, then a registered nurse in Atlantic City, he
felt the need to reciprocate to the generosity, love and concern of
numerous people extended to her late daughter. He is one of
the few Filipinos serving as a volunteer hospice worker - now
caring for two terminally-ill patients. With boundless energy and
selfless dedication, he has served with meritorious services to
the following organizations: Filipino Executive Council of Greater
Philadelphia as Vice President; the Filipino American
Association of Philadelphia as Secretary; the Ilocano Cultural
Society of Pennsylvania as PRO; the Pan Asian Association of
Greater Philadelphia as Executive Director; the Pvt. Tomas
Claudio Post 1063,Veterans of Foreign Wars as Assistant
Adjutant; with the American Legion Post No. 945; Filipino War
Veterans, Inc. as Secretary-General; with the Asian American
Voters' Coalition; the Albert Einstein Hospice Medical Center; and
the Voice of Democrary VFW Dist. 1, Philadelphia County as
Chairman.
In recognition for his outstanding community services, he was given the following awards: Citation from the
City Council of Philadelphia; Certificate of Appreciation from the Filipino American Association of
Philadelphia; Certificate of Award from the Albert Einstein Hospice Medical Center; Certificate of Appreciation
from the Bureau of Census; Award for Outstanding Performance from Pvt. Tomas Claudio Post 1063, VFW;
and Award Citation from the VFW Voice of Democracy Program.
His involvement in youth development as Chairman of the VOD Program in Philadelphia County has produced
positive and fruitful results among thousands of high school students, where they are trained and taught to
write and speak for democracy.
As a World War II veteran and Secretary-General of the Filipino War Veterans which is the umbrella
organization of all Filipino WWII veterans' association in the mainland U.S. and in the Philippines, he played
an important role in lobbying for the approval by the U.S. Congress of the Immigration Act of 1990, which
included a provision for the naturalization of Filipino WW II veterans.
U.S. Congressman Lucien E. Blackwell of the 2nd Congressional District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
created political history last May 1992 in the East Coast when he appointed an Asian American in his staff. By
appointing Parawan, he honored the Filipino American community in particular. He duly recognized the
capabilities of Fred who is a respected community leader among the Asian American communities.
The most significant and rewarding achievements in his present job is the preparation in the development
and introduction of two bills by Congressman Blackwell. H.R. 2013, Creation of the Commisssion on Filipino
War Veterans Entitlement Act of 1993; and the H.R. 2429, Philippine Amerasian Children Act of 1993.
Very recently, he was pivotal in the arrangement of two separate congressional reception/briefing in the
Canon and Rayburn House Office Buildings, to encourage support, public awareness and enlist
co-sponsors for the two mentioned bills. As a follow-up to the reception, where several Filipino-American
organizations in the Metropolitan Washington area participated, two separate panels were organized to meet
with congressmen and their staff who are members of the Committee on Immigration and Judiciary, and
Committee on Veterans Affairs.
"I will always be proud of my friend, Fred Parawan. He is a big asset to the Filipinos in America," announced
Patrick "Pat" Ganio, a 1991 TOFA awardee and Fred's mentor, who strongly lobbied to include Fred in the
TOFA award this year.
Fred is a graduate from the University of the Philppines, Class '51. He attained his degree in Bachelor of
Science in Economics, majoring in Fisheries. He also completed a course in Wildlife and Forestry
Conservation fromInternational Course School. Taught agriculture in high school, and later became a
principal. Fred, was also a bank manager in the Philippines. In 1950, he was sent abroad as a
"pensionado" to study fisheries in the United States.
Married to the former Bella Lynda C. Relis of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, a BSE graduate of Silliman University in
Dumaguete City, the couple have nine children, all professionals: a lawyer, civil engineer, medical doctor,
army officers and four registered nurses and a homemaker.
In recognition for his outstanding community services, he was given the following awards: Citation from the
City Council of Philadelphia; Certificate of Appreciation from the Filipino American Association of
Philadelphia; Certificate of Award from the Albert Einstein Hospice Medical Center; Certificate of Appreciation
from the Bureau of Census; Award for Outstanding Performance from Pvt. Tomas Claudio Post 1063, VFW;
and Award Citation from the VFW Voice of Democracy Program.
His involvement in youth development as Chairman of the VOD Program in Philadelphia County has produced
positive and fruitful results among thousands of high school students, where they are trained and taught to
write and speak for democracy.
As a World War II veteran and Secretary-General of the Filipino War Veterans which is the umbrella
organization of all Filipino WWII veterans' association in the mainland U.S. and in the Philippines, he played
an important role in lobbying for the approval by the U.S. Congress of the Immigration Act of 1990, which
included a provision for the naturalization of Filipino WW II veterans.
U.S. Congressman Lucien E. Blackwell of the 2nd Congressional District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
created political history last May 1992 in the East Coast when he appointed an Asian American in his staff. By
appointing Parawan, he honored the Filipino American community in particular. He duly recognized the
capabilities of Fred who is a respected community leader among the Asian American communities.
The most significant and rewarding achievements in his present job is the preparation in the development
and introduction of two bills by Congressman Blackwell. H.R. 2013, Creation of the Commisssion on Filipino
War Veterans Entitlement Act of 1993; and the H.R. 2429, Philippine Amerasian Children Act of 1993.
Very recently, he was pivotal in the arrangement of two separate congressional reception/briefing in the
Canon and Rayburn House Office Buildings, to encourage support, public awareness and enlist
co-sponsors for the two mentioned bills. As a follow-up to the reception, where several Filipino-American
organizations in the Metropolitan Washington area participated, two separate panels were organized to meet
with congressmen and their staff who are members of the Committee on Immigration and Judiciary, and
Committee on Veterans Affairs.
"I will always be proud of my friend, Fred Parawan. He is a big asset to the Filipinos in America," announced
Patrick "Pat" Ganio, a 1991 TOFA awardee and Fred's mentor, who strongly lobbied to include Fred in the
TOFA award this year.
Fred is a graduate from the University of the Philppines, Class '51. He attained his degree in Bachelor of
Science in Economics, majoring in Fisheries. He also completed a course in Wildlife and Forestry
Conservation fromInternational Course School. Taught agriculture in high school, and later became a
principal. Fred, was also a bank manager in the Philippines. In 1950, he was sent abroad as a
"pensionado" to study fisheries in the United States.
Married to the former Bella Lynda C. Relis of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, a BSE graduate of Silliman University in
Dumaguete City, the couple have nine children, all professionals: a lawyer, civil engineer, medical doctor,
army officers and four registered nurses and a homemaker.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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