| Ferdinand "Ferdi" C. Rodriguez Owings Mills, Maryland Fil-Am National Leader • Founder of Worthy Organizations |
Since arriving in the United States in the United States in 1966,
Ferdi Roderiguez has been an active participant in most of the
activities of the Filipino community in Maryland and the Filipino
professional community in the United States.
Starting with the Katipunan-Filipino American Association of
Maryland as one of the founding members, he proposed the
name Katipunan at its first meeting to signify a group of Filipinos
with common interest. He started the first Katipunan Record
newsletter and became the second president of the organization
for two years. He also started the now annual Filipino-American
Friendship Week festivities to celebrate Filipino culture and
traditions with our Americn friends.
In 1972, he headed a group of Filipino doctors in Maryland who
were unable to obtain a licenese because of the then requirement
for a "green card" in order to be eligible. At that time, most Filipino
physicians were in voluntary departure status because of
non-availability of a permanent resident number. After hiring a
lwayer and petitioning the State Board of Examiners to chenge
this requirement, they were rebuffed initially, but by threatening to
sue the Board, were able to change the requirement to an affidavit
Ferdi Roderiguez has been an active participant in most of the
activities of the Filipino community in Maryland and the Filipino
professional community in the United States.
Starting with the Katipunan-Filipino American Association of
Maryland as one of the founding members, he proposed the
name Katipunan at its first meeting to signify a group of Filipinos
with common interest. He started the first Katipunan Record
newsletter and became the second president of the organization
for two years. He also started the now annual Filipino-American
Friendship Week festivities to celebrate Filipino culture and
traditions with our Americn friends.
In 1972, he headed a group of Filipino doctors in Maryland who
were unable to obtain a licenese because of the then requirement
for a "green card" in order to be eligible. At that time, most Filipino
physicians were in voluntary departure status because of
non-availability of a permanent resident number. After hiring a
lwayer and petitioning the State Board of Examiners to chenge
this requirement, they were rebuffed initially, but by threatening to
sue the Board, were able to change the requirement to an affidavit
of intention to stay instead of a "green card." This enabled most of the Maryland Filipino physicians to take the
Maryland board or ask for reciprocity.
Ferdi helped organize the first University of the Philippine (UP) Alumni Association of Maryland in 1979. He
subsequently became the president in 1981-83. As a member and president, organized the two concerts
presented by the UP Conecrt Chorus during those years. In 1982, he helped then U.P. President Edgardo
Angara to raise funds in the Baltimore-Washington araea for the Friends of UP Foundation. With several
fundraisers, thousands of dollars were donated and Maryland was the second largest contributor state to that
foundation.
In 1984, the pnset of Filipino opposition to the Marcos regime, he assisted Emmanuel Soriano, a former UP
president and one of the principal leaders of the opposition, to try to rally Maryalnd Filipinos to help them in
their quest for freedom.
In 1989, he organized the first Maryland concert of the Madrigal Singers from UP. With two concerts, one at
the National Aquarium Auditorium and another at Towson State Hall thousands of dollars were raised for the
projects of the FAPI.
He has served as PRO (public relations officer) of the Association of Philippine Physicians of Maryland APPM
for two years and vice president for two years. He was elected president of APPM and successfully served
from 1991 to 1993. He was also pne of the founders of the Pinoy Gold Association of Maryland and served as
president from 1989 to 1993. During this time time, he was a the House of Delegates of the Association of
Philippine Physicians in America (APPA), the largest and most influential Filipino professional organization in
North America.
In 1989, Ferdi spearheaded forming the Filipino Choral Ensemble of Maryland, an all-male chorale group of
mostly Filipino doctors. The group presented two concerts in Maryland and were successful in raising funds
for various humanitarian projects and worthy organizations.
It was during Ferdi's presidency of the Association of Philippine Physicians in Maryland, that the awesome
responsiblities and tasks of overall chairman for APPA's 23rd Annual National Convention held in Baltimore
were assigned to him. With thousands APPA's officers, members, relatives and friends enticed to attend the
Convention, Ferdi's leadership and management as well as organizational skills were put in to test.
Occupying the entire magnificient and elegant Stouffer Inner Harbour Hotel Resort fronting the famous
Baltimore's man-made harbour, the results of the APPA 23rd Annual Convention were not only highly
siccessful, but as well as rpofitable to the Association.
"Ferdi did a terrific job as overall chairperson. I am very pleased and thankful for all of his efforts. All
committee chairpersons and their members were marvelous fantastic in working together and producing one
of the most successful conventions," stated APPA's 1993 President Boy Vijungco of Missouri.
In the 1993 Convention, he was elected to serve as a member of the APPA Board of Governors for two terms.
Since then, Ferdi has been instrumental in passing several reform resolutions, more specially those items
related to the national elections of the Association.
The following year, the new APPA President, Dr. Stella Salgado Evangelista, appointed Ferdi to the powerful
and influential position as Executive Director - her right-handman in running APPA. Together with the
president, they were able to accomplish several worthy humanitarian projects, and successully introduced
needed reforms for APPA. That same year, Ferdi was elected vice president of the UP Medical Associaiton of
Maryland-washington chapter.
Ferdi is married to a very charming and amiable lady, the former Cora D. Poblador of Bacolod City. They have
two chidren: Jon, 16, who is entering as a junior in high school, and Gailm 18, a sophomore in college.
Maryland board or ask for reciprocity.
Ferdi helped organize the first University of the Philippine (UP) Alumni Association of Maryland in 1979. He
subsequently became the president in 1981-83. As a member and president, organized the two concerts
presented by the UP Conecrt Chorus during those years. In 1982, he helped then U.P. President Edgardo
Angara to raise funds in the Baltimore-Washington araea for the Friends of UP Foundation. With several
fundraisers, thousands of dollars were donated and Maryland was the second largest contributor state to that
foundation.
In 1984, the pnset of Filipino opposition to the Marcos regime, he assisted Emmanuel Soriano, a former UP
president and one of the principal leaders of the opposition, to try to rally Maryalnd Filipinos to help them in
their quest for freedom.
In 1989, he organized the first Maryland concert of the Madrigal Singers from UP. With two concerts, one at
the National Aquarium Auditorium and another at Towson State Hall thousands of dollars were raised for the
projects of the FAPI.
He has served as PRO (public relations officer) of the Association of Philippine Physicians of Maryland APPM
for two years and vice president for two years. He was elected president of APPM and successfully served
from 1991 to 1993. He was also pne of the founders of the Pinoy Gold Association of Maryland and served as
president from 1989 to 1993. During this time time, he was a the House of Delegates of the Association of
Philippine Physicians in America (APPA), the largest and most influential Filipino professional organization in
North America.
In 1989, Ferdi spearheaded forming the Filipino Choral Ensemble of Maryland, an all-male chorale group of
mostly Filipino doctors. The group presented two concerts in Maryland and were successful in raising funds
for various humanitarian projects and worthy organizations.
It was during Ferdi's presidency of the Association of Philippine Physicians in Maryland, that the awesome
responsiblities and tasks of overall chairman for APPA's 23rd Annual National Convention held in Baltimore
were assigned to him. With thousands APPA's officers, members, relatives and friends enticed to attend the
Convention, Ferdi's leadership and management as well as organizational skills were put in to test.
Occupying the entire magnificient and elegant Stouffer Inner Harbour Hotel Resort fronting the famous
Baltimore's man-made harbour, the results of the APPA 23rd Annual Convention were not only highly
siccessful, but as well as rpofitable to the Association.
"Ferdi did a terrific job as overall chairperson. I am very pleased and thankful for all of his efforts. All
committee chairpersons and their members were marvelous fantastic in working together and producing one
of the most successful conventions," stated APPA's 1993 President Boy Vijungco of Missouri.
In the 1993 Convention, he was elected to serve as a member of the APPA Board of Governors for two terms.
Since then, Ferdi has been instrumental in passing several reform resolutions, more specially those items
related to the national elections of the Association.
The following year, the new APPA President, Dr. Stella Salgado Evangelista, appointed Ferdi to the powerful
and influential position as Executive Director - her right-handman in running APPA. Together with the
president, they were able to accomplish several worthy humanitarian projects, and successully introduced
needed reforms for APPA. That same year, Ferdi was elected vice president of the UP Medical Associaiton of
Maryland-washington chapter.
Ferdi is married to a very charming and amiable lady, the former Cora D. Poblador of Bacolod City. They have
two chidren: Jon, 16, who is entering as a junior in high school, and Gailm 18, a sophomore in college.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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