NaFFAA Sets Priorities for 2009; Redefines Role and Relationship with Affiliates
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“When NaFFAA was formed 11 years ago, the idea was not to create an umbrella organization but to
establish links among various autonomous national and local groups in order to harness our collective
strength,” National Chair Greg Macabenta reminded officers of 20 the National Federation of Filipino
American Associations during their planning meeting in Washington D.C. on November 22. ”As national
chair, I don’t consider myself as ‘the boss’ but the coordinator, integrator and facilitator so that we as Filipino
Americans can speak as one clear, powerful voice to government, business and the American mainstream.”
On November 23, 2008, the Embassy hosted the Awarding Ceremony for the recipients of the Dr. Jose Rizal
Youth Awards. Started in 1993, the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards is an annual project of the Philippine
Foundation for Charities, Inc. in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy.
Two months after NaFFAA elected its national executive officers during the 8th Empowerment Conference in
Seattle, Macabenta convened the board to set its priorities for 2009. “We want to hit the ground running,” he
said, citing as top priorities expanding the membership base, broadening advocacy in relation to key
community needs, achieving financial stability, providing institutionalized member/community services and
strengthening coalitions.
NaFFAA, he pointed out, was built on “the fundamental principles of autonomy, inclusiveness, synergy and
strategic coalitions. We need an attitudinal change about how we relate to other organizations so that they
see that being part of an alliance strengthens our collective interests.
“The first challenge that we all face as community workers and volunteers is to persuade the greater
number of our community to become more involved, and to care more about the issues that affect all of us in
the long-term. It is the short term impact that most see, which is one reason for not being involved.”
Macabenta also reiterated what he pledged after his election in Seattle: “We need to decentralize=2 0by
shifting the focus from the national to the regional arena where the grassroots activities are taking place.” To
this end, he proposed a revenue-sharing arrangement that allocates 80 percent of any monies raised to the
regional. The board unanimously approved this policy change.
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NaFFAA officers, community leaders and Phillippine Embassy officials pose for a group photo following the
conclusion of the organization's planning meeting in Washington DC on Nov. 22. Photo by Les Talusan
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Political Empowerment
Mindful of its core mission to empower Filipinos in America, the board moved decisively to form a political
action committee. “We have to be politically savvy and build an infrastructure that allows us to endorse
candidates for public office, raise funds and contribute to political campaigns,” Macabenta explained.”It’s
this ability that gives NaFFAA greater political clout. But to comply with IRS rules, this formal entity has to be
separate from NaFFAA organizationally.” A task force, headed by Region 1 (East Coast) Chair J.T. Mallonga,
resolved to submit a report by the end of December, for immediate implementation early next year. Nony
Abrajano, Regional Chair of Region 2 is a member of this task force.
On a similar note, the impressive voter turn out by Filipino Americans in the last presidential elections
prompted renewed support by NaFFAA to an on-going voter education and mobilization program. Gloria
Caoile, FilVote co-chair, cited successful voter registration drives this year in Nevada, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania and Florida. Fi lipino young professionals, led by former NaFFAA National Youth Chair
Dex ter Ligot-Gordon, offered to share lessons from the Filipinos for Obama campaign, notably its field
program in building a data base to raise money and mobilize electorally. Now called FilAmVote, this national
non-partisan voter program is now headed by Merit Salud, a Democrat from New York, and Emraida Kiram,
a Republican from Wisconsin. Gordon heads up FilAmVote’s youth component.
Noting that the 2010 Census will soon be underway, Macabenta alerted NaFFAA officers to be actively
engaged and ensure that Filipinos are not undercounted. “We are now 4 million strong in the U.S. today,” he
said. “It’s critical that we are accurately counted so that underserved sectors in our community are properly
recognized.”
Coalition Building
Macabenta reported to the board that NaFFAA recently re-joined the Greenlining Coalition, an alliance of over
50 mainstream organizations committed to social justice issues. “The basic ideology that unifies the
coalition is the understanding that increasing the size of the pie for all communities makes more sense
than fighting for crumbs,” he noted. One program, co-sponsored recently by San Diego-based Mabuhay
Alliance and NaFFAA, is foreclosure prevention training. “Being part of this coalition enables us not only to
pursue economic advocacy issues but to also avail of Community Reinvestment Act funds,” Macabenta said.
Ben de Guzman , newly-appointed NaFFAA permanent representative to the National Council of Asian
Pacific Americans (NCAPA), emphasized the importance of “being at the table” with coalition partners, such
as the Asian American Justice Center and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, particularly in
influencing public policy. He cited advocacy for Filipino Veterans equity and immigration reform as
examples. “We wouldn’t have achieved significant gains in Congress without the support of these
established civil rights organizations.”
DeGuzman, who is also national coordinator for the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE),
credited coalition partners in the Asian Pacific American community for their valuable assistance in enlisting
congressional co-sponsors for the equity bill. “When we re-launch our campaign next year, we will be in a
stronger position because of the relationships we have built with these highly-respected civil rights groups.”
Leadership Development
Looking towards the immediate future, the board affirmed its commitment to training youth and young
professionals. Matteo Fernandez, a youth leader from Los Angeles, pointed out the need to provide a
structure for young professionals. “Many of them are well-positioned in corporations and they can direct us
to much-needed resources to fund our programs,” he explained.
9 CNaFFAA is definitely not lacking in people with the skill, talent, resources , commitment and dedication
required for national leadership,” Macabenta said. “All they need are more opportunities to display these
qualities. It is incumbent on the national leadership to get them more involved in national affairs.”
Hosting the planning meeting, which was attended by more than 50 board members, observers and
community leaders from NaFFAA’s 12 regions, was Capital Region officers led by Nony Abrajano, Maurese
Owens, Gloria Caoile and Bing Branigin. The Philippine Embassy offered the use of its facilities for a Friday
evening reception and the all-day Saturday meeting.
“The synergy of these leaders who gathered this weekend to get NaFFAA moving forward is wonderful,” said
NaFFAA National Vice Chair Rozita Lee. “The spirit of ‘Yes, We Can’ is very encouraging.”
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