Dearest sisters and brothers,

Think.

S.1315 - The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act - (correction: not H.R. 760) has passed overwhelmingly in the Senate of the United States (96-1) and has yet to be called for a vote in the House of Representatives.

In this crucial point in history, we must remember that in 1941 our Filipino veterans were called to fight side by side with U.S. troops during World War II. To this day, 67 years later, our Filipino veterans still have not received the benefits and equity promised to them that they rightfully and justly deserve.

Congress convenes for a month long recess on July 31 to return to session on September 8. We MUST make sure that the bill is called for a vote on the floor BEFORE JULY 31 or else the momentum for passing (particularly before the presidential election) will be significantly diminished.

Together, by calling our respective Congresspeople, we can help S.1315 pass in the House of Representatives.

Act.

Have faith that your call CAN and WILL make a difference politically and that it will not go unheard by following these FIVE easy steps:

1) Type your zip code in the following link (including the +4 additional digits if you know them):
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

2) Call the phone number of your Representative's Washington DC office.

3) Introduction: "Hi can I speak to your legislative aide who handles veterans affairs?"

4) Speak to the staff member or leave a message stating: "Hi I'm calling because I would like Congressman ___________ to support S.1315 - The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act, I'm a constituent of the Congressman's district."

5) BUT, that's not all. Ask them, "Now would you be able to confirm for me the Congressman's stance on the Fil Vets bill?

It is that simple.

Reflect.

Think of the power and change that you have just made in making ONE SIMPLE PHONE CALL, practicing your innate and fundamental democratic right, and more importantly utilizing the most significant tool for change: your voice.

Now calculate all those seconds you spent yelling chants in protest at the top of your lungs; the minutes of tears that you shed hearing the tragic stories of our veterans; the hours of all the meetings, forums, rallies, protests, and community events you have attended; and MULTIPLY that by all of the YEARS that our Filipino veterans have gone and STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE EQUITY THEY DESERVE.

Turn that frustration, that anger and that PASSION into POLITICAL ACTION.

PLEASE, for the sake of our veterans, MAKE THAT CALL.

Isang bagsak,

Jason Tengco
Advocate for Justice for Filipino American Veterans

A CALL TO ACTION:

July 20, 2008

Dear friends, comrades and all activists:
Militant and a determined greetings!

The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, students, youth and community advocates calls on all Filipinos, Filipino Americans and allies to write to Speaker of the House Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and 245 congresspersons to discuss and pass the equity bill, S.1315 pending before the lower house of the US Congress, NOW!

Last July 18 and 19, during the emergency conference of the JFAV, Filipino veterans groups like PAVA-SC, SGS and UFAV with the Washington ACFV we decided to ask for a vote on the HR 760 on the floor of the US Congress. This is after a long wait and the promise of Speaker Pelosi that " if we got 290 votes she will put the bill on the floor." We feel that at most we have 220 votes to pass the bill. Waiting for 290 will just delay the bill to eternity.

For four times, Congressman Bob Filner and Pelosi promised to pass the bill for the last two years to no avail.

Please e-mail, write them letters, and call or fax their offices for them to act on the bill ASAP. The US Congress is ending its session by August 31. Remember it's election time this year. Do let not the elections sidetrack our advocacy for our veterans.

On the 67th anniversary of the conscription of the Filipinos into the USAFFE, let's make our voices be heard!

JUSTICE AND EQUITY NOW!
KUNG HINDI NGAYON, KAILAN PA!

For the Justice for the Filipino Americans (JFAV)
Mang Peping Baclig and Arturo Garcia, coordinators
and the JFAV Steering Commitee

JFAV Community Forum on Veterans Equity
Friday, July 25, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
At the SIPA Community Room
3200 W. Temple St. (Corner of Dillion St/Robinson St)
Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, CA 90026

SamaHANGout with us this summer! Drop by the Samahang Pilipino table at the UCLA Freshman and Transfer Orientations and say hello! You can usually catch us around Bruin Walk or on the Ackerman Union patio (during the Freshman Orientations only). Learn more about the organization, meet some of the members, sign up for a SPEAR counselor and more!

Upcoming orientation sessions: Freshman 104 (7/23), Transfer 204 (7/28), Freshman 105 (7/29), Transfer 205 (8/1), Freshman 106 (8/4), Transfer 206 (8/7), Freshman 107 (8/10), Freshman 108 (8/13), Transfer 207 (8/18), Freshman 109 (8/19), Freshman 110 (8/24), Freshman 111 (8/27)

Thanks to those of you who stopped by our table during Orientation Session 102! It was great meeting all of you. Please add us on Facebook and sign up for our mailing list to stay updated on news and upcoming events for the summer and the school year.




Shout out to Justin for dropping by at Orientation 102!

Congratulations to our new board for the upcoming school year!


Photo credit: Misha Tsukerman

Samahang Pilipino Executive Board 2008-2009
President - Emily Bautista
Internal Vice President - Rose Lyn Castro
External Vice President - Jason Tengco
Administrative Coordinator - Sai-Han Ackerman
Financial Coordinator - Matthew Uy
Outreach Coordinator - Mark Jimenez
Retention Coordinator - Lorali Delos Reyes
Education Coordinator - Michael De Vera
SPCN Coordinator - Kimi Gutierrez
Cultural Coordinator - Abigail Faelnar
Community Projects Coordinator - Anna Sterling
Activities Coordinator - John Christian "JC" De Vera
Pinays Coordinator - Honeylette Barros
Kabalikat Coordinator - Roger Reyes
Youth Component Co-Coordinator - Katrina Dela Cruz
Youth Component Co-Coordinator - Chester Abadilla
Asian Pacific Coalition Representative - Frances Borgona

Get to know your new board! Contact us here.

Youth Component Coordinator & Asian Pacific Coalition Representative Application

Still want to be a part of Board for the upcoming school year?

Samahang Pilipino Executive Board is in search for dedicated individuals who are willing to contribute and grow in SP leadership. There are two appointed positions (process by application and interview) that are still open. They are:

I. APC (Asian Pacific Coalition) Representative
- Attend all APC board LDRT (Leadership Round Table) meetings, retreats, and programs
- Participate in at least one APC committee
- Ensure that Samahang Pilipino's voice is represented in the API community
- Advocate for the issues of the Pilipino community
- Work closely with the External Vice President to increase and strengthen the visibility of Samahang Pilipino in APC and the API community.
- Facilitate the campaigns of Samahang Pilipino in APC and vice versa
- Work with other APC orgs to create bonds and unify the API community
- Must attend all Samahang Pilipino Board Meetings, programs, and retreats
- Introduce APC and increase the involvement of the general membership in APC
- 2-quarter term (summer/fall, winter/spring)

II. Youth Component Coordinator
- Meet with other student leaders on the UCLA campus
- Plans growth and holistic development of students
- Must prepare to be involved with youth organizing in the Los Angeles community
- Meet with other community resources to further development
- Meet with other Pilipino advocacy groups (PCORE, PCH, PWC, etc.)
- Must attend all Samahang Pilipino programming and retreats
- Must attend Samahang Pilipino Board Meetings
- Some knowledge of grass roots organizing, Pilipino issues and ideals
- 2-quarter term (summer/fall, winter/spring)

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these two positions, please feel free to contact the following people for more information:

Anna Sterling, Outgoing Youth Component Coordinator
amarie.sterling@gmail.com

or

Michael de Vera, Outgoing Asian Pacific Coalition Representative
apcrep@samahang.org

In the interest of being sustainable, please fill out the application and submit it electronically as an e-mail attachment to president@samahang.org by Friday, June 20, 2008, 11:59PM. Interviews will take place on Saturday, June 21 via phone conference.

Download the application (.doc) here.


Peace!
Samahang Pilipino Board

The application has been extended, so it's not too late to perform! Applications for performances may be downloaded here: Barangay Talent Show Application. Please e-mail completed applications to BarangayUCLA@gmail.com.

Just like the year began with Pilipino Welcome Reception, the Pilipino organizations at UCLA have been invited to celebrate the end of the year with Barangay Talent Show!

* Kappa Psi Epsilon
* PCH
* PIE
* PREP
* PTSP
* Samahang Pilipino (SPEAR and SPACE)
* Samahang Modern
* TDB
* Tinig
* Zeta Phi Rho

Barangay Talent Show is a collective and creative space for all Pilipino organizations on campus to express their talents through song, spoken word, dance, random Pilipino karaoke, or whatever 'cause everyone knows we got it like that!

Samahang Modern will not be able to attend due to a dance competition Friday night at Florentine Gardens, so let's continue the Barangay support and bring the after party to Battle Royale 2008!

President

Rose Lyn Castro

Greetings brothers and sisters! Being a Samahang Pilipino general member for three years and part of leadership for two, I have grown in my love for this organization and for our community as a whole. With this love, I want to work towards Samahang Pilipino’s growth as president by pushing for better representation of the Pilipin@/Pilipin@ American community on and off campus through accountability and advocacy for our needs as Pilipin@/Pilipin@ Americans.

Accountability

- On-campus Pilipino Community Collectives: spaces for Pilipino students on campus, including the different Pilipino organizations, to discuss issues faced by our community and means of addressing them

- Off-campus Community: “General Meeting” putting us directly in the community, working with community organizations and members, including the youth

- To the projects: conduct social investigation and implement board training in summer in order to create our vision and plans for the year as a board, and thus provide projects with more direction

Advocacy

- Community Organizing Training: Summer, training for leadership to better prepare for taking action during the year; during the year, training for general membership to increase spaces for general membership involvement

- Working with USAC to push for our issues (i.e. Access & Admissions, Campaign for Pilipino Studies & Diversity Requirement; Lobbying to lower student fees)

Thank you for taking the time to prepare for elections by reading my statement. These are just a few of my ideas, so please feel free to address any questions or concerns with me. See you at elections!

Emily Bautista

My dream for Samahang Pilipino (SP) is to provide a space for Pilipin@s/Pilipin@ Americans/Pin@ys to develop a sense of family in an environment that fosters cultural awareness, leadership development, Pilipino unity, and a strong sense of cross-community engagement through education and community organizing. As president, I, Emily Bautista, plan to address the following issues accordingly:

1. Cultural Development
1. Bi-weekly general meetings (GMs)
2. have more diverse forms of GMs
3. Co-program w/facilitators outside of SP leadership
4. Create an All-SP calendar encompassing ALL events from SP Board, SPEAR, & SPACE to be more purposeful in addressing the SP’s goals
2. Leadership Development
1. More all-leadership spaces
2. Develop clear objectives & ways to participate in SP committees
3. Implement an All-SP internship that opens participation in SPEAR, SPACE, SP Board, Community-Based Organizations, & USAC
3. Pilipino Unity
1. Develop SP liaison relationships w/other Pilipino organizations (P-orgs) on campus
2. Create a quarterly calendar that includes all P-org events
4. Cross-Community Engagement
1. More opportunities for cross-community interaction
2. Build political awareness on the Campaign for Pilipino Studies & Pilipino-specific immigration issues (e.g. DREAM Act)
3. Create proposal for the construction of a central Cultural Center building for communities of color

Experience:

• SPEAR Staff Assistant (W06)
• SPEAR Volunteer Staff (S06)
• SPEAR Administrative Assistant & Co-Internship Coordinator (2006-2007)
• Samahang Pilipino Retention Coordinator (2007-2008)
• Campus Retention Committee (2007-2008)
• Retention & Development Subcommittee Chair
• Training Subcommittee Chair
• External Subcommittee member

External Vice President

Jason Tengco

My vision as EVP is a unified and supportive Pilipino community that works diplomatically with other organizations in order to create widespread and collective social change.

Therefore, my mission as EVP is threefold: to establish a sense of coalition from already established relations with on and off-campus groups, to improve the external visibility of Samahang as a flagship organization, and to address the lack of personal politicization amongst general members.

Constitutional Goals/Objectives

1. Representation in Standing Coalition Spaces

• SCPASA (Southern California Pilipino American Student Association)
• Increasing visibility and purpose of SCPASA as a mobilizing force
• ie SCPASA Annual Summit
• This year’s theme for the summit is Education, so utilizing the coalition space for support and awareness of Campaign for Pilipino Studies (CPS)

2. Work with USAC Sponsored Groups as a Politicizing Tool

• EVP as a Political Role
• Political Committee as a Tool for Direct Action
• Politicization of general membership, particularly within crucial Presidential election year
• USAC EVP Office
• Allowing general members to know their resources with conferences hosted by EVP office
• ie Lobby Con and Leg Con

3. Facilitate Collaboration with Other Pilipino Organizations on Campus

• Barangay ng UCLA
• Advancing the sense of unity and support through this collective space with leaders from all ten Pilipino organizations
• To develop a unified plan of action for the year that complements rather than impedes or overlaps with each organization

Education Coordinator

Michael De Vera

As Education Coordinator, I will promote the individual and collective growth through culturally relevant education by:

1) Advocating on behalf of Filipino studies for a stronger representation within the curriculum of higher education through the Campaign for Pilipino Studies.

2) Restructuring the internship program into an action-oriented experience that exposes individuals issues larger than the campus.

3) Actively reaching out to the transfer student population to create a more all-encompassing representation of the Pilipino community within the UCLA campus.

Outreach Coordinator

Mark Jimenez

SPACE

1. Establish a pilot site by the end of my term.
1. Work has already begun this quarter with Samahang’s new site subcommittee. A lot of research has been done on schools in the surrounding area. Currently, information is being compiled so that Samahang Pilipino can begin deciding the direction of the SPACE Project.
2. Continue maintaining CBO relationships for SPACE.
1. This year, relationships with PCORE and SIPA have already been happening. I would like see Samahang further these relationships for our organization and the project.
3. Revise Samahang Pilipino’s investment plan for SPACE.
1. As OC, I would like to further the development of this investment plan realistically using the information SPACE has accumulated over the years.

Samahang Pilipino

1. Strengthening the relationship between the SPACE project and the Mother Organization.
1. This year, I’ve been a complete advocate for the strong M.O. support for both projects. Next year, summer will be vital in setting this expectation for the year.
2. Continuing to engage others about the issue of Access for the Pilipino community.
1. I will continue my efforts from this year in developing a stronger awareness and understanding of the Access issues the Pilipino community faces.

SIAC

1. Follow through with 5-year plans with other OC/AC.
2. Run for SIAC Chair.

Community Projects Coordinator

Anna Sterling

Platform: Accountability, Consciousness, Action

Issue: As UCLA students, we often times get trapped in our campus bubble—especially a Samahang Pilipino one. I plan on addressing this issue by raising consciousness on the issues that warrant community involvement, keeping Samahang and its constituency accountable to this community we claim to advocate on behalf of and providing opportunities for action.

Solution:

- I will focus on a specific issue (ie: JFAV, immigration reform, labor issues, women's issues, etc) affecting the community for the quarter/year and have programming/teach-in's leading up to a direct action in which all can be involved. This will include creating spaces for education and dialogue to acquaint Samahang Pilipino's general members and leaders on community issues and thus, heighten investment and accountability to the community.

- I will utilize Community Committee as a tool to develop critical consciousness and mobilize general membership.

- I will have continual communication with leaders from Pilipino community-based organizations such as SIPA, PWC, and GABnet to streamline Samahang Pilipino's community efforts with their work as well.

- I will develop relations with other community-based/social justice organizations on campus such as Coalition for Peace, Students for a Democratic Society, E3 and so forth to expose Samahang Pilipino to other organizations committed to the broader social justice movement. Through this coalition-building, Samahang members will gain a better understanding of Samahang Pilipino's work and its larger role in the community. In doing so, I also hope to raise Samahang Pilipino back to its status as a strong progressive force at UCLA.

Activities Coordinator

John Christian De Vera

Vision:
- As Activities Coordinator, I want to continue that social space that Samahang Pilipino was first founded on. I would like to further Samahang's vision of creating a unified Pilipin@-American community, as well as instilling that sense of family that embodies Pilipin@ culture.
Mission:
- To create that social space where people can interact with each other, find their commonalities, and create that sense of family within the organization through various types of programming (socials, parties, competitions, etc.) Once everyone establishes that personal connection with each other, then we'll be able to look past the commonalities, realize struggles, and thus promote the progressive social change that encompasses the other aspects of Samahang Pilipino.
Platforms:
- Create various socials (after-GM activities, club parties) that allow the general membership to interact with each other and establish that common ground.
- Outreach and work with other on-campus organizations to co-program activities (club parties, etc) in order to establish working-relationships that would help make the organization be more visible.
- Work in close collaboration with the OSA Mentorship Coordinator to effectively co-program activities that target new and incoming students.
- For the Summer/Fall term, get a head start on Friendship Games to bring the SPUF trophy to UCLA. Plan an effective Welcome Reception to recruit new general members. Plan summer hangouts to continue the social interactions outside of school.
- Utilize the Social Committee space to foster the development of future Samahang leaders.

Statements deadlines have been extended to Wednesday 11:59pm. Please email to president@samahang.org. If you submitted one already you may revise your statements as necessary. All other stipulations are the same as below.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Samahang Pilipino Board nominations are still open and any additional nominations can be made and seconded by emailing these nominations to president@samahang.org. New nominees will be updated to the Samahang Pilipino website, www.samahang.org. Once seconded, the nominee will be informed of the nomination via email.

Additionally, in the spirit of seeking out and finding the best pool of nominees for Samahang Pilipino Board, we, the current Samahang Pilipino Board members want to provide all nominees with the option of publishing their qualifications, experience, and platforms or ideas to the general membership before elections occur at the Samahang Pilipino general meeting on Friday, May 23. This information must be no more than 250 words, but can be formatted in any way.This process is optional but highly recommended for both you, the nominee, to prepare yourself for running for Samahang Pilipino Board and for the general membership to have a better understanding of where the nominees are coming from and what the nominees have to offer. We feel this process will help general membership in making educated decisions as to who will serve the organization the best, in light of the needs of the Pilipin@ students in UCLA and in the community.

Any and all information can be published by sending this information to Nick de Ocampo at president@samahang.org by Wednesday May, 22 at 11:59PM. This will be made available to people on the website and pamphlets printed out for general membership to look over during the elections general meeting. Because of this deadline, we strongly encourage nominations to be submitted via email as soon as possible so nominees have time to write their information and send it by the deadline.

Thank you for your time, I hope this option provides you with something concrete to think about as you prepare for Samahang Pilipino Board elections. Please do not hesitate to ask any of the current Samahang Pilipino Board members at @samahang.org (e.g. president@samahang.org or ivp@samahang.org).

Again, please send your 250 word synopsis to president@samahang.org before Wednesday, May 22, 11:59PM. Maraming salamat!

In solidarity,

Samahang Pilipino Board

View nominations for the 2008-2009 Executive Board here.