REAL-LIFE "SISTER STELLA L" JOINS FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NYC FOR THE REAL-LIFE SONA

To view more pictures from this action, visit:http://s382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/jonnabaldres/SONA%20in%20NY%202009%20-%2027%20July%202009/

REAL-LIFE "SISTER STELLA L" JOINS FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NYC FOR THE REAL-LIFE SONA

New York, NY-- Nearly a day after watching Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's deliverance of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Manila, Filipinos in New York, unconvinced by Arroyo's speech, gathered for a in-door forum to discuss "the REAL State of the Nation Address" (SONA) at the BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center followed by an outdoor march along Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside, Queens. Amongst the special guest speakers at the forum was none other than the real-life inspiration for the 1984 Filipino film "Sister Stella L" featuring actress Vilma Santos-- Mother Mary John Mananzan.

GABRIELA

Aside from serving as the Chairperson for the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), Mananzan has the distinguished title of Chairperson Emeritus of GABRIELA Philippines, the largest federation of women's organizations in the country working for fundamental economic and social reforms.

While in New York, Mananzan was happy to be joined by fellow members of Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), one of only a handful of Filipino women's organizations in the US that are also members of GABRIELA-USA.

THE REAL S.O.N.A.

At the forefront of the topics discussed was the case of Melissa Roxas, an US citizen abducted and tortured in the Philippines last May, and its implications of the overall human rights situation in the country. A presentation on the Justice for Melissa Roxas Campaign was delivered.

"If you say the Philippines is a country full of poverty, hunger, joblessness, and landlessness, then you already know more about the real state of the Philippines than Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," stated Bernadette Ellorin, Chair of BAYAN USA.

Also discussed were the concrete dangers to the Arroyo government's proposed changes to provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, more popularly referred to as Charter Change, or Cha-Cha, delivered by Rico Foz, Executive Vice President of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns or NAFCON.

The final presentation came from Mananzan, who spoke candidly of the actual social and political climate in the Philippines under Arroyo, with emphasis on gross cases of the Arroyo administration's corruption. She spoke of the billions of dollars being pocketed by a few rich, powerful families in the Philippines that could literally resolve the poverty epidemic in the country.

"I've never cursed in my life. Gloria is the first president to make me curse on stage," Mananzan quipped.

"And to think she is a woman! We should expel her from the womankind."
After a Q & A session with Mananzan, participants walked outside for a march with banners and signs reading "Justice for Melissa Roxas" and "No to Con-Ass/No to Cha-Cha" around the Filipino business district along Roosevelt Avenue.

TRANSFORMERS

Not too far away, a street theater play with "DeceptiCON-ASS" and "Filipinus Prime", a creative take on the popular Transformers movies, was taking place at nearby Krystal's Cafe.
After a scene in which Filipino Prime successfully beats DeceptiCON-ASS with the help of the marchers chanting "Cha-Cha ni Gloria, Ibasura!" (Junk Gloria's Cha-Cha!) and "Justice for Melissa Roxas!", representatives from the Filipino community, including FiRE, GABRIELA USA, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Anakbayan NY/NJ, SANDIWA National Filipino-American Youth Alliance, League of Filipino Students, NAFCON, and BAYAN USA, each spoke about why the Arroyo version of SONA is full of dishonesty and what the real situation in the Philippines is.

OBAMA-ARROYO MEETING

Ending the rally was a call to go to Washington DC for the upcoming meeting between President Barack Obama and Arroyo this Thursday. Several from the contingent agreed to travel to Washington DC to join in the activities scheduled there, including a prayer vigil in front of the White House.

It is expected that Arroyo making the trip to Washington DC with intentions to win Obama's support for Cha-Cha, as well as request for more economic aid for the Philippine government and military, including the long-term stationing of US troops throughout the Philippines and the re-establishment of permanent US military bases in the country.
Community members called on Obama to be remember his words spoken in his inaugural speech-- particularly about "those who cling to power through corruption and deceit, and the silencing of dissent..."-- by raising the issue of Melissa Roxas, the gross human rights track record of the Arroyo government, and the culpability of the Philippine military, with Arroyo herself. ###

FILIPINO YOUTH PREPARE FOR ARROYO'S FINAL SONA SPEECH WITH PROTEST IN JERSEY CITY

*FILIPINO YOUTH PREPARE FOR ARROYO'S FINAL SONA SPEECH WITH PROTEST IN
JERSEY CITY*

JERSEY CITY, NJ-- Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey, a Filipino youth
organization, joined by allied organizations under the National Alliance for
Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), held a silent protest last Saturday along Five
Corners in Jersey City. The action was meant to be a build-up for the
upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech to be delivered by
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this coming Monday, July 27th.

They stood side by side, wearing black shirts and sandwich boards saying:
“Justice for Melissa Roxas!” and “No to US tax dollars for Philippine Death
squads!” This, they said, is symbolic of what the state of human rights in
the Philippines has become under Arroyo.

“Ever since Arroyo came to power, numerous repressive policies and brutal
counter insurgency campaigns were put in to place. The state of human rights
can be easily but horribly summed up by just looking at the increasing body
count of the dead and the posted pictures of the disappeared”, said Yves
Nibungco, Deputy Secretary-General of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey.

Nibungco expects Arroyo will deliver her speech on Monday, highlighting her
achievements and her vision for the future of our country. But young
activists doubt it.

“For the past nine years, what we heard are just litanies of lies. With
regards to human rights, there is nothing but a long trail of blood. In her
last year, we call on our kababayans here in the US and around the world to
be vigilant and ensure that this will be the end of Arroyo’s days in power,”
said Mr. Nibungco.

The youth organization also called attention to the scheduled Obama-Arroyo’s
meeting in Washington DC this July 30th. They demanded Melissa Roxas’ case
be put into the agenda. Mr. Nibungco continued, “Obama should stay true to
his word that he is for human rights. We demand that he put a hold on all US
military aid to the Philippines and that the Arroyo regime to cooperate with
ongoing and future investigations on Melissa Roxas’ case and other human
rights issues.”

The Philippines has been one of the biggest recipient of US military aid
since after the 9/11 attacks. In 2003 the Philippines, since it was also
considered as the second front on the US war on Terror. The Philippines
received $114M of military aid from the US, $164M in 2005 and $162M last
year. This is amidst America’s shrinking economy and decline in social
services due to budget cuts.

“We will continue to do this and launch more protest actions as long as
there dissent is being suppressed and that an illegitimate government
continues to exist. Our message to Ms. Arroyo is that they can never silence
the oppressed but definitely, her days are numbered," concluded Nibungco.

Anakbayan NY/NJ, along with several other Filipino organizations, is
sponsoring a community forum entitled "The Real State of the Nation Address"
in Queens on Monday, July 27, at 6pm. It will be held at the BAYANIHAN
Filipino Community Center, located on 40-21 69th Street off Roosevelt Avenue
in Woodside. For more information, email anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com ###

Filipino Youth Group Joins Health Care Workers in Struggle for Justice

July 9, 2009

Union City, NJ- Progressive Filipino youth group in Jersey city, joins health care workers rally for better wages and benefits at Castle Hill Nursing Home last July 8, 2009.

While carrying banners and placards, members of Filipino youth group Anakbayan and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) gave solidarity messages to protesting workers by joining their picket last Wednesday in front of a nursing home, wherein a significant number of workers are Filipinos.

“As sons and daughters of immigrant and health care workers ourselves, we know how it feels to see our parents work hard and still not earn enough. We express our support to the workers in Castle Hill nursing home and to all the workers who are suffering the same fate.” Said Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary-General of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Castle Hill is one out of four facilities under Omni Nursing Homes. Workers have been without a contract since 2007 and are paid less than $8/hour.

“These workers here in Castle Hill provide care for their patients, but who takes care of them? With their current wage and lack of benefits, it is clear that their employer doesn’t care about them,” said Kathleen Dy, a member of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Rico Foz, Executive Vice-President of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) said “an injury to one is an injury to all. The management should heed the demand of the workers! Or else, face the wrath of the people!"

In light of the global financial crisis, these enterprises increase their exploitation of immigrant workers. Immigrant workers take the full blow of the crisis as employers depress the workers’ wage and deprive them of benefits crucial to their well-being to drive up the company’s profit. This kind of abuse from management affects the quality of care provided by the nursing home workers and, in the end, harms the patients too.

Kathleen Dy said, “Only through our collective action, particularly with the workers, can we effectively oppose the financial crisis’ attacks on our basic rights and dignity.”

“We recognize the fact that the struggle of these Castle Hill workers is partly our struggle as Filipino immigrant youth as well. That's why we ccame here today to show our full solidarity to the Omni workers struggling for justice! Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey is with these workers up to the end until they attain victory, in Castle Hill, and everywhere in the world,” Nibungco ended.###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2009

References: Ivan Penetrante, Chairperson, Anakbayan San Diego, igpene@gmail.com Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, yvesnibungco@gmail.com, Beverly Tang, Anakbayan Los Angeles, bev@anakbayanla.org, Sincere Born, Chairperson, Anakbayan Seattle, sincere9@gmail.com

Filipino American Youth Oppose Arroyo and Charter Change

Filipino Youth of BAYAN USA (League of Filipino Students-San Francisco State University and the US chapters of Anakbayan from East Bay (EB), San Diego (SD), Seattle, Los Angeles (LA) and Anakbayan York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) declare our full opposition to the Arroyo regime and its cronies’ push towards Charter Change (Cha-Cha).

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo knows the people will hold her accountable for her crimes when her term is up in 2010. Already standing neck deep in a track record of out-of-control rates of poverty, absence of social services, an ever-increasing list of human rights violations, and endless cases of corruption, Arroyo seeks to avoid prosecution and extend the reach of her power through Charter Change. Under Cha-Cha, Arroyo can impose Martial law and extend her stay in office indefinitely by changing the government to a parliamentary system, thus avoiding potential prosecution. “A dictatorship of Arroyo, whether under the guise of a parliamentary system or through declaration of martial rule, would certainly mean the death of our already ailing democracy and of our people’s dignity,” says Yves Nibungco of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Charter Change will constitutionally allow the US and other foreign military forces unrestricted stay and operations in the Philippines. Already playing a puppet to US militarism, Arroyo continues to bow down to foreign business interest as well. Charter Change places Philippine national sovereignty at further economic risk. Under Cha-cha existing economic provisions can be eliminated, enabling foreigners 100 percent ownership of lands and other property. Foreign exploitation and plundering of natural resources will increase, causing more displacements of people and landlessness in the countryside.

Though an ocean apart, the Filipino youth of BAYAN USA understand our people should fight the Arroyo regime and her cronies in order for there to be a true democracy in the Philippines that addresses the needs of its people. Charter Change is a slap in the face to the Filipino people and the provisions gained in the 1987 Constitution. That is why we support Kabataan Kontra Cha-Cha (a broad alliance of youth groups and student councils in the Philippines) and their call for student walkouts on July 10, 2009. We vow to do whatever it takes to prevent Arroyo from installing emergency rule and rigging next year’s elections. We are proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines for a better tomorrow!

BAYAN USA Youth calls upon Filipinos in the US to take a stand against Charter Change!

Anakbayan NYNJ, Kalusugan Coalition holds Free Health Screening at Sinugba Cafe

Anakbayan NYNJ held its first Health Screening, in collaboration with Kalusugan Coalition and Project Aspire.

Anakbayan NYNJ is looking forward to conduct more health screenings and other community service oriented activities in the future.

• If you are interested to become a volunteer
• If you want to give back to your community
• If you want to make a change
• If you want to SERVE the people

Contact us at (201)2535662 and look for Yves Nibungco or (201)2535765 and look for Kathleen Dy

" We are living under a system that prioritizes the interest of the few versus the basic neccessities of the majority, wherein the majority is deprived of its rights and social services. That is why Anakbayan NYNJ, is encouragingthe Filipino youth, immigrant and US-born, to study the society and serve the people. Only through this way we can find our value in society." said Kathleen Dy, a recently graduated nurse and also a member of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey.

ABS-CBN Balitang America

You Are Invited to the BAYANIHAN Cultural Festival

FIRST ANNUAL BAYANIHAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 21 10am – 6pm
Hart Playground (37th Avenue and 69th Street)
Take the G,V,R trains to 65th St. or 7 train to 69th St./Fisk Ave. and walk north on 69th St.

The first ever celebration of Philippine Independence Day in the heart of the Filipino community in Queens, New York will feature Filipino American artists who will perform indigenous, folk and contemporary songs, dances and spoken word. Among the performers are Blue Scholars, BIBAK, Deep Foundation, Paaralang PIlipino, Paul the Magician, and more.

The festival also features a basketball exhibition, children’s corner with Filipino games, story-telling, and face painting, free health screening and free legal and immigration consultations, arts and crafts bazaar, and community organizations.

The whole-day festival on June 21 at the Hart Playground in Woodside, Queens is sponsored by Philippine Forum and the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center. Other sponsors are Jollibee, Western Union, Manila Gorilla and RCN. For more information, please call (718) 565-8862 or email filipinocenter@yahoo.com.

Anakbayan Rejects Gloria's Charter Change, Demands Justice for Melissa Roxas

Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey joins the Filipino Community in celebration of Philippine pseudo-independence day.

Last June 7, 2009, members of Anakbayan NY/NJ rejected Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's

charter change and has demanded justice for Melissa Roxas, the Filipina-American human rights worker who was just abducted and tortured.

Carrying 4ft placards that says, "Bagong Bayan says: No to Con-Ass! No to Cha-Cha!", Anakbayan New York/New Jersey called on the people, particularly the youth, to militantly oppose and resist against another tyranny in the making. The youth group condemned the house majority, who are mostly members of the administration party, for railroading House Resolution no. 1109 and for playing puppet to the whims of the Administration's cling to power.

H.R. 1109 is a bill that calls on the congress to convene for a constituent assembly, paving the way for a charter-change.

Charter Change under the Arroyo administration means a return to tyranny. Proposed amendments under their charter change includes lifting the ban on martial law, 100% foreign ownership of land and other properties, which is already a recipe for a full a national disaster.

Also, the said progressive youth group brings to light the case of Melissa Roxas, who was, abducted last May 19, 2009 in Tarlac, Pampanga, together with Eric handoc and Juanito Carabeo. After worlwide clamor for the government to surface them, Melissa was surfaced last May 25, 2009, 6 days after being subjected to continuous torture under allegedly military elements. This, the youth group said, is directly linked to US military aid that comes from US tax payers money.

"US-born and Immigrant Filipino youth here wants to deliver a warning to GMA and her

minions, that we are awake and that we are watching her every move. We shall prevent any attempt to plunge our motherland again into another dictatorship!" said a member of Anakbayan NYNJ

FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NY SAY "10 YEARS IS ENOUGH! JUNK VFA!"

 

FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NY SAY "10 YEARS IS ENOUGH! JUNK VFA!"

NEW YORK - BAYAN USA, with its member organizations and allies in the New York/New Jersey area, gathered on May 27 in front of the Philippine Consulate in 5th Avenue to call for an end to the 10-year-long Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a treaty between the Philippine and the United States governments believed by the said alliance to have been detrimental to the Filipino people.

"May 27 marks 10 years of institutionalized atrocities against our people. But in fact, it's not only 10 years, but more than a hundred years, that we have been suffering in the hands of the US imperialist. The Philippine-American war of 1899 had been the blueprint of the US war of aggression, and the human rights violations inflicted upon our people are much worse than ever to this day," Gary Labao of the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP) said.

BAYAN USA also lambasted the Philippine government and demanded its accountability for the abduction of Melissa Roxas, a Filipino-American activist and a member of Habi Arts, a cultural organization and a member organization of BAYAN USA in Los Angeles. Melissa came back to the Philippines in 2007 to work as a full-time health worker and was abducted by who were suspected to be military elements last May 19 in Tarlac with two other companions. Days later, Melissa and her companions were surfaced, but BAYAN USA remains firm in its stand to demand justice for the abducted.

"I personally know Melissa, and I know very well that she does not deserve these acts of monstrosity carried upon her by the Philippine government. This abduction of Melissa and her companions is part of the Philippine government's anti-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya II, to serve its own economic and political interests. And as binded by the VFA, the US also takes part in this crime by funding the military activities and exercises of the Philippine government through the US tax dollars! And the US, now under the leadership of Obama, had just put one of its citizens in danger by letting Melissa get in the hands of these bloody perpetrators!" Bernadette Ellorin, BAYAN USA Chairperson, exclaimed in outrage.

Aside from the abduction of Melissa and countless other activists and civilians, the VFA has also resulted to the rape of Filipino women by US military elements. "Vanessa", a 22-year-old Filipina, was victimized by "John Jones," a US Marine and a member of the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) operating in the Philippines under the guise of the Balikatan (translated as "shoulder-to-shoulder") exercises.

"The VFA paved the way for the US to exploit the bodies and the dignity of our fellow Filipinas. After Nicole, another rape victim, Vanessa, has come out but decided not to file a case because she was scared that the Philippine government would only favor the US, just like what happened in the case of Daniel Smith, who was acquitted from charges of raping Nicole. This is a clear indicator that the Filipino people has totally lost its trust in the Philippine government, as it only serves the whims of its master, the US imperialist," said Melanie Dulfo of the New York-based Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE).

Valerie Francisco, Vice Chair of GABRIELA-USA, also added that aside from women, children are also directly being victimized by the VFA, "On February 19, Rafaela Polborido, a 16-month old girl was killed in a province in Bicol, after government soldiers bombed her home with grenades in preparation for the Balikatan exercises. These acts of terrorism against the people, especially children, must be condemned and should not be allowed to continue and prosper!"

Representatives of indigenous organizations who attended the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York City from May 18-29 also joined the protest action. Windel Bolinget of Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA) and Dulphing Ogan of KALUMARAN, also shared stories of cruelty that they have experienced under the Visiting Forces Agreement. From North to South, militarization has been rampant in their communities and their self-determination as indigenous peoples has been disrespected in many circumstances.

Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, also criticized the Philippine government for spending too much on militarization and the Balikatan exercises instead of providing the Filipino youth with the much-needed books and classrooms.

Allies from International Action Center (IAC), Fight Imperialism Stand Together (FIST) and May 1st Coalition were also present and delivered solidarity messages.

After the action at the Philippine Consulate, the Filipino contingent marched towards the US Armed Forces Recruitment Station in 42nd Street in Times Square while chanting anti-VFA slogans. The whole BAYAN USA and GABRIELA USA contingents staged a die-in right in the middle of the famous New York tourist spot to deliver the message that the Filipino people want the US troops out of the Philippines and that they want the VFA scrapped.

Protest actions led by BAYAN USA were also held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and teach-ins on the VFA were held in Seattle & San Diego.

For more information: http://www.bayanusa.org

- ### -

Roxas' Surfacing A Victory of the People's Struggle, Surface Carabeo & Handoc Now!

News Statement
May 24, 2009

Reference: Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org

MELISSA ROXAS' SURFACING A VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE, BUT THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR CARABEO & HANDOC-- BAYAN USA

The US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN USA, an alliance of 14 Filipino social justice organizations across the United States, is elated to confirm that Filipina-American activist Melissa Roxas, 32, surfaced hours ago in Manila as of Sunday, May 24th. BAYAN USA confirmed this report with the human rights group Karapatan. A detailed account about the circumstances of her surfacing is still forthcoming.

"We are happy to hear about Melissa's surfacing, but we are still concerned about the whereabouts of her two companions, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc, who were abducted along with Melissa on May 19th and are still missing to this day," states BAYAN USA Chair Bernadette Ellorin. "We fully intend to pursue the demand for the surfacing of Carabeo and Handoc, as well as justice for Melissa. This abduction should never have taken place."

Roxas, Carabeo, and Handoc, all members of a medical mission team in La Paz, Tarlac, were reportedly abducted at gunpoint by at least eight masked men in the middle of the night last week. Upon learning of Roxas, Carabeo, and Handoc's enforced disappearance, BAYAN USA, along with BAYAN Philippines and Karapatan, exerted strong efforts calling for their immediate surfacing, including releasing an online petition addressed to US elected officials that gathered hundreds of signatures in a matter of hours.

"Because more than five days had passed since their abduction, we believe Melissa's surfacing is a direct result of rapid community response and international pressure exerted from the Philippines and the United States first and foremost," Ellorin continued. BAYAN USA in Southern California has also been working closely with Roxas' family in Los Angeles in their campaign efforts to surface Roxas and her companions in the Philippines.

Roxas, a founding member of the cultural organization Habi-Arts in Los Angeles and founding Southern California Representative for BAYAN USA, went to the Philippines in 2007 to pursue human rights advocacy full-time. Her move was set amidst an acute human rights crisis in the Philippines that includes reports of rampant extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal arrest, torture, and summary executions. In 2005, Roxas participated in an international fact-finding mission investigating human rights violations throughout the Philippines under the Arroyo administration.

On Wednesday, May 27th, BAYAN USA member organizations across the United States will be launching actions denouncing the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a military pact that allows for the basing of US military troops in over 20 ports throughout the Philippines. Included in these actions will be the call for justice for Melissa Roxas and for the immediate surfacing of Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc. BAYAN USA firmly believes the continuing, unabated human rights violations committed by the Philippine military and death squads are generously funded by US military aid to the Arroyo government. BAYAN USA also ultimately holds the Arroyo government accountable for the pattern of killings and abductions against civilians critical of the regime since 2001.

"As we continue to campaign for justice for Melissa, Juanito, and John Edward, we are consciously raising awareness of the role of US tax dollars in funding these abductions and other human rights violations. There are hundreds more victims of politically-motivated abductions in the Philippines that are still missing to this day," Ellorin ended. ###