Bayaning Samahan sa Amerika 2010

INSTITUTION CATEGORY

Filam Veterans Rondalla 

• San Jose, California

Formed in August 28, 1998, an organization of mostly former US servicemen from World War II, Vietnam & 1st Gulf war era who have shared interest for playing and promoting Philippines brand of Rondalla music while along the way conducting altruistic endeavors.

Raising much-needed, albeit token funds, care packages & awareness benefiting US and RP’s heroes in uniform.  Conceived and initiated by them after the infamous 9/11 in support of the men & women in uniform of the US & RP fighting the war against global terror.

The group as a fluid meeting of Filipino who love music use this as means of reaching and helping victims of various global natural disasters.  In the same events, they also rally others to continue supporting organizations, which help worldwide calamity victims & underprivileged children of the Philippines.

Filipino Community, Inc.

• Juneau, Alaska

The Filipino Community, Inc. in Juneau, Alaska is the oldest organized Filipino organization in the State of Alaska.  Formed in 1929, the organization’s stated purpose is to foster better & harmonious relationships, understanding & brotherhood among Filipinos & other ethnic groups, & to keep alive the Filipino heritage, culture, customs & traditions.

Annually, the Filipino Community, Inc. awards approximately $15,000.00 to Filipino students who excel in Academics & Athletics.  The FCI also offers a monetary incentive for younger performers of the Alitaptap Philippine Folkloric Group to encourage their interest in learning & perfecting their dancing abilities.

Also, annually the FCI honors its senior members of the community with a special recognition night; its participation in the July 4th parade followed by a free community luncheon; and celebrations during most major holidays.

Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO)

• San Francisco, California

Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO) is comprised of active & retired law enforcement personnel from various local, state, & federal officers.  Membership also includes non-sworn personnel that serve in the law enforcement community & those who support the goals & objectives of our organization.

FALEO seeks to promote fraternal relationships & cultural awareness amongst Filipinos in law enforcement & the communities they serve & protect.  Promotes positive image of law enforcement, especially in the Asian & Filipino American communities, encourages & assists members to attain positions of higher responsibilities.

Activities of the organization are as follows: 1.  Officer Bryan Tuvera Community Service such as youth program, FALEO mixer, Pistahan Festival, Potluck Picnic, Feeding The Seniors, Assistance to the Families of Fallen Officers, Operation Save Manila.; Officer Nick Tomasito Birco Scholarship Award; Philippine exhange training program; Fundraising activities; Administrative activities; Public relations.

Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.

• Tampa, Florida

The completion of Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex allowed the PCFI to fulfill its role of preserving Philippine Culture & Heritage & educating the general public of its merits & values.  The completion of the PCEC also added value to the local economy, tourism, education, & furthered efforts in assisting those in the Philippines.

The PCFI’s efforts in building & developing its Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex is a story that organizations draw inspiration from.  Starting with nothing but pure desire to serve its community, the PCFI was organized to carry a basic human desire;  that is to help each other & their community with a pool of talents, resources, time, & effort.  These noble goals could have been accomplished in the only way they know from their hearts;  working together – in the “bayanihan spirit.”  These were accomplished through many means of raising funds & finding leadership in their midst to execute the plan under the guidance of its community members & officers.

In the end though, it is not the edifice or the hundreds of thousands of donations.  But, it is the core value of this organization that went into accomplishing the Philippine Enrichment Complex.

Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California, Inc.

• South San Francisco, California

The Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California, Inc. is a 501(c)3 professional organization of Filipino-American Nurses in the San Francisco & surrounding Bay Area which was founded in 1961 to uphold the positive image & professional development of its constituent members & collaborate with other organizations in promoting & maintaining community health.  The PNANC, Inc. is a chapter member of Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA).

The mission of the Corporation is to promote fellowship among Philippine nurses, foster a positive image, provide activities that assist in professional development, participate in community activities, & collaborate with other organizations to achieve the mission of the PNANC.

Two of their significant projects are The Sagip Kapamilya Sa Amerika & The Pasko Ng Mga Bayani.  Sagip Kapamilya Sa Amerika is a Nursing Assistant Pilot Program that help those who had recently lost their jobs by offering ursing assistant scholarships.  Pasko Ng Mga Bayani on the contrary is a program that caters Christmas celebration for Filipino veterans of World War II where they dance and sing to the lively Christmas music, meet with other veterans and recount their war adventures with passion in their voices.

The Manila Foundation

• Stockton, California

Founded in 2000 & incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2004, the Little Manila Foundation (LMF) advocates for the cultural preservation of the neighborhood that was the nation’s largest Filipino community in the United States between the 1920s and the 1970s:  Downtown Stockton’s Little Manila, and provides education & empowerment for the Filipino American community.  The organization’s vision remembers, reclaims & rebuilds Filipino American legacy, history, culture, community & heritage in Stockton.  The Little Manila Foundation embraces a mission & vision that moves beyond  “historic preservation”  to focus on cultural preservation.  Cultural preservation recognizes the importance of preservation & revitalization of language, literature & stories, arts, crafts, tradition, performances, sacred sites, songs, music, dance food, as well as physical spaces such as buildings and landscapes.

So whenever you visit Stockton California, you won’t still forget the essence of being a true Filipino because Manila is just a few steps away.