Filipino Coalition for Solidarity Inc. re-organizational meeting: A reconnection and call to action

Dexter Artienda, Amado Yoro, Ashley Galacgac, Romel Aquino, Glenda Duldulao

November 11, 2014 Tuesday-Veterans Day. About 30 diehard Filipino advocates for social justice  community leaders and professionals in their own endeavor and fields of expertise and who  represent their respective group, civic, social, legal group such as the Oahu Filipino Community Council, Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, Office of Language Access, United Visayan Community of Hawaii, Filipinos of Hawaii, Balaan Catalina, Annak Ti Sinait Iti Hawaii, Sinait Alumni Association of Hawaii,  United Group of Home Operators, Vigan Association of Hawaii, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, Knights of Rizal, Office of Community Services, State Department of Health assembled at the Susannah Wesley Community Center in Kalihi, also known as the “Filipino Town”.

Filipino Coalition for Solidarity Reorganizational meeting. Theme: Social Justice for Filipinos: Bridging the Gap between Awareness and Action.

Tose who attended included Mila Medallon Kaahanui, Dr. Raymund Liongson, Dr. Patricio Jojo Abinales, Dr. Serafin Colmenares,  Gilbert Menor, Glenda Duldulao, Ashley Galacgac, Jovanie Dela Cruz, Dexter Artienda, Ailene Barranco, Melba Bantay, Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr.  Alan Burdick, Jean Jeremiah, Esther Pascual, Ben Cabreros, Guests: Tammy Bitanga, Kimberly, Wil Tungol, Richard Ancog, Letecia Ancog, Dennis Bunda, Danny Villaruz, Amado Yoro, Rev. Alex Vergara.

The business of the day was the report of the president Mila Medallon Kaahanui relating to the many activities of the group. Danny Villaruz made the treasurer's report.

Presentation of the proposed amendment of the bylaws by Jun Colmenares followed by open discussions.

Main speakers are Dr. Patricio Jojo Abinales, professor of Asian Studies, University of Hawaii Manoa and Dr. Raymund Liongson, Associate professor of Philippine Studies, University of Hawaii- Leeward.

Other speakers: Joy Lacsamana, Domestic Violence, Kimberly and Tammy Bitanga, Human Trafficking, Dominic Inocelda, Immigration Services, Ailene Barranco, Health Promotion, Jun Colmenares, Language Access, Esther Pascual, Caregivers. 

Some of the members of the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity

Important part of the reorganizational meeting is the nomination and election of Interim Board Members: Jovanie Dela Cruz, Glenda Duldulao, Ashley Galacgac, Gilbert Menor, Romel Aquino, Dexter Artienda, Ailene Barranco. The role of these interim officers will review the proposed amendments of the bylaws and the proposed name: Coalition of Filipino Advocates and Filipino Coalition for Solidarity for its registration as a 501c-4 non-profit organization.

Kaahanui said: “It is time for the Coalition to set up an agenda that is dynamic and responsive to new and emerging issues in our community and focus our advocacy efforts on these issues. One important change we can initiate is mentoring and creating leadership development training for our young generation of Filipino leaders.”

These young and energetic individuals have their fresh and new ideas: Jovanie Dela Cruz graduated from the University of Hawaii Manoa now works at the Office of Community Services, State of Hawaii, Glenda Duldulao immigrated in Hawaii at the age of 9 with her parents from the Philippines. Studied at the Farrington High School then at the University of Hawaii Manoa, Gilbert Menor with Social Work degree, Ailene Barranco works at the State Department of Health as a Public Nurse; Ashley Galacgac has a Political Science degree, Romel Aquino and Dexter Artienda, both University of Hawaii Manoa graduates.

The Advisory Council is composed of former State Representatives Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Benjamin Cabreros, Melba Bantay, Mila Medallon Kaahanui, Dr. Serafin Colmenares, Dr. Raymund Liongson, Rev. Alex Vergara, Danny Villaruz, Amado Yoro, Dennis Bunda, Richard Ancog, Jean Jeremiah, Wil Tungol, Esther Pascual, others.