Fil-Am nat’l empowerment confab set for Aug. 15-17 in Carson, Calif.

Members of NaFFAA during a summit meeting in Las Vegas in 2016. INQUIRER FILE

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will hold its 13th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) in Carson, California on August 15-17.

This year’s theme, “Make It Count: Transforming Mindsets for 2020 and Beyond,” will raise awareness of key issues affecting the community and hammer out a plan of action for the 2020 Census and presidential election.

The three-day national convention will bring together Filipino and Filipino American leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sector for panels, workshops and receptions promoting community engagement, knowledge-sharing, and bayanihan—or unity and cooperation.

Speakers and presenters will include Hon. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Philippine Consul General for Los Angeles; Mayor Albert Robles, Carson; Commissioner Jessica Caloza, Los Angeles Board of Public Works; and Anna Marie Cruz, Business Development Office for CDC Small Business Finance.

“By holding our NEC in Los Angeles, we have a unique opportunity to leverage the knowledge and power of community leaders, thinkers, and decision makers in a region where a large number of Filipinos and Filipino Americans reside, impacting different industries and all sectors of society,” says Brendan Flores, NaFFAA’s National Chairman.

The 2019 NEC comes just as NaFFAA announces the appointment of Carissa Villacorta as its new Executive Director, concluding an extensive search that yielded a diverse field of candidates from coast to coast. Villacorta, author and public relations professional will succeed Jason Tengco, who stepped down in April.

Meanwhile, three Filipino American organizations and a major Fil-Am retail chain will be honored with Loving Cups at the 3rd Alex Esclamado Memorial Awards for Community Service on August 16. The awards were conceived by GMA International to honor the legacy of community service of the late NaFFAA founding leader.

The awards ceremony is one of the highlights at the 13th National Empowerment Conference of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).
This year’s awardees are:

Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FiVetsREP) for promoting the welfare of World War II Filipino veterans and for successfully lobbying for the conferment of the Congressional Gold Medal on the veterans, living and dead; the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) for promoting Flipino history in the United States and for initiating the annual observance of FilAm History Month; the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) of Chicago for promoting Philippine arts, culture and history and for installing the first full-body monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in a city/state park in America; and the Seafood City Group for creating virtual Filipino community centers in its 28 stores across the US and consistently supporting community causes.