I Found A Glimmer of Hope For Toxic Waste Victims in the Philippines

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Dale Asis

(Standing on the left) Myrla Baldonado discussed about victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic wastes left behind at former US military installations in the Philippines (Sept 2011)

On September 16, 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation partnered with the Alliance for Bases Clean Up and presented a workshop on the victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic wastes left behind by the former US military installations in the Philippines. September 16, 2011 marked the 20th year anniversary when the Philippine government refused to renew the lease of the US-Philippines military bases agreement that led to the withdrawal of US troops from the Philippines.

Twenty years later, the US has not cleaned up the unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic wastes left behind. In fact, the US government continues to deny responsibility. So the Bayanihan Foundation and its partners are appealing for fairness and justice on this issue and will conduct a public awareness and outreach campaign on this almost forgotten issue.

Myrla Baldonado, Organizing Director, feels very passionate about this issue.  Myrla is also the President of the Alliance for Bases Clean Up.  She shares her reflections and comments about the recent workshop:

“Is it still possible?  It’s like a fantasy that the US will take responsibility for us!”  I heard these remarks from an Amerasian during an earlier workshop that the Bayanihan Foundation co-sponsored  last July  4, 2011 in Angeles City, Philippines for Filipino Amerasians, children left behind by their fathers who were US military personnel.  The young Amerasian was responding to a larger question posed to the group if people in the US are still interested to advocate and include Amerasians in a future bill that could provide US citizenship for Filipino Amerasians. Filipinos were excluded from earlier laws that provided US citizenship for Amerasians from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

On  September 16, 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation sponsored a workshop on the bases clean-up issue.  The Pilipino Worker’s Center  (PWC), the Alliance for Bases Clean Up and the Philippine American Group for the Environment (PAGE) cosponsored and helped plan the event held at the Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles’ historic Filipinotown.  Around 50 participants, many of them Filipino immigrants, listened to a presentation and watched a video of the interviews of  unexploded ordnance (UXO) victims; James Castillo edited the film.

During that workshop, many expressed similar thoughts, “Is it still possible?  It’s like a fantasy that the US will take responsibility for us!”

A question and answer period followed. There was a deafening silence until Lolit Lledo of the Pilipino Workers Center  (PWC) attempted to relate the issue to the participants’ present lives as immigrants in America.

A connection sparked when Aqui Soriano Versoza, Executive Director of PWC, a Filipino American said, “Yes, these are stories that are far from your realities now.  However, do you like how the (US) government treated us like garbage that they left behind in the Philippines?  Why don’t we speak up for our rights as a nation and as a people? Look at the Mexican government, it speaks up for its people for immigration reform.  How come immigrant petitions from Filipinos take longer than most immigrant groups? That’s because we fail to speak up and fight for our rights.”  A vibrant discussion followed which concluded  with many of the participants affirming the need for the US government to clean the toxic wastes left behind at the former US military bases in Clark and Subic.  One of them approached me saying that he believes this issue is also similar to the fight for equity of the Filipino veterans of World War II; they are also left unrecognized by the US government after all these years.

So the next time I travel back to Clark and Subic in the Philippines, I have a solid answer if someone asks me about the status of the campaign.  This time I have a  powerful story to tell and that I found a glimmer of hope.  Soon we will be a force to reckon with as we join hands with Filipino Americans and  all supporters who will support us as we seek justice and fairness.  Whether they’re toxic waste victims or Filipino Amerasians or Filipino veterans of World War II, they all deserve to be heard; they all deserve fairness and justice.”

Posted in Amerasians, Bases clean up, justice, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dangerous Unexploded Ordnance Found in Clark and Subic, Philippines

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Dale Asis

Last July 2011, I visited Clark and Subic, Philippine and I’ve met Norberto Dacuyan.  He proudly showed me his prized possessions of live mortars and shrapnel.  He was proud that he found them just steps from his front yard (see video link above).

So I dug a little deeper and I found more stories of UXO that could continue to endanger children and families that live there. I interviewed 21 victims of UXO; perhaps more similar stories exist as I only visited two villages during my short visit there.

Villager holding live mortar in his hands in Kinabuksan Village, Subic Bay, Philippines July 2011

I’ve also met Pablito Mellomida, a local resident of Kinabuksan Village in Subic Bay, Philippines. He took me around his backyard and dug a live mortar.  He held it in his hands and showed it to me.

I believe that the stories of UXO from Norbert, Pablito and 19 other victims of UXO are not isolated incidents having both Clark and Subic to be former US military bases for almost one hundred years.

The United States have acknowledged that both Clark Air Base and the Subic Bay Naval Facility have significant environmental damage and if the US unilaterally decides to clean up these bases in accordance to US standards, the cost for environmental clean up and restoration could reach Superfund proportions (US General Accounting Office Report January 1992).

However, the US continues to deny its responsibility to clean up the toxic wastes left behind. They deny responsibility based on the military bases agreement that it does not have any well-defined environmental responsibility upon the US to clean up after the withdrawal (US General Accounting Office Report January 1992: page 6; Mercado, 2001: page 9).

September 16, 2011 marks the 20th year anniversary of the Philippine government’s refusal to renew the US-Philippine military base agreement that set in motion the US withdrawal of troops from the Philippines.  Twenty years later, the US still has failed to clean up the toxic wastes left behind at its former military bases at Clark and Subic.

The Bayanihan Foundation, its partners including the Alliance for Bases Clean Up is launching a public education and outreach campaign to Filipino Americans and to all, appealing for fairness and justice on this almost forgotten issue.

In 2011, the Philippine case is still far from being resolved after 20 years of the closure of the bases.   The US continues to deny responsibility because the US-Philippines military bases agreement that it signed in 1947 lacked any provisions on environmental protection.  However, denial of its responsibility also ignores the US’ core values of fairness and justice.

You can help by:

  • Keeping informed about this important issue. Sign up for our newsletter, Facebook updates and periodic conference calls
  • Sharing this information to your friends and family
  • Contacting your US Representative about the need for fairness and justice on this important issue
  • Supporting toxic waste victims as they struggle to survive and heal by using BodyTalk Access
  • Joining a coalition of supporters that will help in public outreach
  • Donating to the Bayanihan Foundation and increase their capacity to reach out to more people in this public awareness campaign

For more information, you can download the following documents:

1) Literature review

2) Facts & Figures

3) Bibliography

4) Video of UXO victims HERE

Posted in Bases clean up, Diaspora Donors, Health, justice, Philippines | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Despite Depressing Global News, Two People Are Making a Difference – Educating Kids, Savings Lives

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Dale Asis

On August 21, 2011, reading the news headlines could be pretty depressing – jittery stock markets around the world and probably the continued global economic recession. As a result of these global events, the fragile Philippine economy could take another big hit.  The country is overly dependent on foreign remittances sent by overseas foreign workers and immigrants living outside the country.

Moreover, the Philippines is predicted to fall even further behind in meeting its UN Millennium goals of providing basic social services to its people by 2015.   The Philippines is expected to fail to reach these two major UN millennium goals (Commonwealth of Australia Philippine Report, May 2011):

1) Achieve universal primary education – boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.  “Progress is not enough for the Philippines to meet (this important millennium development goal).  Primary school enrolments are high (84 per cent) and completion rates stand at 73 per cent, but insufficient investment in education (teaching and infrastructure) has negatively affected access to, and the quality of, education.”

2) Achieve maternal health – Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio. “This goal will not be met on current trends.  The decline in the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births has slowed down: from 209 deaths in 1993, maternal mortality ratio (MMR) went down to 172 in deaths in 1998, and now estimated at 162. At this slow rate, it is unlikely that the 2015 target of 52 deaths in the MMR will be met.”

Despite the overwhelming negative headline news, two people are trying to make a positive difference to educate kids, save lives and make a difference one person at a time.  Dr. Domingo Alvear, a surgeon, and Blair Smart, a medical student, both lead extraordinary lives helping children, saving lives and making a difference for the long-term.

Dr. Domingo Alvear of the World Surgical Foundation and “Adopt A Hospital Program”

Dr. Dom Alvear (right) of World Surgical Foundation treats infant at a surgical mission in Palawan Island, Philippines (March 2010)

In January 2010, I joined Dr. Domingo Alvear at a medical mission to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.  Dr. Alvear graduated of the University of Santo Tomas Medical School in the Philippines; he has practiced medicine for many years in Pennsylvania and is a well-respected surgeon by his peers.  He also founded the World Surgical Foundation, conducting life-saving surgeries and missions around the world.  From the first day I met him, Dr. Alvear already expressed to me his frustration about the shortsightedness of the current set up of medical missions. Many Filipino American professionals joined these short-term medical missions that would last for a week or two; many would help for a day or so and then would slowly disappear to play golf or enjoy the beach!  “There must be another sustainable way to help,” Dr. Alvear lamented.

At the end of our Palawan medical mission, Dr. Alvear had put together the outlines of his vision for the “Adopt-A-Hospital” program, where doctors and medical practitioners could help a specific, local hospital in the Philippines for the long term; furnish it with beds, medical equipment, medical supplies and other long-term infrastructure; provide long-term medical care and perhaps even professional exchanges. Such long-term commitment is commendable since it’s poised to make a real difference, affect Philippines’ long-term health care and help achieve the Philippines’ UN millennium development goal of maternal health care for all. In the fall of 2011, the “Adopt a Hospital” program will début in Coron, Palawan with the support of the local government and the local medical society. This could be a great model of diaspora partnership for long-term health sustainability.

Blair Smart, first year medical student, providing educational scholarships to 18 children living in dumpsites in Leyte, Philippines

Blair Smart, first year medical student at Rush Medical College, sponsors 18 students from nearby dumpsites to go to school (August 2011)

In 2010, I met Blair Smart when he passionately presented his project to the Rotary Club of Chicago Far North; he wanted to provide basic food and scholarships to 18 children living in dumpsites outside Tacloban City in Leyte Island, Philippines.  Blair, 25, is a first year medical student at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. In 2010, he volunteered in that island and was tremendously affected by the poverty he saw around him. He wanted to do something. Upon his return to the US, he rallied his friends and family to raise $6,000 to provide food and educational scholarships to 18 indigent children living in nearby dumpsites. You might say that helping 18 children is quite small compared to the hundreds of thousands of street children that go hungry every night. However, Blair overcame the cynicism and want to affect change.

Next, Blair is planning a comprehensive health survey of the area that will hopefully pinpoint local resources and at the same time address the gaps in educational and health services. Such an approach will build upon a long-term approach in the road of providing universal education to all, including children that live in dumpsites.

Domingo Alvear and Blair Smart are not super heroes. They are ordinary men but they  have extraordinary capacity to help others and to give. They are living examples to us all that we call could make a difference even in these trying times – one person at a time.

Posted in Diaspora Donors, Diaspora Giving, Education, Health, philanthropy, Philippine poverty | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Filipino Christians Provide Food Packages to Needy Filipino Muslims during Ramadan

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Dale Asis

On August 14, 2011, my uncle and aunt, Dr. Vicente and Luz Saavedra and the Rotary Club of Iligan South provided food packages of rice, sugar and other essential food items to over 130 needy Filipino Muslim families in Iligan City, Philippines. For the third year in the row, the Zakat Foundation of America has partnered with the Bayanihan Foundation and sponsored these food packages providing food relief to over 650 men, women and children during the holy month of Ramadan.  The Zakat Foundation of America, is an international charity organization that helps generous and caring people reach out to those in need.

Iligan City (highlighted in red) in the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines

My uncle Vic and aunt Luz, members of the Rotary Club of Iligan South volunteered and helped distribute food packages containing rice, sardines, eggs, powdered milk, soap, pencils and paper for the children.

My uncle Vic Saavedra (far left) of the Rotary Club of Iligan South distributing food packages to Filipino Muslims in Mindanao, Philippines (2010 photo)

Filipino Muslim families in Tambacan village, Iligan City receive food packages during Ramadan (2010 photo)

Uncle Vic, Aunt Luz and the many members of the Rotary Club of Iligan South volunteered many hours shopping, packaging and distributing over 130 gift packs for Filipino Muslim families that live at or below poverty in Mindanao.  They plan to distribute the food packages to different villages and more remote areas around Iligan City. Many families in the area have anticipated these food packages since they have grown in popularity over the years (see earlier post on food packages in 2010).

I agree that these food packages will not solve the deep divide between Christians and Muslims in the island of Mindanao nor heal the deep wounds that are hindering peace in the island. However, I’m hopeful that these food packages are a small step to healing and that Filipino Christians giving packages to needy Filipino Muslims is moving us closer to peace.

Posted in Diaspora Giving, philanthropy, Philippine poverty, Philippines, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bayanihan Foundation IS IN THE NEWS!

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Dale Asis

In July 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation IS IN THE NEWS TWICE!

Philippine Inquirer Article "Forgotten Children Seek Recognition" July 5, 2011

1. On July 5, 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation was featured in Philippine local TV and at a leading Philippine daily, The Philippine Inquirer, “Forgotten Children Seek Recognition.” The foundation co-sponsored a series of workshops with its partners, WeDpro and Buklod. The workshop led to the creation of the United Philippine Amerasians, an organization led and organized by Filipino Amerasians to respond to the needs and challenges that they face. The foundation is looking forward to the continued leadership development of the group.

You can read the entire article by clicking HERE.

AREA Chicago Magazine Immigration Issue front cover July 2011 - Dale Asis' article featured

2. On July 22, 2011, AREA Chicago Magazine launched its Immigration issue and featured an article that I wrote, “No More Band Aid Immigration Proposals: Diaspora Donations Could Grow to Alleviate Poverty and Reduce Migration.”

I wrote about my work with the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide and the potential of Filipino diaspora philanthropy in helping reduce migration and alleviate poverty back home.

You can read the entire article by clicking HERE.  You can also read the article that I wrote below:

*********************************************

No More Band Aid Immigration Reform Proposals
Diaspora Donations Could Grow to Alleviate Poverty and Reduce Migration
by Dale Asis (from AREA CHICAGO Magazine, Immigration Issue July 2011)

In 2007, on a yearlong fellowship from the Chicago Community Trust, I traveled to my mother’s native village in Bicol, Philippines, where I was confronted by the poverty of my own distant relatives. Many of them literally wanted to travel inside my luggage and join me back in Chicago. I visited my cousin, Romy.  He lives in a one-room shack with a couple of tin sheets as roofing and discarded cardboard boxes as walls. I didn’t see a bed; he probably sleeps on the floor with his wife and two children. He offered me a chair to sit on, the only visible furniture in the house. In his early forties, he patches tricycle tires for a living.  Tricycles are motorcycles with sidecars attached and are used for public transportation in small towns. Many tricycle drivers opt to patch the tires and not buy new ones to save money.  My cousin and I stood in the heat of the sun all day in front of the public market waiting for tricycles that needed their tires patched up. Romy earned about 80 pesos, less than $2 for the entire day. His earnings were not enough to buy rice, fish and vegetables to feed his family.

During my visit, I saw the connection between my relatives’ poverty and the overwhelming number of immigrants who feel they must migrate to seek a better life. At that time, I was working as the Executive Director of the Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII), one the largest immigrant-led coalitions in the country. I was advocating for tens of thousands of immigrants and refugees but their numbers kept increasing exponentially every year. I felt that I was bailing water out of a flooded basement and I was too exhausted to even look around to plug the “hole”.

My visit to my mother’s village was a turning point in my life. I realized that the “hole” was the abject poverty of my own relatives and millions of workers in many migrant-sending countries that are so desperate they are forced to seek a better life elsewhere. I decided to address the root cause of migration by leveraging the financial and technical potential of the growing Filipino diaspora to improve the economic situation in the Philippines. I realized that many Filipinos like myself are living abroad and that collectively we could make a difference by giving sustainably and responsibly back home.

In 2008, I decided to encourage other Filipinos to donate, volunteer and improve the situation in the Philippines; to plug the “hole.” I sent my cousin’s son, Vicente to nursing school, the first one in his family to go to college. Back in Chicago, I asked my family and friends for donations; I collected $5,000 and built five homes for the poor. I found out that I was not alone. Many immigrants sent tens of billions of remittances back home.  In 2010, the Philippines received almost $19 billion in remittances, saving the country from deep economic recession.  However, many of these remittances were used for personal consumption and family needs.  Some of the remittances being sent were used to fund philanthropic projects. Unfortunately, many of these donations are sporadic, isolated and disconnected. The best practices are not being shared. Simple coordination and resource sharing are not happening on the ground, even with the best intentions.

So I decided to establish the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide based on Filipino traditional values of bayanihan meaning community spirit, trust and helping each other.  I hope that my donations and those of others in the diaspora will improve the living situations back home for the long-term and somehow plug the “hole” of desperate poverty which pushes people to migrate to US cities like Chicago. Are diaspora donations effective in alleviating poverty? That remains to be seen. I am hopeful that these community projects could grow over time and address the poverty.

Comprehensive immigration reform must go beyond the band-aid approach for any reform to work. It should include poverty reduction programs in migrant-sending countries as a necessary component.  Unfortunately, none of the proposals, either from the left or the right, include any poverty alleviation projects in any migrant-sending country, particularly Mexico, which accounts for almost fifty percent of the undocumented population in the US. On the other hand, immigrants are starting to contribute to community development projects back in their native countries that in time could grow to alleviate poverty. The phenomenon of diaspora giving is nothing new. Jewish, Irish and Italian Americans and many others have given and sharing their talent and resources back to their homelands for decades. For newer immigrant communities like the Filipinos, the major challenge is to move from giving that is fragmented and sporadic to something sustainable, coordinated and responsible.

Posted in Amerasians, Diaspora Donors, Diaspora Giving, Poverty, Remittances, Youth leadership development | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

4th of July Celebration with Amerasians: Unity, Clarity and Hope Prevailed Over Cynicism

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Dale Asis

On 4th of July 2011, I celebrated my most memorable American Independence Day with Filipino Amerasian community leaders as we marched down the streets of Angeles City, Philippines shouting out slogans of anti-discrimination and calls for equality. The march was full of hope and energy among the participants.  The march seems like the hundreds of marches I’ve previously joined in Chicago, except that we were marching down Fields Ave. where strip clubs and go-go bars lined up both sides of the street.  Bewildered foreigners, many of them patrons of the Philippines’ sex tourism, peered out of the clubs wondering why we’re shouting slogans of anti-discrimination.

I would like to share with you three reflections I’ve learned and took away from this  pivotal event that overall showed remarkable clarity, unity and hope among Filipino Amerasians:

United Philippine Amerasians (UPA), a newly formed group of Filipino Amerasian leaders, synthesized their values and dreams

1. Filipino Amerasians share the same aspirations and hopes of many Filipinos. The newly formed group, United Philippine Amerasian (UPA) identified four key aspirations and dreams: 1) They want to finish their studies and value education; 2) they want to have more job opportunities and provide for their families; 3) they want financial stability for themselves and for their families; and 4) they wanted to be treated equally and without being discriminated based on their physical features and race.

This seems to be a clear departure from the clutter of many online chat forums and Facebook groups that highlight only the need to search for their American fathers. Many of the local Amerasian leaders I’ve met seem to seek out their roots but they are also preoccupied with everyday challenges of finishing their education, securing a good paying job and providing for their families. These aspirations and hopes were never mentioned in the endless chatter of many online groups.

United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) Steering Committee members being sworn in last July 3, 2011

2. Filipino Amerasians can come together, unite and form their own organization. The United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) seems to be a clear example that Filipino Amerasians can lead, create their own organization and chart their own course. WeDpro and Buklod, the foundation’s partners have been very helpful in this process.

I found a lot of cynicism and negative feedback in many online groups and forums; it was such a relief to prove all the online cynicism to be misleading.  Grassroots leadership of Filipino Amerasians can happen and flourish.

3. Filipino Amerasians can lead and chart their own course. The United Philippine Amerasians have remarkably put together a clear statement of the direction that want to take other Filipino Amerasians. I was so impressed that they put this document together, with the help of an excellent facilitator, Red Macalalad, Jr. and others. They outlined here clear goals addressing issues of poverty, discrimination, drug addiction and empowerment.

I admire the clarity of the group’s vision which runs counter from the conflicting direction and senseless chatter being spewed out in many online forums and chats about the Amerasian issue. I’m aware that the UPA faces many challenges but I hope that the leaders and supporters of the group will prevail and rise above the cynicism and negative feedback that now dominate many online forums.

Posted in Amerasians, Diaspora Giving, justice, Philippines, Youth leadership development | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Overcoming Challenges of Crab Mentality, Highlighting Three Partnerships That Work

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Dale Asis

On July 1, 2011, I wrote that I’ve been through some deep, personal challenges of doing this work, of encouraging Filipinos abroad to help Filipinos at home. I’ve experienced heartbreaking examples of the Filipino crab mentality and intense competition among Filipinos.

These personal experiences led the shift of the foundation’s three priorities: 1) youth leadership development; 2) public education and outreach on important issues affecting Filipinos including the need to clean up toxic wastes from US former bases in the Philippines and the 50,000 Amerasians left behind; 3) and other diaspora partnerships that will support long-term solutions for change.

I was so surprised by the response from my post!  I heard comments from long-lost friends and colleagues offering their support and encouragement. So I would like to highlight three successful partnerships that have emerged out of the sea of challenges and obstacles of crab mentality that I’ve experienced.  I hope these three partners will be leading examples and shine the light on true partnerships and change for the Philippines:

(standing far right) Myrla Baldonado with Alliance for Base Clean Up members of Saup in Clark, Pampanga (January 2011)

1. Alliance for Bases Clean Up Philippines. The foundation’s Organizing Director, Myrla Baldonado, has been advocating for the clean up of toxic wastes left behind by the US former military installations in the Philippines for many years. Myrla and her colleagues in the Philippines had been more than generous in opening their doors; sharing information; showing me around the former US bases of Clark and Subic; and helping me learn more about this issue. They also have been open to listen to my suggestions at the same time critical and analytical as well. For 2011, the Bayanihan Foundation has mapped out a series of public education and outreach strategies to bring this important issue to the forefront.

Youth participants during environmental workshop with the Visayas Mindanao People's Resource Development Center in Cebu (April 2011)

2. The Visayas Mindanao People’s Resources and Development Center (VMPRDC). James Castillo, a long-time volunteer for the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in Los Angeles, CA initiated collecting donations to support a series of environmental youth workshops in Cebu, Philippines. James was generous, trusting and transparent throughout the process.  He followed through well and so we were able to send  funds to start the environmental workshops in Cebu last April 2011. Our local partner in Cebu, VMPRDC, was also very supportive and they sent their paperwork and evaluations on time. James and the VMPRDC was a delight to work with!

(from left to right) Alma Bulawan of Buklod, Aida Santos of WeDpro, Dale Asis, Angeles City Councilor Ed Pamintuan Jr, Mryla Baldonado and two other guests during the Amerasian workshop and conference in Angeles City, Philippines (July 2011)

3. WeDpro and Buklod. Aida Santos of WeDpro and Alma Bulawan of Buklod were both willing and welcoming to partner with the Bayanihan Foundation to support the leadership development of Amerasians.  Their organizations supported wholeheartedly our first suggestions to conduct a weekend workshop and conference to gather Amerasian community leaders in time for the 4th of July celebrations. They were also transparent and genuinely committed to help move forward the Amerasian issue. In the end, they were supportive in creating a group led by and created by Amerasians, United Philippine Amerasians. I feel really blessed and fortunate to work with all of them.

So what makes these three partnerships work? I found four qualities that all three partnerships have in common:

1. A genuine trust among the group and the leaders. It’s hard to explain but I know that they will be behind the issue through thick and thin.

2. They all have a deeper analysis and perspective. They all understand the complexity of the issue and they all have a deeper understanding of the challenges ahead. They also know that palliative measures alone will not work so the all have their eye on long-term solutions as well.

3. It’s more than just money.  Finances are important but they know that it’s not the only ingredient to make social change.

4. They are all aware and have experienced the effects of crab mentality. However, they do not dwell on it. Their actions are informed by their past experiences and so they move forward to create meaningful change for their communities.

Posted in Diaspora Giving, philanthropy, Philippines, Remittances | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating the 4th of July with Filipino Amerasians: America’s Forgotten Children

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Dale Asis

Filipino Amerasians and supporters marching in downtown Angeles, Pampanga on 4th of July celebration 2011 - Fil Am Day

I had one of the most memorable 4th of July celebrations of my life!  It was beyond the usual backyard barbecue of hotdogs and hamburgers and watching fireworks at Chicago’s lakefront. In 2011, I celebrated the holiday with Filipino Amerasians – America’s forgotten children. I proudly marched down the streets of Angeles City, Philippines with them and joined them in a two-day workshop co-sponsored with the Bayanihan Foundation’s nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners, WeDpro and Buklod. It was an amazing weekend as I watched Filipino Amerasians come together as a united group and form their own organization that will represent their needs.

Filipino Amerasians were born with fathers who were American military servicemen and their mothers were assumed to be prostitutes.  They suffer severe discrimination and social stigma because of the accident of their birth. Many Filipino Amerasians suffer from severe depression; several committed suicide; have suffered from physical abuse, rape and even prostitution.

I am proud of the Filipino Amerasian leaders’ commitment to work together, overcome ‘crab mentality’ and form a new organization, United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) that hopes to speak on the tremendous needs and challenges that many Filipino Amerasians face.

Filipino Amerasians faced tremendous discrimination and challenges everyday. Despite of it all, many Amerasians dream the same dream as many Filipinos.  They dream to finish their education, to secure a good job and to provide for themselves and for their family. In essence, they are Filipinos in their heart and in their soul. So Filipinos should accept them as part of the society.

Mark Gilbore (center) of the United Philippine Amerasians, being interviewed by the Philippine press during Fil-Am Day, 4th of July celebrations in Pampanga, Philippines

I was so proud to see Mark, Wyne, Mike, Brenda and other Filipino Amerasians speak for themselves in front of the Philippine press. The Bayanihan Foundation plans to support public education and outreach on this important issue and support Filipino Amerasians in the Philippines and abroad.

Check out the press coverage of this event from the Philippine Inquirer, one of the Philippines’ leading daily newspaper.

Posted in Amerasians, Bases clean up, Diaspora Giving, philanthropy, Philippine poverty | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Bayanihan Foundation Shifts Its Priorities

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Dale Asis

Bayanihan Foundation's revised logo

In 2010, I was confronted with intense personal experiences that show deep, cultural challenges within the Filipino community that I did not expect. These cultural challenges include the intense competition among Filipinos and the pervasive ‘crab mentality’ (Nadal: Filipino Psychology, 2009).  Crab mentality is the desire to outdo, outshine or surpass another (often of one’s same ethnic group) at the other’s expense.

“As a familiar story goes, one can leave a basket full of crabs and not worry that a single one of them can ever climb out of it and escape the cooking pan.  The moment one succeeds in pulling itself up an inch, there will be a dozen claws that will make sure it doesn’t make it to the top.” (Mejorada: The Filipino Express, 1996)

Bayanihan Foundation’s Cultural  Challenges

The foundation faces several cultural challenges in its long-term goal of ‘bayanihan’ and to unify Filipinos to combat poverty and decrease out-migration.

The cultural challenges include:

  • Fragmentation and distrust
  • Intense competition among each other
  • ‘Crab mentality’

Traditional Values To Help Cope With The Cultural Challenges

The foundation anchors its work in these traditional values to promote NEXTGEN youth leadership development, organizing and advocacy:

  • ‘Tiwala’ (trust)
  • ‘Kabalikat’ (interdependence, sharing responsibilities)
  • ‘Pagkakaisa’ (mutuality, helping each other)
  • ‘Tradisyon’ (traditional values of helping ‘bayanihan’)

So for the rest of 2011, the foundation revises its work plans to include:

1) PROMOTE INTEGRATION and NEXTGEN youth leadership development

2) CONDUCT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH for the clean up of toxic wastes in former US military installations in Clark and Subic and the lack of recognition of over 50,000 Amerasians left behind in the Philippines

3) ADVOCATE for other social issues affecting Filipinos in the US and abroad through strategic partnerships and linkage agreements.

Please read the foundation’s revised case statement for more details.

Posted in Amerasians, Bases clean up, Diaspora Giving, Volunteerism, Youth leadership development | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You’re invited to join the NEXTGEN Volunteer Program in the Philippines this summer 2011

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Dale Asis

'Salakot' (native hat) arch and welcome rotunda in Clark, Pampanga signifying US and Philippine friendship

NEXTGEN: VOLUNTEER PROGRAM In the Philippines For Filipino Americans and Anyone Interested in Learning More about the Philippines and Making a Difference in the World

I would like to invite you to join the NEXTGEN: Volunteer Program in the Philippines a second look. To apply for the program, click HERE and fill the online application form.

When? June 19 – August 15, 2011

Where is the volunteer program located?

You will be volunteering with Alliance for Bases Clean Up Philippines and WeDpro near Clark, Pampanga, about 60 miles north of Manila.  Participants will stay with a host family that will offer you safe and comfortable accommodations and will help you feel welcome.

Why join NEXTGEN: Volunteer Program in the Philippines?

  • Get valuable experience that could give you an edge in job and graduate school applications
  • Work with reputable nongovernmental organizations (NGO) in public health and other sectors
  • Learn about the Philippines and your Filipino heritage
  • Travel safely with ongoing oversight and support during your entire trip
  • Take advantage of a low-cost program that includes international airfare from Chicago, accommodations, most meals, two sightseeing trips, and weekly workshops
  • Share your skills and make a difference in the world!

In 2007, I received a fellowship from the Chicago Community Trust and I got a rare chance to travel back to my mother’s village in Bicol, Philippines. I stayed there for six weeks where I was confronted by the poverty of my distant relatives, many of whom wanted to literally be inside my luggage and join me back in Chicago.  At that time, I was the Executive Director of the Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII), one of the largest immigrant led coalitions in the country.  I saw the connection between their desperation and the overwhelming number of immigrants who feel they must migrate to seek a better life.  That visit was a turning point in my life.

In 2008, I decided to encourage Filipinos in the diaspora to donate, volunteer and improve the situation in the Philippines in substantive and sustainable ways.

I hope that the NEXTGEN Volunteer program will also provide you the unique opportunity to experience the Philippines firsthand, learn, share your knowledge and make a difference in the world.  But most of all, I hope that this volunteer program will foster your continued connection with the Philippines and that you become a long-term partner for change.

For more detailed information about the program click HERE

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