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| COVER STORY | |||
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San Lorenzo- "Is there anything that the vision setter and achiever, Charito Benipayo cannot do?" expressed Ruby Munoz, a newly appointed City of Castro Valley Chair of NAFFAA Region 8 and recently published author of a children’s book. Ruby emceed the program of the Swearing in and Installation Ceremony of the NAFFAA (National Federation of Filipino American Associations), Region 8, Alameda County on April 25, 2009 at Kent Gardens in San Lorenzo officiated by Greg Macabenta, NaFFAA National Chair.
“When I first came to California from New York about three and a half decades ago, Charito was the first to introduce me to the community and has since become my mentor”, Ruby continued. As a result of Benipayo’s credentials in the community, it was not difficult for this purposeful woman of achievement to have other leading community advocates to rally and launch the Alameda County Chapter of NAFFAA. Knowing that all these leaders had gleaming track records in community services, including those holding public offices as Manny Fernandez (current Union City Council member), Pat Gacoscos (board member of Union Sanitary District) representing the Tri-Valley, Tony Daysog (former Mayor of City of Alameda) and Jim Navarro (Union City councilman), Hermy Almonte (first Filipino elected to the San Leandro School Board and many others. Benipayo, a visionary and advocate for family, children, women, youth and the entire community, have won both accolades and awards from public officials from city, county, and government including awards for “Outstanding Immigrant” sponsored by the International Institute of the East Bay, a program from United Way;Citizen of the Day by KABL Radio, awards of commendation from the late US Senator, Allan Cranston, Mayor Ron Dellums of Oakland, then member of US Congress; the late Supervisor Fred Cooper who appointed Charito as the first Filipino to become commissioner of Children’s Interest Commission and as its chair she initiated programs for children; late Mayor Ralph Appezato of City of Alameda who appointed her to sit in Cultural Diversity Committee where she assessed the racial climate in Alameda Police Department thusly leading her to sit on the Board of Polic Interviewers in the City of Alameda. Asked further about the status of NAFFAA. Benipayo replies with candor,”Yes, with many community leaders and the original chartered members of NFAC(National FilAm Council) now NAFFAA, founded by a veteran journalist Alex Esclamado, the Alameda County Chapter has been revitalized. Most of those original and chartered members have joined and regrouped, for a more aggressive approach to the goals and objectives of the organization, which in brief is to take up and seek resolutions (now with headway to Washington D,.C) that concerns the Filipino-American population.” Benipayo continues humbly that she is “deeply honored to have been appointed as the county chair of NaFFAA-Region 8. Although I am knee-deep involved in the community with a plateful of civic, social, cultural, political and religious endeavors , how can I say "NO" to this viable and national federation organization. After all, we will be able to continue and achieve our goal of Filipino American empowerment with such high powered individuals. “It is like a reunion of our NFAC(National Filipino Council) achievers and officers, with Rodel, Charito, Manny and many more. I did not hesitate to say "Yes" to Charito when she asked me to serve as officer of NAFFAA R8, Alameda County ... because I know with her at the helm, our Chapter will be in good hands", added Pat Gacoscos, secretary and original member of NFAC. "I know that we will be able to connect locally with the formation and revitalization of Alameda Chapter”, said Greg Macabenta. Who also publishes “Filipinas Magazine” and “ Ang Panahon”. Other officers and city chairs installed were: Jim Navarro, Vice Chair; Pat Gacoscos, Secretary; Elena Bongon, Assistant Secretary; Cora Ariosa, Treasurer. The chairs represented are City of Alameda, Romy Benipayo, Norris Tongson,City of Hayward;Hermy Almonte,San Leandro; Laymon Jones, Oakland/Berkeley, Manny Fernandez, Union City;Ruby Munoz, Castro Valley. Those NAFFAA REGION 8 board members introduced by : Jose(Joe) Pecho,Region 8 chair included Lorna Dietz, vice chair;Rodel Rodis, NaFFAA co-founder; Jinny Bartolome, Region 8 treasurer; Ben Menor, Santa Clara County Chair and other members of the media covering the event as John Bramhill of Philippine News, Jun Nucum of FilAm Stars, Gigi Macabenta of Ang Panahon and many others. NAFFAA (NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS) is a non-profit non-partisan recognized by Washington policy makers , private industry, and national advocacy groups as the Voice of Filipino Americans throughout the United States. Its twelve regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Marianas. Those who are interested to become members may visit NAFFAA.org or for local chapters, please visit NAFFAAr8.com. |
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