Congressman Drier: Coming Together to Fight the Wildfires

The wildfires raging across California have been devastating. Thousands have lost their homes and businesses and record numbers of our fellow citizens have been forced to flee. As the fires continue to burn and the Santa Ana winds continue to blow, there are brave men and women on the frontlines fighting to contain them. And at the same time, a massive effort is underway to help those individuals suffering from this tragedy.


The federal government is working with state and local officials to provide fire-fighting assistance and disaster assistance for those who have lost homes and businesses. The bipartisan California Congressional delegation, Governor Schwarzenegger, and President Bush are working together to ensure every need is met. President Bush has already declared a Federal Emergency, which frees up federal resources to help fight the fires. For example, the federal government is providing Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) units to assist the fight. These units are self-contained, reusable 3,000 gallon aerial fluid dispersal systems that attach to airplanes. These units provide an emergency capability to supplement existing commercial tankers that fight wildfires. Additionally, we have requested and received a Federal Disaster Declaration from the President. This declaration will ensure that federal assistance will be made available to those who need to rebuild their lives. Assistance will also be available to state and local governments to repair disaster-damaged facilities.


This natural disaster has affected millions of Californians, and the full scope of the damage has not yet been realized. As we work first to contain the fires, we must be ready to help those whose lives have been destroyed once the fires are out. We can take steps now to be ready when the rebuilding begins. For evacuees, help may be needed now in the form of simple items like diapers or clothes. For those who have lost their homes, much more will be required. Please visit my website for information on how you can help, updates on the battle against the fires, and what the federal government is doing to help those affected.

Sincerely,





David Dreier
Member of Congress

Homeland Security's FEMA Deploys Mobile Emergency Response System

Pasadena: As wildfires continue to spread in Southern California, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 10 Administrator Susan Reinertson has called for the deployment of regional disaster response teams, to supplement state and local response efforts.

"Yesterday afternoon, Region 10 deployed 24 emergency responders to the affected Counties, and our Mobile Emergency Response System (MERS) detachment has sent a large convoy of support vehicles south toward California," said Reinertson. "MERS is setting up a 300 person Joint Field Office in Pasadena, and will provide communications and command and control support for additional forward operating sites located near front line fire-fighting positions."

FEMA Region 10, headquartered in Bothell, WA, serves the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The region is also poised to provide its resources to support disasters in other areas of the United States when necessary. "Our experiences during past disasters have taught us to assume a proactive, forward-leaning approach," said Reinertson, "This deployment is one example of how the new FEMA will make sure that state and local governments are getting the help that they need from the federal government."

Over 510,000 people have been evacuated as a result of the California wildfires, and more than 1,600 homes have already been destroyed. 20 fires have burned more than 400,000 acres from Mexico’s border to northern Los Angeles County, causing the largest mass evacuation of residents in the State's history.

Yesterday, President George Bush issued an Emergency Disaster declaration for California, and ordered greater federal aid to supplement state and local response activities in the affected areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

As a result of the federal declaration, FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and protect public health, safety, and property, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the affected counties.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Three huge Truck RV's with dozens of support vehicles bearing the Homeland Security logo with their satellite antennas pointed south has set up at the Operations Headquarters in a building in Pasadena. Also around the area can be seen Military personnel setting up a series of command and control tents in the building's parking lot. President Bush is expected to visit the California Firestorm's aftermath in Temecula October 25, 2007 as fire still rages in several parts of Southern California.

California Wildfires Seen from Earth Observatory

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, wildfires ignited in the paper-dry, drought-stricken vegetation of Southern California over the weekend of October 20, 2007, and exploded into massive infernos that forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their communities. Driven by Santa Ana winds, fires grew thousands of acres in just one to two days. The fires sped down from the mountains into the outskirts of coastal cities, including San Diego. Dozens of homes have burned to the ground, and at least one person has died, according to local news reports. Several of the fires were burning completely out of control as of October 22.

This image of the fires in California was captured at 1:55 p.m. U.S. Pacific Daylight Time on October 22, 2007. Places where MODIS detected actively burning fires are outlined in red. Thick streamers of smoke unfurl over the Pacific Ocean. The brownish plumes are clouds of dust. Fires northwest of Los Angeles seemed calmer at the time of this image than they were the previous day.

The drought in the Southwest throughout summer 2007 has been “extreme” according to the categories used by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Dry vegetation and Santa Ana winds, which can reach hurricane force as they race downslope from the deserts of the Great Basin and through narrow mountain passes, are often a devastating combination in Southern California. According to the Incident Management Situation Report from the National Interagency Fire Center for October 22, Santa Ana winds were expected to continue through Wednesday.

NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the University of Wisconsin’s Space Science and Engineering MODIS Direct Broadcast facility.

12 Fires Burn in Southern California

Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- More than 250,000 people fled their homes in southern California as some of the state's worst wildfires, fueled by strong winds, scorched more than 100,000 acres and caused at least one death.

Twelve wildfires have burned more than 100,665 acres (40,739 hectares) from Santa Barbara to San Diego County near the Mexican border, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry.

Fires in northern San Diego County forced evacuations of 250,000 people, including communities with million-dollar homes. San Diego officials said the damage could be worse than the destruction caused four years ago by similar fires, which cost $1.1 billion and damaged 4,847 structures.

``This is nowhere near finished,'' said Chief Bill Metcalf, San Diego County area fire coordinator. ``It is worse than many of us imagined. We're seeing 100- to 200-feet flame lengths and truly explosive fire behavior.''

The fires also destroyed buildings in Malibu, where many movie stars have homes northwest of Los Angeles, and Lake Arrowhead, a mountain community northeast of Los Angeles. Roads and freeways near the affected areas were closed because of the fires or jammed with people fleeing.

California power-system operators declared an electricity transmission emergency after the wildfires disabled wires and required utilities to curtail supplies.

Aircraft sometimes were grounded because of high winds, said Patti Roberts, a spokeswoman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's emergency office.

State of Emergency

``There are a number of fires that are zero-contained,'' Roberts said.


Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura, according to a statement on the state Office of Emergency Services' Web site. The proclamation allows the agency to deploy emergency staff, equipment and facilities and provide assistance to local governments, according to the statement.

The fires are ``beyond our capabilities,'' said San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Tracy Jarman. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said the Red Cross ``is maxed out.''

The governor ordered 1,500 National Guardsmen to assist in fighting the fires or provide logistics.

`Tragic Time'

``It's a tragic time for California,'' Schwarzenegger said after touring the affected areas. ``The conditions are really terrible.''

Most of the new blazes started yesterday, ``but they are already very widespread and are likely to spread quite rapidly,'' said Neena Saith, a catastrophe response analyst with Risk Management Solutions in London.

Paula Rosput Reynolds, chief executive officer of property insurer Safeco Corp., said the company was watching developments ``pretty closely.'' State Farm Mutual Insurance Co., the largest insurer of homes in the U.S., has received its first claim from a homeowner for fire damage, spokesman Fraser Engerman said.

Towns in northern San Diego being evacuated include Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Ramona and Escondido. Hewlett-Packard Co. evacuated employees from its printer-research facility located in northern San Diego county, spokesman Edward Woodward said.

Among those who evacuated was San Diego Charger LaDainian Tomlinson, the most valuable player last year in the National Football League, the Associated Press reported.

Rancho Santa Fe

Directly in the path of one of the fires is secluded, affluent Rancho Santa Fe, an exclusive residential community on rolling hills filled with eucalyptus trees, orchards, stables and riding trails.

Located about 5 miles inland from the ocean and about 15 miles northeast of the better-known coastal community of La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe was ranked by Forbes magazine last year as the second-most expensive postal code in the nation based on median sales price. The average sales price of a home there this month was $2.5 million, according to DataQuick real estate compilations.

``This fire will probably be the worst this county has ever seen, worse than the Cedar Fire,'' San Diego Sheriff Bill Kolender said, referring to the 2003 fire.

All schools in San Diego county are closed tomorrow.

Santa Ana Winds

Endangered animals like the California condor are being evacuated from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The park should be safe because it is heavily irrigated and much brush has been removed, the San Diego Zoo said on its Web site.

Gusting Santa Ana winds carried embers as far as 2 miles (3 kilometers) to kindle new fires. Temperatures may surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius). Some areas of southern California have received little more than an inch (2 centimeters) of rain since Jan. 1.

``Without a fire, this would be a windstorm. When you add in the fire, it's a firestorm,'' Los Angeles County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said.

The fires are burning areas ranging from 50 acres to 30,000 acres, Berlant said. About 100 engines and 1,000 personnel were on the scene of each fire as firefighters were imported from northern California, Nevada and Arizona.

Firefighters Hurt

A civilian was killed and four firefighters were hurt in the San Diego-area blaze that destroyed ``multiple structures,'' Berlant said.

In the Malibu area, one of the buildings destroyed was Hodge Castle, a 10,500-square-foot (975-square-meter) landmark owned by philanthropist Lilly Lawrence, which overlooks the Malibu lagoon.

California power system operators told owners of electrical generators in the southern part of the state to defer any maintenance today to ensure availability from local power plants after wildfires disabled a transmission line.

La Gloria's Skullduggery

The recent bombing in Glorietta 2, Makati last October 19 has unleashed another shock wave across the country. The bombing killed 11 people and injured more than 120. According to police sources, traces of C4 plastic explosives were found at the site. What is odd is that no terrorist organization claimed the bombing. What is odder is that a lot of people are now pointing their fingers at the Arroyo administration for the bombing. And what is intriguing is that it happened following the bribery scandal and the filing of impeachment against President Arroyo in the House of Representatives.

The bribery scandal came to light when Gov. Fr. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, in a press conference, claimed that he received P500,000 during a Malacanang meeting hosted by President Arroyo for governors. Three other governors also claimed that they received money from presidential aides. On the same day, Arroyo also hosted a separate breakfast meeting for some 190 congressmen and women. Manila Congressman Bienvenido Abante, a preacher, who attended the breakfast, echoed the claim of Gov. Fr. Panlilio -- he too received P500,000 from a presidential aide.

It is interesting to note that Arroyo was not around when the "pampadulas" (grease money) were distributed by her aides. Nobody would really expect her to be present during the distribution, after all she would not dirty her hands with "grease." In my opinion, the reason for the bribery was to derail the impeachment petition which is now in Congress. If it is defeated, Arroyo would be immune for one year from another impeachment attempt.

So it is not surprising that President Arroyo invited -- "summoned" was the word used by another journalist --the governors and members of Congress to Malacanang. Assuming that all of the 190 members of Congress who were greased would reject the impeachment petition, their number is more than enough to defeat the impeachment petition. But instead of fixing a potential problem, it backfired and created a bigger problem -- a bribery scandal -- that could ignite another people power revolt and force Arroyo to resign.

Just hours before the Glorietta blast, several Catholic bishops called for her resignation and cited "moral bankruptcy" of the government. In addition, Speaker De Venecia urged Arroyo to lead a "moral revolution" and eradicate corruption in the government. But does she have the moral right to lead a "moral revolution" when members of her own family were implicated to a multitude of corruption scandals?

It would not then be surprising if Arroyo would play her last ace to pre-empt any attempt to dislodge her. There were rumors that the Glorietta explosion may have been the handiwork of people associated with Arroyo. If so, could it be a diversionary tactic --the tail wagging the dog -- to buttress her shaky position? Or could it be the precursor to a martial law? Interestingly, with the enactment of the Human Security Act, Arroyo has immense power at her disposal.

We need to remember that La Gloria is a master -- nay, a grand master -- of skullduggery. Remember the "Hello Garci" election cheating scandal two years ago? On the brink of total collapse, she promised former President Fidel V. Ramos, who came to her rescue, that she would support a Charter change to a parliamentary system and would step down when it is approved. Speaker De Venecia, a strong advocate for parliamentary system also came out to her defense. As a result, her political life was given a respite.

But as soon as she consolidated her power, she reneged. However, she did call for a Charter change but on her own terms: political power beyond 2010. She was able to get enough signatures for a people's initiative in support of the custom-made-for-Arroyo Charter change. She could have gotten it her way had the Supreme Court not reject the flawed people's initiative.

Was it then an accident that Arroyo's Charter change proposal coincided with the bribery scandal? What is baffling is her timetable for the proposed Charter change. She calls it the "roadmap to federalism by 2012." The question is: why 2012? What will happen between 2010 and 2012? Is she going to hold on to the presidency until 2012? And then what? As Rep. Satur Ocampo said, "the bribery scandal is linked to the President's move to revive Cha-cha… she is literally buying her way beyond 2010, again on board her Cha-cha train."

It is interesting to note that she has chosen a federal system of government for her Cha-cha revival. Federalism is very popular in Mindanao -- particularly Muslim Mindanao -- and in the Visayas where a lot of Visayans resented the "Imperial Manila" central government. By gaining the loyalty of Mindanao and the Visayas, Arroyo could become the first President or Prime Minister of a federal government. As a matter of fact, during the 2004 elections, she did well in Mindanao and the Visayas. In the 2007 mid-term elections, she proved her strength in Mindanao and the Visayas including the populous Cebu. Does it surprise anyone that after winning the 2004 election, she had her inauguration in Cebu?

As a politician once said, "In politics, nothing happens by accident." It then becomes apparent that Arroyo could have been working on a scenario that would perpetuate her in power beyond 2010. Today, there in nothing on earth that could stop her; however, things could change tomorrow.

The Associated Press reported that "military elements were angry over the scandals rocking the Arroyo administration while troops were laying down their lives battling Abu Sayyaf bandits down south in Basilan and armed forces chief Esperon admitting 'there was no money for the increase in battle pay recently promised by President Arroyo'." Recently, the Commandant of the Marines, Major General Ben Dolorfino, said that the corruption scandals were affecting his troops and warned that another coup attempt could ignite a civil war. Clearly, these are red flags that signals potential trouble for Arroyo.

Arroyo should know that the loyalty of the military is paramount to her political survival. After all, had the military top brass in 2001 not abandon then President Joseph Estrada, Arroyo would still be a low-keyed Vice President assigned to ribbon-cutting ceremonies around the country. If there is one thing that would give her a nightmare is the thought of Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Gen. Dolorfino, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, and Gen. Danilo Lim banding together.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Wild Fires Hit Southern California

CNN Los Angeles: At least seven fires burned October 21, 2007 near Malibu, the beach community that is home to dozens of celebrities. Fires shut down the Malibu section of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman said five single family home and two commercial buildings -- a glass company and Malibu Presbyterian Church -- were destroyed in Malibu. Nine single family homes and five commercial buildings had been damaged, he said of the blaze that consumed 1,200 acres.

The department said about 200 homes in the Malibu area were evacuated.

Helicopters that were dumping water on the fires would be grounded at dusk, said Freeman. He said fire fighters were in a "good position" to fight the blaze with engine companies after dark.

Freeman said the Malibu area fire began around 4:50 a.m. (7:50 a.m. ET) Sunday. As of 5 p.m. (8 p.m. ET) the Malibu fire was not under control, he said. The cause is still under investigation but several downed power lines were found in the area, he said. Freeman's "best projection" is that the fire will last at least two days.

"Thousands of homes are going to be threatened at one time or another based on the movement of the fire," said Freeman. Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Conley Ulich said earlier Sunday, "We are at the mercy of the wind."

Hot weather and Santa Ana winds marked the height of traditional wildfire season this weekend, after one of the driest years on record. Watch the fires rage »

Noting there have not been any reported injuries in Malibu, Freeman urged residents not to return to their homes to retrieve anything.

"We're all scared to death and we have nowhere to go," Susan Nuttall, 51, told The Associated Press as she sat in her black Mercedes in a cul-de-sac after fleeing her condominium near the Pepperdine campus. She was wearing a bathrobe and holding her Chihuahua. View images of the destruction »

Flames consumed Malibu's landmark Castle Kashan, a fortress-like hilltop home with turrets and arched windows.

Chunks of brick fell from the exterior of the burning structure overlooking the coast. The house was not directly in the fire's path, but powerful winds carried embers to the building, fire inspector Rick Dominguez said. Castle Kashan is owned by Lilly Lawrence, a Malibu philanthropist.

Daniel Collins, who has been staying at Castle Kashan for a few months, said he woke to thick smoke and "flames licking the windows."

"It was pretty intense," he told CNN. "And we were probably in this house for an hour or so watching this and finally they got us out of there. By the time we left, the castle was engulfed in flames."

Collins said he felt safe because there were many firefighters. Once he was helped from the castle, Collins rushed to see if his neighbors were safe and they were, he said.

Meanwhile, students at Pepperdine's Malibu campus were told to gather at Firestone Field House, while faculty and staff were gathering at Tyler Campus Center, campus police told CNN.

School spokesman Rick Gibson said school authorities went door-to-door clearing out the dorms. However, he said the school does not believe students and faculty are in any danger.

Los Angeles Fire Inspector Sam Padilla said the department was encouraging evacuations at the school because aerial views of the fires, fanned by winds, showed some buildings on the campus were threatened.

Power was also knocked out on the campus, he said.

The fire department as of 2 p.m. (5 p.m. ET) listed the following areas as being under mandatory evacuation orders: Montenedo, Malibu Road, Malibu Colony, Pepperdine, Malibu Crest, Serra Retreat and Big Rock.

The residential area Malibu Crest and vacation area Sierra Retreat also were evacuated Sunday, Padilla said.

Evacuation centers were set up at Zuma Beach and authorities had aerial teams serving as lookouts, and helicopters and fire engines to areas as they became threatened, Dominguez said.

Featured Fil-Am Artist: Saxophonist Michael Paulo - Totally Beautiful Jazz

(Michael Paulo just blowin at Temecula Wine & Jazz Festival in California: Music for your Soul)

One of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 20 years, Michael Paulo has added his distinct saxpertise to a virtual who's who of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo's longest term touring association), James Ingram, No. 1 Smooth Jazz Trumpeter and guitarist Rick Braun and Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and more. Paulo grew up in a musical family (his father a pianist, his mother a singer, his siblings all playing instruments) and though he came upon the sax relatively late at age 15, he quickly became first horn player in his high school band and was playing professional gigs around the islands within a few years. Rather than accept a scholarship to North Texas State, he chose a more adventurous road by joining Hawaiian pop/rock band Kalapana, which had some success on the mainland but was most popular in Japan. After playing regularly and recording on all four of Kalapana's albums from 1975 through 1979, Paulo recorded a solo album for Japanese release on Trio records. In addition to exposing him to the Japanese jazz audience, Tats in the Rainbow gave him the opportunity to work with legendary pianist Herbie Hancock.

Paulo moved to Los Angeles in 1981 and quickly established himself by playing with percussionist Ray Armondo and a local R&B outfit featuring members of Rufus. Two years later, he caught his big break when Al Jarreau hired him for his touring band. The young saxman became an integral part of the Jarreau experience while touring the world for the next decade. Paulo also gained international recognition as a result of his work on Jarreau's famed "Live in London" release.

In 1988, Paulo met producer Robert Kraft while recording a solo for singer /songwriter Vonda Sheppard . Impressed with the young saxophonist talent, Kraft secured Michael a major recording contract with MCA Records. Kraft produced his MCA debut One Passion, which became a Top Ten hit on the contemporary Jazz/NAC charts. 1990's Fusebox, on GRP Records which charted in the Top 20 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. In 1994 Paulo launched his own label Noteworthy Records with the release of his fourth solo project Save the Children. Paulo spent much of the Nineties managing Noteworthy Records and touring with other artists, strengthening his solo career overseas with many Asian tours as well. Internationally, he is especially beloved in Asia and Thailand where Save the Children was first released. While that album found Paulo reflecting on the joys of fatherhood and his many world excursions, its similarly successful 1996 follow-up, My Heart and Soul, was about the simple balance between Paulo's passions for slamming funk and dreamy balladry. My Heart and Soul was immediately a top ten Smooth Jazz hit.

It's a love affair which continues on Midnight Passion, a picture perfect reflection on where Paulo has been and where he-and smooth jazz-are headed as we approach the new millennium. In 2002 Michael released a Holiday Recording Sax for Christmas that was awarded a "Hawaiian Grammy" Hoku Award for Best Jazz Cd of the Year . In 2003 and 2004 Michael expanded his Horizons performing with the Honolulu Symphony and Asian American Symphonies. Michael has also been involved in producing events ,his latest being the 1st annual Temecula Jazz Festival which was a resounding success in 2004. He continues a rewarding ten year relationship as the musical host of the Dolphin Days Music Festival in Hawaii, an event that benefits the Shriners Hospital for Children.


Michael Paulo's reputation as the no. 1 Asian American (Fil-Am) Jazz artist continues with each new year. A dynamic live performer Michael has constantly left his audiences wanting more. His emotive playing and endearing style has never failed to capture the hearts of his fans all over the world.. With a new release entitled "Beautiful", Michael Paulo is poised to build upon his status as one of the most dynamic saxophonist in the world.

As we move on towards 2008, enjoy Michael Paulo's latest CD entitled: "Beautiful" by clicking the link below:
Beautiful

Immigration grants one-year visa-free stay to ‘balikbayans’

MANILA, Philippines–The Bureau of Immigration has relaxed its rules for returning Filipinos or “balikbayans” by giving them a one-year visa-free stay in the country, Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has said.

A balikbayan principally refers to a former Philippine citizen who has become a naturalized citizen of another country.

Libanan said they decided to ease the bureau’s rule after being swamped with queries and complaints from returning Filipinos who claimed that they were confused by some immigration officers who would give them a 21-day stay instead of one year on the pretext that they have been to the country more than once over a 12-month period.


“We will be doing our balikbayans a disservice if such mistakes by some of our immigration officers are not addressed and rectified, especially in light of our government’s thrust to encourage our countrymen abroad to visit the land of their birth and even settle and have business here,” Libanan said.

Under immigration rules, a balikbayan shall declare before a Philippine immigration officer at the port of entry that he or she is availing of the balikbayan privilege and shall present his or her valid passport in addition to other supporting documents such as the passenger’s cancelled Philippine passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers to show former Philippine citizenship or certification from the adopted country.

Libanan said the balikbayan privilege was extended to foreign spouses as well as minor, unmarried children provided they were traveling together.

A “balikbayan” refers to:

1. Former Filipino citizens holding foreign passports, including spouses and children traveling with them;
2. Filipinos who have been continuously out of the Philippines for at least one (1) year; and
3. Filipino overseas contract workers.

Aside from visa-entry to the Philippines for a period of one year, the other benefits of a balikbayan include the following:

1. Travel tax exemption;
2. Duty-free shopping privilege of up to US$2,000.00 (US$1,000.00 as arriving Balikbayan and US$1,000.00 as arriving passenger), with the following limitations:

a. Shopping must be done within two (2) days upon arrival;
b. Duty-free shopping privilege can be availed of only once a year; and
c. Purchases must be made personally by the balikbayan.

More Testimonies from the October 19 Glorietta Blast

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Images of Glorietta 2 Blast

(photos by Disneycute; Manila)

Makati Bombing Eyewitnesses Recount Ordeal

October 19, 2007 - The blast, which occurred during lunch-hour, spread panic in the city of 12 million people, which has in the past been the scene of attacks by Muslim separatist rebels.

Several shoppers said the blast was heard from a nearby baby store in the mall. Liana Navarro, sister of Black and White Movement’s Leah Navarro and who was in the mall with her mother, said several people including children were seen with "obvious injuries."

Another witness, Arel Vertucio, said the explosion was so strong that it was felt up to the third level of the mall. Vertucio said he saw some people lying on the ground.

Eyewitness Icy Marinas was only 15 meters away from the Glorietta explosion when it occurred. She said the blast felt like an "intense earthquake."

She said she saw a pregnant woman crying after the blast while other women started rushing out of the mall with their families. She added that she saw "three bloodied men" near the blast site while the security guards just stood around with no reaction.

Charlie Nepomuceno, an employee at the Glorietta mall, said the powerful explosion appeared to have centered on an escalator.

"It left a deep crater at the foot of the escalator," he said. "It also ripped open the roof of the building. I saw a man thrown on to the roof who had lost a leg."

He said a badly mangled body of a woman was near the escalator.

Manila has largely been spared a spate of bomb attacks by Muslim rebels that have plagued the southern Mindanao region. But it has been hit in the past. A series of bomb blasts in 2000 killed at least 22 people.

President Arroyo ordered the police to "leave no stone unturned" in its investigation on the explosion.

"The President is deeply saddened by this incident and extends her sympathies to the families of the casualties…She has also ordered the PNP to get to the bottom of things and to leave no stone unturned," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.

Bunye said the President also ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development to extend assistance to the victims.

Arroyo in a statement Friday early evening also issued a stern warning against those who want to take advantage of the Makati mall blast.

"I warned those who seek to destabilize our government not to exploit this incident for their selfish political motives," Mrs. Arroyo said following her emergency meeting with the NSC and other officials in Malacañang.

Mrs. Arroyo said that the government is undertaking measures to ensure that the incident would not happen again including ordering the Philippine National Police to go on a high alert and the deployment of additional 2,000 cops in Metro Manila.

"This is a time for all of us to unite. Sana ay maunawaan ng ating mga kababayan ang mga pag-iingat na ating isinasagawa. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat (I hope our countrymen understand the measures we are implementing. Thank you)," she said.

After her NSC meeting, Mrs. Arroyo immediately went to visit patients confined at the Makati Medical Center who were among those injured during what authorities called a possible terrorist attack in the upscale mall in Makati City. With reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse

C4 High Explosive Allegedly found at Mall Bombing

Eight people were killed while at least 129 others were injured after an explosion ripped through an upscale mall in Makati City Friday afternoon.

"As of 8:00 this evening, we have accounted for eight casualties and 129 injured. They are scattered I think in three hospitals in Makati," National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director General Geary Barias said in an interview with ANC’s Crossroads.

Officials also reported that ten persons were reported missing. Fire and rescue authorities were still searching for bodies they suspect may be trapped under the debris thrown by the powerful blast.

A report said among those injured were two South Koreans and a Chinese citizen.

Reuters reported that police sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said traces of C4 plastic explosives were found at the location. The bomb appeared to have been left near a cellphone repair shop at the bottom of an escalator, they said.

Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon earlier debunked reports that the blast that hit Glorietta 2 ground level at 1:30 p.m. was caused by a gas leak.

"This was a bomb. But beyond that we can't say anything else yet because we are still investigating. What I can say is it was not [liquefied petroleum gas] that caused this," Razon told reporters.

He said there was still no conclusive evidence to determine if the blast was caused by a C-4 bomb, a military explosive, or any other improvised explosive device. He added that the police cannot definitely say if the explosion was a terrorist attack.

Glorietta Mall Bombing Kills at least 8

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- October 19, 2007. A powerful explosion ripped through three floors of a shopping mall in the heart of Manila's financial district Friday, killing eight people, injuring scores and sending police and troops on the highest state of alert.

Rescue workers examine the damage caused by the powerful blast at the Glorietta 2 mall. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said "circumstances indicate it is highly probable that it was caused by an explosive device." The same mall was targeted by a bombing in 2000.

She said police and the military went on the highest alert and deployed an additional 2,000 personnel to secure public areas "to prevent a similar occurrence."
The afternoon explosion at the glitzy Glorietta 2 mall toppled roofs, destroyed walls, and sent debris crashing onto cars outside.

At least eight people were killed and more than 70 were injured, said metropolitan Manila police chief Geary Barias. Police sealed off the shopping complex and searched debris for clues of explosives.

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said authorities were looking into a possible terrorist attack, but "there is no conclusive evidence yet. "Mario Em, a taxi driver, said he had just dropped two women off at the mall when the blast hurled the passengers against his vehicle, killing them instantly.

He said he pulled one of the victims, who was pregnant, from underneath his car.

Officials said the shock waves from the blast, which appeared to have originated from a basement entry for delivery vehicles, shot through three floors of the mall as well as sideways.

Mae Ann Sison said her sister, Angelica Cortez, was on an escalator going down from the second floor when the blast tossed her in the air.

"She landed on the escalator and her right foot got caught in the escalator chain and she was hit by glass shards from shops around her," Sison said, adding a chunk of concrete hit her sister's head.

Al-Qaida-linked militants, who have waged a yearslong bloody bombing campaign in the southern Philippines, have targeted Manila before.

Makati city Councilor Jejomar Binay Jr. said a bombing at the same mall in May 2000 that wounded 13 people was the work of Muslim extremists. Five months later, five nearly simultaneous bombs around Manila blamed on the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah network killed 20 people and wounded about 100 others.

In 2004, Abu Sayyaf militants blew up a passenger ferry in Manila Bay, killing 116 people in the country's worst terrorist attack. The following year, four people were killed and dozens wounded when a bomb exploded on a Makati bus and two southern cities.

Several months ago, authorities were alerted to an alleged terror plot to plant bombs in Manila's business districts of Makati and Ortigas, said a government counterterrorism official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

People inside the mall scampered toward the exits when the blast shook the mall.

"One man who was in front of me was already dead. There was a child, but we don't know where the child is now," said Dennis Inigo, who was shopping at the time.

"The man's wife was with me a while ago, and her leg was shattered. Many people were falling on top of each other," he said. "It was loud, and then it became dusty."

Young Adults Bowl for GAWAD KALINGA

I was chating with a Freshmen from CalState L.A. over a cup of ice cold Frappuccino at a local Starbucks. "Raquel" shared with me how young adults, ages 18-30, within California are gathering in small groups to send their delegates to compete in a series of bowling tournaments to help the projects of Gawad Kalinga (GK). Small groups from all over California are meeting to select their Bowlers for a great cause.

You see, 100% of the proceeds raised from “Bowl 4 GK” will go directly to Gawad Kalinga. “Bowl 4 GK” aims to be community event that will inspire College youth to network and learn more about the great movement that is happening in the Philippines.

There will be a "SoCal Alley Tournament" for the teams within Southern California, a "San Diego Alley Tournament" for the teams within San Diego Area and a "NorCal Alley Tournament" for the teams within Northern California.

Winners from all Tournaments will battle it out to win the best bowling team among each other, which will be held at South Point Bowling Center, South Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

This is a historical event that you don't want to miss. This is a chance for you to help a nation and be a HERO for your fellow brothers and sisters.

Come and join them to "Bowl for a Nation, Bowl for a Cause, Bowl for GK."

Join Today Bowl4GK

(Jay Fermin ppp-usa)

Nokia Theatre Los Angeles Opens the L.A. LIVE Project October 18, 2007

Today cracks a milestone in the Los Angeles LIVE Project. I'm not talking about this site. I am referring to the massive master plan that is being rolled out south of Downtown Los Angeles with the finished capstone opening today: The Nokia Theatre, which is now not only a European pandemic of a cellphone, but is a 7,000 capacity theatre boasting a 14,000 square foot stage, the largest one of its kind in Southern California.


The Eagles and The Dixie Chicks will open the Theatre tonight, October 18, 2007 and the 2007 fall schedule of events include a few of my favorites: Anita Baker, Neil Young and others. What's good about the Nokia theatre is the layout. There is no seat that is more than 210 feet away from the stage, at whatever price range. It will give the crowd a feeling of being in a small venue club. And this is only the start. Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa is sure that the Los Angeles LIVE master plan will outclass even Times Square in New York.


In a revitalization effort that mirrors the massive resurrection of Times Square in New York City over the past decade, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) broke ground on L.A. Live, a $1.7 billion tourist-oriented “sports-entertainment” hub. The plan features a 55-story convention center and hotel, 7,100-seat theater, broadcast facilities, 14-screen movie theater and nearly a dozen restaurants and clubs.

Syska Hennessy Group is playing a prominent role in this revitalization effort. Syska is the utility master plan MEP consultant, MEP consulting engineer for a new broadcasting facility, MEP consulting engineer for Nokia Theatre and MEP/security/elevator consulting design engineer for the parking garage.

As a merger of sports, public assembly and entertainment, the L.A. Live development benefits from Syska’s ability to draw from our expertise in sports entertainment, master planning, hotel, performing arts, office, restaurant, retail, convention facilities and broadcast facilities. Nokia Theatre Los Angeles is at 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Long LIVE Los Angeles ! Or should I say "LIVE" as in 'Live In Concert'? Rock on Los Angeles....

(By Jay Fermin ppp-usa)

Climbing Mount Baldy: A Great Escape

A great escape from the noise and crowds of Los Angeles, minutes from downtown. This loop hike takes you from the desert into pine forest.


The summit is the high point of the San Gabriel Mountains. Mount San Antonio, or Mount Baldy as it is often called, is a refreshing oasis in the midst of the Los Angeles urban sprawl. The route described is a loop, chosen for its variety of terrain.


This route combines the Baldy Bowl Trail (also known as the Ski Hut Trail) for the ascent, with the Devils Backbone Trail and Manker Canyon Fire Trail for the descent. Mt. Baldy is a wonderful peak to hike. High enough to be exciting, but easily doable for most hikers and within reach for even non-hikers in reasonable shape. This particular trail, however, is rather steep on the ascent and is closed off from views until one finally gains the high ridge.

The Baldy Bowl Trail is one of three major trails that ascend Mt. Baldy and while not the hardest, it is the steepest of all the trails. The descent along the Devil's Backbone trail is gentler, but is exposed at several points. Take care on the descent.Enjoy the awesome sight from the lens of nature photographer Ver Penaranda from last weekend.

Awesome.

Dusty Gibbs is chosen as 2008 Rose Queen: Arcadia H.S. senior will reign over the 119th Rose Parade on New Years Day

Rose princess Dusty Gibbs has been given a royal promotion.

The Arcadia High School senior was awarded the regal title of Rose Queen during a ceremony on the manicured lawn of the Tournament House in Pasadena Tuesday morning October 16, 2007. Gibbs, who will be the 90th queen to reign over the Rose Parade Jan. 1, 2008, said she was in shock when she heard her name announced by Tournament President CL Keedy.

"It's one of those things, you can't hear anything around you except for the voice on the microphone," Gibbs said, as she was surrounded by the six Rose princesses, wearing identical black-and-white checkered skirts, green turtlenecks and black blazers.

"I just love my girls, my sisters that are here next to me. It's been amazing going through this together."

Lance Tibbet, Chair of the Queen and Court Committee, said Gibbs emerged as a natural leader during the previous week of non-stop princess activities.

"Dusty has a personal magnetism that draws people to her. She's the consummate team player and cheerleader," he said. During an all-princess game of volleyball at a retreat to Balboa Island over the weekend, the varsity softball player spent just as much time encouraging her less-athletically inclined teamates than anything else.



The 90th Tournament of Roses Queen was announced at Tournament House in Pasadena Tuesday morning Oct. 16, 2007. Left to Right: Princesses Courtney Rubin, Chloe Ghoogassian, Zena Brown, Rose Queen Dusty Gibbs, Princesses Katie Merrill, Gaelen Stanford-Moore and Kelsey MacDougall.

The 2008 Tournament of Roses Royal Court was announced last week. The six princesses are: Zena Brown, 18, Alverno High School; Chloe Ghoogassian, 17, Pasadena High School; Kelsey MacDougall, 17, La Canada High School; Katie Merrill, 17, Pasadena High School; Courtney Rubin, 17, San Marino High School; and Gaelen Stanford-Moore, 17, South Pasadena High School.

The 119th Rose Parade themed Passport to the World's Celebrations will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008 at 8 a.m. Following the Rose Parade is the 94th Rose Bowl Game.

Kyla Sings "Lupang Hinirang" at Pacquiao Win

Thousands of Filipinos rose to their feet as singer Melanie Calumpad a.k.a. Kyla sings the Philippine National Anthem to open the boxing fight between Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera last October 6, 2007 at Mandalay Bay Resort Las Vegas.

A Mexican singer in a black gown sang the national anthem of the Republic of Mexico.

Kyla wore a Filipiniana with the country's colors. The RnB (rhythm and blues) Princess was chosen by Solar Sports and Pacquiao to sing the Philippine National Anthem.

"Honestly, I am very much pressured and flattered at the same time because I really did not expect that I would be chosen to sing the Philippine National Anthem in this big sports event," Kyla said in an earlier interview.



Kyla sought the help of her former mentor Raffy Amaranto, who taught her how to sing the anthem the proper way.

The 26-year old singer is one of the judges in GMA's Coke: Ride to Fame and a mainstay of SOP.She is also preparing to host a new talent show after her successful stint in QTV 11's Pop Star Kids.



Kyla had performed with international artists such as Fra Lippo ippi, Ronan Keating, British boy-band Blue, Malaysian R&B singer Ferhad, Malaysian hip-hop duo Too Phat, and Keith Martin.

Holding the WBO Championship Belt at Kyla's right is Bacolod City Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia.

Pacquiao who won against Mexican champion Marco Antonio Barrera in their last Sunday's rematch dubbed as "Will to Win II" in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, USA, was greeted with a warm welcome by people in Manila led by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

From the airport, he proceeded to the Department of Environment Office where he met his "adopted father" - Secretary Lito Atienza. From DENR, he then moved to Malacañang Palace where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo handed him the cake prepared by the cooks in the palace.

The Filipino boxing hero then guested at “SIS”, one of GMA 7's morning shows, to answer all questions left unanswered prior to the fight night. Before the program ended, Pacquiao thanked those who had supported him before, during, and after his fight.

(Article by Jay Fermin, Photo by Romeo Balboa, MUST Photographer)

Statewide Vigils for Healthcare: (AB 8) Vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger

Last Tuesday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that we have the opportunity to make the most significant progress on healthcare reform in the last hundred years. Then on Friday he vetoed AB 8 -- landmark legislation that would have reformed California’s broken healthcare system.

The Governor’s veto came at the end of the day on Friday October 12, 2007 when most people were focusing on their weekend. But if he thought we wouldn't notice, he was wrong.

So this week, lobby groups will be holding 48-hour, around-the-clock vigils outside of the Governor's offices across the state. The vigils will commemorate friends and family members who have been hurt by unaffordable healthcare in California and help us build even more public support for real reform.

Our healthcare vigils begin at noon on Wednesday in Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Diego and will continue in many places through noon on Friday.

Join us to demand something better than the fake "reform" of requiring people to buy insurance they can't afford or that won't cover the care they need.

Come to our vigil and honor a friend or loved one hurt by our broken system and stand up for REAL reform.

Tell the Governor to put meaningful reform back on the table. Join us as we stand together and make your voices be heard.

Statewide Vigils:

San Diego
Wednesday, 10/17, 12:00pm - 8:00pm
1350 Front Street, San Diego

Los Angeles
Wednesday, 10/17, 12:00pm - Fri., 10/19, 12:00pm
300 South Spring Street, Los Angeles

Riverside
Wednesday, 10/17, 12:00pm - 9:00pm
3737 Main Street, Riverside

Fresno
Wednesday, 10/17, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Thursday, 10/18, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
2550 Mariposa Mall, Fresno

San Francisco
Wednesday, 10/17, 12:00pm - Fri., 10/19, 12:00pm
Polk & McAllister, Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco

Sacramento
Wednesday, 10/17, 12:00pm - Fri., 10/19, 12:00pm
State Capitol Building, 11th & L side, Sacramento

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has said that he wants to reform healthcare, but his plan would require you to buy health insurance, whether or not you can afford it and whether or not it provides any real coverage. Well, it’s not real healthcare unless you can afford to use it.

According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau report, approximately 6.7 million Californians – more than ever before – are uninsured. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said the exercise of putting a bill on the governor's desk that faces certain veto can serve as a foundation for debate.

Schwarzenegger said he would reject AB8, by Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, because it puts too great a financial burden on employers and does not address the needs of 2.8 million of California's estimated 6.8 million uninsured residents.

"We have brought to him something that we said we would do and we did," Perata said. "We will put it on his desk and if he vetoes it and if he chooses to bring us back into special session, we will go.

"This is something that we are not giving up on. We want health care reform."

"We took a lot of ideas from the governor," the Assembly speaker said. "This is a compromise. This is our best attempt at a compromise."

The measure seeks to extend health care insurance to the state's working poor - about 4 million people - who lack coverage. Schwarzenegger wants to provide coverage to all 6.8 million uninsured.

Like a plan proposed by Schwarzenegger earlier this year, AB8 would require all but the smallest employers to provide insurance to their workers or pay into a state pool for providing coverage. Also like the governor's proposal, the Democratic plan would also split the costs between employers and workers - although Núñez's plan would require employers to pay as much as 7.5 percent of payroll while Schwarzenegger would mandate about 4 percent.

Both the governor and the Democrats also agree that there needs to be a big expansion of existing state health care programs to better serve the poor and the unemployed.

The big political problem both plans face is opposition from powerful interest groups that might lose in the overhaul.

More information about the Governor’s health care proposal can be found at: www.FixOurHealthCare.com

The Health Care Security and Cost Reduction Act can be found at:
Health Care Act Health Care Act

Act Now. Go to www.ItsOurHealthcare.org
Its Our HealthCare.org ItsOurHealthcare

The ABC of Political Empowerment

The Filipino-American community's varied reactions to ABC's "Desperate Housewives" racist slur against Philippine-schooled doctors has brought to the forefront of debate the issue of political empowerment or, more appropriately, lack of political empowerment. As one community leader mentioned, this kind of thing will never happen to African-Americans, Latinos, and Jews.

In the "Desperate Housewives" episode, the character, Susan Mayer Delfino, played by actress Teri Hatcher, said: "Okay, before we go any further, can I check those diplomas? Because I would just like to make sure they are not from a med school in the Philippines ." This infuriated Filipinos around the world. An online petition was started saying, "We demand a public apology to the Filipino American community, and we demand the episode be edited to remove the ignorant and racist remark. We will not allow hateful messages against our community (or any other oppressed community) to continue." Thus far, more than 122,000 have signed the petition. ABC issued an apology and also promised to remove the controversial part from DVDs and rebroadcasts of the episode. But should we settle for that? Hell, no! We believe that that is not enough.

In my last week's article, "Desperate Housewives' Wake Up Call to Filipinos," I proposed a win-win solution to the imbroglio created by the episode. I stated that instead of a lawsuit and boycott, as suggested by many community leaders, I recommended that we should be proactive instead -- not reactive -- and put together an agenda that would give long-term benefits to our community such as jobs, education and other initiatives. I indicated that we should convince ABC to open employment opportunities to Filipino-Americans at all levels -- actors, directors, producers, newscasters, and executives at ABC and its affiliates.

Jon Melegrito, the Communications Director of the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA), forwarded my article to Mr. Robert Mendez, ABC's Senior Vice President of Diversity. Mr. Mendez responded to Mr. Melegrito and he agreed to explore a program that might help increase opportunities for Filipinos at ABC. Mr. Mendez also said, "You asked about the possibility of exploring a program that might help to increase opportunities for Filipinos at ABC. I am wondering whether you might be interested in helping to organize a meeting in Washington, DC, where my staff and I can meet with Filipinos who are interested in pursuing careers in television and want access to direct information about our many talent development programs. It would be a wonderful opportunity for ABC to deepen the talent pool with candidates from the Filipino community."

Mr. Melegrito sent me an email and said, "ABC listened to the points you raised in your column and here are the results: a) written confirmation that ABC has deleted the ugly scene from the DH Sept. 30 episode, b) a long-term relationship with the FilAm community that will open doors to Filipino Americans and enable them access to positions in ABC as writers, directors, producers, including an internship & training program. We expect implementation of this special outreach program within 3-4 months as a demonstration of ABC's commitment."

The name of the game is "win-win" and that's what we plan to achieve. Both the Filipino community and ABC would benefit from it. It would give Filipinos a presence -- and visibility -- in one of the major networks in the United States. And the benefits would be long-lasting and irreversible because once Filipino talents are used in ABC programming, the other networks would follow. However, several community leaders in Northern California, who formed a new organization called Filipino Anti-Defamation Coalition, were not happy with the "win-win" initiative. One of the leaders, an attorney, was critical of the initiative. He insisted that a lawsuit and a boycott are the way to go. Being a lawyer, I can understand where he was coming from. However, in my humble opinion, going to court would be counter-productive and would only benefit those who could prove to a jury that the slur damaged their profession and hurt their practice.

A few days ago, I received an email from Atty. Roman Mosqueda. He said: "I am willing to file a complaint for several Philippine-educated physicians in California, who will take time out from their practice to prove their damages (special, general and exemplary) on a contingency arrangement. Each individual physicians (sic) who are filing a complaint in California will have to prove special, general and/or exemplary damages. Thus, I have to get a commitment from at least fifty (50) doctors coming from different Philippine medical schools that they would devote time to this case, as well as share in the expenses of litigation. I cannot solicit clients." He clarified that his attorney's fee is on contingency basis; however, he said that "legal cost such as filing fees, process serving fees, deposition fees, expert fees, subpoena fees, jury fees, are for the account of the client." The question is: Are there 50 Filipino doctors in California who are willing to pay the fees enumerated by Atty. Mosqueda and prove beyond reasonable doubt that their practice has been damaged financially by the slur? It is interesting to note that the Filipino Anti-Defamation Coalition plans to file a $500 million lawsuit as soon as 50 Filipino doctors agree to become plaintiffs. If they win the case, that's $10 million for each plaintiff. The question is: are the doctors going to pocket the money or give it to noble Filipino projects?

Paul Dalde, a member of the Filam-Forum in the Internet commented, "Win-win initiative is always better, always. In every negotiation the one that finally carried out is the win-win situation. We should not look for absolute victory in a dispute because that victory will not result to permanency, just a temporary one." Indeed, history has taught us so. But what I like most is what Paul said, "Any day its Win-Win that wins the day!"

The ABC incident cannot be reversed. It happened and has left a scar. A wise man once said to me, "Perry, what is important is not how to resolve a problem but how to turn that problem into an opportunity." How true. Years ago when I was working as a computer programmer analyst, I went to my boss and said, "I'm sorry but I have a complaint…" He cut me out and said, "Don't be sorry because you are just about to give me an opportunity to make this a better place to work."

The ABC issue could be a grand opportunity to empower our community and improve the quality of our lives. There shouldn't be any problem with pursuing a "win-win" initiative, a lawsuit, and a boycott -- all at once. Why not? In my opinion, these three are complementary to each other; however, they should be pursued with solidarity. And if we can achieve solidarity, then we can say that we have finally matured as a community of kindred people. And that would lead to political empowerment.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

6th Annual Asian Pacific Islanders 2007 Voters Education Forum

Sacramento for Democracy is proud to be a Co-Chair of the
6th Annual Asian Pacific Islanders 2007 Voters Education Forum

APAPA is saving 50 seats for Sacramento for Democracy members. If you would like to reserve a FREE SEAT to this excellent event, please RSVP here:

DFA RSVP

This is going to be a HUGE event with nearly 2,000 people in attendance! The Presidential candidates have been invited to this event. We will update you as they confirm their attendance. A partial confirmed attendee list is below.

This fully educational and non-partisan event will include special debate panels on Health Care and Immigration.

SAVE THE DATE:
Event: 2007 Voters Education Forum
Date: October 28, 2007
Time: 2pm to 3pm - General Reception
3pm to 5pm - Education Forum, Speech and Debates by candidates (Presidential candidates, Congressional candidates, State and Local candidates from Greater Sacramento area, Bay Area, Yolo, and San Joaquin counties)
5pm to 6pm - VIP reception (invitation only)
Place: Sacramento State University Student Union, 1,800 capacity
Admission: FREE

The Filipino American Library 7th Annual Spirit Awards

2007 FAL GALA
When :
Saturday Oct 20, 2007 at 6:00 PM

Where :
Millenium Biltmore
506 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles , CA

Contact :

filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net

Telephone: (213) 382-0488


The Filipino American Library 7th Annual Spirit Awards & Dinner Benefit Gala
The Filipino American Library – Our mission is to actively promote the history, culture, and professional achievements of Filipinos and Filipino Americans through the book collection, leadership development, and cultural programming, thereby contributing to the achievement of a culturally dynamic, multiethnic America.

The Filipino American Library is a division of the Filipino American Heritage Institute.