Hello, friends! It’s been sometime since you’ve heard from me. For this worldwide email directed to all Overseas Filipinos/Filipinas s and the Asian Pacific American community for this special weekend, these are my highlights for you to consider. Take action! Please forward freely and widely in your distribution list. My apologies for any cross-postings.

– Lorna Dietz, community publicist for the Filipino (FilipinasMag.com), Indonesian (KabariNews.com), & Punjabi (SanJoseMela.com) American communities

THIS WEEKEND’S HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Overseas Filipino Voters for the Philippine Elections (Babae Ka Party List, #110 on the ballot) and Filipino voters in the Philippines (Babae Ka Party List, #116 on the ballot)

Jacqueline Lingad or Jacquie Lingad Ricci, An Overseas Filipina and a dear friend to many of us, is one of the four nominees of this women’s political party (a centrist organization). One of their advocacies is to make sure Anti-Age Discrimination is practiced in the Filipino workplace (it’s about time!). Check out the video, ALL ABOUT BABAE KA IN FIVE MINUTES, that I created/produced (Youtube) at http://bit.ly/b75VYd

Before I decided to support Babae Ka Party List, I placed my research in a FilipinaImages.com posting. What an eye-opener! See http://bit.ly/d2RAgh

2. The V Monologues and MMRP with an all-Asian Pacific American cast in San Francisco on April 10, 2010 (produced by the Filipina Women’s Network since 2004)

Here’s a moving video (Youtube) where Fides Enriquez and Gerri Nuval talk about why they joined the 2010 cast. http://bit.ly/aA5kbe

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010
WHERE: Herbst Theatre, San Francisco

Admission: $88 (VIP), $38 (general admission), $28 (students/ seniors), 10% discount for groups of 20 or more.
Can’t make it to the show? Sponsor a resident or a staff member of a domestic violence agency. Only $38. Click here to sponsor: http://www.filipinawomensnetwork.org/events?eventId=134499&EventViewMode=EventDetails

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://filipinawomensnetwork.org/

THE V-DIARIES 2010 ONLINE with Mona Pasquil, Acting Lieutenant Governor, State of California, on the cover page: http://bit.ly/cBpycW (and for all you Cebuano/Bisaya-speaking folks in my Universe, Mona is one “garbo sa sugbo’ gyud)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1. BABAE KA

From Jacqueline Lingad Ricci’s facebook page:

Jacquie Lingad, Babae Ka Partylist Director & No. 2 Nominee, is the daughter of former Pampanga Governor Jose Bulaon Lingad of Lubao Pampanga who was the first opposition leader to be assassinated during the Marcos dictatorship. Daughter of Catalina Canlas Mangila from San Vicente, Santa Rita Pampanga. Formerly with the PCGG (Philippine Commission on Good Government) and DOT (Department of Tourism). Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Response Team. Fighting for the the rights of Women & Children in our homeland and overseas. An activist during the martial law era and member of the Movement for Free Philippines and Ninoy Aquino Movement. Activities include Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council and against domestic violence to women & children.

2. FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK

Marily Mondejar, FWN president, sent an email to us. Here are snippets from this email:

http://www.filipinawomensnetwork.org/v-2010asian

Meet the brave women and men of the V-Day FWN Asian American Cast & Crew 2010, San Francisco:

1. Bill Tamayo, Esq., Regional Attorney, EEOC for San Francisco and Pacific Northwest
2. Brenda Hartshorn, Photographer
3. Brian Soo, Kaiser Permanente
4. Charles Wang, Cellist
5. Claudine Cheng, Attorney & Principal, Claudine Cheng Consultants
6. Connie Zheng, Client Staff Assistant, Burson-Marsteller
7. Dave Rodriguez, Realtor, Pacific Realty and Investment Corporation
8. David Chiu, Supervisor, SF District 3 and President, SF Board of Supervisors
9. Don Santos, Retail Fragrance Specialist, Make-up Artist
10. Dr. Emily Murase, Executive Director, San Francisco Dept. of the Status of Women and Candidate for the San Francisco School Board
11. Erin Fightmaster, Teacher, Kid Street Learning Center
12. Errol Zshornack, Attorney at Law
13. Felicia Perez, Professional Genealogist, Lecturer, and Dream Worker
14. Fides Enriquez, Executive Director, Pacific Ethnographic and New Art Media
15. Fiona Ma, Speaker pro Tempore, Assemblywoman, District 12
16. Franklin M. Ricarte, Social Media Strategist
17. Genevieve Dwyer, President, Genevieves Corporation
18. Geraldine Nuval-Weibull, Owner, My Boudoir Lingerie
19. Gian Lizardo, Youth Advocate, Project: Come Passion & Soulciety
20. Gladys Dodds, Managing Associate, Partners in Business Systems
21. Helen Marte Bautista, (former) Commissioner, San Francisco Public Library
22. Dr. Jennifer Ong, Optometrist; Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women
23. Josephine Romero, Philippine Trade Commissioner, UI.S. Western Region
24. Julie D. Soo, Esq., Senior Staff Counsel, California Dept. of Insurance
25. Juliette Olivia Musni, Student, Rooftop Alternative
26. Katrina Socco, Senior Director of Programs, Youth Leadership Institute, San Mateo County
27. Keesa Ocampo, Government and Community Relations, ABS CBN International
28. Koua Jacklyn Franz, Executive Director, Hmong Women’s Heritage Association
29. Madeleine O’Dell Conui, LOLA Activist, Retired RN
30. Marife Sevilla RN, President, Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California
31. Marites Ares, Legislative Analyst, California School Boards Association
32. Maya Ong Escudero, Teacher
33. Mitzi Manzano, Freelance Make-up Artist and Fashion Stylist
34. Mona Pasquil, Acting Lieutenant Governor, State of California
35. Noelani Sallings, President, DAWN -Democratic Activists for Women Now
36. Norma P. Edar, CFO, A Topnotch Security Services Inc. and Costless Maintenance Services
37. Rae Almajose, Retired
38. Raymond Virata, Art Director, Filipinas Magazine
39. Sabrina Sandalo, Marketing, Frog Design
40. Sol M. Manaay, President & CEO, Care on Call, Inc.
41. Sonia Delen, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
42. Dr. Valerie de Leon, Dentist, Millbrae Smile Center

The much-awaited verdict on the three cases filed against San Jose, California community leader, Ben Menor, which was to have been handed down on September 18, was moved back to October 9, following an agreement between the District Attorney’s Office and Menor’s counsel, Charles Hendrickson of the Public Defender’s Office, before Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Ray E. Cunningham, that Menor would plead No Contest to one charge, while the two other cases would be dismissed.

The postponement was because the Department of Probation was not prepared to present the necessary documents that would have facilitated the immediate resolution of the cases.

According to Hendrickson, in a briefing to media after the proceedings, the dismissal of two of the three cases against Menor had earlier been offered by the DA’s office on condition of payment of restitution of $46,862 and of Menor pleading No Contest to the charge of making a false statement on a financial report.

At the September 18 court appearance, Menor’s counsel informed Judge Cunningham that a payment of $51,000 had already been made to Santa Clara County by Menor, thus satisfying the first condition. Other fees and charges account for the excess payment.

Hendrickson further explained to the media that the No Contest plea would result in the charge being reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, with no jail term, and in its being immediately expunged. Based on the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code, that would amount to a dismissal of the case.

“In effect,” said Hendrickson, “it would be as if the case were just being initiated and the defendant were to enter a plea of not guilty.”

The cases against Menor were filed by the City of San Jose based on allegations that Menor, as President and CEO of the Filipino-American Senior Opportunities Development Council and Executive Director of the Jacinto Tony Siquig Northside Community Center, had used funds and facilities of the City and of the center for unauthorized and illegal purposes, and that he had submitted false financial reports concerning payment of services rendered by the center.

One of the charges was for grand theft, allegedly because Menor had used City and center funds for the August 2002 national conference of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), a national organization of which Menor is a member. The other charge, also for grand theft, alleged that Menor had arranged for services that benefited his parents at the expense of the center.

Based on the evidence at hand, the District Attorney’s office offered to have the two grand theft cases dismissed, provided that Menor paid restitution amounting to around $14,000 for the case involving NaFFAA and around $32,000 for the case involving his parents, or a total of $46,862.

The other condition was for Menor to plead No Contest to the third case, which alleged that Menor had unlawfully over-charged the city for services rendered to the center’s clients. An uncertain reading and interpretation of the rules on charging for services may have been the reason for the agreement to reduce the charges from a felony to a misdemeanor and its immediate expunging from the court records.

The Jacinto Tony Siquig Northside Community Center, on North 6th Street in San Jose, is a 16,500 square ft. facility consisting of the center itself and an apartment for senior housing. It serves all ethnicities, although up to 80 percent of beneficiaries are of Filipino descent.

Menor led the efforts to raise the money – totaling $8 million for the center and $17 million for the senior housing – from grants from the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, the state of California and other sources, including funds made possible by the Community Reinvestment Act. Construction of the facility began in 2001. It was inaugurated in 2003.

Menor had been connected with the Filipino-American Senior Opportunities Development Council since 1993. He left in 2006 when the charges against him were filed.

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Tom and Yolanda Stern are a very interesting couple to spend time with, whenever we get that rare chance. Dynamic conversations are a norm. Tom really dances up a storm with Yolanda (with ease and grace!) during those ballroom-type parties. That’s just the social part — and trust that it’s not often that we even get to see them dance. I’ve personally been a part of strategic planning activities as well as political and cultural events wherein I’ve witnessed the couple’s foresight, dedication, accountability, and astute attention to details. I really look forward to my volunteer work with them during collaborative Filipino community efforts.

The stuff the Sterns are made of embody the qualities of loving-kindness and compassion. That’s my opinion. I believe that the Sterns truly enjoy their economic and cultural empowerment activities for the Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas. They are definitely “hands-on” humanitarians.

Another personal item: I don’t even dare call “Manang Yo,” Yolanda’s nickname, on her cellphone because she might answer her phone calls from who-knows-where-in-the-mountains-of-Mindanao. In any case, I’m being considerate about unnecessarily contacting this beautiful couple by phone unless it is really urgent.

Here’s what Tom and Yolanda have been up to. I hope the One World Institute gets more recognition, nationally or internationally, for its unheralded work that empowers disabled, economically-impoverished persons — soon!

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Just some updates: Manang Yo’s Filipino Yellow Pages USA is doing very well, thank you! I get my news from Ben Menor, who is a Vice President of this growing business entity that is focused on “connecting the dots,” person-to-person, business-to-person, business-to-business, state-to-state, and country-to-country. For more information on how your business or professional services can partner with the Filipino Yellow Pages USA Edition, contact me (scroll below!) and I’ll pass on your message to them.

Your non-profit organization might also want to partner with the One World Institute. Click here to contact them.

More power to the One World Institute!

I met Raju in 1998 through Padma Mangharam Siap, another wonderful motivational speaker and drama coach. They sometimes have joint speaking engagements. I enjoy my multi-cultural and inter-ethnic interactions with both of them since they keep me laughing and engaged — and they definitely keep me on my toes. When Raju isn’t busy with his speaking engagements, he’s a devoted single dad. Ah yes, he likes biking. When he visits San Francisco, I have a request from Raju to find him a bike.

For samples of his speeches and interviews, check out Raju Mandhyan’s YouTube videos.

I hope some of you can make it to this special event. Please let Raju know that I sent you to the book launching!

Here’s the text of the e-mail invitation I received.

The Heart of Humor is written and designed for all those who believe that all the melodious sounds of laughter are in praise and appreciation of this wonderful gift of life.

Wrapped between simple explanations of the nuances and the benefits of laughter are seven simple language techniques which will highlight for you what makes us all laugh and how.

Time: 5:00PM, Date: April 01, 2008
Venue: Fully Booked, Serendra, Fort Bonifacio
Thank you. I look forward to seeing you there.

Raju Mandhyan
www.mandhyan.com

“Laughter is like magic – it comes and goes. Give it away as it comes; and the whole world will be laughingly with you – as this book has humanly outlined.” Rosalina O. Fuentes, Ph D., The Laughing Dean, SAIDI School of OD

“Humor is a reminder that no matter how high the throne one sits on,
one sits on one’s bottom … never loose perceptive.”
Donna Hickey – MBA, International Professional Speaker, Chicago, IIlinois.

Components of humor ripped apart so that even comedians can re-assemble their stuff funnier and faster.”
Leo Martinez, Actor and Comedian, Philippines

“It’s funny but humor really works and I should know!
Learn, laugh and lead with the Heart of Humor!”
Scott Friedman, Motivational Humorist.

“Raju has been able to take painful scenarios and play with them to create humor.
And, he walks the talk!”
Allie Mooney, APS, Most Humorous and Entertaining Speaker
Year 2006, National Speakers Association of New Zealand

“Clear, sensitive and a delight! Through vivid stories and accessible strategies,
Mandhyan wittily persuades how anyone can and should churn out humor for a more vibrant existence.”Sunita S. Mukhi, Stony Brook University, New York

“Up against the WALL? Read this book, it will open doors where none existed.”
Mohan M Phadke, Consultant, Pune, India

“Practical tools and suggestions to dispense humor on demand.”
Ajay Gupta, Astrum Solutions, India

“Full of fun and foibles that make you ponder, explore and grow!”
Janice Hung, Model, Actress and Tai Chi Athlete

“I’ve seen Raju make his audiences roll on the floor laughing. In this books he shows
and tells how.”
Bjorn Martinoff, Fortune 100 Coach

RAJU MANDHYAN
INNER SUN CONSULTANTS
A World of Clear, Creative and Conscientious Thinkers!

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

For the fifth year since these US-based Filipina women started this social justice project, Filipina Women’s Network continues to honor the Vagina and Puki in ending violence against women and girls worldwide. M. Evelina Galang, the Filipina Comfort Women of World War II’s advocate, a.k.a. Friends of Lolas, is expected to be in San Francisco during one of the events.

I am one of the original cast members of the first FWN production of The Vagina Monologues in 2004. I wrote about my experiences in this ground-breaking social justice project in my column at Manila Bulletin-USA: “Finding the Vagina Warrior” in the Filipina Woman.

I feel so blessed to have bonded with many of these women and girls for the past soon-to-be-five years. We’ve learned how to use our Bitch Powers, the way my sister, Noemi Dado, describes it. My roles have been different in every production. This year, the PR team “picked my brains” for suggestions and referrals. I am so impressed by these volunteers!

So, here’s my pitch!

The Filipina Women’s Network in San Francisco and New York is waiting for you to buy your tickets before the shows sell out! We’re celebrating and honoring 10 years of V-Day! Go to www.FFWN.org for more information.

The Vagina Monologues – SAN FRANCISCO: March 31, 7:00 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. Tickets at www.cityboxoffice.com or 415-392-4400. After-show party at Poleng Lounge.

NEW YORK: April 18, 7pm @ the Philippine Center NY

Usaping Puki (the Tagalog version of “The Vagina Monologues”) – SAN FRANCISCO: April 5, 2:00 p.m., Morgan Auditorium Academy of Art University, 491 Post St. Tickets available at http://morgan08.eventbrite.com. After-show party at Carmen’s Adobo Joint at Pier 40, San Francisco.

NEW YORK: April 19, 2:30pm @ the Philippine Center NY

Until The Violence Stops (Film Screening & Vagina Warrior Awards) – SAN FRANCISCO: March 28, 7:00 p.m., AP Giannini Auditorium, Bank of America Bldg, California and Montgomery Sts. Tickets available online at http://morgan08.eventbrite.com. Begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by Ramar Foods.

A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer (NEW show! Filipino women and men cast! aka MMRT) - SAN FRANCISCO: April 4, 7:00 p.m., Herbst Theatre (www.cityboxoffice.com) and April 5, 7:00 p.m., Morgan Auditorium, Academy of Art University, 491 Post St. Tickets available online at http://morgan08.eventbrite.com. After-show party at Zebulon right after the April 4 performance.

NEW YORK: April 19, 7pm @ the Philippine Center NY

Restaurants sponsoring the after-show parties are owned by Filipino entrepreneurs who continue to support of FWN’s Save A Filipina campaign and a violence-free community.

For more information, contact www.ffwn.org or call 415-278-9410

About Filipina Women’s Network

FWN is the non-profit association for women of Philippine ancestry in the United States.

FWN strives to enhance public perceptions of Filipina women’s capacities to lead, change biases against Filipina women’s leadership abilities and promote the entry of Filipina women into positions of leadership in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.

What is Save A Filipina?

In collaboration with V-Day, Filipinas Against Violence: Save A Filipina is FWN’s anti-domestic violence campaign to raise awareness through theatre, popular culture and education about the high incidence of violence in Filipino homes and intimate partner relationships. Our mission is to help Filipina women in abusive relationships take action and seek help. Engaging the Filipino community through the V-Day shows and hearing the women’s stories in Tagalog “hits home” and helps the Filipina community understand the broader connections of Filipino values such as respect for women, dignity, family, equality and justice to social and economic issues and to class and religion. More information, email Marily Mondejar at marilym@ffwn.org or go www.ffwn.org.

About V-Day

V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play The Vagina Monologues. 2008 marks V-Day’s 10 year anniversary and with it V-Day has introduced two new events, V-Day’s A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer: Writings on Violence Against Women and Girls, and the V-Day documentary Until The Violence Stops. In 2007, more than 3000 V-Day events took place in the U.S. and around the world. To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $50 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns, launched the Karama program in the Middle East, reopened shelters, and funded over 5000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. For more information, email Susan Swan at press@vday.org or go to http://www.vday.org.

What is a V-Day Campaign?

A V-Day Campaign is a catalyst for mobilizing women and men to heighten awareness about violence against women and girls. By creating this global community, V-Day strives to empower women to find their collective voices and demand an end to the violence that affects one in three women in the US and around the world.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Alyson Megur
alysonM@ffwn.org

Sunny Dykwel
sdykwel@apr.com
(San Mateo / San Jose contact)

Calling all Filipina bloggers worldwide! Join FilipinaImages.com’s collaborative project with wikiPilipinas.org, the “Filipina Stories” Writing Contest, to celebrate Women’s History Month.

TITLE: IF YOU CAN E-MAIL, YOU CAN WIKI

SUB-TITLE: About wikiPilipinas.org, a human-edited encyclopedia about Filipinos worldwide

PRESS CONTACT:
Lorna Dietz
Co-Founder, FilipinaImages.com
lornadietz@gmail.com
Skype phone: 415 508-5326 or lornadietz
For ID purposes only: Member, “Shape the Filipina Image Campaign” Committee of Filipina Women’s Network (FFWN.org)

TEXT FOR PRESS RELEASE (FOR MEDIA OUTLETS OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES):

Gus Vibal of Vibal Publishing House, a respected name in the Philippines’ educational book business industry, is tenacious and unstoppable in his efforts to get the word out about “the joys of the wiki” for Filipinos and about Filipinos. Vibal’s substantial investment in wikiPilipinas.org, the hip ‘n free Philippine Encyclopedia, is accomplishing major milestones by attracting partnering organizations to collaborate with writing projects. Wiki writers can now take advantage of the opportunities to promote literacy and history in the following languages: English, Filipino, Cebuano, Waray, Ilokano, Bicol, and Kapampangan. Those who are familiar with Wikipedia’s platform will find wikiPilipinas’s format familiar territory.

A month-long program of activities has been organized to celebrate March as Women’s History Month in the Philippines. According to WikiPilipinas.org, a special portal called the “Encyclopedia of Philippine Women” will be launched during March 2008, compiling and detailing the achievements and triumphs of Filipinas everywhere. Vibal announced that “Filipiniana.net will also host a Philippine Women Microsite containing selected scholarly texts, research documents and abstracts, as well as selected literary works from Filipina writers.”

Philippine-based bloggers are also providing an online community presence for the March activities through FilipinaImages.com, an advocacy portal and news site that promotes an empowering “Reshaping the Filipina Image Online” campaign. Co-founders Noemi Lardizabal Dado, Dine Racoma, and Lorna Lardizabal Dietz collaborated with wikiPilipinas.org in launching a writing contest, “Filipina Stories,” for bloggers. Details about the writing contest are found at the main page of wikiPilipinas.org or FilipinaImages.com. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2008.

For bloggers and non-bloggers alike, a wiki project can be the next best thing to publishing and showcasing the stories of Filipinos worldwide without burdening financial resources. Media organizations, researchers, industry leaders and experts, community activists, and people from all walks of life are given an equal opportunity to interactively collaborate in writing and editing an ongoing documentation and history about the Filipinos’ evolution and progress worldwide — as it happens.

For more information about how to get involved in a wiki project for your organization, contact any of the following: Noemi Dado (AboutMyRecovery.com) at NoemiDado@gmail.com, Dine Racoma (DineRacoma.com.ph) at bracoma@gmail.com, or Lorna Dietz (RadiantView.com) at lornadietz@gmail.com.

wikiPilipinas.org’s schedule for Women’s History Month is subject to changes without any notice. Please check the website for updates and revisions.

March 3 (Monday) 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Venue: Manila Hotel
Event: Helena Benitez Global Forum on Women, Power and Sustainable Development
(Sponsored by Ugnayan ng Kababaihan sa Pilipinas & AWNGAD)
Attendees: Local women leaders from different local government units nationwide

Tentative Program
9:30–9:40 am: Introduction; Viewing of wikiPilipinas.org and Filipiniana.org videos
9:40-10:10 am: Women, Leadership and the Internet – Tin Mandigma (Read or Die Philippines)
10:10-10:25 am: Using Technology in Uplifting the Image of the Filipina – FilipinaImages.com
10:25 – 11:00 am: Ceremonial Unveiling of Two Women Portals; An overview of WikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net
11:00-11:30 am: Question & Answer session; hands-on session

March 8 (Saturday) 8:30am – 12:00nn
Venue: UP Theater
Event: National Women’s Day Celebration (headed by NCRFW)
20 minutes presentation: An overview of wikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net; A Call for more entries to the Filipina Writing Contest
Attendees: 2000 students, NGOs

March 11 (Tuesday)
Event: UP Centennial Lecture of Dr. Carol Sobritchea
An overview of wikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net; A Call for more entries to the Filipina Writing Contest

March 13 (Thursday)
Venue: Batangas Provincial Capitol, Batangas City
Event: A short message from Vibal Foundation announcing its Women Portal Projects and the partnership with NCRFW to local women leaders and government officials

March 24 – March 26 (Monday to Wednesday)
Venue: Miriam College
Event: Women’s Studies International Conference
An overview of wikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net; Filipiniana.net will sponsor one lecture for its (Filipiniana.net Lecture Series) featuring Dr. Carol Sobritchea, the director of the UP Center for Women’s Studies; Announcement of Filipina Writing Stories winners

Notes for media outlets: Please e-mail Noemi Dado at noemidado@gmail.com if you need a jpeg image of the wikiPilipinas.org Filipina Stories’ logo and some photos. Thank you.

I thought about this quote when I first heard the news about Larry Formalejo. “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” (by Aldous Huxley, English Novelist and Critic, 1894-1963)

Larry Formalejo may have resigned as Mayor of the Town of Colma — and life will go on… Stepping down from a public office is not a sign of defeat. It means that Larry Formalejo knows his priorities. For many of Colma’s citizens and residents, seeing Larry continue to bring joy and happiness to their many community-based efforts in making Colma a better town to live and work in is what matters most.

I know there are parents out there who can empathize with Larry’s situation. What is common ground is that most parents are concerned when it comes to their children’s well-being and would work at finding out how they can comfort and best support their children during traumatic circumstances — and yes, without abusing their positions in the workplace or government.

In Larry Formalejo’s case, his role as a father was not what other public servants saw. They perceived Larry Formalejo as a mayor first, not as a concerned parent. Different perceptions. Different motivations.

Let’s remember the human factor of this situation. Larry, I commend you for having the courage and bravery to be a parent first.

This is the text of Larry Formalejo’s resignation letter. In his own words.

February 13, 2008

Diane McGrath, City Manager
Town of Colma
1198 El Camino
Colma, CA 94004-3212

Dear Diane,

Statement of Larry Formalejo

Effective today, I hereby step down as Mayor of this Great Town of Colma.

I do so with great sadness in my heart and remorse for any heartache I may have caused to my fellow council members and more importantly, to my community.

I have been your Mayor for only a brief period of time. As a young Mayor, I have tried my best to serve the community as best as I can. I have much to learn however, and along the way I may have made some missteps.

You should know that I have a family and a son whom I care for deeply. Last year, he was arrested for a DUI. As a result of his arrest, I took some actions that may have been perceived as in conflict with my ethical obligations as a City Councilman at that time. Although I cannot go further into the details of my actions based on the advice of my attorney, I am accepting full responsibility for the situation and offer my apologies to everyone involved. Although not an excuse, you should know that I acted as a father who was simply concerned with the well being of his own son.

These actions of mine, again which I take full responsibility for, would result in a long protracted legal battle. Rather than engage in such a battle, I am stepping down to avoid causing any further disruption in the governance of the Town of Colma.

I have a family whom I love dearly. I have a community who I care for just as much.

I am sorry for this. I hope to prove to all of you that I am worthy to be your Mayor again someday in the future. I have a lot of work to do. I will try harder to be a better councilman for everyone in the community.

Sincerely,

[signed]Larry Formalejo
Larry Formalejo
Mayor of Colma

These were the words that resonated with me as Annie Leonard guided us in her 20-minute online presentation, “The Story of Stuff.” Part 1 of this amazing video is found here, courtesy of FreeRange Studios.

Annie Leonard speaks clearly about the hazards of living in a “planned obsolescence society.” At the end of this fast-paced video (it’s better viewed from the website), we are invited to spread the word and find more points of intervention.

Quotes from her talk: Seeing the big picture, or making the linear “old school” mindset non-linear. The new way is about “sustainability and equity.” We can’t continue with the old way. “Let’s create something new,” Annie calls out to us!

The video invites us to “Click here for 10 recommendations for another way.” For more details, click on the title below:

10 Little and Big Things You Can Do

1. Power down.
2. Waste less.
3. Talk to everyone about these issues.
4. Make your voice heard.
5. DeTox your body, DeTox your home, and DeTox the Economy.
6. Unplug (the TV and internet) and Plug In (the community).
7. Park your car and walk…and when necessary MARCH!
8. Change your lightbulbs…and then, change your paradigm.
9. Recycle your trash…and, recycle your elected officials.
10. Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used, and most importantly, Buy Less.

www.TheStoryOfStuff.com makes it easy for any advocate to host a screening.

Quoted from the website:

If you liked The Story of Stuff and the messages it conveys, we invite you to share it with your community by showing the film at a house party, or classroom, or church group, or neighborhood association or any other location. Here is everything you need to organize a successful event:

- Tips for Holding a Party (PDF)
- Invitations (PDF)
- Taking Action (PDF)
- Group Activities (PDF)
- Discussion Guide (PDF)
- 8.5in x 11in Screening Poster (PDF)
- 11in x 17in Screening Poster (PDF)

Simplify, simplify, and simplify.

Thank you to Tony Ranque for sending me this life-changing message.

I was resting in my Chicagoland home in early November 2007 (after my back-to-back trips to Washington DC and The Netherlands) when I received an e-mail from one of my STC classmates. Our US reunion had just been published at a new online magazine, BisayaBulletin.com. Thanks to a former childhood classmate from St. Theresa’s College in Cebu, Mike Mediano, he made sure we knew that the Bisaya-speaking community in the US has an online home they can call their “balay” or “ba’y.” The editors are Stella Antigua Peyton, May Toling Mediano, and Teresa Martinez Sepulveda. Yes, Tisay, it’s me — your old neighbor, Lorna.

May Mediano wrote about the reunion I hadn’t been able to attend — so I enjoyed looking at the photos and carefully read Marina Hamoy’s account of our reunion in Cebuano. Gee, my Cebuano is so-so because English has always been my first language. In high school, many of my classmates often poked fun at me, saying, “Ay, si Lorna, always spokening in dollars.”

That was many years ago.

During my UP Diliman years, I joined a varsitarian organization, the UP Panaghi-usa. Yes, I learned to speak Cebuano a little more fluently by joining a group from Cebu. I still cannot write a speech in Cebuano. I have absolutely no fear in public speaking but when someone asks me to speak “Bisaya,” I graciously decline. I don’t want to make a fool of myself among the Bisayan language pundits.

There were a lot of surprises in store for me as I clicked through the pages of Bisaya Bulletin’s archives. Since I left Cebu 22 years ago, I’ve been on a “time warp” regarding the faces of my friends from the Philippines. Yesterday, my sister, Noemi Dado, asked me if I remember Rep. Liza Largoza Maza as our dorm mate at the Sampaguita dormitory in UP Diliman. She had to show me a photo of the famous women’s rights advocate from an Inquirer.net article. “Ah yes, the one with the peaches and cream complexion. I remember that she had this very graceful walk. And that she had a very calm, quiet demeanor. But I really don’t remember her joining any of the mass actions in the mid-1970’s, but she was quite active in the dorm’s activities,” I finally recalled.

Back to BisayaBulletin.com.

To my delight, I saw group photos of my hometown’s friends and neighbors (and my classmates’ sisters) such as Joy Martinez Onozawa, Auau Figueroa Balce, and Ruth Paul Cruz. Among New Year’s Party photos, I was pleased to find Raymond Solano and his family. I could go on and on.

My assessment: BisayaBulletin.com is performing a needed service for homesick Bisayans like me. Personally, I’ve always had problems connecting with my Southern California Filipino American community because the population is spread far and wide among the counties. They have enclaves that don’t even know about each other. So, when I chat with old friends such as Dinah Bertulfo Katindig, Joey Solano, or Alden Salazar, I can rely on BisayaBulletin.com to trigger my sometimes-rusty memory of common friends who can be found in the pages of BisayaBulletin.com. Thank you to Claribel “Kuya” Ybanez for sending me a personal e-mail about the group’s editorial efforts.

I would also like everyone to note that there is an indigenous Philippine languages movement building an intellectual storm worldwide. If I may quote the yahoogroup, DILA, whose director, Manuel Faelnar, is someone I have been quietly following online for the past few years:

Welcome to one of the world’s most successful discussion forums in the internet. Here we compare words in our languages and learn other languages as a result.
This forum is the “home court” of DILA members based in the Philippines, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, Dubai and other countries.
DILA, which stands for Defenders of Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago, is a union among patriotic Pangasinenses, Pampanguenos, Bicolanos, Warays, Karay-as, Ilongos, Cebuanos, Ilocanos, and other ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines who feel aggrieved by the language policy of their country, and whose passion in life centers around promoting their dear languages (and other aspects of their culture) and saving them from extinction. Their related activities include studying their languages and doing language translations, interpretations and comparisons in a scholarly way. They work for the intellectualization of their languages and aim to have them be made languages of instruction and regular subjects in the school curriculum. Love and pride for their languages motivated them into forging this grand alliance. All members of minority groups, as well as exceptionally sympathetic Tagalogs, are strongly encouraged to join us and participate in our intellectual discussions. We are here to destroy the growing Tagalista mentality that is marginalizing all native languages to no end. “United, we shall overcome!”

You can e-mail Manuel Faelnar at manuelfaelnar@gmail.com.

This is every event organizer and public relations practitioner’s issue: When you’ve invited many speakers to talk before an audience and you want to adhere to tight time management guidelines for this particular function. I am not a protocol or etiquette expert. However, I write “sequence sheets” or “time schedule slash scripts” for some tightly-produced events, taking into account that I need “wiggle room” for overtime.

To my friends in the Filipino American community, and especially to Filipina women organizers “who’ve been there, done that, did this,” I would like to hear your happy anecdotes and horror stories about these “two minute” speakers.

We’ve all been there.

Here’s a typical scenario I’ve experienced.

It’s a one-day conference and you’ve informed all the speakers that they can speak to your luncheon audience, two minutes per speaker. Then, you remind them that the attendees are following a very tight program afterwards and thus, you tactfully advise the speakers to have prepared speeches since they are only allowed two minutes each. You’ve also apprised the emcees that you would prefer 20-second introductions for each speaker.

What happens next?

Which speaker below can you relate to? Or better yet, are you this type of public speaker?

1. The speaker who never responded to your invitation to speak and who shows up at the last minute, expecting to be a speaker.

Wow! This is a most embarrassing situation. (I decided to include this type of speaker because not many event organizers have addressed this occurrence.)

You would say, “Mr. Never Responded, unfortunately, we cannot accommodate your talk in this session because we didn’t receive your RSVP to our invitation to speak. I really don’t know what happened AND we can accommodate your 2-minute talk at another function in this event.”

Mr. Never Responded replies: “That won’t work. You asked me to speak during the luncheon.”

You would smile and stay firmly in control: “Mr. Never Responded, we appreciate that you came all the way from Far Away Land to be with us today. We’ll be able to have you speak during our Fellowship Party tonight. You’ll be the third speaker. Miss Follow-Up here will guide you.”

Don’t wait for an answer or any rebuttals. Excuse yourself because you are very busy coordinating all the elements of your successful event. Just make sure that Miss Follow-Up treats your Mr. Never Responded speaker with kid gloves, whether or not this person supposedly exercises political clout for your event’s attendees.

What if the speaker had been invited to speak at a stand-alone event?

There is no right or wrong answer for this question.

My initial answer would be, “No, we cannot change the program since this has already been approved by the committee. It is most unfortunate that we didn’t get your timely response. During our next event, perhaps, we will invite you again — as long as we receive your response during the given deadlines.”

If, at the back of their heads, they are saying “You bitch! Who do you think you are?” — look at it this way: Would you want the same situation to happen to you if you were the event organizer?

Now, here comes the complications.

a. Mr. Never Responded threatens to pull out his support, sponsorship, donations, or whatever monetary assistance he has given to your organization.

I would say, “I will definitely make sure that the committee knows about this in writing. Would you be so kind to write to the committee about what you just told me?”

OR

b. When you say, “No,” Mr. Never Responded complains to every guest in the event that he wasn’t allowed to speak, and that his prime competitor number 1 has been asked to speak.

Trust that you will not win with this one, no matter what happens.

Recently, Mr. Never Responded tried to pick a quarrel with an event organizer (who just so happened to be handling the community reception that was being given by the mayor of a major US city to celebrate an ethnic group’s Independence Day in Far Away Land) because he wasn’t allowed to speak (yes, because he didn’t respond to the invitation to speak). The mayor is currently having second thoughts about hosting future community receptions for this racial group. “What a quarrelsome and ungrateful community,” that’s what this mayor is probably thinking.

And Mr. Never Responded black-listed the event organizer’s name for any of his organization’s future events.

2. “I can wing it!”

This is the speaker who believes that the cue card with his or her “bullet points” is all that’s needed. Or, “I know this organization like the back of my hand. I have an automatic outline in my head!”

Wrong!

Two minutes comes and goes so quickly!

Unless you have mastered the art of knowing how many words make up your two-minute speech or what the rate of your talking speed is, don’t even attempt this.

What’s the best way to prepare for your 2-minute speech?

a. Write your draft.

With a 12-point font on your word processor, single-spaced, write your speech until you reached three-fourths of the typed page.

b. Read your first draft aloud with a stopwatch.

You have a stopwatch function in your cellphone. Look for it!

Chances are, with the speed of your talking, your speech is just a little over two minutes.

c. Start editing.

Take out the superfluous greetings that honors everyone of importance in the event. The introductions, from my experience, take one minute of your time. Honor everyone as a “whole.” Thus, “Convenors, Friends, supporters, and key advocates of the ‘Theme of the Event’” is ok with me!

d. Read your revised speech aloud and time it again. Repeat the process of rewriting until you can read your speech aloud within 1 minute and 50 seconds.

e. Your final speech is transferred to cue cards on 14-point font size, with red marks and highlights that show when you need to slow down, emphasize certain words, or pause.

REMEMBER: Be brief, concise, and effective.

3. “What? They are only giving me two minutes to speak? I’m a Very Important Person! I have a lot to say SO when I am onstage, they won’t be able to kick me out if I speak longer than my two minutes.”

Talking about “disrespectful speakers,” this is the worst kind!

I remember one luncheon experience wherein I was asked to read a speech on behalf of a government agency. I was one of 10 speakers! Just the fact that there were 10 speakers who were allotted 10 minutes each in a luncheon reception at a conference was a mistake in event planning (and I wasn’t the event planner).

One of the speakers who decided to make his speech an evangelical mission rah-rahhed the luncheon audience for 30 minutes! The event coordinators told me to cut my speech to five minutes. I didn’t have a stopwatch but I brought an analog tape recorder to time my speech. Before my five minutes were up, a nervous event coordinator sent me a note telling me to cut my speech. I was really irritated because I was within my time limit. When I listened to my recorded speech later, I discovered to my relief that I had spoken in less than five minutes.

You can imagine my consternation having to edit a 10-minute speech into a five-minute speech while I was talking — without any rehearsal! Fortunately, I had been writing and making speeches for many, many years so creating a new speech from the original version was a “cake walk.”

Here’s what happened after this luncheon experience:

a. I complained to the event organizer that the intended message the speech evoked was not properly given. He decided to reprint the text of the speech in the organization’s website.

b. The evangelical speaker who spoke longer than intended was in my “Do not invite to speak at my event” recommendation list of speakers, no matter how many people told me that the organization this speaker represented promoted a good, worthy cause.

My retort was: “The intention might be good, but the effect of his actions surely turned me off. I’m not recommending him. Find me someone in their organization who can speak within the timeframe we want. Tell them to be respectful about people’s time, especially if they are looking for support.”

Yes, it’s true that event organizers ask each other about their experiences with past speakers at their events. So, if you’re black-listed, or if you get extra notices for a “Yes, we would really appreciate it very much if you speak well within the time limit,” then you might want to read between the lines. And chastise your “handlers” or your staff members for not being more honest with you. If your colleagues are out for your success, they will not have any qualms reminding you, in a very gentle way, to watch your time management.

Going back to our original VIP speaker who feels that he or she needs more time to speak?

There are several solutions.

Maybe the topic is so provocative and sensitive that it warrants its stand-alone forum or a keynote speech. It’s up to the event organizers to find out what would work.

The VIP speaker could invite the audience to his or her hotel’s hospitality suite so they can continue a discussion.

My favorite solution is:

1. Give the participants a presentation kit about your talking points ahead of time.

2. While you talk, make sure you have a synchronized video presentation to illustrate your talking points.

3. Invite the participants to connect with you in a personal way by making yourself available during set timeframes during the event. Invite the local media to talk to you after your speech.

WHAT IF THE SPEAKER IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL? IF HE OR SHE TALKS BEYOND THE TIME LIMIT, DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CUT HIM OR HER OUT?

One of my political consultant friends told me that once the elected official is onstage, we cannot tell him or her, “Your time is up!” Grin and bear it.

I found a way out of this predicament, though.

One day, the Very-Important-Elected-Official in Far Away Land’s speechwriter called me to ask for more information about the event. Before I discussed anything, I enthusiastically told the speechwriter about what a tightly-scheduled, exciting program we had in store for the event. The operating word was “tightly-scheduled.” I mentioned all the related words too! “A 45-minute program within a 1-1/2 hour event,” “Every speaker is asked to speak for two minutes AND as a keynote speaker, Mr. Very-Important-Elected-Official will be scheduled for 15 minutes. This program’s schedule is the Highest-Official-in-the-State’s request.”

MY TIP: Always make friends with the speechwriter and the handlers of the VIP person. Make them your allies! Namedrop. Mention the home state elected official’s request for a timely program, especially if this elected official is the host or honorary chair of the event.

Remember, every speaker is a messenger. Speaking before an audience is not about being a VIP or being acknowledged as an important person. The prime directive of any speaking engagement is to inform, inspire, persuade, or entertain.

WHAT IF YOU’RE PREPARING A 10-MINUTE SPEECH — OR LONGER?

From memory, here are some tips gained from my Toastmasters International experience in the very early 1980’s that might help you determine your meaningful and appropriate talking points:

- Remember the theme of the event. Always find a way to relate to this theme by providing a validating short quote or saying, preferably in the introductory first or second sentence.
- What kind of language does your audience understand? Speak in the language your audience can relate to. Is it the “touchie, feelie, holistic language?” Or is this an online social network that talks about “kicking ass content” and “douche bag” as acceptable words to use? Is this a political empowerment type of gathering? Or a business networking event?
- What one problem/issue/concern do you want to address? (Yes, for a 5 or 10-minute speech, one issue might suffice.)
- What three solutions or recommendations do you want your audience to know about? (Give brief explanations.)
- What is your “call to action” based on these three solutions or recommendations? Remember that you might only advocate for one out of three solutions.
- For your closing statement, connect it to your introductory statement (which might have some reference to the event’s theme).

One of my close friends, in a phone conversation, shared with me his defintion of “The Best Speaker,” according to professional standards. These speakers practise what they preach.

1. They take the time to know everything about the topic they are speaking about.
2.They write their speech according to the amount of time allowed.
3. They practise their speech so that it will be understood throughly to their listeners even if there is a bad microphone or sound system. (These sound system defects happen about 80% of the time.)
4. If they don’t have a written speech in their hands, they have gone beyond reading a speech.

ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING AND ME

My personal belief is that no matter how good you are at any topic underneath the sun, it pays to invest in public speaking skills and effective communiations skills. I worked on my public speaking skills in my early 20’s when I became the first woman member of the Sinulog Toastmasters Club in Cebu City, Philippines. There were only 19 members in our club yet we devoted a lot of time to bond with each other while we learned effective public speaking skills. My fondest memories are about Ernie Limkakeng, Joseph “Dodong” Baduel, Boy Caudor, Brogs Dalman, and the late Johnny Francisco as well as Charles Sy, and Arlene Faigao and Elvie Fuentes from the nearby Cebu Toastmasters Club. In 1983, I won honors for my club by being the first-runner up winner in the “Speech to Entertain” Contest in the Philippine Toastmasters National Speaking Contest at the once-Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baguio City, Philippines. That was a very competitive event because I was the first speaker — and probably the speaker that provoked the rest of the contestants in my category to be the best speakers they could be! So, I’m happy with my first-runner up laurels especially since my speech was a true story. I had just lost 45 lbs. so my speech was entitled “My Battle with the Bulge!” I also became a better creative writer because of my Toastmasters experience.

In 1997, during my employment at the San Francisco Business Times, Jamie Silver, my Advertising Director, and Caterina Rando, exposed me to Lee Glickstein’s Speaking Circles program. I finally conquered, in one day, my fear of “speaking from the heart,” or in Toastmasters parlance, “the extemporaneous speech.” I am forever gratefule to Caterina Rando and Dr. Doreen Hamilton for helping me learn the art of Authentic Speaking.

TWO MINUTES ONLY!

I’ve made it easier for people to know what I’m like to work with. For future major events I’m involved in, I will invite all prospective speakers to check out my blog entry.

Here is a photo of one great speaker who inspires me in anything that I do, especially in multi-ethnic coalition advocacy work: Mohinder Mann, Esquire