Category Archives: Non-Profit & Community

You’ll meet my altruistic self!

Sulu and Sabah: A Peaceful Request Turned Deathly for the Messengers

Non-Profit & Community, Writings and Musings, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
An Island in the Archipelago of Sulu

Yolanda Ortega Stern: From the Moro Art Contest for Peace (2004)Our special blogger for this posting is Yolanda Ortega Stern (“Manang YO”) of the One World Institute, a private health and education foundation that provides humanitarian services to areas in conflict, where no one dares to go and help out. I have been moderating a community blog for OWI since late 2010. Please watch out for updates in this posting. The newest update will be the first entry after this introduction.

For a look at Manang YO’s educational columns, please read her opinion-editorials in her MINDANAO SERIES embedded below. Manang Yo told me that her columns will be a historic chronicle of failure — and intentionally waited before writing a new one. Now that a few predictions have come to pass, please read her columns. We look forward to a new one.

___

I have also started Yolanda Ortega Stern’s content curation about the Philippines-Sulu-Sabah-Malaysia situation, taken from her Facebook postings. This allows many newbies to learn more about the situation through Manang YO’s real-time OP-EDs and compilation of news sources. Quotes from her Facebook commentaries are also included.


___

Sulu, Philippines: The men at Lahad Datu are standing up for their poor families. Photo: Circa 2013 AP (After Peace) They feel they have no country.

An Island In Sulu Archipelago: Where People Dream of Peace

Dr. Yolanda O. Stern, Charter President of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) signs a Memorandum of Agreement with Nur Misuari, Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after the signing of the Peace Pact between President Fidel V. Ramos and Chairman Nur Misuari. (1996)


Looking Back at Kulinarya 2011, A Filipino Culinary Showdown in San Francisco, California

Filipino & Filipino-Fusion Dining Guide, Non-Profit & Community, Talk Story (a.k.a. "blog"), Writings and Musings, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here I am, writing “backwards,” i.e., documenting my work for KULINARYA 2011, A Filipino Culinary Showdown in San Francisco, California. The event was held on January 21, 2012 at the Carnelian by the Bay Restaurant (Behind Ferry Building at The Embarcadero), San Francisco. The PILI nut was the food ingredient that took center stage and the Philippines’ KULINARYA TOURS were also highlighted.

Of course, I am “drooling” over the prospect of KULINARYA 2012, the 3rd Filipino Culinary Showdown, being convened later this year — but I promised to keep my mouth shut until the organizers make their official announcements.

I am making more time to document some of my written works and audio-visual creations in this personal blog. I keep reiterating to my nieces and nephews that all I can give them are my experiences (through this blog) and sharing my memories and learnings, whenever we reconnect… I miss them! Fortunately, nowadays, I interact with three of my nephews almost every day — and sometimes, in between my viral marketing and public relations work, I get to share my culinary experiences with them.

FOR EXAMPLE: Last night, it was all about PASTA. I taught Christian that the only way to learn if his spaghetti noodles are cooked “al dente” IS to actually taste them, semi-raw — and then done to perfection. Of course, I did not teach him how to throw a spaghetti noodle against the wall to see if it would stick or not. And yes, I also taught him how to “refresh” his refrigerated noodles inside a colander — over hot running water in the sink.

I hope to share more of these culinary experiences with my nieces and nephews.

In the meantime, this is what I did for our hardworking professionals at the Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco. Thank you, Rene de los Santos, Debbie Gallano, Gabby Agcaoili, and the rest of the team for giving me this opportunity to sharpen my culinary writing skills and PR capabilities.

FIRST, here is the promotional video that I created for the event. There is also a youtube video: http://youtu.be/QEa5FTfHRUw

SECOND, I was given the writing assignments on a Friday — and I had to turn all of them in on a Monday. It was quite an exhilarating writing adventure for me with this KULINARYA magazine BUT I had my recent 3-month trip to the Philippines that helped me with some of my writings as well as the permissions of my friends in the Philippine tourism industry for their photos, words, etcetera.

The KULINARYA Magazine was a supplement inside the San Francisco Examiner Magazine on its Thursday, January 19, 2012 edition. More than 80,000 copies were distributed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and copies were also available at The Examiner racks on the same date.

I wrote and I edited the following:

1. About the 2nd Kulinarya (summary, a mash-up; the “higher notch in the culinary world” didn’t come from me; whoever edited this, thank you! You made my original “higher good” relevant and meaninful to foodies)

2. The Pili Goes Gourmet! (article based on research and mash-up; I didn’t write the top portion or recipes in this page)

3. Philippines: Where Green Cuisine Means A Healthier Lifestyle (article)

4. TRENDING: “It’s More Fun in the Philippines!’ (article; the original article went viral on youtube by pinaswatcher6, who had uploaded a GMA News broadcast re: the new slogan on January 8, 2012, and had asked my permission to use my article — after I asked their permission to quote them; see http://youtu.be/kkbW-w5UkMI). As of today, August 25, 2012, this video, with my accompanying article has 8,574 hits on Youtube.

5. Top 10 Things to do in the Philippines (edited from Gab Agcaoili’s beautifully-written 2,000+ words to a precise 500 words)

Come to the Jan. 21, 2012 2nd Kulinarya: Filipino Culinary Showdown in San Francisco, CA!

I am looking forward to KULINARYA 2012!

:-)

For those foodies who want to learn more about Filipino cooking in conjunction with all the good, the “bad” and the healthy cuisines, here are some blogs for you to consider:

Lorna Lardizabal Dietz’s Diabetes Life Notes

Noemi Lardizabal Dado’s Pinoy Food, Pinoy Cooking, Filipino Food Recipes and Photoblog

Noemi Lardizabal Dado (mother) and Lauren Lardizabal Dado (daughter) in Pinoy Food & Other Cuisine: Food PhotoBlog and Events

:-D

I also have some content curations that you can embed in your own blog or save in your foodie archives.

Cake Decorating Ideas for Nilda Tudtud Abellanosa and Nardith Obera Fuentes

The KAPUSO’s Sweet Taste of Success: Ice-Cream and Desserts in the Bay Area

Gluten-Free Recipes for my niece, Lauren Lardizabal Dado

ONE COMMUNITY: Three Filipino American candidates for the CA State Assembly in November 2012 Elections

Non-Profit & Community, Writings and Musings, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,





If you’ve moved, this is the easiest way to register!
Fill it out, print it, and mail it!

Imagine what it would be like when we have Rob Bonta, Chris Mateo, and Dr. Jennifer Ong at the California State Assembly! Filipino Americans will have more of a VOICE. Yes, we already have our representatives who we’ve elected and supported. Yet nothing resonates like VICTORY in our hearts and minds when we can say, “Pinoy yan! Pinay yan!”

MEET OUR STARS OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT!


Rob Bonta
Vice-Mayor of Alameda, CA
http://www.robbonta.com


Dr. Jennifer Ong
Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on the
Status of Women
http://drjenniferong.org


Chris Mateo
Vice-Mayor of Lathrop, CA
http://chrismateo.com

June 6, 2012, Personal Thoughts.

I have not written in my RadiantView blog for a while now. I know I need to document my activities in the past few months. Yet, nothing is sweeter than victory — in the PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

Today is a special day. I can smell HISTORY IN THE MAKING. I can feel it in my bones.

I woke up early this morning (4:00am) and the first Facebook notification I read was Ben Menor’s status update (which he wrote at 2:00am).

Ben Menor wrote:

History is in the making! Congrats to Rob, Chris and Jennifer in making it to the November election. This is beyond anyone’s imagination to see all of you do so well. It is not impossible to see all three of you at the State Legislature. Your time in history is now and do not let up for a second because the momentum is on your side. Congrats to your campaign team.

Last Sunday, my personal communications specialist had called to remind me that the FILIPINO VOTERS in one East Bay city in the San Francisco Bay Area were the SWING VOTE for one particular Filipino American candidate. Thus, I sent out a reminder invitation to a press briefing and rally. I was blessed that I had one TV correspondent answer my call — even if it was a last-minute request.

“I’ve never had to work this hard on my personal time!” One of our strongest activists shared with me. I empathized with her lack of sleep yet I was hopeful that her work would shine through and make her candidate win.

AND HER WORK IS SHINING LIKE DIAMONDS.

__

WHAT’S NEXT?

Our work has only just begun. We can actually be there when HISTORY HAPPENS.

As the second largest Asian population in California (next to the Chinese Americans), we have this tremendous opportunity to rally behind these three AWESOME role models of COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT!

When I was elected as the Regional Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations-Region 8 (Northern CA) last March 16, 2012 at the AT&T-sponsored NaFFAA-Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit at Hana Zen-Pier 39, my closing remarks focused on the FILAM VOTE.

Here are my personal thoughts and calls to action about how we can help GET OUT THE VOTE!:

1. I will follow up with ethnic media (ok, that’s New America Media) on how we can collaborate in increasing and enhancing the visibility of these three Filipino American candidates for the California State Assembly in mainstream media. How do we report about these candidates to our local media outlets?

2. I will follow up on Genevieve Jopanda’s chat with me last September 2010 (at the Fairmont San Jose) about how we can make the FILAM VOTE “sexy!” That’s the marketing parlance for “exciting, amazing!” “Exciting” and “Amazing” are generally what gets HIGH RATINGS with our Filipino broadcast networks (GMA Network, Inc., ABS-CBN, and TV 5). So, I will keep pursuing these networks with my QUESTION: When can we work on a project that is common ground for all these TV networks? Meaning, set aside your differences, and help us make these three FilAm candidates win! (HINT: One US-based Filipino broadcast network official articulated his personal thoughts to me last July 2011 about what would work. Let’s see what the other two networks have in mind.)

3. I will follow up with my personal mentors Gloria Caoile, Rozita Lee, and Ben Menor since I am such a newbie — and push them (even if it is late at night) for more advice and recommendations — so my family and friends can help support these wonderful candidates.

4. Everything is all about grassroots community organizing. Let’s keep listening to each other as we move forward. Push for our voters’ political awareness. Push for political activism!

During my April 28, 2012 TV interview with Joy Dodds of the Filipino Journal (KTSF, Comcast Channel 8 in nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area), Joy asked me what the difference is between political awareness and political activism. Fortunately for me, I had had a recent discussion with Ben Menor about this topic. Ben is our NaFFAA R8 Strategic Facilitator and Adviser, a very wise “manong.” This was what he explained to me — and this is what I replied to Joy’s question.

Definition of POLITICAL AWARENESS – Knowing about it
Definition of POLITICAL ACTIVISM – Doing something about it

5. Maximize TWITTER! And for all the slacktivists and activists, if you tweet, it’s as simple as adding the hashtag #FilAmVote.

Here is the simple call-to-action I provided during our NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit last March 16, 2012.

WHAT CAN YOU DO RIGHT NOW?

Share your TWITTER name with us. You can follow us at @naffaausa. Email us at [email protected] If you don’t know (yet) how to tweet, there are easy lessons here: Look at #4 at http://radiantview.com/blog/a-radiant-digital-view-mga-kapuso-social-media-tips-for-2011/

2. When you tweet, use hashtag #filamvote.

Examples:

@drjenniferong Looking forward to your talk: March 16 #NaFFAA R8 Community Empowerment Summit http://NaFFAAR8.com @NaFFAAUSA #filamvote

@RobBonta Looking forward to your talk: March 16 #NaFFAA R8 Community Empowerment Summit http://NaFFAAR8.com @NaFFAAUSA #filamvote

3. Join the open FilAm Vote group on Facebook, moderated by NaFFAA FilAmVote Co-Chair, Rudy Asercion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/301024073262911/

4. LIKE our new NaFFAA Region 8 Facebook Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NaFFAA-Region-8-Northern-California/206254976138415

5. Check out our website at http://NaFFAAR8.com and the national website, http://NaFFAAUSA.org for #FilAmVote updates.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FOLLOW @naffaausa AND HASHTAG #filamvote? Your tweets will be captured by our daily curated newsletter, NaFFAA #FilAmVote Daily.  http://bit.ly/nzurFs

This means that, at any given time, in real time, we will know the “State of the #FilAmVote” in AnyTown, USA — just as long as you inform us.

___

When Ben Menor and I co-wrote the theme for the NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit, Ben had told me: “The theme is ONE COMMUNITY. Get our community empowerment role models — Rob Bonta, Jennifer Ong, and Chris Mateo — up front and center. They will share what it will take to be a ONE COMMUNITY.”

For my personal blog, I am sharing what this call of ONE COMMUNITY means to many Filipino empowerment advocates. Please pass it on! It could help get your Filipino American candidate elected in your city or state — or nationally.

Our Strength: ONE COMMUNITY!

In November of 2010, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) convened its 9th Empowerment Conference in the San Francisco Bay Area with NaFFAA Region 8, Northern California as the host and organizer of “Empowerment 2010.” The theme of E-2010 was “Building the Next Generation of Community Advocates in an Intergenerational Environment.”

Today, NaFFAA Region 8’s leaders are taking advantage of the political atmosphere, economic conditions, public policy, and the Filipinos’ transcontinental success by using its existing infrastructure, skills, talents, resources and other tools so they can implement a master plan for community empowerment in 2012.

NaFFAA Region 8’s other resounding call to action is: “To empower Filipino communities so they can participate in supporting individuals who desire to hold public office that support the advancement of causes for the Filipino community.”

What does it take to empower these highly-qualified political candidates so that they will be inspired to do their best in order to win? It takes ONE COMMUNITY.

NaFFAA Region 8 believes in coalition-building, connecting dot after dot after dot, mindful that its leaders and supporters have been advocating AND are advocating for community groups and individuals to take action in supporting achievable empowerment objectives. The master plan includes providing a platform for our communities to establish activities for community empowerment as a non-profit organization. Rocking the vote through NaFFAA’s #FilAmVote (http://bit.ly/nzurFs) also means meeting these candidates who can share the nuts and bolts of community empowerment as well as interact with their constituents in a series of gatherings — from socials to workshops.

“ONE COMMUNITY.” What does this mean to NaFFAA Region 8? Through ADVOCACY, our voices and actions will always act as “the glue” that binds the shared hopes and aspirations of our authentic and unique communities.

Can you help us empower more highly-qualified Americans of Filipino ancestry to take a leap of faith in their credibility and strength of character so they can become true servant leaders in public service?

Can you stand on the shoulders of our elders and take the best of their wisdom and experiences so we can walk together, fearlessly and jubilantly, on the roads — less travelled — as ONE COMMUNITY?

Can you support us in becoming ONE COMMUNITY?

ONE COMMUNITY – A Call to Action in NaFFAA Region 8, Northern CA

NOTES:

1. The Star of Empowerment is special to NaFFAA. It was created by BREN BATACLAN for the NaFFAA 9th Empowerment Conference in 2010.

2. I am very proud of my new NaFFAA Region 8 executive board members. They keep me humble.

Here they are:

Lorna Dietz, NaFFAA R8 Chair; Genevieve Jopanda, NaFFAA R8 Vice Chair; Clarence Madrilejos, NaFFAA R8 Youth Chair; Tina Novero, NaFFAA R8 Secretary; Jinni Mabalot Bartolome, NaFFAA R8 Treasurer; Jose Pecho, NaFFAA R8 Chair Emeritus; Ben Menor, NaFFAA R8 Strategic Facilitator & Adviser and NaFFAA R8 Santa Clara County Chair; Charito Benipayo, NaFFAA R8 Alameda County Chair & NaFFAA R8 Adviser; Rudy Asercion, NaFFAA R8 San Francisco Chapter Chair; Rodel Rodis, Esq., NaFFAA R8 Adviser & NaFFAA National Legal Counsel

Strategic Millennium Partnerships: USA-Philippines

Business, Non-Profit & Community, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Federation 2011 – Millennium Challenge Corporation’s PowerPoint Presentation (Portland, OR)

From Yolanda O. Stern – PHILIPPINES: Will NO-KIDNAP Zones (NKZ) Help Bring Investments?

Communications, Non-Profit & Community, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The shortened URL to this posting is http://bit.ly/nNHOJ9.

Yolanda O. Stern, the esteemed Filipina American Philanthropist and Business “mover and shaker” sent her message about the current situation in her beloved Mindanao where her Projects for Peace are making a huge positive impact in bringing much needed services in health and education — in places that many Filipinos, tourists, and investors have been warned about from some media sources or travel advisories. “Manang Yo” travels to these beautiful islands, isles, and atolls — and is the Voice of Peace for these gentle “people of the currents.”

Together with her husband, Tom Stern, M.D., the couple continues helping out where they can.

I am a volunteer in many of “Manang Yo’s” projects. Not only am I learning more about philanthropy for peace, I’m becoming more and more appreciative about my heritage. I am Proudly Filipina!

Please listen to Manang Yo’s message — and do something to promote PEACE!

Yolanda Ortega Stern in Yakan Attire

From: Yolanda O. Stern, c/o [email protected]
Date: Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 7:31 PM
Subject: Will No-Kidnap Zones Help Bring Investments?
To:

RE: US embassy issues travel advisory on kidnappings in Philippines

For Distribution:

NO-KIDNAP Zones (NKZ) in the Philippines:
One Man Dares To Do It First

- Do you believe that crime and kidnappings prevent development and investments from coming to the Philippines, especially to Mindanao?
- Have you been told that no kidnaps-for-ransom can take place without connivance between law enforcement units and their willing handlers who partake of the ransom?
-Have you been told that the kidnappings are a plot to keep Mindanao destabilized in order to further certain agendas?
- Are you aware that Metro Manila has kidnappings as well?

I have, for many years, been told many versions of why the lack of basic services, the absence of schools, the absence of health centers, the absence of lawyers…

The recent re-issue of travel alerts by the US and other foreign embassies after the kidnapping of the Lunsmann family in Tictabon Island off Zamboanga really hit some nerves. There are several kidnap victims who are still being held by somebody somewhere. Some have been held for so long because the families cannot come up with the ransom payments. Many foreign humanitarian aid workers and foreign missionaries suffer direct threats, forcing them to flee to “safer” havens.

How can we find out the truth about these kidnappings? And why can’t law enforcement protect the citizens?

One man has come up with the challenge. As the spiritual leader of Darul Jambanggan, the ancestral and historical seat of the ancient Sulu Sulanate, descendant and heir to Balambaggan (Spratlys), heir to the sultanate, he declares the first “NO-KIDNAP ZONE” in Jolo, Sulu and I quote:

“I can say YES, I will be truthful to everyone in this world that Darul
Jambanggan is a ‘No Kidnap Zone’ in Jolo, Sulu. I give my assurance
that our people inside Darul are faithfull to us and have no plans to
harm anyone regardless of race, religion etc. Please help me get this message to the media.” Rajah Muda Muedzulail Kiram, Darul Jambanggan, Jolo, Sulu

My friends, associates, pillars of the baranggays and municipalities, members of our bicameral legislature, we need to declare “No-Kidnap Zones Everywhere” and guard and protect the citizens within our areas of jurisdiction, and install kidnap hotlines everywhere before victims are killed or become impossible to retrieve. This business must end. or we will continue to hear from the suspected kidnappers that they are being blamed falsely, and the people will continue to fear being kidnapped and blame law enforcement units.

One man above, dares to do it, let’s try to get more leaders to do the same!

Yolanda

Yolanda O. Stern – President
One World Institute – A Foundation for Heath & Education
www.theoneworldinstitute.org
447 Sutter St., Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94108
c/o Lorna Dietz at
[email protected]

Suite 403, Cityland 10, Tower 1
156 H.V. dela Costa St.
Makati, Philippines 1008

UPDATE AS OF JULY 27, 2011

If your local government unit or region would like to PROCLAIM AN NKZ ZONE, here are some things you can do.

1. Issue a Proclamation.
2. Email a copy to [email protected]
3. Create NKZ road signs, billboards, and other collateral.

We will update you with more details.

Thank you for considering NKZ as an economic empowerment tool!

NO KIDNAP ZONE

Definition of a NO KIDNAP ZONE

A “No Kidnap Zone” is a community that has decided to focus effort on creating positive development within its economy and society. By refusing to serve as a tool for criminals to exploit or as a shelter for criminals to hide within, a “No Kidnap Zone” exists as a community of peace, prosperity, equality, and justice. The inhabitants know in their hearts, that no person should be the victim of crime.


Other:
www.fpacc.com
www.westbaycenter.org

CANTILAN is now a NO KIDNAP ZONE

Yolanda Stern of One World Institute speaks about Projects for Peace
View more presentations from radiantview

This live-streamed video is Part 1 of Yolanda Stern’s presentation about “Philanthropy for Peace” projects at The One World Institute during the E-2010: 9th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference. Part 1 starts at 34:42.

This live-streamed video is Part 2 of Yolanda Stern’s presentation about “Philanthropy for Peace” projects at The One World Institute during the E-2010: 9th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference. (Continued from Part 1.)

Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil on Aging-Friendly Communities and Advocacy for Seniors

Communications, Non-Profit & Community, , , , , ,

Please note that the photos in this posting are taken from my archives when I was a volunteer, employee, and consultant at the FilAmSODC, Inc. at JTS Northside Community Center (the venue of the May 24, 2011 event) from 2002 to 2006. There is no relationship whatsoever between 4C.org and my photos. I’m being sentimental because Northside was very much a part of my growth as a Filipino community advocate. :-)


KHAL Speaks Up! Empowering Indigenous and Minority Leaders in Southern Philippines

Communications, Non-Profit & Community, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


A Shout-Out for @FilBookFest! The First Filipino American International Book Festival

Communications, Event Calendar, Non-Profit & Community, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you are a Filipino author, publisher, potential sponsor or advertiser, chef specializing in Filipino cuisine, a cultural performing artist or cultural performing group, or a Filipino heritage or Filipino history lover PLUS book lover, we would like to get together with you — and see how we can make this event a 1 + 1 = 10!

As the event planning becomes more cohesive, seamless, and integrated, we will all become part of the synergy!

Keep coming back to this posting for updates. My Storify.com posting will be updated automatically after I edit it — as the event takes shape.

Here’s a FIRST to BOOKS, very Filipino!