CONSULATE GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO SUPPORTS  
FIL-AM COALITION’S BUSINESS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AND RECEPTION  

15 February 2007 – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Consul attended the 1^st Business Leadership Summit and Coalition Honors reception of the Filipino-American Coalition (FAC) of Northern California on 10 and 11 February 2007 in Colma City .  

The FAC, a leading group of prominent, civic minded and action-oriented community leaders in San Francisco and the Bay Area, are considered to be in the forefront in promoting greater educational, economic and political empowerment of Filipinos living in this part of the US .  

The business leadership summit invited guest speakers from the mainstream business community, covering topics such as service and supply contract opportunities for minority-owner businesses, available grant and investment facilities for minorities, new business development, and importance of healthcare in the community. The discussions that followed focused on how all of the factors and topics interacted and advanced the role of Filipino Americans in each of their respective communities.  

In his opening remarks, Chairman Dante Ang (CFO), who arrived in San Francisco from his official mission in Chicago , emphasized the important role overseas Filipinos, especially Filipino-Americans, in the progress and development of the Philippines .  

Newly elected Assemblywoman and Majority Whip Fiona Ma delivered the luncheon keynote address that stressed the importance of coalition building. “This effort will increase political visibility and empowerment of the Filipino-American community. As one of the largest Asia American groups, you are now more than ever in a better position to take an active role in California 's politics," she said.  

During the afternoon session, Commissioner Dennis Normandy of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and President of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee, talked about how the Filipino-American community can capitalize on their existing social, cultural and economic resources. He described the positive gains the community has achieved in the past, like the CalPERS campaign. “These are dear and convincing indicators of what the community can achieve if we remain together and continue with our aspirations of empowerment," he noted. Commissioner Normandy advocated the proposal of creating a Political Leadership Training Institute for the Filipino-American community. The forum will not only provide leadership skills, but also cover the nuts and bolts of campaign fund-raising, handling meetings, public speaking and other basic competencies.  

The highlight of the summit was the open forum among invited panelists and Fil-Am officials, Mayor Ed Balico (Hercules), Vice-Mayor Ken Ibarra ( San Bruno ), and Councilwoman Joanne Del Rosario (Colma). Participants’ questions varied from reasons for running for public office to the role of media in politics. It was unanimously declared that being elected as public officials is about 'empowerment' and taking an active and direct role in the community, which is similar to the FAC's mission.

In addition to the important rote of the media, especially Fil-Am media outfits, common observations from the speakers and participants acknowledged the lack of coverage or news stories featuring local or domestic issues concerning Filipino-Americans in San Francisco and elsewhere, like the election of Filipino officials and other political developments concerning the community.  

Consul General Sanchez added in her report that the Coalition Honors dinner reception, which was held the next day, honored outstanding Filipino Americas in the field of public service, business and commerce, and arts and culture. The honorees included individuals in politics, business and civic affairs, such as Mayor Jose Esteves ( Milpitas ), Ms. Sherri Bautista Burke and daughter Ms. Cheryl Burke for their business and social accomplishments.  

The dinner reception was also attended by a number of elected and appointed public officials, including Vice-Mayor Larry Formalejo (Colma) and Mayor Ed Balico (Hercules) and prominent Filipino-American community leaders.  

Consul General Sanchez said that the Embassy continues to support the FAC and other similar organizations through the different public affairs programs and activities it holds throughout the year. “We aim to work with emerging leaders, already accomplished in their own rights, contributing to propel them to higher aspiration and facilitate the empowerment of the Filipino-American community,” she stated.  

She also pointed out that the FAC, led by Mr. Mario Panoringan, President and Chairman of the FAC Board, continue to spearhead these strategic initiatives to further intensify the "emerging economic, social and political empowerment" of the Filipino community.  

Furthermore, she said that the FAC is considered as an organization devoted to civic improvement and education. “The FAC appears to be committed more than ever to achieve its goals and objectives of instilling greater political maturity, confidence, awareness and representation among the growing Filipino-American community in San Francisco and the Bay Area,” Consul General Mendoza noted. “It has become an effective 'common ground' for diverse points of views, creating a working coalition that can articulate and aggregate the wide-ranging interests and opinions present in the community.”  

Other FAC members and Board Directors include Fel Anthony Amistad, Adee Angeles, Marico Enriquez, Jackie Lingad-Ricci, Mitos Santisteban, Rene Medina, Teresa Dwyer and Lourdes Tancinco. END

/jay

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