FAM PRESS RELEASE: FAM (FILIPINO AMERICAN MUSEUM) ORGANIZES A NIGHT OF BAYANIHAN SPIRIT TO RAISE FUNDS TO BENEFIT TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF EFFORTS
Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 8pm
Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(Flushing, Queens – November, 18, 2013) – A press conference at the District Office of New York State Assemblymember Ron Kim announced a major benefit to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. Organized by FAM (Filipino American Museum), the fundraiser will take place this Thursday, November 21 at the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, Brooklyn. With an estimated 11 million Filipinos affected, displaced or left homeless by this catastrophic event, FAM has urgently rallied an impressive group of individuals, businesses, local government officials, and community organizations to create an evening celebration of the Bayanihan Spirit. The Filipino term, ‘Bayanihan’, refers to a spirit of communal unity and effort to help build a neighbor’s home.
All proceeds will go to National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), whose “Taskforce Haiyan” is a grassroots relief effort coordinated directly between Filipinos in the US and those in affected areas of the Philippines. Funds will be spent on food, water and medical supplies and distributed by Philippines based groups. For more information, please visit NAFCON’s website by clicking here.
According to Nancy Bulalacao, a FAM founding member, “At FAM we have the ability to build a coalition that demonstrates a solidarity as New Yorkers and Asian Americans by coming together to support the real efforts for relief on the ground in the Philippines. We are artists, writers, musicians, cultural and community organizations moved by the tragedy and looking for ways to express our support. We serve constituents who are directly affected by the tragedy. What happens thousands of miles away resonates directly with us here. The level of loss in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan can be felt no matter who you are or where you live.”
Assemblymember Ron Kim states, “I join my colleagues in government and all our community members in feeling absolutely heartbroken over the recent natural disaster in the Philippines. Through the recent natural disasters that have hit our coast in the last two years, we know a fraction of what is going on now in some of the cities and towns in the islands of the Phillpines. As part of the worldwide community, it is important to show our support and solidarity, now more than ever. My office will continue to do what we can to support groups like FAM in raising relief funding.”
The Emcee for the evening will be Miss Info from HOT 97. The program will feature readings by Kilusan Bautista, Luis Francia, Bino Realuyo, and Lara Stapleton; music by Deep Foundation, DILIA*, Hydroponikz, !llmind, Joe Bataan, Masia One, Norman Vladimir, and Smokey Robotic; DJ sets by GETLIVE!, and Jon Santos; and a demonstration by Pekiti Tirsia Kali Elite. Food for the event will be catered by Red Egg and Salome Tarts.
FAM is grateful to the benefit’s Host Committee, comprised of Christelle de Castro, Rik Cordero, Stephen Decker, Avena Gallagher, Michelle Lopez, Josh Kline, Paul Pfeiffer, and Carissa Rodriguez. FAM also acknowledges the immense support and help from the following Community Partners: ANAKBAYAN, Asian American Arts Alliance, Asian Cinevision, Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU, Asian American Writers’ Workshop, BAYAN USA, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE NYC), Ma-Yi Theater Company, New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), New York Asian Women’s Center, Next Day Better, Assemblymember Ron Kim, Assembly District 40, The Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York (FALANY), Two Trees Management Co, UniPro.
The hashtag #FAMaid will be used throughout social media networks by FAM and by all of the partners to spread the word about the benefit.
Tickets to the event are $10 and can be purchased at the door or online.
About FAM
FAM (Filipino American Museum) is the first museum focused on examining the connection between contemporary Filipino American arts and the roots and traditions of the Philippine diaspora. A start-up committed to presenting cultural programs in stimulating and unprecedented ways, FAM is dedicated to seeking out what it is to be Filipino in America. In the spirit of a diverse people, FAM’s roving programs serve as a fluid, user-generated, inquiry-based space. An untold American story, FAM presents its findings through live performances, exhibits, installations, community forums, online content and otherwise.
Website filipinoamericanmuseum.com
Email [email protected]
Facebook facebook.com/filipinoamericanmuseum
Twitter @famnewyorkcity
Instagram @famnewyorkcity
Media Inquiries
Nancy Bulalacao
917-472-9936 or [email protected]
From our Friends at FALAFNY – Report on Typhoon Yolanda: How You Can Help the Victims in the Philippines
As many of you know, the Philippines was recently devastated by what the many have referred to as “the perfect storm,” a “super typhoon,” and “one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded.”
It has been a little over a week since Typhoon Haiyan (or Typhoon Yolanda, as it is known in the Philippines) made landfall in the Philippines, and yet the needs of the victims in its path have not abated. Many remain without shelter, food, water, or medication. According to CNN, as of November 15:
- more than 3,000 are dead
- 9 million are affected, 4 million of whom are children
- 2.5 million are in need of food despite 40 tons of food packs having been distributed
- $300 million in immediate relief is needed.
The Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York (FALANY), along with the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (APALA/NJ), encourage you to consider helping relief efforts in any way you feel appropriate.
See upcoming fundraising events here.
See locations for donation drop-offs here.
Please keep in mind that due to the magnitude of the devastation and the limited manpower available on the ground, financial contributions to aid agencies are most welcome, rather than donations of consumer goods.
If you wish to make a financial donation, we suggest the following organizations for your consideration, both of which have 501©(3) status:
- University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (“UPMASA”). UPMASA is a non-profit organization comprised of medical professionals who graduated from the University of the Philippines. They are accepting donations until December 11 to support their medical mission to the worst affected areas in the Philippines. The funds will be used to provide acute and prophylactic care to those most in need. Donations may be made through their website: www.upmasanational.org.
- Gawad Kalinga (“GK”) is a non-profit organization founded in the Philippines. It has been at the forefront of ongoing relief efforts. GK is collecting donations to assemble food packs. One food pack costs $5 and will feed a family of four for 3-4 days. The organization is also collecting donations for the infrastructure rehabilitation and rebuilding of the affected areas. Donations can be made through their website: www.gk-usa.org/donate. Checks may also be mailed to Gawad Kalinga USA, 13860 Stowe Drive, Poway, CA 92064, Memo: Typhoon Haiyan.
Also attached to this email is a list of upcoming fundraising events in the area and a list of drop off locations for donations in kind (canned goods, blankets, clothing).
We encourage you to inquire with your employers regarding donation-matching programs. The following companies have established such programs:
- Allstate (dollar-for-dollar match for donations made through Dec. 6; a 15% match will be available thereafter)
- McGuireWoods (dollar-for-dollar match of donations made to the Red Cross by its employees up to $50,000)
- Sprint (dollar-for-dollar match of donations made by its employees and retirees up to $25,000)
- Verizon (dollar-for dollar match of donations made by its lawyers and staff up to $25,000)
We thank you for the time you have taken to read this message and for any help you might be able to give. Should you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact FALANY at: [email protected].
Call to Action and Save the Date! Asian Pacific American New Yorkers Count Talking Transition
CALL TO ACTION and SAVE THE DATE
Asian Pacific American New Yorkers Count
For the first time in twelve years, New Yorkers will have a new mayor in January 2014. Asian and Pacific New Yorker are the fastest growing population in our City, a community that provides myriad assets to the vitality of this City.
As you may have heard, Talking Transition is an open conversation about the future of New York City. A tent has been set up on Canal Street and Sixth Avenue for New Yorkers to send to our new Mayor and his transition a message of how he can improve our city.
Please join the Asian American Federation, Asian Americans for Equality and the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families for a “Asian Pacific American New Yorkers Count” session on Friday, November 22, from 12:30pm-1:30pm! This is OUR opportunity to come together and share concerns and priorities of our community, as well as give recommendations to Mayor-Elect de Blasio, his administration and key decision makers.
In addition to our Talking Transition session, we are asking APA-serving groups to collect messages and letters from your community members, in language, on what services are top priorities or their vision for New York City. We encourage creativity! Please bring clients to record a direct message to the Mayor-Elect.
If you are interested in speaking at the Talking Transition session on Friday, November 22nd, please contact Jo-Ann Yoo ([email protected]) or Marissa Martin ([email protected])
Time/Location
Friday, November 22, 12:30pm-1:30pm
(Please arrive a 12:00pm to get a seat)
Duarte Square
Canal Street & 6th Avenue
The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), the nation’s only pan-Asian children’s advocacy organization, aims to improve the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American children and families in New York City.
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St. John’s Law Team Achieves at Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition
St. John’s Law Team Achieves at Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition
On November 8, 2013, Jonathan Yi ‘14 and Lawson Huynh ’16 competed for St. John’s Law at the annual Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition in Kansas City, Missouri. Coached by Alison Bomba ’14, the team advanced to the quarterfinals and earned second best brief. Lawson was also named second best oralist.
Click on the link in the title to read the full article. Congrats to the St. John team!
AALDEF: Asian American Voters Not Tied to Political Party in Key States
New Poll: Asian American Voters Not Tied to Political Party in Key States
November 14, 2013 – According to the results of an exit poll in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, Asian American voters are open to candidates of both political parties in key states. The nonpartisan multilingual exit poll of 2,290 Asian American voters was conducted by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) after the mayoral election in New York and the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.
“Asian American voters in Virginia, many of whom are not enrolled in any political party, could be a decisive voting bloc in the 2014 midterm elections,” said AALDEF executive director Margaret Fung.
AALDEF released preliminary results of its exit poll conducted at 24 poll sites in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Of those surveyed in total, 62% were enrolled in the Democratic Party, 10% were enrolled in the Republican Party, and 26% were not enrolled in any party.
However, in the close race for governor in Virginia, 45% indicated that they were not affiliated with any party, 41% were affiliated with the Democratic Party, and 11% affiliated with the Republican Party.
In New Jersey, a majority (54%) of Asian American voters favored Republican Chris Christie over Democrat Barbara Buono (42%).51% polled were enrolled as Democrats, 37% said they were not enrolled in any party, and 11% were enrolled as Republicans.
New York had the highest number of registered Democrat Asian American voters, with 70% were enrolled in the Democratic Party, 18% not enrolled in any party, and 9% enrolled in the Republican Party.
“There is tremendous political diversity within the Asian American community,” said Glenn D. Magpantay, Director of AALDEF’s Democracy Program. “Issues and candidates drive the Asian American vote, rather than party affiliation. For candidates concerned with the issues that matter most to our community, the Asian American vote is up for grabs.”
Contact:
Ujala Sehgal
Read more at http://bit.ly/aaldef_extpll
NACDL Strike Force Represents Vinoo Varghese
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is now representing Vinoo Varghese pro bono in supporting his opposition to the Manhattan DA’s attempt to subpoena him to testify against his client’s interests.
The NACDL has a “Lawyers Assistance Strike Force [which] has a clear mission of representing and counseling criminal defense lawyers who are members of NACDL when they are imperiled with the risks of contempt, disqualification or subpoena for privileged information.” http://nacdl.org/lasf/
Here is the link to NYLJ article of 11/12/13 and here is a link to NYLJ article of 11/4/13.
Helen Wan Talks about her ‘Unvarnished Look’ at the Legal Industry
Helen Wan’s book, The Partner Track, has garnered praise and positive attention. Read this article in Inside Counsel magazine about the book’s success. Also, here is a review by David Lat which appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Congratulations to Helen Wan! We are pleased to count Helen among our members in AABANY.
