Session II

Workshop 1: "Conceding Our Inferiority?: Concerning Traditions of the Meek, Timid, and Passive"

When asked to consider the theme of “Misinterpreted Filipino Traditions” one must honestly ask, is there anything more misconstrued about our people than the cultural construct of “Respect” or more specifically, our perceived reverence to authority? Have we not been marginalized, repressed, or otherwise rendered invisible at the campus level, and in the workplace because of this?

Do not mistake this session for your typical intellectual masturbation however, for in its truest sense, it represents a rare union between serious academic discussion pertaining to the historical origins of said “Respect” to authority in the Philippines, and a detailed step by step education on campus and community organizing techniques, in other words how to take on and defeat a college administration or corporation alike when it fucks with our people. Expect a critical examination of historical trends in the Pre-Hispanized and Colonial Philippines, coupled with readily applicable strategies in the fight for social justice, battled tested from the front lines..

Presenters: Adam Diaz & Lakas Diwa

BIOS

Adam D. Diaz, the proud father of six year old Makarya Diwata, graduated from Rutgers University [NCAS] in May of 1997 suma cum laude, phi beta kappa, with a B.A. in History & Philosophy, and earned the Paul Robeson Award for student leadership. His campus based organizing efforts ultimately secured an Asian Studies program at Rutgers-Newark, ironically after which, administration banned him from the Paul Robeson Campus Center.

Adam went on to complete coursework for an M.A. in Southeast Asian Studies at Cornell University, focusing on United States Imperialism in the Philippines, and Filipino American Communities, before spending time in Southern California, where he organized the economically dislocated around issues of health care reform. He returned to the Northeast in 2001 to spearhead a gang alternative program for students at Canarsie High School, in Brooklyn, before assuming the position of Organizer, with New Jersey's largest health care union, HPAE, where he subsequently organized nurses in Jersey City, NJ around issues of improved patient care.

Adam is currently bi-coastal, splitting time between Southern California, where he has made a home for his daughter, and serves as the Labor Representative for 1,200 San Bernardino County RNs, which he first organized under the banner of the nation's largest and most progressive nurses union, the California Nurses Association in 2004, and Jersey City, New Jersey, where he serves as the founding Executive Director of Lakas Diwa, a progressive, direct action oriented 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, which works with Filipino youth around issues of community advocacy and cultural literacy.

Over the last decade, 'Lakas Diwa: Filipino Community Alliance of New Jersey 501(c)(3)’ has devoted itself to the development and empowerment of Northern New Jersey Filipino youth and their allies, in tangible and practical ways, utilizing methods deeply rooted in the principles of 'direct action' organizing.

The organization's mission was and still is quite uncomplicated, specifically to provide positive alternatives and a safe haven for youth of Filipino descent, through a progressive curriculum, artistic, cultural, educational, and recreational in nature;

In fact, Lakas Diwa’s philosophy continues to be so basic that some consider it radical, namely to provide youth of Filipino descent with ready access to leadership positions within the organization, and full inclusion in all community organizing initiatives as a means to foster the development of young activists and organizers, and in each of them a genuine sense of community ownership. We simply call it ORGANIZING in its truest sense!

The culmination of vision, effort, and sacrifice, the Lakas Diwa collective draws from several progressive Filipino community entities, and is composed of high school and college age students, as well as young professionals.

Here’s to another 10 years, and beyond!!!

For more information, feel free to contact us at maypagasa3@hotmail.com -or- (973) 454-5324

Workshop 2: "Activism in Filipina/American History"

What does it mean to struggle for justice? Denied rights to own land, forbidden from marrying outside their race, systematically erased from history texts - Filipinos successfully challenged all. In this interactive workshop, we'll relate insights from history to our current work as activists for veterans' benefits, immigration reform, Filipino American studies, and more. FIND's activist history includes getting Senators Kennedy & Kerry to support Filipino veterans (in 1999 - Go, D-1!) and writing documentation for a discrimination case filed in Massachusetts (2004). [Big Props to FIND!!] Has the case settled yet? The latest updates will be reported...

Presenter: Dr. Joan May Timtiman Cordova

BIO

Dr. Joan May Timtiman Cordova is on the faculty of Drexel University's School of Education. She is the National Vice President of FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society) and Co-founder of Filipino Oral History Project, Inc. of Stockton, CA. Auntie Joanie earned her doctorate from Harvard University and has published curriculum, oral histories, research on family/school partnerships, conflict resolution, language issues, and colonial ed. She teaches, consults, travels, swims, takes photos, bakes and shares chocolate in many communities. EMAIL forourcommunities@earthlink.net SURF www.fanhs-national.org for more info on the FANHS national conference in Hawai'i from June 29-July 1, 2006!

Workshop 3: "How Filipino Americans affect Human Rights in the Philippines"

Filipino Americans, whether they know it or not, hold a lot of power when it comes to issues in the Philippines; therefore it is important to understand how acting or not acting on certain issues affect those back home. Erosion/pollution of the land which can lead to more severe consequences ( i.e. Leyte landslide); Displacement of Communities and Human Rights Violations (i.e. Forced removal of inhabitants, harassment, even unwarranted killings). The speakers of the workshop have experienced these situations first hand at Hacienda Luisita, the Cordillera and other locales within the Philippines . They will make it clear to the delegates of how their actions or non-actions influence those on the other side of the world.

Presenters: SanDiwa/Phil Forum

BIOS

Paul de la Cruz graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a major in Management Information Systems in May 2003. Shortly after, attended the first Philippine Studies Program sponsored by Philippine Forum at the University of the Philippines - Diliman Campus. In 2005, at the first ever Philippines Studies Conference, became one of the founding members of SanDiwa, a national Filipino youth organization, comprised of Philippine Studies alumni spanning over 17 states. Currently treasurer and Midwest Regional Director of SanDiwa. Also work with CPI, Committee on Pilipino Issues based out of Chicago.

Joanna (Jo) Quiambao from SanDiwa (SouthEast) Representing VA. Philippine Studies Program Batch 2004-05. Senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in International Social Justice Studies/International Relations. Minor in Sociology.

Workshop 4: "100 YEARS OF FILIPINO MIGRATION TO THE U.S: POVERTY, OPPRESSION AND EXODUS"

The history of Filipino migration is a story of poverty, oppression and exodus. This year's celebration of the centennial of Filipino migration to the US is also a time for retrospection. What were the defining moments in the history of Filipino migration to the U.S.? What were the push-and-pull factors that drove our countrymen to leave and seek greener pastures abroad? How did the Filipino exodus impact on Philippine society? What can be done? These are the questions that need to be answered, if we are to fully appreciate the relevance of the centennial of Filipino migration to the US.

Presenter: Julia V. Camagong

BIO

Julia V. Camagong is the Co-Executive Director of Philippine Forum. She is a 2003 recipient of the Union Square Awards which honors individuals who make notable contributions to the educational, economic, and cultural life in New York. She performed in street plays during the anti-Marcos rallies in the Philippines, as part of the theater group Peryante (Carnival Players), was co-founder and Executive Director of the San Francisco based theater group Teatro ng Tanan (Theater for Everyone), and has produced, directed and acted in plays, films, and television. She is the Program Director of the Philippine Studies Program, which brings Filipino American youth to the Philippines for a live-and-study program in coordination with the University of the Philippines and the University of California System.