Helping the Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan

(The following is a message by United States Charge D’Affaires Brian L. Goldbeck- forwarded by our dear friend Capt. Michael M, US Embassy, Manila, Philippines)

Mission Colleagues,

Many of you have expressed concern over the calamity left by Typhoon Yolanda, known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan.  Most of us have received phone calls, emails and messages from concerned family members and friends, wanting to know exactly what the situation is and how they can help.

For Americans in our community and back home trying to locate family members and/or friends here in the Philippines, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has formed a Response Call Center.  Callers can reach the call center at 888-407-4747 from within the U.S. or 202-501-4444 if calling from other locations.

I can assure our entire Mission family that the United States Government and this Embassy are focused on supporting the government of the Philippines’ efforts to address this emergency.  We are meeting regularly and working closely to make sure our assistance is based on what our Philippine friends need most.  We are focused on immediate needs for shelter, water, sanitation and food.

For updates on Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan relief efforts please check the U.S. Embassy’s website at http://manila.usembassy.gov/ regularly.  Over the course of the coming days and weeks, our Mission will work together to find ways we as a community can help.  You will hear more on this soon.

Generally speaking, what is most needed during these early days are cash donations to professional relief organizations which allow them to purchase exactly what is needed and when it is needed, from established supply chains, and to procure supplies near the affected area, cutting down on transportation time and cost. If you are interested in making a monetary contribution, take a look at supporting relief organizations who are accepting such donations.

At this time, while it is not the position of the U.S. Embassy to suggest whether you make such a contribution, we provide the following information without endorsement for those who are interested, in order so that you, and your family and friends around the world, may make informed decisions about where to direct resources.

List of Organizations Accepting Donations:

(Note: These links are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply any endorsement by the U.S. Embassy Manila.)

Plan International
http://plan-international.org/what-you-can-do/emergency-appeals/philippines-typhoon-appeal

World Vision
http://www.worldvision.org.ph

World Food Programme
https://www.wfp.org/donate/typhoon

Catholic Relief Services
http://crs.org/countries/philippines

Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150549/

UNICEF
http://www.unicef.org/philippines/

Yesterday EAP Assistant Secretary Russel called me to express his appreciation for the Embassy's superb response to typhoon Yolanda. He lauded the mission's teamwork, organization, and communications skills, adding this event has the President's attention. I want to add my thanks to all for again rising to meet these challenges, especially over a three-day holiday.

As President Obama stated, “the spirit of Bayanihan will see you through this tragedy.” The people of the Philippines are strong and resilient. We will assist them through this time of need and support the Philippine government in their efforts.

Charge D’Affaires

Brian L. Goldbeck

A Chapter Ends

This week I got a call from a reporter inquiring about Philippine-trained teachers hired by LAUSD.  I must admit, it has been a while since I heard anything, our contacts are fewer and opportunities for get togethers have become less frequent.  The economy and state funding of public education remain to be in the headlines.  Despite the bad news, I mentioned in the interview that those we happen to be in touch with are doing just fine.  Despite the initial hardships and challenges, many seem to have adjusted quite well, some are thriving, some are very successful and there are those who are not.

Today's teaching job market is certainly very different to what it was in 2006.  The downturn in the economy continues to create budget woes in school districts across the country and Los Angeles is not immune to this trend.  There have been cuts to instructional programs, furloughs and outright reductions in force. Those who have been laid off in addition to newly graduated teachers have together created a surplus and apparently, there is no longer a shortage of teachers.  Districts like Los Angeles are no longer in the practice of sponsoring "out of country" teacher applicants.  Much have been written about the practice of hiring Filipino teachers to fill the shortages of highly qualified teachers in math, science and special education in American schools.  Now that it is over, we can expect stories about the end as well.

• LA Unified foreign teacher program ending; instructors head home
• L.A. May Send Hundred of Foreign Teachers Back to Their Home Countries

Bantay Bata and FAEALA

This public service announcement for Bantay Bata is now showing all around the globe through TFC and locally in the Philippines on Ch 2. Thanks to Ferdz for posting.

FAEALA welcomes a partnership with Tina Monzon-Palma and Bantay Bata

When Bantay Bata's program director Tina Monzon-Palma contacted Daniel Gumarang earlier this year to explore how the Filipino American Educators Association of Los Angeles (FAEALA) might assist, FAEALA and its members expressed more than interest. Banta Bata 163, is a non-governmental organization created by the Philippine media network ABS-CBN. As a child welfare program, its core mission it to rescue and help abused children. According to Ms. Monson-Palma, she is visiting with a variety of community organizations in the United States to solicit support for her organization's efforts to provide "for a child go to school, and to support a child to be able to eat everyday.” As a professional group of educators, FAEALA may be an untapped resource given its members' skills and knowledge.

During the meeting that included a presentation followed by a two-hour conversation on topics that include the state of Philippine education, teacher professional development and other areas of mutual interest, Ms. Monson-Palma described several instances of child abuse occurring in the Philippines and what Bantay Bata in conjunction with local authorities are doing. According to Ms. Monson-Palma, "the biggest kind of abuse that occurs in the Philippines is neglect. We are experiencing an upward trend in the number of children now being neglected. Not only are their stomachs not fed, their minds are also starving for an education. We are concentrating on feeding and education because the number of neglected, uneducated, and unhealthy children is expected to grow and this cannot be good for the Philippines or any other country."

As the conversation progressed, it became clear that there are specific areas of opportunity for FAEALA members to collaborate with Banta-Bata beyond financial donations. In terms of providing professional development to Philippine service providers for example, Ms. Monson-Palma was elated about the possibilities. "I’m really so pleased that many of you here are experts when it comes to the education of people with special-needs. We have a difficulty looking for special needs teachers and providing the latest training to those we have. I don’t know how I can convince you to go back there...”

This visit and conversations are just the initial steps of what FAEALA hope to be a meaningful and sustained partnership with Ms. Monson-Palma and Bantay Bata.

Coffee with Tina Monzon-Palma

It is with great honor and pride that the Filipino American Educators Association of Los Angeles host legendary Filipino broadcast journalist and Bantay Bata program director Tina Monzon-Palma on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Covina UMC.

Ms. Monzon-Palma will be in the United States as part of the 2011 Bantay Bata US Caravan. Specifically, the purpose of her visit is to touch base with the Filipino communities in California and personally share the scope of programs and services provided by Bantay Bata to Filipino children. In its 14 year history, Bantay Bata has grown from a 24/7 Hotline and Rescue operation, to a nationwide Child Helpline, to whom countries throughout Asia come to learn how to provide support and establish programs designed to protect children.

Coffee with Tina Monzon-Palma
Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Covina United Methodist Church
437 West San Bernardino Road Covina, CA 91723-1588

This is a free event and space is limited. Please let us know of your attendance by registering. For inquiries, please contact us via email at faeala@gmail.com. Thank you.

Fil-Am Esteban Appointed President of Seton Hall

Congratulations to Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban who was recently named Seton Hall's 20th president. Located in Seton Hall is South Orange, Seton Hall is New Jersey's largest Catholic University. Dr. Esteban holds a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Management at the University of California at Irvine, an M.S. in Japanese Business Studies from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and an M.B.A. and B.S. in mathematics from the University of the Philippines.

The State of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Education in California

Earlier today, California Assemblymember Mike Eng (49th District) and the University of California Asian American and Pacific Islander Policy Multicampus Research Program (UC AAPI Policy MRP) released a newly published report titled, The State of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Education in California.

One of the many reasons that make California special is the fact that it has the largest Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population in the union. California, of course, has the largest concentration of Filipinos outside the Philippines. Some of the findings of the report pertaining to Filipino Americans in California include:

• 20% of Filipino American students in CA are limited in English proficiency
• 6% of Filipino Americans are living in poverty
• 23% of Filipino Americans have college degrees (BA+)
  
• Of the California students who graduated high school in 2007-08, 3% identified themselves as Filipino
  
• In a 4-year period, 8.6% Filipino American students would drop out of school in grades 9-12
  
• Of all the Filipino American students enrolled in California public colleges and universities, 10% are in University of California (UC), 23% are in California State University (CSU), and the remainder are in California Community Colleges
• About 5% of all California Associate Degrees were awarded to Filipinos American students
• Filipinos alone were awarded 4.5% of Bachelor’s Degrees by the University of California
  
• Less than 1% of school administrators in California are Filipino
• 1.5% of teachers in California are Filipino
• The largest proportions of Asian and Filipino personnel are Classified Professional (12% Asian, 4% Filipino) and Classified Support (9% Asian, 3% Filipino)
  

This report highlights the achievements and challenges of Filipino Americans and other Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander subgroups in public K-12 schools and public post-secondary education, and provides recommendations for policymakers and community advocates. Whether you are a student, parent or educator, of Filipino ancestry or not, the topic couldn't be more important and timely. There has been increasing attention at the federal and state level on the performance of schools and colleges/universities in preparing California's youth for participation in an information-driven economy and in the nation's and state's democratic institutions. The complete report is available here.