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.

CNN Profiles Filipino Teachers in Louisiana

The caption for this report reads, "CNN's Soledad O'Brien profiles teaches who came to Louisiana from the Philippines for teaching jobs and got scammed." The piece appeared in CNN.com on August 6, 2010.

Erick Mata Named Principal at Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School

Former FAEALA president Erick Mata is now the new principal at Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School. A veteran educator and administrator, Mr. Mata previously served as principal of Marina Del Rey Middle School. He taught at the renowned Downtown Business Magnet School, before assuming successive leadership positions as an instructional advisor at LAUSD's Division of Instruction and director in the district grants office. Returning back to the school site, he served as assistant principal at Emerson Middle School.

Located just east of the Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Center campus, near downtown Los Angeles, Orthopedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School opened in the fall of 2004, with an emphasis on health care and medical science. The school is relatively small compared to comprehensive high schools serving approximately 800 students who demonstrate interest in health science and medicine. As joint venture between LAUSD and Orthopaedic Hospital, the school provides students with an opportunity to learn in a highly enhanced curriculum. Its vision aims for students to broaden their interest and enter into the medical and biological science careers.

We at FAEALA congratulate Mr. Mata on his most recent appointment, our hats are off to you! We also extend our best wishes as you and your staff work towards helping all students achieve.

Pinoy Principal Appointed for Franklin High School

A big congratulations goes to Joseph Nacorda who was appointed to serve as principal of Benjamin Franklin High School beginning this fall. A long-time FAEALA member and a graduate of UCLA, Mr. Nacroda has served the students of Los Angeles in variety of positions: as a teacher and for the past nine years, as a school administrator. Prior to his appointment as principal, Mr. Nacorda was an assistant principal at Hollywood High School.

Located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, Franklin HS is one of the over 60 comprehensive high schools in Los Angeles. It first opened its doors in 1916 with 225 students. Today, Franklin serves approximately 2,500 students and is at the forefront of school reform offering small learning communities (SLCs) to its students which includes: Health & Human Services, Arroyo Seco (formerly Transportation Academy), Academy of American Studies, Media & Graphic Arts (aka MEGA), Academy of Business & Sports Science (aka ABSS), and Math & Science Magnet.

FAEALA recognizes the significance of Mr. Nacorda's most recent accomplishment and wish him nothing but the best in the days, months and years to come!