Fernando R. Lerma who had just moved here after years of work for Exxon in Guam said in an open letter that his son who participated and won a $500-prize in the Rizal Day singing contest was “shortchanged by this association.” He was referring to the Philippine Festival Committee co-chaired by Drs. Victor and Bambi Lorica, which was in charge of all festival events.

When asked by the Manila Mail to respond to this open letter, Mencie Hairston, chair of the Philippine Foundation for Charities, told the Mail that Dr. Lorica had already settled this matter. She said she will inform the Mail about the action taken by Dr. Lorica on this matter. Up to now the Mail has not received Lorica’s side of the story.

But Lerma said in his open letter that instead of giving the $500 gift certificate as second prize to his youngest son, Ronald Patrick Lerma, Dr. Bambi Lorica ‘told my wife there will be an investigation." After a few days, Lerma said Dr. Lorica called to tell his wife “that there are no $500 and $250 prizes. She said she will send us consolation prizes. It’s been 3 months and we have not heard from them. Nothing! There were at least 70 contestants (I heard) not to mention those who registered 2nd, even 3rd time, paying the $25.00 fee. As advertised earlier, the first prize was a trip for one to Italy and the second and third prizes gift certificates valued at $500 and $250.

The following is the open letteer of Lerma to the Filipino American community:

“We moved to Maryland two years ago after my retirement from Exxon Mobil Guam where we lived for the past 25 years. All our lives, my wife and I have instilled in my 3 children to be proud of being a Pilipino." Tagalog is a second language at home and my children look forward to our yearly trips to the Philippines.  We are proud of our heritage and never forget where we came from and every time we have the chance, we bring our children to learn more about the Philippines.  I even named my youngest Ronald Patrick Lerma or RP (Republic of the Philippines).

“My youngest, Ronald started singing since he was four years old.  He was in Honor Choir, Cantor in our parish church in Guam and later on had lead roles in school plays.

“He was the Grand Karaoke Champion at the Micronesia Mall in Guam when he was 10 years old.  Last year, he won the 2005 Asian Idol contest held here in Reston, VA which was organized by the Thai Association.

When the Phil-Am Singing Idol Contest was advertised in various restaurants, I encouraged my son to join since this will also be commemorating  “100 years of the Filipino migration to the US” and the Philippine Independence Day  celebration. This was a huge event and seemed well organized.

“Auditions were held in various restaurants in Maryland and Virginia and each contestant paid $25.00 each. Contestants can join several times in different locations as long as they shell the $25.00.  Ronald topped the audition and became one of the eight finalists. My wife and I have been to two (2) restaurants where the prizes were announced as ff: First Prize,Trip to Italy (for one); 2nd Prize $500.00 Gift Certificates and 3rd Prize $250.00 Gift Certificates “At the festival, my son won the 2nd Prize. They took his address and we assumed his prize will be mailed. After a week, we called the coordinator who then told us to talk to Dr. Lorica. To our surprise, she told my wife there will be an “investigation” and she called after a few days to inform us that there are no $500 and $250 prizes. She said she will send us consolation prizes. It’s been 3 months and we have not heard from them. Nothing! There were at least 70 contestants ( I heard) not to mention those who registered 2nd, even 3rd time, paying the $25.00 fee.

“To add insult to injury, my son was encouraged to join the 2006 Jose Rizal Youth Award as his credentials clearly more than meets the eligibility requirements. My wife sent $10.00, his biodata and the required transcripts and honor certificates. After a month, suddenly, last June 8, 2006 to be exact, I was notified by email that my son was one of the awardees and that he must attend the June 10th awarding ceremony. At that time, he was in a field trip to Niagara Falls. My inquiry to attend as proxy and why the noticed is only two days did not even merit an answer from the committee. Now, the question is, is he still an awardee and is he entitled to a Certificate?

“I do not know what to tell my son. I am so disappointed with the PAFC which prides itself as being “committed to benefit charitable programs and to the development of the youth".

“Not only has the PAFC robbed these youths with these ‘exorbitant fees’ but they also deprive them of the joy of competing and the value of doing the hard work. How come not one single finalist in the singing competition was given any certificate of recognition, trophy or plaque?

What happened to the registration fees earned during the auditions?

Certainly the 8 finalists spent hard earned. time and money for CDs, dress, rehearsals and meetings. Effort and nervousness also in performing in a stage to please the judges and the audience. Also what is the Jose Rizal Youth Award?

“By sending this letter and asking these questions, I hope that I can hold the organizers of the PAFC accountable to our children. I still believe that the PAFC has done a lot of good to inspire hope and acknowledgement to our Pinoy community, which is why I hope that this message reaches them and guides them for future events. In fact I’m still hoping that they will make amends for their mistakes in  these past events.

After 3 months of waiting, I dare ask the committee, ‘What message ARE you sending to our Phil Am youth?’

“In parting, I would like to tell you that my son has left for college for this semester and he felt he was shortchanged by this association."

Signed: Fernando R Lerma, 3607 Pear Tree CT. #23, Silver Spring MD 20906