Philippine House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Sen. Frank Drilon are also expected to attend as panelists on the conference workshop on Strengthening Democratic Institutions and Suffrage of Global Filipinos.  Mr. Ramos said he has been requested by “Filipino/Filipino American community” to join their celebration in order to expand “bilateral, trade, tourism, SME’s, retirement communities, and other forms of economic cooperation.”

The others, who confirmed attendance at the “Conference on Filipino Media & Philippine Democracy,” are Manila Bulletin’s Roy Mabasa, president of the National Press Club of the Philippines, Conrado de Quiros, columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, panelists Ging Reyes, North American Bureau news bureau chief of ABS-CBN Broadcasting International, Panay News’ Sammy Julian, NPC of the Philippines director, Norman Cordon, convenor of “Newsstand,” a weekly press interaction at Manila’s Ambassador Hotel, Charito Benipayo and Bert Caoile of NaFFAA’s region 7. Rep. Francis G. Escudero, Philippine House of Representatives Minority Leader, was also invited to attend the event that will be held on Sept. 30.

Attorney Loida Nicolas Lewis, national chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, appealed to overseas Filipinos to join the “convention of conventions,” when business, professional, social, political and religious groups are holding their annual and national meetings, seminars and reunions, and then coming together and networking in the plenary sessions, receptions, and festivities.  Among the conference workshops that will be presented on Sept. 29 are those of Filipino American Republicans to be managed by Ed Navarra, NaFFAA Region 3 chairman;

Filipino American Democrats to be managed by Gloria Caoile of Region 2; Status of FilAm Students managed by Dely Alcantara; FilAm. R-6; Entrepreneurship, Mario Panoringan and Joe Pecho, R-8; Dealing with Discrimination at the Workplace, Tessie Atayde, R-7;

Fil-Am Group and Dems: Finding Common Ground;  Retiring in the Philippines, Global’s David Paraiso, panelist, Chairman Edgar Aglipay, PRA; Conferences on Domestic Violence:  Community Education & Prevention, Helena Manzano, R12; Exciting “Sunrise” Businesses in The Philippines, Imelda Nicolas, Global; Conference on Filipino Veterans: Strategy For The Final Push, B. Caoile, R7; Baby Boomers & Senior Services, Rozita Lee,/Vilma Helms R3, Conferences on Filipino Health Issues, Marivic Bamba, R8; R12; Filipino Media & Philippine Democracy, Bart Tubalinal, R3, Joseph G. Lariosa, R3; Empowering The LGBT Community, Elton Lugay, R8; Culture & Arts: Preserving Our Filipino Heritage, P. Emraida Kiram, R3; The Role of Arts In The FilAm Community, Patty Lyons,R-12; Diaspora Philanthropy, Vicky Garchitorena, Global; Human Trafficking, Adelbert Batica, R3; Confronting Immigration Issues of Filipinos, Arlene Machetta, R6; Medical Missions: Efficiency & Effectivity, Donna Lavigne, R4; Dual Citizenship/Overseas Absentee Voting, Rene Pascual, R8; Youth Issues, Mencie Hairston, R2; Youth And Ethnic Identity, CFO ED Joe Motano, Global; Lakbay Aral For Young Filipinos; Strengthening Democratic institutions & Suffrage of Global Filipinos, Victor Barrios, R8; Bunso: Children in Prison, Joy Bruce, R4; Leadership Success: Macro To Micro, Amy Agbayani, R12; Table Discussion Groups, Best Practices in Community Services, Joruel Seatriz; Membership Drive: Blitz Model, Tony Amante, R3; Honoring Filipino Labor: Past & Present Daz Lampara, R8; The Oilspill of Guimaras Island: A Big Challenge; Zenaida Lopez. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)

By Joseph G. Lariosa