PINOY HOLLYWOOD: JACLYN NGAN

If you watched "Freedom Writers," the inspiring Hilary Swank film that told the real-life story of a teacher and her students at a Long Beach school, then you've seen how talented Jaclyn Ngan is.

In the movie, the 18-year-old actress memorably played Sindy, a hardened Cambodian student, but Jaclyn is actually of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent. "Freedom Writers" was her first professional acting job.

Her newest project is “Not All Lost,” a play written by a 15-year-old playwright, Michelle Yoon.

The play will have a world premiere at Greenway Court Theatre in Hollywood, on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays, April 28, May 5 and May 13, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.; Sundays, April 29 and May 6, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. and Fridays, May 4 and May 11, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. General Admission is Pay-What-You-Can and the show is free for Students.

FO FYI: FREE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION WORKSHOP

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) will host a free citizenship application assistance workshop for many Los Angeles County residents on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., will be held at Alhambra Adult School, 101 S. Second Street , Room D-101, Alhambra , CA 91801 . Appointments are required; interested applicants should call APALC at (213)977-7500 x217 (Cantonese, English, Spanish).

“Immigrants work hard to support their families, learn English, and contribute to our communities,” said Yoshida. “We are concerned the proposed fee increases may prevent qualified immigrants from achieving the highlight of their immigration experience.”

APALC citizenship outreach coordinator, Cevadne Lee, added, “We suggest that immigrants who are qualified for citizenship now to consider applying sooner rather than later,” this is because USCIS said the fee increases may go into effect in June. “The workshop is a great place to get help with applying for citizenship.”

CONTACT:
Cevadne Lee, Citizenship Outreach CoordinatorImmigration & Citizenship Project
(213)977-7500, ext. 217

Mark Yoshida, Project DirectorImmigration & Citizenship Project
(213)977-7500, ext. 247

ASK A KABABAYAN:"I am very much interested in starting an import-export business in the Philippines. Where can I get information about this?"

For all Fil Am would-be negosyantes out there, a wealth of information can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) website: http://www.business.gov.ph/.

From there, you will find out that depending on the business structure, a business will register either with the DTI for single proprietorship or with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for corporation and partnerships (http://www.sec.gov.ph/). The registration forms are downloadable in their respective websites.

I am also happy to share the following helpful info which I got straight from Nini Alvero, trade commissioner of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley.

1. What do US-based Filipino potential business owners have to do first?

As in any other business ventures, US-based potential business owners before embarking on a business have to do diligence work. They must determine the business they want to enter in based on their background, experience, interest and network. Next, they have to find out if market potential and business opportunities exist for such products or services in the Philippines by consulting the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website or its representative offices in San Francisco, Chicago, New York or Washington, DC, which are the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers.

2. Which businesses are doing well or which Philippine products are in demand for exporting nowadays?

DTI has identified the following 10 revenue streams which has the greatest potentials for growth in export and investments. These are: food; giftware and holiday decor; home furnishing; organic, herbal and natural products; wearables/fashion; construction materials, electronics; IT and IT-enabled services; marine products; motor vehicle.

Other areas of potential growth are logistics services; health and wellness; mining/mineral products.

3. Are US citizen-Pinoys allowed to start a business there, or do they need to get dual citizenship?

There are limitations in the ownership for certain businesses according to the Foreign Investment Act of 1991. For those who prefer to enter the retail business, which is the most common or usually the easiest business to run, Filipino-Americans are advised to acquire dual citizenship.

4. What are the common difficulties encountered by US-based Filipino business owners?

The most common difficulty is financing. US-based Filipino businesses do not have ready access to loans from the Philippine financial institutions. The next common problem is getting bad advice and falling into the hands of unscrupulous partners.

5. Any recent success stories?

Two examples of recent successes:

Mr. Ceasar Aguilar, President of Global Support Services, Inc. Mr. Aguilar is from Colton, CA who set up an engineering and architectural service company in the Philippines where his US company outsourced some of its requirements to the Philippine operation.

Ms. Arlette Adams, owner, Etteniotna Handicrafts collection is from the Bay Area who set up her business here but sources her products in the Philippines.

For more information, contact Nini Alvero at:

Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley

5201 Great America Parkway, Suite 356
Santa Clara, CA 95054

Tel: 415-773-2336 / 408-980-9637 5201

ptic-sv@philippinecentersf.com

About the photo:

I found it from retailer giant Target's online catalog. This Philippine-made Capiz tray retails for $29.00. I've also found several Made in the Philippines products from other big US stores like Pottery Barn and Ralph's. It certainly is looking like it's boom time for Philippine-made products and services in the U.S.

FO NEWS:Pinoy Vets Hold Protest Outside White House

Visiting leaders of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans from Hawaii, California, Texas and Washington, Maryland and Virginia protested outside the White House on April 12.

They called on President Bush to support their two bills in the U.S. congress by singing "Old Soldiers Never Die." The leaders are planning a Corregidor Action Day on May 7 at Department of Veterans Affairs offices in various cities to protest the Bush Administration opposition to their bills.

Text and Photo by:

ERIC LACHICA

Executive Director, American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.

FO FYI: A Teacher Conference focusing on Infusing Filipino and Filipino American Content in the Curriculum to be held in June

A Multicultural Conference for K-12 Educators
KAPWA: You and I are One
Infusing Filipino and Filipino American Content in the Curriculum
Sonoma State University
June 15-16, 2007

The North Bay International Studies Project (NBISP) is pleased to announce a two-day Conference on Filipino history and culture. Academic materials and tools will be provided for teachers to successfully integrate the Filipino American experience into their K-12 classes. The conference will include an evening performance (6/15/07) of Filipino dance and music. The Filipino American Curriculum will emphasize historical content, cultural connections, critical thinking, and community activism.

The Filipino American Curriculum will emphasize ethnic pride, cultural connections, critical thinking, and community activism.
Topics:

1. Filipino American Educational Issues
2. Philippine History and Culture
3. Colonialism and Revolution
4. Filipino American History

Keynote Speaker:
Father Alberto Alejo - Ateneo de Davao University


Fee Structure:
Individual sessions registration:
· Friday, June 15 (10 AM - 4 PM): All day program includes morning coffee/muffins and box lunch - $20
· Friday, June 15 (7 PM - 9:30 PM): Performance and Keynote Address - $10
· Saturday, June 16 (9 AM - 4 PM): All day program includes morning coffee/muffins and box lunch - $25

Special Rate for attending ALL sessions:

* Early Registration: $40 for all sessions.
* Onsite Registration: $50 for all sessions.
* Early Registration deadline: June 1, 2007.

To Register:
Fill out and print the Registration form, then mail it in with your registration fee.
"KAPWA: You and I are One" Conference Registration Form
Sent Registration Checks to:
North Bay International Studies Project
Carson 10A
1801 E. Cotati Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Make Checks payable to: North Bay International Studies Project

There is one SSU academic unit available for teachers who attend both days at an additional cost. Sign up for the unit on June 15, 2007.

Contact NBISP at Sonoma State University for further information.
Phone (707) 664-2409, or e-mail at filamcurconf@gmail.com.

FO NEWS: American Aid Worker Reported Missing In the Philippines

Per CNN, a U.S. aid worker has been reported missing for nearly a week in the northern Philippines.

Julia Campbell, a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, was last seen on Easter Sunday in Ifugao province, according to the U.S. embassy in Manila.

The report also mentions that the New People's Army (NPA) has a strong presence in the area.

U.S. Embassy security officials are working with local Peace Corps and pulis authorities to find Campbell.

Campbell is a former journalist and has served as a college teacher in Legazpi. She has been serving in the Peace Corps in the Philippines since March 2005.

Campbell, 40, has blonde hair, wears eyeglasses, is 5'7" and weighs 58 kilograms.

The public is encouraged to relay any information about Campbell to John Borja, safety and security officer of the Peace Corps in the Philippines, at 00 (63) 0920-900-5270, or the U.S. Embassy in Manila, at 00 (63) 02 528-6300.