V

N ida
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
ANTI-VIOLENCE RESOURCE GUIDE

DIARIES
5th anniversaRy issue | 2008

Vagina Warriors 2008:

Ken Marquis
The Side You Didn’t Know

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
THE SPREAD OF HIV

The Unforeseen
Repercussions
of Wartime Rape
Eve Ensler, V-day Founder,
meets cast and crew of FWN’s
“The Vagina Monologues”
 M e s s a g e f r o m t h e P U B L I SHER

Th e “ V” Team
. . . . ♥ . . . .
DeVoted Publisher
M a r i ly M o n d e j a r
Delightful P.R. & Marketing Chair
S U NNY D Y K W EL
DiVine Editor
M e l i ss a j o su e
Angel Art Director
Al S. Perez
. . . . ♥ . . . .
Heart Contributors
G lo r i a R a m o s
Blesilda I R C armona
K e e s a Oc a mp o
Lo r n a D i e t z
V a n e ss a K e n y o n
L a r r y Ta n ta y
A ly s o n M e gu r
J o d i e O ly mp i a
R e b e cc a D e l g a d o R o t t m a n
Rodel Rodis
N o e ly n G e r m o n o
R o s i e J o su e
Cherie Querol Moreno
Christina Baal
O W EN D ONNAHOO
ALAN C A S TRO
B REN D A HART S HORN
. . . . ♥ . . . .
FWN Board
Marily Mondejar
President, Filipina Women’s Network
M e s s a g e FRO M THE P U B L I C RE L AT I O N S & M AR K ET I N G C HA I R
You may have come to these
performances for a number of
different reasons. Perhaps you
have a friend or relative who is
performing, or maybe you were
brought as a date. It could be that
you are a Filipino and want to
support your culture, or it could
be that you share our passion to
break the cycle of violence against
Filipina women and girls.
In staging these performances,
the Filipina Women’s Network’s
goal is to support the 10th
anniversary of V-Day, a global
movement to stop violence
against women and girls through
performances of Eve Ensler’s Obie
award-winning play, “The Vagina
This year marks the fifth
anniversary of the V-Day San
Francisco production of “The
Vagina Monologues” and
“Usaping Puki.” For five years
now, fearless Filipina women have
roared, “Tama na! Stop the
violence against Filipina women
and girls!”
What started as a grassroots
campaign in the San Francisco-Bay
Area Filipino community has now
grown to include our Filipina
sisters in New York and New
Jersey. This year our east coast
members mark their third V-Day
production, rallying local Filipino
communities to join a nationwide
effort to mobilize our kababayans
Monologues,” and the premiere
of her new play, “A Memory, A
monologue, A Rant and a Prayer.”
This year, we want to honor our
V-Day FWN beneficiaries: the
Katrina Warriors, Women of New
Orleans and the Gulf South, and
Filipina Comfort Women. I want
to thank Eve Ensler, our sponsors
and supporters, and our amazing
cast and crew who allow us to
continue our efforts until the
violence stops. The women and
families of the gulf south are still
in dire need of resources and the
Comfort Women of the Philippines
are still awaiting a formal apology
from the Japanese government to
take responsibility.
to raise awareness and save lives,
one woman at a time.
In the ensuing years the
Filipina Women’s Network and the
brave women and men involved in
its V-Day productions and its
ongoing Save-A-Filipina campaign
have ensured that the clamor of
our convictions to end violence is
manifest and inescapable.
In five years, we witnessed the
capture of Claire Joyce
Tempongko’s ex-boyfriend, who
beat and brutally killed her in front
of their two young children. He
was extradited from Mexico and
his trial is scheduled for August
15. In five years, we sat in the
courtroom with “Nicole,” who was
The production does not seem
like a lot of work because the
play is really enjoyable, especially
the camaraderie that develops
and is sustained year after year.
The difficult part is hearing
the personal stories of victims,
some of whom don’t survive. I
became painfully aware of this
by attending the sentencing of
William Corpuz, found guilty of
second-degree murder in the
beating death of his Filipina wife.
This case showed me how much
work still needs to be done to
educate the men and women
of our community that domestic
abuse is about power and control
and that they can seek help
raped by U.S. Marines in Subic
Bay, as she finally got her day in
court. In five years, we joined
hundreds of women as we
collected petitions to support the
passage of HR 121, unanimously
passed by the U.S. Congress
calling for Japan to make a formal
apology to the comfort women
survivors.
While encouraging, these
signposts are only a small fraction
of what our community must
continue to do to achieve a world
without violence. As the law
stands today, a man who kills his
wife will receive a lesser sentence
than a person who commits
» continued on p 42
Sunny Dykwel
without fearing retribution. We
also have to continue working
to change legislation to ensure
tougher sentencing laws. Our
work doesn’t end with the curtain
call. It only begins.

Marily Monde jar

M e s s a g e f r o m T h e V - D i a r i e s e di t o r
Genevieve Jopanda
elena mangahas
Sunny Dykwel Melissa Josue
maya escudero I am excited to serve as
nini alvero this year’s editor of the annual
bambi lorica FWN “V-Diaries” anti-violence
magazine and resource guide.
GRACE BALDISSERI
We have a passionate, dedi-
Al perez cated, 100% volunteer editorial,
PR and advertising team that
has worked around the clock to
coordinate everything from fact
checking every phone number in
the Bay Area and New York
V-Resources Guide to arrang-
ing a press conference with the
V-Day founder Eve Ensler, herself.
The V-Diaries contributors
each bring their stories, knowl-
edge and passion to every page
and each of these articles was
thoughtfully chosen with the
hope of informing, sharing, chal-
lenging, enriching, awakening,
healing and inspiring the hearts
and minds of our readers.
It is our hope that the con-
tent and tonight’s performance
will transform the way you think
about the word “Vagina” as well
as encourage you to help unify
and strengthen existing anti-
violence efforts. The longest jour-
ney of Man and Woman is the
trek from the head to the heart;
from duality to non-duality; from
violence to peace.

FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

 sa n f ra n cis c o M e s s a g e S f r o m t h e di r e c t o r s

manager. The new crop of cast

and volunteers also include, for
the first time, a few good men
KEN MARQUIS
The primary inspiration for this
are struggling to not only
rebuilding their lives, but also
their homes and communities.
V
DIARIES

performing for A Memory, A year’s productions of “The We do these productions for

Monologue, A Rant and Prayer
bringing abuzz the male role in
Vagina Monologues” and
“MMRP” is to bring to your
all these women. New this
year, with the addition of male
Ta b l e o f Co n te n ts
breaking the cycle of violence attention the all too prevalent cast members to MMRP, their v-day spotlight 2008
in our communities. A second issue of violence against performances will make us all
harvest comes in April when Filipina women and girls. Also, think differently about how About V-Day 16
ELENA MANGAHAS
the global campaign to end it is a proven fact that women men and boys are impacted by V to the 10th 16
violence against women and are at an increased the issue even when the About Eve Ensler 16
Spring has sprung! This year,
girls celebrates its 10th year vulnerability during times of violence is not by their hand. Eve Ensler joins FWN in San Francisco 16
we at FWN welcome the new Playbill: The Vagina Monologues, Usaping
with a bountiful gathering of natural disasters and in the The cast and crew’s efforts
breed of directors - Christina Puki and A Memory, A Monologue,
artists and believers at the wake of Hurricane Katrina, over the last few months to
Baal, Esperanza Catubig, A Rant and A Prayer (MMRP) 25
New Orleans Superdome. We there are domestic violence bring these unique and
Genevieve Jopanda, May Vagina Warriors 2008 28
know that more seeds will be victims in New Orleans who theatrical experiences to the
Nazareno and Theresa SF + NY Cast and Crew Bios 30
sown during a good theater stage have been remarkable. I SF + NY Cast and Crew Photos 30
Tantay-Wilson, all previous
season! am truly inspired by the talent SF Conocimiento 37
cast members in the San
Francisco and New York and dedication shown by the NY Conocimiento 38
productions. Our youngest yet, entire team. To the audience,
thank YOU for supporting us. O N T H E CO V E R
Kai Delen Briones, blooms into
Now please sit back and enjoy Nida Recabo 22
a producer after being the
perennial tech and stage the show. Salamat!
V-FEATURES
Transcending Emotional Abuse 7
Domestic Violence in the Filipino
American Community 13
GENEVIEVE JOPANDA member of the cast since 2005, I hope that you find the
How Domestic Violence Can Spread HIV 13
the founding editor of “V-Diaries” useful in fighting Stalking: Build a Prosecutable Case 13
Filipina Women’s Network and “V-Diaries,” and serving on the violence against our own, and Spotlight on the Filipina Women of
its production of “The Vagina directorial team for the past two also recognize it as a byproduct New Orleans 17
Monologues” has truly years. This production and of Filipino Women’s Network’s Remembering the Comfort Women 20
transformed me as a person. It organization has contributed to hard work and determination to NYC Support for Pinay DV Survivors 42
has pushed me even more into my personal growth and spread awareness and make an Why People Stay in Abusive Relationships 43
feeding my passion for the allowed me to gain many impact in our community. Bakit? (Why?) 43
friendships and strong networks. Can I Feel Me Now? 44
Filipino community as an active
V-court watch
Clair Joyce Tempongco: Still Awaiting Justice
ESPERANZA CATUBIG now inspiration fills the space
MAY NAZARENO Eight Years Later 14
where this dedicated cast and Teris Casco: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to
Sometimes after reading the crew work. Thank you for What you will see and hear Killing his Filipina Wife 14
papers or watching the news, I opening your hearts and minds Marisa Corpuz: Judge Reduces Conviction
tonight are not simply stories
to what we have to offer. It of Man Found Guilty of 1st Degree Murder 15
find myself in a dark place and about betrayal or violence, but
the only way to pull myself out takes courage to do what you rather the undying courage of V - J O U R N ALS
of it besides praying, is doing are about to witness. And it has real people who dared to fight
theatre. The theatre is a sacred been a joyful creative process. for their dignity. I ask you to Have You Ever Experienced or Witnessed
place where we can transform May this be good medicine Violence? 9
listen closely tonight because
for you, too. Continue to live, do what each performer will My V–Journal 11
painful stories into good if you allow them, each of Breaking the Silence of Abuse 15
medicine. It’s not easy laugh, love. these remarkable women and do tonight: take a stand. I’d
Why I Joined FWN’s V-Day Anti-Domestic
confronting our personal men are not only delivering a like to extend my deep thanks Violence Campaign 19
experiences, some of which may mere monologue, but they are to every member of the cast. Remembering Jennifer Larsen and
be laden with fear and pain. Yet, sharing something about In watching you work, you Flor Concepcion 19
it is important not to stay there, themselves. They are sharing have allowed yourselves to I Am Speaking Out Against
but to channel self-destructive with you something that they explore a level of vulnerability Violence Because… 45
feelings into something creative personally understand about and compassion that only
and healing. Every Sunday for domestic violence, about the comes from an intuitive V - R E SO U R C E S
the past several weeks, our understanding of what it San Francisco Bay Area 6
loss of innocence, and the
means to love, to fight, and to New York + New Jersey Areas 8
courage has grown, love for yearning for reconciliation and Community Partners 5
ourselves has deepened, and peace. I hope their words ring forgive.
FWN Giving Guide 46
true to you and inspire you to
© 2008 The V-Diaries is a publication
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE of the Filipina Women’s Network.
AC KN OWLEDGMENTS
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE
GENERAL IN NEW YORK
Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE
GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO
Consul Marciano A. Paynor, Jr.
PHILIPPINE TRADE COMMISSIONER
Nini Alvero
PHILIPPINE CENTER MANAGEMENT
Crisel Diaz (San Francisco)
Gavino Abaya (New York)
Wilma Bautista (San Francisco)
Zeny Avila (New York)
HERBST THEATER
Jennifer Norris, John Bott,
& Lauren McQuade (City Box Office)
Filipino-American Human
Services, Inc. (FAHSI)
Johanna Martinez
CECEVIM
Antonio Ramirez
APIHF INSTITUTE ON
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Kathy Moore
CONNECT
Krittika Ghosh
Bincy Jacob (My Sister’s Place NY)
APICHA (ASIAN / PACIFIC ISLANDER
COALITION ON HIV / AIDS)
Lawrence Tantay
CARNELIAN ROOM
Marie Enriquez
Ruby San Juan
Phil Ip, Manager
Domestic Violence Consortium &
Partners Ending Domestic Abuse
Beverly Upton
California Partnership
to End Domestic Violence
Marivic Mabanag
Camille Hayes
RAMAR FOODS
Susan Quesada
Evangeline Quesada
PINOY CUISINE
Claire Matthews
Wayne Matthews
V-DAY
Eve Ensler
Cecile Lipworth
Heather Moseley
Molly Kawachi
Susan Swan
Tony Montenieri
04
N ew Yo r k
THERESA
TANTAY-WILSON
For those who have ever felt
powerless…
For those whose utmost
vulnerability was stripped
raw…
For those who have lost
completely, then lost again…
GRACE BALDISSERI
I am deeply honored to be a
part of the V-Day FWN New
York as we join the whole world
in celebrating the V-Day Event
of the Decade in New Orleans
this month. This is one
experience we will cherish, as
this is a celebration of Filipina
sexuality and womanhood.
It is my hope that through
these monologues, we will be
able to convey our vision for a
better world. Let us continue to
stand up and fight for our
women and fear not to raise our
voices and shout together,
“TAMA NA!” Let our collective
talents and the “bayanihan
ELTON LUGAY
As V-Day turns 10 this year, I
am so proud to be part of the
celebration! I salute the
Filipina Women’s Network for
making this happen in our
community. The fight on
violence against women is far
from over but the good news
is, there’s you and me working
together to help end it. I take
I pray for our continued
endurance towards shattering
the cycle of violence. To a
society that supports
oppression by breeding a belief
that all power yields
entitlement, where the
privileged only look a certain
way, I pose a challenge. Find
the voice that has been
smothered, and suppress the
finger used to hush. Recognize
your connection to these
stories, then act.
spirit” prevail until the violence
against Filipina women stops.
Tinig Mamamayan
Foundation highly commends
Marily Mondejar for her
continued crusade in promoting
women’s rights, condemning
domestic violence and for
supporting meaningful activities
such as this.
I am grateful to Christina
Baal, Theresa Tantay Wilson and
FWN for believing in me and
helping me achieve a dream -
the dream of being able to
perform someday in New York.
great honor and pleasure in
co-directing “Usaping Puki”
for this year’s FWN production
of The Vagina Monologues in
New York. You might ask, what
I am doing in an all-women
event? The truth is that men
play a crucial role in this cause;
violence against women is not
just a female issue. So as I give
out my humble share in this
worldwide effort, I also hope
to become an inspiration to
others. It wouldn’t hurt to be
strong to stand up for women,
and urge everyone to show
their support for ending
violence against women.
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
CHRISTINA BAAL
In the darkest days after I
experienced my own trauma, I
grasped at anything that would
make sense of what had just
happened to me. I read, sought
out others, went to a rape crisis
center for counseling, breathed
deeply. Somewhere along the
way I learned to refer to myself
and others like me as survivors
not victims. This change in
semantics taught me a powerful
and life-changing lesson: the
very act of taking a breath after
experiencing an act of violence is
an act of great courage, of
survival. Since then, I don’t talk
about the moments I was
APRIL ANNE
RIVERA TIAMZON
Tonight, I honor these
courageous men and women
who have the confidence to
step out of the darkness and
share their stories, for a chance
that other victims may feel
empowered to stand up on
their own some day.
To the men who also play an
important and vital role: please
respect and honor the women
in your life. Women live in
constant fear of rape or battery
and with good reason: a
woman in the U.S. is battered
once every eighteen seconds
(FBI). The attitude that women
NINA NGUYEN LAGAC
We commit ourselves primarily
to the belief that we can make
the violence stop. Having Eve
Ensler’s piece as an instrument
further fortifies this
commitment. And working with
an outstanding ensemble
makes the experience truly
life-changing and unforgettable.
Being in the plays and helping
victimized; I talk about how I
survived. I have committed my
life to working with others who
have survived violence at the
hands of a partner, a friend, a
family member, a broken
immigration system, a war, or a
storm. I hear inspiring words
daily from people who have
passed through the darkness and
survived. The performances you
are about to see honor those
courageous acts of survival.
are properties of and under the
control of men is often
apparent in magazines and
movies. The choices made to
walk away from violence or
continue the chain of abuse
have consequences for our
characters. Let us value each
other. Thank you for your full
support. Your presence is an
honor and a privilege.
direct “Usapang Puki” has been
a passionate ride. My
two-to-four hours drive from
Connecticut has always been
filled with giddy anticipation.
There is this unmistakable
romantic rhythm in the Tagalog
utterance- Puki, babae…. Yet,
the best part for me and one
that I hold dearest to my heart
is the seeking of one’s truest
niche in understanding what
encompasses intimate partner
violence and violence against
women and girls. As a
Vietnamese Caviteña, I’ve
always known that I am a
hardcore activist. Now I am
proudly a full-fledged Vagina
Warrior and that I will be, until
the violence stops.
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
 MEDIA
Our Community Part ners ABC7
Vic Lee
ABS-CBN

san francisco
Henni Espinoza
Ging Reyes
ASIAN JOURNAL
ASIANWEEK
Ted Fang
D OM ES T I C Angela Pang
Women’s
Intercultural
V I OLE N C E FILIPINAS MAGAZINE
Ferlie Andolong
San Francisco’s
Network CONSORTIUM CALIFORNIA
WOMEN’S AGENDA MANILA BULLETIN
DEPARTMENT ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Jacqui Conclara
recognizes the & Tricia Garcia
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
for its work to end domestic violence. PHILIPPINE NEWS
Partnerships between public and Margarita Argente
San Francisco’s Krystina Orozo
J ustice & C ourage private agencies are critical to
DEPARTMENT ON THE
creating community-based solutions
STATUS OF WOMEN PLANET PHILIPPINES
Oversight Committee to end violence against women.
Gretheline Ramos-Bolandrina
S.F. CHRONICLE“PINOY POD”
Benny Evangelista
Michelle Louie
CECIV I M AC K N OW L E DG M E N TS

Asian Pacific Islander Institue on Domestic Violence HEARTFELT THANKS!

Barry Picazo, Patio Filipino
Paule Tenchavez
I F Institute for Charles D. Johnson
Image Chuck Sloane
I M Management City & County of San Francisco
Daniel and Melba Catubig
Dan Dykwel
Dennis and Tove Ann Purificacion
The Consulate General
Outstanding Consulate General Ernesto and Helen Catubig
Gani Ricarte Jr.
Women in the of the Philippines of the Philippines Genevieve Dwyer, Genevieve’s Corporation
Nation’s in San Francisco in New York Genevieve Herreria
Service Gerry Phillips
P h i l i pp i n e s M arciano A. P aynor J r . C e c i l i a B. R e b o n g Heather and David
Jason Chan
Jason Emmanuel Ricarte
JJ
John Gani Ricarte
Jordan Patrick Ricarte

n e w y o r k FAHSI connect Nieves Cortez, Corté Riva Vineyards

Leslie Katindoy-Magalong
Lissa Sobrepena
Ludovic Jolivet
Maria Ruiz

V - d ay s p on s or s Mario Alvarado
Mark Javier
Owen Donnahoo, Owen Photographie
Perla De Jesus, Perla’s Studio
NoVo Foundation | The Rockefeller Foundation | W Hotels New Orleans | TWBA/Chiat/Day | Rene Acosta, Zebulon Restaurant & Bar
Richard Gervais
Vosges Haut Chocolat | Glamour | Oprah & Friends Radio (XM) | O Magazine | Dramatists Play Service Robert Aboyme
Robert Uy, APILO Staff Attorney
Ron Santiano
Sonia T. Delen, Banc of America Leasing

D oN oR S & S P oN S oR S Sunny Dykwel

Susie Quesada, Ramar Foods Intl.
Tina Diloy
FILIPINAS AGAINST VIOLENCE DONORS: Hugh Thader | Rose Garcia | Hugh Thatcher | Brenna Randolph • V-DAY FILIPINA Tim Luym, Poleng Lounge
2008 SPONSORS: AsianWeek | Manila Bulletin | Philippine News | Philippine Center San Francisco | Ramar Foods • Ed Bernardo, Zebulon
TICKET SPONSORS: Sonia Delen & Christopher Fitzsimmons | Atty. David McMullen | Ed Ortiz | Richard Llave Franco Torres, Carmen’s
Francis Jopanda
Robert Cabrera
Pablo Leabreas
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
S A N F R A N C I S C O B AY A R E A
v -resources
CHILD ABUSE
Child Abuse Training &
Technical Assistance
(CATTA) Center
707. 84.9547
www.cattacenter.org
Statewide resources against
4 5
child abuse
Family & Children Services
City & County of San Francisco
Hotline: 800.856.5553
www.sfhsa.org/fcs.htm
Child Abuse Hotline, respite care,
parenting classes, counseling
Alameda County Social
Services
Alameda
Hotline: 510.259.1800
alamedasocialservices.org
24-hour confidential hotline vs.
child endangerment
FamilyPaths (Formerly
Parental Stress Service)
Alameda County
ghi
Hotline: 800. 829. 3777
www.familypaths.org
Emergency respite childcare,
parenting classes, 24-hour
support & resource hotline
San Mateo County Child
Protective Services
Child Abuse Hotline
650.595.7922
www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/
department/hsa/home
Child Abuse Prevention
Council
San Joaquin County
Stockton
209. 464. 4524
7 8
Emergency respite childcare,
parenting classes, Court
appointed advocates
COURT SERVICES /
LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICES
Court Info
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/
trial/courtlist.htm
How to contact the courts
statewide by county, searchable
by zip code or city
6 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
san francisco
Alameda County
Superior Court
Berkeley Clerk’s Office
2000 Center St., Rm. 202
Berkeley, CA 94704
510. 644. 8999
www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/
courts
Filing for Temporary
Restraining Orders
Alameda County
Superior Court
Family Court Clerks
1225 Fallon St., Rm. 250
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 208. 4935
Restraining order application
for self-filing
Alameda County
Superior Court
Family Law Facilitator’s Office
224 West Winton Ave., Rm. 179
Hayward, CA 94544
510. 670. 5150
No-fee court affiliated
assistance with custody, child
support, etc.
District Attorney’s Office
Domestic Violence Advocate
Oakland
510. 268. 7276
Contact: Ali
District Attorney’s Office –
Stalking
510. 272. 6295
Victim Witness Advocate:
Kelly Sage
Trains stalking victims;
Stalking Inspector: Corey White
Fremont Police Dept.
Domestic Violence Advocate
Fremont
510. 790. 6939
Contact: Carol
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SHELTERS
My Sister’s House
Sacramento
916.428.3271
www.my-sisters-house.org
24-hour help line, provides
safe haven for battered Asian
/ Pacific Islander women and
children
24-Hour Emergency Shelter
4700 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94601
510. 534. 6030
510. 534. 9140 – Fax
Women and children;
30-90 Days
AASRA-Federation of
Indo-American
Fremont
800. 313. 2772
510. 657. 1245
South Asian Languages;
Women and Children
(Priority to South Asian);
M-F intakes and overnight
emergency
Building Futures with
Women And Children / Sister Women Escaping Violence
Me Home
1395 Bancroft Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94577
866-A-Way-Out
510. 357. 0205
www.bfwc.org
Spanish; Women and Children housing, crisis counseling,
Emergency Shelter Program
22634 2nd St., Suite 205
Hayward, CA 94541
24-hour hotline:
888. 339. SAFE
Spanish; 90-day stay, women
and children of domestic
violence / homelessness
Safe Alternatives to Violent
Environments (SAVE)
39155 Liberty St.,
Suite C310
Fremont, CA 94538
24-hour hotline:
510. 794. 6055
Office: 510. 574. 2250
save-dv.org
Spanish, Hindi, Tamil;
Emergency shelter & longer
term housing, medical & legal housing; Domestic Violence
assistance
Shepherd’s Gate
1660 Portola Avenue
Livermore, CA 94551
925. 443. 4283
888.216.4776
Fax: 925. 449. 3114
Emergency shelter, job training, Women’s English Hotline:
short & long term programs,
Bible studies for women &
children survivors
Tri-Valley Haven
PO Box 2190
Livermore, CA 94551
800. 884. 8119
925. 449. 5845
925. 449. 5842
www.trivalleyhaven.org
Cantonese, German, French,
Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi;
Emergency shelter for women 408.975.2739
and children of DV; 3.5 month www.aaci.org
max stay
Saint John’s Shelter for
Women & Children
4410 Power Inn Road
Sacramento, CA 95826
916.453.1482
www.stjohnsshelter.org
Emergency shelter up to
60 days
Stand Against Domestic
Violence
1410 Danzig Plaza
Concord, CA 94520
888. 215. 5555
925. 676. 2845
www.standagainstdv.org
Emergency shelter, transitional computers to visit their web site
housing, Adelante Familia for for safety reasons); English &
Spanish speakers
(WEAVE )
1900 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916. 920. 2952
916. 448. 2321
Response team, temporary
employment services
Asian Women’s Shelter
3453 18th St., #19
San Francisco, CA 94110
877. 751. 0880
415. 751. 7110
Various Asian Languages
Emergency shelter in
confidential location
La Casa de Las Madres
1850 Mission St., #B
jkl
San Francisco, CA 94103
24-hour Crisis Lines:
Adult Line: 877. 503. 1850
Teen Line: 877. 923. 0700
Counseling & supportive
services: 415. 503. 0500
www.lacasa.org
Emergency shelter & safe
Response Team;
Spanish, Mandarin,
Tagalog, French, Arabic
Marin Abused Women’s
Services
734 A Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415.924.6616
Women’s Spanish Hotline:
415.924.3456
Men’s Hotline: 415.924.1070
www.maws.org
Emergency shelter, legal
assistance, reeducation
classes for batterers
Asian Women’s Home
2400 Moorpark Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128
24-hour crisis hotline:
Asian languages; emergency
food, clothing & shelter for
women and children,
counseling, legal advocacy
Community Overcoming
Relationship Abuse (CORA)
P.O. Box 5090
San Mateo, CA 94402
24-hour Hotlines:
800.300.1080
650. 312. 8515
Legal Information Line:
650-259-1855
www.corasupport.org
CORA urges those in need of
their services to use public
Spanish spoken; Emergency
shelter, transitional housing,
legal services, crisis response
La Isla Pacifica
Gilroy, CA
24 hour Crisis Line:
408.683.4118
(A service of Community
Solutions) Bilingual services,
emergency food, shelter up to
45 days, drug and alcohol
treatment, outpatient domestic
violence counseling, legal
assistance.
Next Door Solutions to
Domestic Violence
234 E. Gish Road, Ste. 200
San Jose, CA 95112
24-hour hotline:
408.279.2962
Office: 408.501.7550
www.nextdoor.org
English & Spanish,
comprehensive emergency
assistance services, shelters in
cities of San Jose & Santa Clara
Support Network for
Battered Women
1257 Tasman Drive, Suite C
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
24-hour Help Line:
800.572.2782
Office: 408.541.6100
Fax: 408.541.1333
www.snbw.org
English & Español; Crisis
intervention, counseling, legal
services, emergency shelter
North American Islamic
Shelter for the Abused
(NISA)
P.O.Box 50515
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Helpline: 1-888-ASK-NISA
Or 888. 275. 6472
Support and help to those
who only speak Urdu, Hindi,
Arabic, Farsi, Pushtu, etc
Eden Info & Referral
570 B Street Hayward,
CA 94541
Office: 510-537-2710
alamedaco.info
Referral services, daily updates
of shelter availability in
East Bay
National Domestic Violence
Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
24-hour access through all 50
states, English & Spanish, with
interpreter services in 140
languages, local access to
shelters, information for
immigrants
Woman Inc.
333 Valencia St., Suite 450
(Between 14th and 15th St.)
San Francisco, CA 94103
24-hour Crisis Lines:
1.877.384.3578 or
415.864.4722
Bilingual, bicultural services,
counseling, legal referrals,
support groups
Haven of Peace Women’s
Emergency Home
San Joaquin County
7070 South Harlan Road
French Camp, CA 95231
209.982.0390
209.982.0396
18+ years accepted; 35 space
capacity; assist women with
food, clothing and counseling
LESBIAN, GAY,
BISEXUAL,
TRANSGENDER,
& QUESTIONING
Network for Battered
Lesbian & Bisexual Women
3543 18th Street, Suite 28
San Francisco, CA 94110
Office: 415.281.0276
www.thenetworklared.org
Support group
Community United
Against Violence (CUAV)
160 14th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
24-hour Crisis Line:
415.333.HELP (4357)
Office: 415.777.5500
Fax: 415.777.5565
www.cuav.org
Maitri Hotline
PO Box 60111
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
408. 730. 4049
888. 8. Maitri
www.maitri.org
South Asian Women
Peer support / counseling
for domestic violence, Family
law, immigration domestic
violence issues, translation,
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
b ay a r e a
Pacific Center
2712 Telegraph Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
510. 548. 8283
www.pacificcenter.org
Group and individual
counseling, narcotics
3
interpretation, transitional
housing and community
education
def
anonymous, HIV and Aids
group, social groups
Project Eden
Hayward
Office: 510.247.8200
Counseling services for
LGBTQQ Youth
Sexual Minority Alliance
6
of Alameda County
(SMAAC) Youth Center
Alameda County
Office: 510.548.8283
Support groups for
LGBTQQ youth
SF LGBT Center
San Francisco County
415. 865. 5555
Legal referrals, Temporary
Restraining Order assistance
LEGAL REFERRALS:
TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING
ORDER ASSISTANCE
mno
Legal Aid of Napa County
1227 Coombs St.,
Napa, CA 94559
707. 255. 4933
707. 255. 2312 – Fax
Seniors only; Only services
senior clients in abusive
situations; For domestic
violence retraining orders in
Napa area, refer to Napa
Emergency Women’s Services
Napa Emergency Women’s
Services
1001 Second St.,
Napa, CA 94559
707. 255. 6397
707. 252. 3687
9
707. 252. 3069 – Fax
Contact legal advocate
Gabby Caro for help with
restraining orders
The Cooperative
Restraining Order Clinic
San Francisco
415.864.1790
Bilingual Service; Restraining
Order Assistance free of
charge; Paperwork served to
batterer at reduced fee
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
LEGAL SERVICES
Asian Pacific Islander
(API) Legal Outreach
1212 Broadway St., #400
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 251. 2846
510. 267. 6248 – Fax
Walk-in Clinic Rm 1-4;
Interpreter provided with
appointment; Family, civil,
and immigration law
restraining orders, queer
domestic violence, Asian
Languages; Free and sliding
scale fees
Asian and Pacific Islander
(API) Legal Outreach
1188 Franklin St., #202
San Francisco, CA 94109
415. 567. 6255
415. 567. 6248 – Fax
Serves Asian Communities;
Family, civil, and
immigration law; temporary
restraining order, Gay
Domestic Violence Project;
Free and sliding scale fees
Asian Women’s Home
2400 Moorpark Avenue,
Suite 300
San Jose, CA 95128
408. 975. 2739
Temporary restraining order
assistance; Counseling;
Serves all countries; 24-hour
crisis line, shelter; Works
with translators to serve
various Asian-speaking
clients
Catholic Charities
Immigration Project
Oakland
510. 768. 3102
Visa petitions, citizenship,
Vawa Cases (Victims of
domestic violence cases)
Domestic Violence
Restraining Order Clinic
Richmond
137th St., Room 185,
Richmond, CA
510. 374. 3364
Restraining Order clinic held
in Richmond Courthouse
Mon & Fri 8-5 pm
Law Center for Families
510 16th St., Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 451. 9261
510. 763. 2169 – Fax
For families ineligible for
assistance from other
programs, but too poor to
hire a private attorney.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Bay Women Against Rape
Oakland
510. 430. 1298
sfcf.org.bawar.htm
Serves rape and incest
victims; Intake: M-F 10-3;
10 free then sliding scale;
Short-term counseling,
referrals, accompaniment to
hospital, court advocacy
Eden Information and
Referrals
Alameda
510. 537. 2552
M-F 10-4; Counseling, legal,
sexual assault, CalWorks
The Sage Project Inc.
Standing Against Global
Exploitation
1385 Mission Street, Ste 300
San Francisco, CA 94103
415. 905. 5050
www.sagesf.org
Recovery from sexual
exploitation & substance
abuse
Women Against Rape
3543 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415. 861. 2024
www.sfwar.org
24-hour Crisis Hotline:
415. 647. RAPE
Counseling, support groups,
legal advocacy
San Francisoco General
Hospital (SFGH)
Trauma Recovery Center –
Rape Treatment Center
2727 Mariposa St, Ste 100
Crisis Line: 415. 437. 3000
M-F: 8 am – 5 pm
24-hour medical forensic
examination (SFGH
Emergency Room), free
services, Spanish / English)
W.O.M.A.N., Inc.
Women Organized to Make
Abuse Nonexistent, Inc.
A Lifeline for Battered
Women
333 Valencia St, Ste 251
San Francisco, CA 94103
24-hour Crisis Hotline:
877. 384. 3578 or
415. 864. 4722
Support Groups,
Counseling
Programs,
Latina
Services,
Community
Education
P
TRANSCENDI NG EMOTIONAL ABU S E :
Perla King’s
I Experienced
By Noelyn Germono
Story
Violence…
erla King was living in the
Philippines when she was
petitioned by her then-
husband and immigrated
to San Mateo, California
in 1989. Perla was immediately
dismayed by her new living situation.
Happiness and love were short-lived
for the nuptials. Perla’s ex-husband
began to abuse her psychologically
and emotionally. He treated her like a
servant and forced her to endure the
degradation of having his mistress live
in their home.
One month after their wedding,
Perla discovered she was pregnant with
her first child. Her husband insisted she
have an abortion, but at the time, she
was already in her late thirties. Perla
had so long yearned to be a mother,
and knew that her chances for another
pregnancy would be slim. When
she came to the United States, Perla
brought with her an adopted nephew.
With the impending arrival of another
child, she knew she had to extract
herself and her children from that
abusive situation.
The turning point was when her
ex-husband and his mistress had sex
in front of Perla. He then asked Perla
to join them in other lewd sexual acts.
“Right there, I felt the world crumble
upon me and I totally lost my respect
for him. I felt so degraded and hurt that
I was being thrown into the lion’s den,”
she said. “I was empty, demoralized
and insulted… I made my choice; my
priority was raising my children.” She
filed for divorce soon after the incident.
There was a world of difference
between this devastating reality and
her former life. In the Philippines,
Perla was affiliated with several student
activist groups who advocated for
social reform. It is ironic that once an
impassioned advocate for justice, she
found herself being a victim of abuse
and oppression. Her first marriage
illuminated the other side of the
living spectrum. She had come from
a comfortable life and a high-ranking
professional position, to struggling
in a new place where she had a much
lower socioeconomic status. “In the
Philippines, I had maids, but here in
America, I became the maid.”
Perla said it was easy for her to
leave her abusive marriage because
of her educational background.
Before coming to the United States,
Perla had worked for the Philippine
government in several capacities. One
position was deputy commissioner of
the Commission and Audit. Among
her accolades are a bachelor of arts
and bachelor of science in education,
as well as a master’s degree in public
administration, from prestigious
Philippine universities. Perla did not
allow herself to be disillusioned by the
drastic changes in her situation. She
sought to transform her challenges into
success. She became the operations
manager for New Mexico Highlands
University.
Though she had some family
dispersed throughout the United States,
Perla still found herself facing her
problems without much of a support
system. She didn’t want to impose on
her relatives. She did, however, find a
soulmate and confidant in V-Warriors
nominee Sonia Delen. “I had witnessed
the abuse, the challenges that she
endured, and her rising above it all
and becoming a valiant mother and
now, a nurse,” Sonia said. In 1992,
Perla remarried. She and her husband
Dennis moved to New Mexico where
they raised her two boys.
Perla believes that education is
the key to empowerment. “When
you’re educated, your mind is open
to rehabilitation. You can become
financially stable and independent.”
Even with multiple degrees under her
belt, Perla continued her pursuit for
education and personal enrichment. In
December, Perla completed a registered
nursing program. She is currently
working as a graduate nurse at
Presbyterian General’s Surgical Unit in
New Mexico. She has a strong interest
in the field of psychiatric nursing
where she can work with survivors of
domestic violence, exploitation, and
drug abuse.
Her spirituality has also played
an integral role in her life. She saw
nursing as her calling when her son was
hospitalized and near-death six years
ago. Amidst her own worry, she found
herself consoling other mothers in the
intensive care unit. “My faith sustains
me during the doldrums, and the
strenuous physical challenges of being
a nurse.” She says, “It is fulfilling and
uplifting to do something beautiful for
strangers, to be able to touch their lives,
not just physically, but to pray with
them and touch their souls.”
7
NEW YORK + NEW JERSEY

v -resources

NEW YORK
Women’s Survival Space
718. 439. 1000
N e w yo r k + N e
Manhattan
Harlem Office
212. 577. 7777
Washington Heights &
Inwood Center
212. 577. 7777
Queens
Jamaica Center
800. 621. HOPE
212. 577. 7777
Legal Services

Free advice and services

for victims of domestic
violence.
City-Wide
Sanctuary for Families
Center for Battered
Women’s Legal Services
212. 349. 6009
Westchester
2
Cabrini Immigrant
Services

abc
21 Cedar Street
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(914) 674-1937
cis-scnh@cabrini-
eldercare.org
Association of the
Bar of the City of
New York Fund
Immigrant Women and
Sex Crimes Bureau)
718. 590. 2115 (Crime
Victims Assistance Unit)
New York County
One Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013
212. 335. 9000 (Main)
212. 335. 4300
(Family Violence &
Child Abuse Bureau)
212. 335. 9040 (Witness
Aid Services Unit)
718. 579. 4000
Brooklyn
Coney Island Hospital
2601 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11235
718. 616. 3000
Kings County Hospital
Center
451 Clarkson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11203
718. 245. 3131
Staten Island Asian American Legal Children Project 212. 864. 7884
New Hope Staten Island Center Woodhull Medical &
Defense and Education 212. 382. 4711 (North Manhattan Mental Health Center
800. 621. HOPE 800. 621. HOPE Fund www.abcny.org Domestic Violence
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 760 Broadway
HOTLINES Family Project 212.966.5932 Project) Brooklyn, NY 11206
www.aaldef.org Prenatal Care Assistance Queens County
718. 443. 3928 Advocacy and Program 718. 963. 8000
NYC 24-Hour Hotline: 125-01 Queens Boulevard,
Project Oasis Safe Homes Counseling Main Street Legal Services, 800. 522. 5006 Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Cumberland D&TC

4 5
1. 800. 621. HOPE (4673) Battered Women’s Rights For women and infants
TDD: 800. 810. 7444 800. 621. HOPE 718. 286. 6000 (Main) 100 N. Portland Ave.
City-Wide Clinic, CUNY Law School 718. 286. 6550 (Domestic Brooklyn, NY 11205
Women’s Safe Start II Arab-American Family 800. 621. HOPE Child Abuse and
Hearing Impaired Maltreatment Hotline Violence Bureau) 718. 260. 7500
24-Hour Hotline: 718. 453. 2280 Support Center 718. 286. 6818 (Crime
718. 643. 8000 Victim Services West Side (New York State Central East NY D&TC
TDD: 1. 800. 810-7444 Manhattan Legal Project Registry) Victims Advocate Program)
718. 286. 6562 2094 Pitkin Ave.
NYC Gay and Lesbian Henry Street Shelter Barrier Free Living, Inc. 800. 621. HOPE 800. 342. 3720 Brooklyn, NY 11207
212. 577. 7777 (Physically disabled) (Elder Abuse Project)
Anti-Violence Project inMotion Child Abuse Prevention 718. 240. 0400
212. 714. 1141 212. 533. 4358 Richmond County
Sanctuary For Families, Inc. 212. 533-4632 (Formerly Network for Information and Parent Manhattan
212. 349. 6009 Women’s Services) Helpline (24 hours) 130 Stuyvesant Place
Barrier-Free Living Staten Island, NY 10301 Bellevue Hospital Center
(Disabled Clients) Cabrini Immigrant 212. 695. 3800 800. 342. 7472 462 First Ave.
Urban Women’s Retreat Services Legal assistance for 718. 876. 6300 (Main)
212. 533.4358 1. 800. 621. HOPE Hunger Hotline 718. 556. 7124 (Sex New York, NY 10016
212.791.4590 battered women seeking 212. 562. 1000
Crime Victims Hotline divorces (Food emergency) Crimes / Special Victims
Violence Intervention Gay & Lesbian 866. 888. 8777 Bureau)
212. 577. 7777 Program Harlem Hospital Center
Anti-Violence Project Brooklyn
212. 360. 5090 Women’s Healthline 506 Lenox Ave.
Rape & Sexual Assault 212. 714. 1141 Brooklyn Legal Services, New York, NY 10037
Hotline Corporation B 9 am to 5 pm, Mon.–Fri. PUBLIC HOSPITALS
New York Asian Women’s New York Association for 800. 825. 5448 212. 939. 1000
212. 227. 3000 Center 718. 237. 5500
New Americans

ghi jkl
888. 888. 7702 Toll-free AIDS Hotline Public hospitals are run Metropolitan Hospital
New York State Child Abuse 212. 425. 5051 by the NYC Health and 1901 First Ave.
Hotline BENEFITS FOR 9 am to 9 pm, Mon. – Fri.
Queens Steps to End Family 800. 825. 5448 Hospitals Corporation. New York, NY 10029
800. 342. 3720 Transition Center IMMIGRANTS Each hospital has a 212. 423. 6262
Violence (teens / women
New York State Domestic Kosher facilities defendants) General Health Line Domestic Violence
Gouverneur D&TC
Violence Hotline 718. 520. 8045 Anyone, regardless of 9 am to 6 pm, Mon. – Fri. Coordinator.
212. 410. 4200 immigration status, is 227 Madison St.
800.942.6906 (English) 800. 825. 5448
Allen Women’s Resource Bronx eligible for the following D&TC = Diagnostic and New York, NY 10002
800.942.6908 (Spanish) Center HealthStat Treatment Center 212. 238. 7000
Hostos Women and benefits
NYPD Sex Crimes 212. 577. 7777 Immigrants Rights Center Free or low-cost health
Emergency: 911 Bronx Renaissance D&TC
Report Hotline insurance
Project Oasis Safe Homes 718. 518. 4312 888. 692. 6116 Jacobi Medical Center 215 West 125 St.
212. 267. RAPE 1. 800. 621. HOPE City services 1400 Pelham Parkway S. New York, NY 10027
Bronx Independent Living (Non-emergency): 311
New York State Crime Services (disabled) Education for children Bronx, NY 10461 212. 932. 6500
Women Helping Women All children regardless of 718. 918. 5000
Victims Board 718. 291. 2555 718. 515. 2800 NYC Domestic Violence Queens
800. 247. 8035 Hotline immigration status can
St. Rita’s Center (refugees) attend school through Lincoln Hospital & Mental Elmhurst Hospital Ctr.
Staten Island (Including domestic Health Center 79-01 Broadway
Project Oasis Safe Homes 718. 365. 4390 violence shelters, legal grade 12
234 East 149th Street Elmhurst, NY 11373
SHELTERS www.nycenet.edu

7 8
1. 800. 621. HOPE Brooklyn assistance, benefits) Bronx, NY 10451 718. 334. 4000
Park Slope Safe Homes 800. 621. 4673 Department for the Aging 718. 579. 5000
Bronx Queens Hospital Center
Aegis Battered Women’s Counseling Project New York State Coalition For the elderly
718. 499. 2151 212-442-1000 North Central Bronx 82-70 164th St.
Program Safe Horizon Against Domestic Violence Hospital Jamaica, NY 11432
800. 621. HOPE Community Offices (Outside NYC) www.nyc.gov/aging
Queens 3424 Kossuth Avenue 718. 883. 3000
Pragati, Inc. 800. 942. 6906 Bronx, NY 10467
Project Oasis Safe Homes Bronx 800. 818. 0656 TTY 718. 519. 5000
800. 621. HOPE (Women of Indian origin) DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
Kingsbridge Center 718. 456. 4712
212. 577. 7777 Cabrini Immigrant Morrisania D&TC
New Day Shelter 1225 Gerard Avenue
718. 617. 8762 Queens Women’s Network Services Bronx County
Claremont Center 212. 577. 7777 139 Henry Street 198 East 161st Street Bronx, NY 10452
Brooklyn 800. 621. HOPE 1. 800. 621. HOPE New York, NY 10002 Bronx, NY 10451 718. 960. 2777
Park Slope Safe Homes Brooklyn (212) 791-4590 718. 590. 2000 (Main) S.R. Belvis D&TC
Project Bedford-Stuyvesant cis-ccnr@cabrini- 718. 590. 2323 545 East 142nd Street
718. 499. 2151 212. 577. 7777 eldercare.org (Domestic Violence and Bronx, NY 10454

8 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

ew jersey
NEW JERSEY

Child Support
Assistance
877-NJ-KIDS1
Crime Victim
Compensation
877-658-2221
Manavi for South
Asian Women
908-687-2662
Office of Victim –
Witness Advocacy
3
Cape May
County
South Jersey Legal

def
Services
609-465-3001
Women’s Referral
Center
800-322-8092
Cumberland
County
Guidance Center
856-455-5555
Hunterdon
County
Legal Services of
NW Jersey
908-782-7979
Northwest Regional
Women’s Center
973-267-4763
Office of Victim-
Witness Advocacy
800-321-0010
Women’s Crisis
Services
Have you ever
experienced or
witnessed violence?
I have witnessed much violence,
especially in the movies. I grew up
watching Filipino action movies starring
Lito Lapid and Eddie Garcia and while
“raped. “ Traumatized,
I kept it to myself for nearly
10 years.

609-896-8855 Office of Victim-

Witness Advocacy
888-988-4033
I was growing up, I found myself
afraid of Filipino men unless they
I have seen a woman
Atlantic 856-453-0486 Mercer County were immediate family members. I know touched by her
County South Jersey
Legal Services
Central Jersey
Legal Services
relative inappropriately.
Office of Victim-
Witness Advocacy 856-451-0003 609-695-6249 I was 17 going on 18 when I lost my She did not fight back,
609-909-7850 Women’s Center Office of Victim- virginity to rape. I was broken. And and I was too young (and

6
800-322-8092 Witness Advocacy
South Jersey Legal
Services Essex County
609-989-6274 even at the lowest point of my life, I was too scared) to do anything.
609-348-4200 Essex-Newark
Womenspace shunned by my mother who told me it
800-572-7233 I experienced sexual assault from
Violence Intervention Legal Services was my fault and that I was a shame
Program 973-824-3000 Middlesex to the family. a boy from my past, an event that
800-286-4184 Family Violence County had taken my virginity. I
Program Central Jersey experienced another assault from
Bergen County
Alternatives to DV 973-484-4446 Legal Services I have seen my very own older a different boy while I was
201-336-7575 Office of Victim-
Witness Advocacy
732-249-7600
Office of Victim-
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Northeast New Jersey
Legal Services 973-621-4707 Witness Advocacy wife when I was in grade lived in shame and engaged in risky
201-487-2166 The Rachel Coalition
973-740-1233
732-745-3328
Rutgers University
school. I was young at that sexual behavior to somehow make
Office of Victim-
The Safe House Victim Services time so I did not do anything, me feel better about what happened
Witness Advocacy
973-759-2154 732-932-1181 but it lives in my memory. to me. But eventually, through
201-646-2057 gradual sexual assault education,
Shelter Our Sisters Gloucester
201-944-9600 County
Monmouth
A friend of mine was beaten by I realized it wasn’t my fault.
County
Burlington Office of Victim- Ocean-Monmouth her husband and called me

mno
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856-384-5500 732-866-0020 abused . T he hateful words
Office of Victim-
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South Jersey maybe I deserved it when he
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856-964-9400
732-264-7273 immigrant with conditional visa.
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I saw her swollen face and I
609-261-1088 Hudson County 888-843-9262 whenever he told me “W hat ’ s
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Christ Hospital wrong with you ?!” I believed him
Central Mental Health Morris County She eventually called the police
when he said no one else would
800-322-8092 201-795-8373 Battered Women’s and as a friend, I gave her my
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201-792-6363 from the grip of insecurity to
Rape & Abuse 973-971-4715 way until she decided that it
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Witness Advocacy Legal Services of was best to stay. It was
Family Counseling S pending time with friends and

9
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973-285-6911 family who nourished and
856-964-7378 Women Rising and as a professional to see
Hotline (YWCA) Office of Victim- inspired me helped me distance
Office of Victim- Witness Services her that way, but it was her
201-333-5700 myself from the relationship and
Witness Advocacy
Women’s Referral 973-285-6200 decision and all I could do was
856-225-8431 find the strength to close the
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856-227-1234 Witness Advocacy
732-929-2195
graduated grade school. I find a stronger sense of self .
learned in Jr. high through I’ ll never let someone “ love ”
Providence House sex education that I had been me that way again .
800-246-8910

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 9

 Filipino American Human
Services, Inc. (FAHSI)
FAHSI is a community-based, non-
profit organization established in 1993
dedicated to serving the most vulnerable
segments of the Filipino community of
New York – particularly youth, women,
recent immigrants, and the elderly. FAHSI’s vision is an empowered
Filipino American community with a strong sense of identity and
commitment to citizenship participation. In support of this vision,
our mission is to improve social conditions and enhance the
self-reliance of vulnerable segments of the community by:
• Strengthening the capacity of Filipino Americans to be
significant contributors to civil society.
• Developing the potential of Filipino American youth as
community leaders and organizers; Raising the awareness
of the Filipino American community and the general public
concerning Filipino American history and the struggle and
contributions of Filipino Americans.
•
718-883-1295 | 185-14 Hillside Ave., Jamaica, NY 11432 | fahsi.org

10 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

My V – Journal
Sunday, Februar y 2, 2008
By Rebecca Delgado Rottman

I attended a formal audition to “The Vagina

Monologues” today. Before we started the cold
readings, the director, Ken, gave us a lot of ideas on
how to better perform. He suggested that we read
each word and learn its meaning, then read each
sentence to understand what the text is conveying,
put it all together in our own words and experience,
and then translate it. Through this method, it was
easier to feel the emotions and the passion of the
person who wrote the monologue that I was
performing.
When the audition began, Ken asked for a V-Diary , 20 08
volunteer to start but no one got up, forcing Ken M ar ch 10
to call on random individuals. This was my first By Ro si e Jo su e
audition and I have never done this type of work ate d ste ps on to the stage
I wa lke d up the rubber-co
before, so I was not about to volunteer to be the ed to calm my rac ing
of the aud ito riu m as I tri
first! I sat and listened to others perform. I was ame a dar k blu r aga ins t
hea rtb eat. The aud ien ce bec
impressed; they were all very good. And that made n a sho rt thr illin g sile nce
the bri llia nt floo dlig hts . The it
me all the more anxious. I didn’t think I could read of a rol ler coa ste r jus t as
cap tured me like the clic ks
like the other performers could. But then Ken called ilar ati ng dro p.
nea rs the pea k of an exh ing the aud itio n, my goa l
wa s to
my name; I was second to the last. I got up from firs t tim e I per for me d the mo nol ogu e “Ce lia” dur le, wit h jus t
The ura l as pos sib
rac ter, ens ure I wa s bel iev abl e, and loo k as nat
my seat and walked to the stage feeling nervous, ana lyze the cha the atre act res I fel t
s,
exp res sio n for eac h wo rd. As an exp erienc ed
but I told myself to “just have fun.” When I read my the rig ht pac ing and her exp erienc e
wo rds on the scr ipt and rec rea tin g a cha rac ter and
monologue, the audience laughed (it was a funny confide nt in tak ing the
piece) and I hoped they laughed because of my thr oug h my ow n bod y.
inn ing .
But tha t wa s jus t the beg ona lly dra ine d Ros ie at the
delivery, too. They seemed to have enjoyed my loved, ove r wo rke d, em oti
It too k a stress ed, under an rec itin g my line s in my
hea d
reading. It was meant to be read with a partner I rea lly sig ned up for. I beg
reh earsal , to rea lize wh at ter ways to add col or to the tex t,
but I had read it alone. tur n on sta ge and I wa s try ing to find bet
bef ore my
I learned a lot tonight about critiquing the on me .
wh en sudden ly it daw ned . It’s not fict ion tha t
monologue pieces, examining how each piece are not jus t ink on a pag e to the ma tic ally interp ret
The se wo rds dire ctl y
are the wo rds tha t came
touches your heart, and understanding cultural lly pie ced tog eth er. The se
a ski lled poe t so ma ste rfu y are , in my cas e, the act ual pai n
differences as well as women’s universal challenges. an bei ngs in tru e life exp erienc es. The igh t
fro m rea l hum s herself in an les s fre
air
I am becoming more aware of women’s challenges ing of a wo ma n so des per ate for fre edo m she find by her
and suf fer esc ape the hor rif yin g abu
se
aba ndo n her son, jus t to
and our role in the universe. con tai ner af ter hav ing to
I am passionate about life; hus ban d in Gua tem ala . eve nin g news but, wit h lite
ral ly
in the wo rld thr oug h the
I enjoy learning and trying We hea r abo ut the cha os nne l to Ameri ca’s Nex t Top
ton , you can tur n it off. You can flip the cha .
different things because we’ve the clic k of a but sse d of thi s yea Osc ars
r’s
up a ma gaz ine to gaw k at the bes t and wo rst dre ’re
only have one life to live and Mo del or pic k tas te of the gla ze dis gui ses
wh at you
like icin g on a don ut, the
I believe we must live it to We gla ze ove r our wo rld ter tru th of rea lity . The rea lity tha t
ual ly put tin g in you r bod y. No one wa nts the bit ane ,
the fullest with no regrets.
act end ure the mo st inh um
and I, wh o fro m day to day
the re are peo ple like you tun e it out and tur n it off
.
I have a feeling that this the res t of the wo rld can
uni magin abl e thi ngs . An d and I rea lize d my pow er in
experience, “The Vagina the day we had reh earsal
I wo ke up one mo rni ng on in thi s pro duc tio n wa s not to be an
Monologues,” will be one vey ing thi s mo nol ogu e. I dis covere d tha t my role her tell her
con e I did “Ce lia,” I let
of those memorable s but to be mo re like a me sse nge r. So the las t tim
act res
07
experiences in my life. sto ry. No t me .
New Pa n A s i a n C ui s i ne
8 3 Nato ma S treet, S F
4 15. 975. 5705
www.zeb u l o n sf. c o m

12 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

Domestic Violence in the
Filipino American Community
General Problems:
Lack of Access to Attorneys
• There are few organizations that provide
direct legal services to Filipino domestic
violence victims.
Lack of attorneys at direct legal services
organizations who practice domestic
violence and immigration law
• There are currently no legal services
organizations or law firms that provide free
comprehensive legal assistance with regards
to divorce. Most agencies will only assist in a
limited scope or have to charge onerous fees.
Lack of knowledge regarding the interplay
of immigration and domestic violence
• Few immigration attorneys and family law
attorneys have sufficient knowledge to deal
with Filipinas in domestic violence situations
because they lack knowledge regarding: U
Visas, T Visas, VAWA and Removal of
Conditions.
Lack of sufficient advocates and
counselors for low-income Filipinos
• Most non-profit shelters and domestic
violence advocacy groups in San Francisco do
not have speakers of Tagalog or other Filipino
dialects.
Lack of sufficient low-cost access to
counseling
• Many Filipina clients are turned away by
shelters and by counseling non-profits due to
a lack of language access.
Stalking: Checklist for Building a Prosecutable Case
I
f you believe that you are being stalked, here is a
checklist to help you build a prosecutable case
against your stalker.
Most state statutes define stalking as a course of
conduct that places a person in fear for their safety.
However, the term “stalking” is more commonly used
to describe specific kinds of behavior directed at a
particular person, such as harassing or threatening
another person.
Building a Prosecutable Case Checklist
[ ] Keep a detailed log
[ ] Obtain a copy of your state’s stalking law
[ ] Keep a file all police reports
[ ] Make sure each police department (for multiple
jurisdictions) has copies of each other’s reports
and make sure each new police report makes
reference to prior reports
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
• Many Filipina domestic violence victims/
survivors suffer from depression or post
traumatic stress disorder and cannot afford
counseling.
Lack of Culturally Competent Advocates,
Counselors, and Attorneys
• There are few people who work in the
domestic violence field who have a grasp of
the cultural norms of the Filipino population.
• Many cultural values such as “hiya” (shame)
and “pakikisama” prevent Filipina women
from getting help because they are afraid of
“tsismis” (gossip) or of bringing shame to
their families.
• Additionally, widespread misconceptions and
misinterpretations about the Catholic Church
and its doctrine regarding domestic violence
also prevent Filipinas from getting help.
Lack of Police Cooperation
• Police in the S.F. Bay Area often fail to enforce
restraining orders or criminal protective orders,
and they lack the sufficient training to deal
with victims of domestic violence.
• Fear of the police or fear of what the police
may do to their spouse also prevents Filipinas
from contacting the police.
Lack of knowledge of options
• Few Filipina survivors know of their legal
rights.
Provided by Robert Uy, Immigration Attorney,
Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach
[ ] Maintain regular contact with detectives
assigned to your case
[ ] Obtain assistance from a victim advocate
[ ] Report every incident, especially violations of
restraining orders
[ ] Keep all evidence
[ ] Save all forms of Internet communications.
[ ] Report e-mail harassment to your Internet
provider
[ ] Save phone messages on removable answering
machine cassettes.
[ ] Use call trace immediately after you’ve received
a harassing telephone call and notify police that
you have traced the call
[ ] Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family
to write down any communication or contact
Beyond the Bruises:
How Domestic Violence Can
Contribute to the Spread of HIV
B y LA R RY TA NTAY
H
e cried profusely, worried how he would
tell his partner that he was HIV-positive.
He was scared of being beaten, possibly
killed. His partner had made threats
before that if he had ever become HIV-positive he
would kill him. He was also concerned that his
partner may have been infected, so, at APICHA, we
devised a plan together, and he stayed at his
sister’s apartment while the health department
contacted his partner anonymously.
That is only one instance of how HIV infection
can complicate a domestic violence situation.
According to Dan K. Kaye from Makerere University
Medical School in Uganda, several studies show
that “HIV infection or disclosure of a positive HIV
sero-status may be the trigger for violence, or may
worsen coexisting violence.” Because of the
stigma, legal issues, and cost of medication, living
with HIV can be a tremendous hindrance in getting
support if someone is being abused. Some people
living with HIV have been threatened by their
partners that they would “out” them to their jobs,
families, and communities as being HIV-positive,
possibly leading them to be disowned. Others may
not have health insurance and may not be able to
afford medication on their own without their
partners’ insurance. Also, at our agency, where we
see many Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants,
the threat of deportation can be much more
daunting. HIV is listed in US Immigration Law as a
disease that would prohibit someone from
obtaining a Green Card, making it difficult for him
(including observation) they have had with the
stalker
[ ] If possible rent a surveillance camera to capture
the stalker on video
[ ] Consider obtaining a restraining order to bolster
the strength of the legal case
The National Center for Victims of Crime: Stalking
Resource Center
1 in 12
women will be stalked
in their lifetime.
or her to legally stay in this country, which
could be his or her only hope for survival.
Survivors of domestic violence also have a
higher risk of being infected by their partners. In a
study conducted in Tanzania, the rates of a woman
reporting that she had experienced a violent event
within the previous year were higher for women
who tested HIV-positive rather than for women
who tested HIV-negative, according to the
American Journal of Public Health. Many women
globally report being coerced or forced to have sex
by their partners or husbands. Cuts and wounds
can also cause blood to be exchanged between
partners, facilitating the spread of HIV easily.
Many of my clients, especially women, felt it
was hard to ask their partners if they have been
tested because they feared retaliation, rejection,
or being accused of cheating or not trusting their
partners. Some may also be forced or coerced by
their partners to not use protection during
intercourse with partners of unknown HIV status.
A number of my HIV testing clients reported not
using protection because their partners insisted that
they did not want to use them. My clients relented,
fearing they would lose their partners. This need
speaks to the devaluing of their worth that people
in domestic violence situations may feel for
themselves. They may not see their needs as being
a priority. Even when confronted about whether or
not they feel respected, many clients will still
choose to stay with their partner because they love
them. In those situations, I ask them, “Do you feel
they are loving you by not using a condom?”
A much broader system of support, including
their families or communities, should be in place to
offer survivors of domestic violence the strength
they need to feel that they have the power to
make decisions for themselves. And for survivors
who are living with HIV, greater social change must
take place to allow them to feel safe in admitting
their status, including upheavals within legislation
and the lowering of costs for HIV medications.
If you are worried that you have been exposed
to HIV in a violent situation, the chances of HIV
infection may be greatly decreased by using
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis within 72 hours of the
event, a regimen of anti-retroviral medication
lasting between three to four weeks. Most
emergency rooms should be able to help you and
you can contact you local department of health for
more information. Also, get tested for HIV as soon
after the period of time when HIV cannot be
detected if you are infected, about three to four
weeks. The earlier you know your HIV status, the
better prepared you can be in treating the disease.
Larry Tantay can be reached at
ltantay@apicha.org and (646) 744-0994
APICHA is located at 400 Broadway,
New York, NY 10013 | www.apicha.org
13
 COURT WATCH
The Murder of
Claire Joyce Tempongko:
Still Awaiting
Justice Eight
Years Later
by Marily Mondejar
A
t least three women are
killed by their intimate
partner every day in the
United States, according
to Community
Overcoming Relationship Abuse
(CORA), a private non-profit
agency in San Mateo serving
survivors of domestic violence.
Claire Joyce Tempongko, a San
Francisco resident and Filipina
American, became a victim of
domestic violence when she
was killed by her ex-boyfriend
on October 22, 2000. She was
28 years old.
Tempongko was a single
mom raising two young
children in the Richmond
district of San Francisco. She
loved to dance and be with
friends. But more than
anything, she loved her children
and worked hard in retail and
office jobs so that she could
provide them with a home and
a good education.
Tari Ramirez, Tempongko’s
partner, was very charming and
well-liked. According to people
who knew him, Ramirez had a
great smile and impressed
customers at San Francisco
restaurants where he served as
a bus boy.
Tempongko and Ramirez
began dating in November
1998, and shortly thereafter,
Ramirez moved in with
Tempongko and her young
children. Although Tempongko
and Ramirez appeared happy,
the alleged abuse and violence
started almost immediately.
By the summer of 1999,
Ramirez was ordered to serve
14
three years probation and to
participate in a batterer
treatment program for a May
1999 incident during which
Ramirez had savagely beaten
Tempongko. In November 1999,
Ramirez was arrested again on
a charge of domestic abuse
and ordered to serve six
months in county jail for
violating the terms of his
probation.
But the violence did not
stop, even after he was
released from prison. In
September 2000, Tempongko
repeatedly called police
begging for help. According to
reports, on September 1, police
found Tempongko crying
uncontrollably with blood
spilling from her mouth.
However, no charges were filed
and authorities at the district
attorney’s office stated they
never got the case. On
September 7, Tempongko called
police again and reported that
Ramirez was making “terrorist
threats” and she feared he
would hurt her. Although police
had booked Ramirez on
suspicion of being drunk and
providing false information,
prosecutors dropped the case
because of lack of evidence. On
September 22, Ramirez was
sentenced to one month in jail
for a probation violation, but
the judge before whom
Ramirez appeared was
unaware of the two incidents
at Claire Joyce’s home earlier
in the month.
On Sunday, October 22,
2000, Tempongko was having
dinner with a friend when
Ramirez called her on her cell
phone. He begged her for
another chance to get back
together, but Tempongko
refused. When Tempongko
returned with her two children
to her apartment in the
Richmond District, Ramirez was
waiting after having broken
into her apartment. He attacked
Tempongko with a knife in
front of her daughter, age 5,
and her 10-year-old son. The
police found her dead in her
living room.
Tempongko had repeatedly
sought help from San
Francisco’s criminal justice
system, but the system had
failed her. Her murder revealed
fatal flaws in San Francisco’s
criminal justice system, one of
which was how ineffectively
the criminal justice
department’s police, district
attorney’s office, probation
department, and the courts
were communicating with each
other. Records on Ramirez did
not mention any of the
incidents of violence and
probation violations since
1999.
Tempongko’s murder has
rallied advocates, the
community, as well as local
government officials and
prompted efforts to improve
the criminal justice system to
ensure that victims of domestic
violence get the help they
request and need. One of the
vital improvements that still
has to be implemented is a
computer system that will
allow police, the district
attorney’s office, the probation
department, and the courts to
share information with each
other in cases involving
intimate partner violence.
Ramirez fled to Mexico after
Tempongko’s murder and
eluded capture for nearly six
years. But on June 15, 2006,
with the help of the FBI,
Ramirez was arrested in
Cancun where he had been
living under an alias. In April
2007, Ramirez was extradited
to the United States. During a
preliminary hearing in the San
Francisco Superior Court in
November 2007, a judge
determined that there was
sufficient evidence to try
Ramirez for Tempongko’s
murder. Trial is scheduled to
begin on August 15, 2008,
nearly eight years after her
death.
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
New Jersey Man
Pleads Guilty
to Killing His
Filipina Wife
by elena mangahas
O
n March 4, 2008, Eddy
Casco of Jersey City, New
Jersey, pled guilty to
aggravated manslaughter
for the January 20, 2007,
killing of his wife, Teris Casco.
Casco faces up to 18 years in
prison.
Eddy Casco savagely beat
Teris after they returned home
from celebrating her 33rd
birthday the evening of January
19, 2007. Eddy admitted to
repeatedly hitting her and
stomping on her. Teris suffered
broken ribs in 20 places, a
broken nose, and brain
hemorrhaging as a result of the
beating by her husband. Casco
waited several hours before
calling 911 for help and did so
only when one of the couple’s
two young sons saw his
bloodied mother in bed and
asked what was wrong.
By the time help arrived, it
was too late.
When firefighters arrived at
the Casco home, they
immediately called police
because of Teris’ condition.
Teris Casco
Eddy was arrested on
aggravated assault charges. A
relative told police that Eddy
had assaulted Teris in the past,
but the police had never been
notified.
The tragedy of Teris’ death is
that individuals who knew
about the domestic violence in
the Casco home never picked
up a phone and called police.
Teris did not have to die, and
her death is an example of how
silence can kill.
Immediately following Teris
Casco’s murder, the Filipina
Women’s Network (FWN) and
several members of the Filipino
community organized a
discussion on domestic
violence. Individuals and
organizations in the Filipino
community came together to
address how to break the
silence and the cycle of shame
to confront the high incidence
of domestic violence in Filipino
homes.
Eddy Casco is to appear
again on May 6, 2008, in
Hudson County Superior Court
for sentencing. Prosecutors will
ask that the court sentence
Casco to 18 years in prison, the
maximum possible sentence
under the plea deal. FWN urges
you to show your support for
ending violence against women
and girls in the Filipino
community by being present at
the hearing to continue the
dialogue on domestic violence
and save lives.
| w w w. f f w n . o r g

SF Superior Court Judge Reduces Conviction of Man
Jury Found Guilty of Murder of His Filipina Wife
by SUNNY DYKWEL
O
n May 12, 2007, a San
Francisco Superior Court
jury found William Corpuz
guilty of first degree
murder for the September
24, 2004 killing of his wife,
Marisa Corpuz. After the guilty
verdict was handed down,
San Francisco District Attorney
Kamala Harris called the
conviction “a great victory.”
Harris stated, “Domestic
violence will go with
consequences in this city.”
However, on March 14,
2008, San Francisco Superior
Court Judge Jerome Benson
overruled the jury and reduced
the conviction to second-
degree murder. As a result,
rather than being sentenced
to 25 years to life in prison
under a first-degree murder
conviction, Corpuz was
sentenced to 15 years to life,
the maximum sentence under
a second-degree murder
conviction, plus one year for
using a knife during the killing.
Corpuz must serve a minimum
of 16 years in prison before
being eligible for parole. Judge
Benson has recommended that
Corpuz not be paroled.
On the morning of
September 24, 2004, William
Corpuz savagely attacked
Marisa Corpuz with a knife,
slashing her throat. Marisa also
sustained deep cuts that went
to the bones of her fingers as
she fought to protect herself.
William turned himself in to
police and confessed to killing
Marisa. He said he had been
thinking of killing her for
several hours before he did so.
He first prepared a gun and
ammunition and set it in a
hallway while Marisa cooked
breakfast in the kitchen. He
then went into the kitchen and
pulled out three knives from a
drawer, having decided that he
would use a knife to kill his
wife instead of a gun. The two
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
then ate breakfast and watched
television together before
William pulled out one of the
knives and attacked Marisa.
Although William planned
and waited for the opportunity
to kill Marisa, the judge
determined that the killing
was premeditated but that
there was insufficient evidence
of deliberation, an element
required for a first-degree
murder conviction. The judge
further stated that because of
limitations in California law,
domestic violence is not
considered a special
circumstance that would
elevate a murder in a domestic
violence situation to first-
degree.
More than a dozen
advocates from the Filipina
Women’s Network (FWN)
attended the Corpuz
sentencing hearing, along with
advocates from the San
Francisco Domestic Violence
Consortium. The judge’s
decision to overturn the jury’s
first-degree murder conviction
and reduce it to second-degree
murder disappointed and
angered the advocates. FWN
president Marily Mondejar said
that a stiffer sentence would
deter batterers and motivate
victims of domestic violence to
Breaking the
Silence of Abuse
by Vanessa Kenyon
Visit www.ffwn.org to find out
how youIcanrecall
Above: Deputy Dist.
Atty. Scot Clark with
members of FWN at
the William Corpuz
sentencing.
Left: Clark with
Marily Mondejar
and Sunny Dykwel.
come forward. “Corpuz was
convicted by a jury . . . and
(the judge overturns that,”
Mondejar said. “That’s not
right.”
The disappointing outcome
of the Corpuz sentencing
hearing has motivated FWN
advocates to seek legislative
changes to California’s Penal
Code to add domestic violence
as a special circumstance that
would make a murder in a
domestic violence situation
first-degree. “This act of
violence shows the horrific
nature of domestic abuse. We
want to send a message that
abuse of any kind will not be
tolerated and that victims can
seek justice without fear of
coming forward,” said FWN
board member, Genevieve
Jopanda. Rape and robbery
are two examples of special
circumstances for first-degree
murder. But FWN’s efforts to
change legislation to add
domestic violence as a special
circumstance for first-degree
murder will not end in
California. FWN will seek to
effectuate these changes in
states across the nation. The
community is invited to support
FWN in these efforts.
help. memories of a
young girl who was lost in
a world of betrayal. She
was far from unaware, yet
she ouldn’t tell. She lived in between the
thoughts in her mind and the hidden truths.
She was hurting inside but she wore the mask
very well.
This young girl is me.
I had been touched and nothing could remove
the shame I felt toward myself. He was
supposed to protect me but he did not. He
took advantage of me. I could not move. I felt
powerless and fearful. But I did not cry…at
least not outwardly. I went away and didn’t
come back for years. I was trying to protect
myself from being hurt. It wasn’t my fault.
It should not have happened, but it did.
Now, I cannot separate the experience from
who I am. It is present and somehow
resurfaces through the pain of others,
through the innocence in children and in those
who hurt. Somewhere I numbed myself. The
details at this point aren’t important, but the
healing is. Knowing that I live in a culture that
sometimes does not want to talk about pain,
or acknowledge that a life is less than perfect,
is not easy. It is a source of blame, shame,
guilt and anger for not having the ability to
control something.
Can you imagine how it is to be so afraid of
judgment? I believed that it was projected even
though others were not judging me. I believed
the blame, the shame, the guilt. At times, I
look in the mirror trying to convince myself
that my life hasn’t been affected by that
experience. This, of course, is a lie. With
wonder, I stare in the mirror. Cry. Wipe my
face. And pretend to hide the fact that this
happened. In moments like these, I realize and
acknowledge that if nobody listened and if
nobody knew, this doesn’t mean that something
was not broken.
As a child, I held it in and kept it silent.
Recognizing now the strength I had as a child,
I found comfort in school, in creativity, in
writing, and in changing that over which I had
control. My story represents, honors and gives
a voice to those who are too afraid to speak,
too afraid to cleanse and set themselves free.
As I came of age, I began to share my story
and now work to heal myself and to empower
others. This is for those whose voices grow
weak, whose “lips are seared,” and who have
yet to realize the strength that every girl and
woman owns. 17
ABOUT V-DAY
V
-Day is a global movement
to end violence against
women and girls that raises
funds and awareness
through benefit productions
of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s
award winning play “The Vagina
Monologues.” In 2007, more than 3000
V-Day events took place in the U.S. and
around the world. To date, the V-Day
movement has raised over $45 million
and educated millions about the issue
of violence against women and the
efforts to end it. The V-Day movement is
growing at a rapid pace throughout the
world, in 112 countries from Europe to
Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, and all
of North America. V-Day, a non-profit
corporation, distributes funds to
grassroots, national and international
organizations and programs that work
to stop violence against women and
girls. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory,
Valentine and Vagina. www.vday.org.
V-Day Mission
Statement
V-Day is:
• An organized response against
violence toward women.
• A vision: We see a world where
women live safely and freely.
• A demand: Rape, incest, battery,
genital mutilation and sexual slavery
must end now.
• A spirit: We believe women should
spend their lives creating and thriving
rather than surviving or recovering
from terrible atrocities.
• A catalyst: By raising money and
consciousness, it will unify and
strengthen existing anti-violence
efforts. Triggering far-reaching
awareness, it will lay the groundwork
for new educational, protective, and
legislative endeavors throughout the
world.
• A process: We will work as long as it
takes. We will not stop until the
violence stops.
• A day. We proclaim Valentine’s Day as
V-Day, to celebrate women and end
the violence.
• A fierce, wild, unstoppable movement
and community.
16
Eve Ensler
Eve Ensler is a playwright, performer
and activist. She is the award-winning
author of The Vagina Monologues,
which has been translated into 45
languages and performed in over 119
countries. Eve’s other plays include
Necessary Targets, Conviction,
Lemonade, The Depot, Floating Rhoda
and the Glue Man, and Extraordinary
Measures. Her play, The Good Body,
which debuted at ACT in San Francisco
followed by a run on Broadway and a
national tour, was recently premiered in
a three-person version at Pittsburgh’s
City Theatre. Ms. Ensler’s newest play,
The Treatment, premiered in September
2006 at the Culture Project in New York
City. In October 2006, Ms. Ensler
released her first book, “Insecure At
Last: Losing It in A Security Obsessed
World,” published by Random House.
Eve is the founder/artistic director of
V-Day, a global movement to end Top: Eve Ensler stands in solidarity with FWN’s cast and crew. Above: At the press conference,
violence against women and girls, which FWN announced plans to launch a campaign to change current legislation regarding the sentencing
of crimes related to domestic violence.
has raised over 49 million dollars in
9 years. She is the recipient of many
awards including the Guggenheim
Fellowship Award in Playwriting, and EVe Ensler MEETS
has received numerous Honorary FWN’S CAST AND CREW
degrees.
By Sunny Dykwel and Alyson Megur scribe the systematic oppression of women
– “feminicide.” And she encouraged men
On March 26, 2008, the Filipina to join the campaign. “Men have to own it
V to the 10TH Women’s Network (FWN) and Eve Ensler, as their issue. We need it as a call not just
playwright of “The Vagina Monologues” a change in legislation. More men need to
Join us on April 12, 2008 at New and founder of V-Day, held a press confer- come forward and stand-up and be strong
Orleans Superdome to celebrate ten ence at the Hotel Monaco in San Francisco. and say this issue is my issue.”
years of ending violence against women The Paris Ballroom was packed with Marivic Mabanag, executive director of
and girls and will launch the next ten to members of the media, several domestic the California Partnership to End Domestic
heal and empower women worldwide. violence agencies, more than two dozen Violence called it a public safety issue
Ellen DeGeneres, cast members wearing their barongs, and and that legislation would not solve the
Eve, Jane Fonda, representatives from the offices of Cali- problem alone. “It requires a coordinated
Salma Hayek, fornia State Senator Leland Yee and State community response with advocates,
Joss Stone, Assemblyman John Coto. legislators and law enforcement working
Spurred by Superior Court Judge together to ensure strong enforcement of
Marisa Tomei
and Kerry Jerome Benson’s decision to reduce the existing laws.”
sentence of a man convicted of murdering Beverly Upton, executive director of
Washington have his wife, FWN called for a closer examina- Domestic Violence Consortium, agreed.
already signed tion of the laws around domestic violence “[We have to encourage] judges to look
on! crimes. at how they can interpret the law to do
This evening “In the eyes of the law, a man who more justice for women and communities
will open minds kills his wife is not viewed the same as a in domestic violence and sexual assault,”
and hearts and raise much needed person who commits murder during a rape she said.
attention and funds for groups working or robbery,” said FWN president Marily Vanessa Kenyon, domestic violence
to end violence against women and girls Mondejar. “Why should a domestic vio- survivor and cast member credited FWN
in New Orleans, and around the world. lence case be treated as less important? for helping her get closer to finding her
FWN has organized a group who will We need to start a conversation with our true self. “Today, I am freeing my potential.
be going to New Orleans the weekend legislators and our community.” I am freeing myself of pains that have
of April 12, 2008. Find out more about “I know how big this pattern of abuse flooded my life….I am a survivor and a
is,” said Eve Ensler as she talked about part of a strong network of passionate,
V to the 10th in New Orleans at
her travels. Ensler brought back a word educated, and globally minded women,
http://v10.vday.org/. that feminists in the 1960’s used to de- seeking systemic changes.”
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g
Spotlight on the Filipina Women of New Orleans:
Rhonda Richoux
By Melissa Josue
T
The Saturday before
Hurricane Katrina
made landfall, Rhonda
Richoux and her boy-
friend Eddie were con-
sidering riding out the storm in her
mother’s brick house, rather than
the mobile home that they shared
in Chalmette, a town in St. Bernard
Parrish, east of New Orleans. But
by Sunday, the storm had elevated
to a category 5, so they secured
everything in their home and yard
and Rhonda went over to her
mother’s house to pack old photos
in plastic Ziploc bags. By the time
they were ready to leave Chalmette,
it was 2:30 in the afternoon and
the only highway out of St. Bernard
was jammed with other evacuees.
It took them six hours to drive 50
miles to her sister’s vacation home
in Picayune, Mississippi. Eight
people, Rhonda, her step dad, boy-
friend and in-laws, packed into her
sister’s house for the night, which
was above sea level and on a small
hill. They woke the next morning
to a scene that they couldn’t have
imagined as they and the rest of
the country watched the worst-case
scenario unfold on television.
Rhonda Richoux, a Filipina
American who grew up with her
extended family in the Faubourg
Marigny neighborhood, just east of
the French Quarter, now lives in a
FEMA trailer in St. Bernard Parrish
and remembers the week after
Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf
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FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
coast as the “worst eight days of
[her] life.”
Many cell phone towers
and telephones lines had been
destroyed which not only made it
difficult for relief agencies to coor-
dinate with each other, but it was
impossible to reach loved ones. She
lived on peanut butter and tuna and
was so dehydrated, she said, she
couldn’t sweat anymore. “The thing
I’ll never forget is all I had was a
little transistor radio. People started
reporting from Jefferson and New
Orleans,” said Rhonda, “but no one
was reporting from St. Bernard. My
sister and I looked at each other.
‘Were they all dead?’”
When Eddie and Rhonda
returned to Chalmette, “it looked
like a nuclear bomb had hit. There
was not a fly buzzing, a bird sing-
ing, not an animal to be seen, it
was like everything was dead.”
There were steps with no houses
behind them, fishing nets in all
the trees “like decorations,” boats
on the road, and houses in the
water. “When I first saw it, I cried
and cried.” By the time they got
back to the trailer, the walls and
furniture were covered in black
mold. Her mother’s house was still
standing, but everything inside was
destroyed. “It looked like someone
had put oil and water in it, shook it
up and set it back down.” But she
had no doubt in her mind this will
always be home to her, she said. “I
felt I had to come back. I felt this
overwhelming need to come back.”
Rhonda grew up in New
Orleans on Rampart and Touro
Streets before her parents moved
their family to St. Bernard when
she turned 16. Her mom was con-
cerned that their neighborhood had
“started getting bad with drugs.”
As she got older, more of her family
migrated to St. Bernard and they
“decided that this would be our
community.” Rhonda would later
find, as she was researching her ge-
nealogy in preparation for a family
reunion, that St. Bernard had also
been the home of her ancestors and
the first Filipino communities in the
United States.
One of the first settle-
ments of Filipinos in the United
States was Saint Malo, a small
fishing village on the shore of Lake
Borgne in St. Bernard Parrish. It ex-
isted from the mid-18th century to
the early 20th century before it was
destroyed by a hurricane in 1915.
Manila Village, on Barataria Bay,
directly south of New Orleans by
the Gulf of Mexico, was considered
to be the largest and most popular
Filipino settlement. Houses were
built on stilts along the 50-acre
marshland and so were platforms
for the shrimp-drying industry,
but the community was destroyed
by Hurricane Betsy in 1965. New
Orleans also had a thriving Filipino
American community, with social
clubs such as Caballeros de Dimes-
alang, where they had yearly Mardi
Gras balls, and The Filipino Ameri-
can Goodwill Society, which Rhonda
remembers as “the kind of club
where if someone was hospitalized
or needed to be buried, there was a
community fund.”
T
oday, Rhonda is an
elementary school
classroom aid in St.
Bernard and continues
to extensively research
Above: Rhonda is in full
protective gear
Left: Rhonda Richoux (right)
and her cousin, Charlene
Ferniz, stand in front of
Rhonda’s FEMA trailer
her Filipino American
ancestry to where her work has
caught the attention of the Fili-
pino American National Historical
Society and university professors
around the country. She recently
began a project to restore the old
Filipino tombstones in St. Vincent
de Paul Cemetery in the Lower
Ninth Ward. And she continues to
assist her community through help-
ing other families gut and rebuild
their homes, encouraging others to
donate to local relief efforts or to
volunteer, and reaching out to visi-
tors, educators, elected officials and
the media to bring attention to the
work that still needs to be done.
She and her partner are
still waiting for the Road Home
grant that would help them get out
of their cramped FEMA trailer and
buy a more comfortable mobile
home, but she is most concerned
about the families still living in
FEMA trailers with young children.
“One thing that really upsets me
is that the children are so affected
by it,” she said. She knows some
parents who don’t let their children
play outside because some houses
are still not gutted and pose a seri-
ous safety risk to curious children.
At school, she sees elementary
school kids during naptime have
frequent nightmares of drowning or
some get so upset during
Continued on page 43
17
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 V
Jennifer Larsen and Flor Contemplacion:

An Attorney Reflects on Synchronicities

and Importance of Knowing Your Rights W hy I jo in e d F W N ’s DIARIES
p ro d u c ti o n of
u e s, ”
“ T h e Va g in a M o n o lo“gM M R P ”
b y R o d el R o d is rest had been issued by the Walnut Creek
Police Department.

J “ U sa p in g P u k i” a n d
ennifer Drake Larsen was living in After arriving in the Philippines, James
the Cavite province of the Philip- lived with Jennifer and their son in Cavite
pines with her American husband, until he succeeded in convincing her to
James Larsen and their 3-year-old return back to their Walnut Creek home,
son, when they read the news promising that he would never hit her Women should be
about the execution in Singapore of Fili- again. Jennifer made plans to return I understand intimat
empowered, their vo ely
pino domestic worker, Flor Contemplacion. back to California but, at the last minute, heard, their aches anices the effects of violen
ce
pain mustered. I be d
Jennifer could not have imagined how decided to leave their son in Cavite with against women, not
Contemplacion’s death would affect her. relatives, just in case. in the wisdom of wo lieve just through my ow
n
From them resoundsmen. th periences, but also
Contemplacion, the 42-year-old mother James brought Jennifer to the airport ex
of four children, was executed by the and said he had some business matters to true meaning of a bl the worough those of many
Singaporean government for alleg- take care of in Manila, but he would join life. Without them, haissful ma men in my family, and
edly murdering another Filipina worker, her at home shortly. When Jennifer’s plane the world is dead. lf ny women and youn
girls who I know an g
Delia Maga. Just before she was hanged, took off, James went straight to the US d lov
however, two witnesses came forward to Embassy to inform the FBI that a fugitive Someone needs to sp e.
The community needs eak
inform the Singaporean authorities that would be stopping over in Honolulu on up for those who ar
e to
Contemplacion was innocent and that a Philippine Airlines flight bound for San
to know what is hidde
n vulnerable to do it fo o
r
it was Maga’s employer who strangled Francisco. When Jennifer landed in Hono- behind closed doors an themselves. No one
spoke
d up for my mother. No
Maga in rage after finding his four-year- lulu, two FBI agents were waiting to arrest raise awareness about one
old epileptic son accidentally drowned in her for felony child abduction. She was these issues. I wanted spoke up for me…
until I
the bath tub because Maga had left him handcuffed and brought to the Honolulu to saw The Vagina Mon
be a part of deliverin olo
If I can be that supp gues.
alone, unaware of his condition. city jail. g ortive
that awareness. voice for someone els
The Singapore police questioned In the aftermath of Flor Contempla- e,
Contemplacion because her name was cion’s execution, there was widespread I can be one more ste
I am very close to my p
mentioned in Maga’s diary. While in criticism of the Philippine government of mom and toward helping to cre
at
police custody, according to one witness, President Fidel Ramos for failing to do
I am very excited to pe
rform a future free of fear e
with her on stage for and
Contemplacion was tortured into confess- more to help overseas Filipinos. Respond- MMRP. shame.
Our monologue togeth
ing that she murdered Maga even though ing to the popular outrage, President er is
a mirror of our own rea Violence comes in many for
lity
she had neither the motive, nor the means Ramos directed Philippine consuls all am an aspiring film wr . I
and opportunity to do so. The Singaporean over the world to check the jails of their we often talk on the ph
iter and It is suffocating, manipulativmse .
on
authorities refused to allow new evidence jurisdictions to find Philippine citizens in about my film ideas. We e and debilitating to the sp
to interfere with their neatly wrapped case need of government assistance. care about our comm
both
unities
I have endured verbal abusiriet.
and proceeded with her execution. Following the directive of her govern-
When Contemplacion’s coffin arrived ment, the Philippine Consul General in
and want to be a part
of the in an intimate relationship
campaign to end violen for a number of years before
in Manila, thousands of Filipinos waited Hawaii visited the Honolulu prison and ce.
at the airport to honor her as the symbol learned of Jennifer’s plight. She had been walking away. I’d like to
of injustice, hardships and sacrifices of in jail for a few weeks awaiting extradition A little education those who suffer in silenceheanlp
overseas Filipino workers. to California with bail set at $500,000. goes a long way make them aware that there isd
Jennifer Larsen had been an alleged She had been brought before a magistrate an alternative, that you wo
victim of domestic violence in the US in prison garb, with chains on both her in preventing be alone when you walk awn’tay
when she decided to leave her husband
and their home in Walnut Creek, California
ankles and wrists.
The Philippine Consul in Hawaii
violence in our .
Violence agains
to return to the Philippines with their contacted her counterpart in San Francisco daily life. is a part of my t women
son. After arriving in Manila, however, who then asked me to represent Jennifer personal and fa
she called her husband. “You can join us after she had been extradited to Walnut history. I have mily
here if you want,” she told him, “because Creek. In an April 1995 interview with the struggled with
personally sinc it
I know you can’t hurt me here,” and she San Francisco Chronicle, which 17 years old, e I was
gave him the phone number where he reported on the case, Jennifer that has been a legacy
could reach her. Her husband accepted her defiantly declared, “They could
2 m i n utes, experienced by
women in my fa many
invitation and joined them. What Jennifer tell me that I could spend the rest
Every t h e U . S. before me. I bemily
did not know was that James had filed
a criminal complaint for child abduction
of my life in jail, but I don’t care,
I am not n e i n
someo y assaulted.
that breaking lieve
silence that stthe
from shame is ems
is sexuall
against her and that a warrant for her ar- » continued on p 40
in breaking th key
of violence. e cycle
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 19 21
Inside a Time and Space of War:
Remembering the Comfort Women
and the Repercussions of Wartime Rape
By Keesa Ocampo
“Our stories only exist inside our heads.
Inside our ravaged bodies. Inside a time
and space of war.”
A
recent addition to the Vagina
Monologues, “Say It” becomes a
resounding piece that urges its au-
dience to remember the Comfort
Women of World War II. They are the
200,000 young girls who were forced
into sexual servitude by the Japanese
imperial army. Through the monologue,
they are given a voice that speaks
about the mass wartime rape and the
violence committed against them, a
part of unwritten history whose verac-
ity has been questioned, doubted and
repeatedly covered up.
The monologue speaks of the inhu-
manity done against them – “Braids
cut off, names changed, no time for
panties… 50 soldiers a day… Do it
young before we started bleeding…
So many women I couldn’t walk.” It
speaks of the rampage and brutality
through sterilization, physical battery
and forced abortions. It tells us of the
gonorrhea, stillbirths and breakdowns.
These girls whose lives were
broken and forever scarred have only
asked for a proper apology from the
Japanese government. They are now
women in their 80s and 90s who have
lived the nightmare and are telling the
story, wanting nothing more than an
admission of guilt and an act of contri-
tion. The monologue plays a linguistic
overture for Japan to “Say it. Please.
We are sorry, Comfort Women… Say
it… Say me. See me. Say it. Sorry.”
During World War II, the Japanese
government authorized the institu-
tion of “comfort stations,” brothels
run by the regime for use by Japanese
soldiers. According to Professor Sarah
Soh, of San Francisco State University,
these comfort stations were designed
to reduce the random sexual violence
by Japanese soldiers against the
enemy populace. But as the supply
of prostitutes for the comfort stations
ran dry, they needed to resort to an
out-of-the-box tactic to obtain more
women. Most of these girls were taken
from Japanese-occupied China, the
Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam,
20
and Indonesia. Girls, some as young
as twelve, were forced to serve several
soldiers a day, often gang-raped and
held at gunpoint. Those who resisted
were beaten and physically tortured.
For those who weren’t murdered and
didn’t resort to suicide, life became
nothing but a painful and waking
nightmare.
For its victims, wartime rape has
a number of effects, physical and
psychological. Stigma and shame
often leads to abandonment, espe-
cially for those who carried “enemy
babies.” Post-traumatic stress disorder
has often led to mood, eating and
sexual disorders and chronic substance
abuse. Studies say that victims find
difficulty experiencing emotion, living
in constant fear with a difficulty of
remembering events. Many of them
also develop cervical cancer, coital
injury, chemical destruction of vaginal
tissue due to chemical sanitation, HIV,
venereal disease and fistulae from the
insertion of objects, such as pipes and
gun barrels, into the vagina.
These women are the bravest
exemplars of survivorship. In addi-
tion to rape, war brought to many of
them displacement, death of family
members, loss of home and physical
injuries. The few of them who endured
have struggled to tell their stories,
which history seems to have repeat-
edly failed to document. They fight
against this dereliction of moral and
intellectual duty.
The battle was partially won on July
30, 2007, with the passing in the U.S.
House of Representatives of House
Resolution 121, authored by Speaker
Nancy Pelosi and Representatives Mike
Honda and Tom Lantos, calling on Ja-
pan to apologize for forcing thousands
of women into sexual servitude to its
soldiers before and after World War II.
Sadly, the blood and tears were met
by a safe statement from the Japanese
government that tried to assuage their
pain but by no means admitted to the
crime. What must be understood is
that HR 121 was more than a piece of
paper. It was supposed to be a catalyst
for healing and a strong message
against war crimes and human right
violations since World War II.
Today, in many places all over
the world, hundreds of thousands
of women continue to fall victim to
this weapon of war. Psychologists
identify rape as the most intrusive
of war-related traumatic events. The
sexual violation of women abrades a
community fibre like no other weapon
or ammunition can. The pain and
violence turns into an indelible stamp
on families because in many countries,
the female is regarded as the gate-
keeper and repository of the commu-
nity’s culture and spirituality. To violate
them is to dishonor a society, to mock
its values and traditions and humiliate
it at its core.
Many say that rape is not just a by-
product of war but is deliberately uti-
lized as a military tactic. In East Timor,
rape was meant to torture people for
supporting independence from Indo-
nesia. Systematic rape is used as a
weapon of war in ethnic cleansing by
the Hutus and the Tutsis. In war, rape is
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
also intended as a great debasement,
to “pollute” a person’s progeny by
intentionally producing mix-bred off-
spring. This “ethnic pollution” was an
overt tactic of Serbian soldiers against
Muslim women in Yugoslavia.
“The Vagina Monologues” goes
back to a crime committed almost
70 years ago and gives voice to the
brave survivors. “Comfort Women” is
a euphemism because they actually
are wartime rape victims, casualties of
war. The sanitizing parlance diffuses
the pernicious crime and attempts to
mitigate the Japanese government’s
responsibility for the transgression.
A Goal, A Dream and A Promise
Friends of Lolas (Evelina Galang) and
LILA Pilipina (Rechie Extremadura) work
together to build:
LOLA’S HOUSE
• An institute for research, collecting the
testimonies, histories and artifacts of Filipina
“comfort women.”
• A community center where lolas can orga-
nize campaigns, give interviews to students
and researchers, hold their socials, and create
their art
• Lola’s House will ensure that scholars, writ-
ers and activists can always find a gold mine
of stories, and then to write and prevent the
stories of war and rape from recurring. It will
be a permanent, living memorial of the lolas’
contributions to the empowerment of all
women.
All donations for Lola’s House can be sent to:
28B Mapagbigay St.,
Piñahan, Quezon City,
Metro Manila, Philippines, 1100
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
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Crossing Borders
 COVER STORY
By Gloria Ramos
with Lorna Dietz
THE MEETING
The clouds were furious and brought
an inky blanket over Sacramento,
California. With rain pelting me
horizontally like thousands of liquid
arrows, the last place I wanted to be was
at Max’s Restaurant to meet a friend.“I’ll
buy you dinner,” she said.“Besides, I’m
with Nida Recabo from Florida and I
want you to meet her.”
I couldn’t resist. I had heard about
Nida from other friends as well.“You’ll
just love her!” they said, but they didn’t
say why. My curiosity got the better of me
and I braved the storm, armed with an
umbrella the size of Texas. Little did I
know that I was not only meeting Nida,
but I was in for a journey that would
cause me a few epiphanies.
THE STORY
Nida Recabo’s life, nowadays, in
perpetually-sunny Miami, Florida, seems
to be idyllically filled with the blessings
of “getting back a hundred-fold” after a
few decades of “paying it forward.” Nida
has “given back” through the career paths
she has chosen, a road less travelled by
many men and women. With an elderly
father beautifully co-existing with her
and the cats in her home, Nida balances
her life as a social worker-care manager
at Baptist Hospital, a weekend social
worker’s position at Miami Children’s
Hospital, her family caregiver’s duties,
and her personal life the only way she
knows how: with characteristic
endurance, unconditional love, and
compassion. A Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology from American University
and a Masters degree in Social Work
from Miami-based Barry University
equipped her with the necessary clinical
skills.“I am waiting to take my exam to
become a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker,” Nida adds.
Nida describes her demanding
responsibilities: “Hospital social work is a
very rewarding job but very cathartic as
well. Advocating for our patients’ needs is
at the foremost of our job. However, the
complexity of cases can either break one’s
spirits or only strengthen one’s resolve to
be ever stronger in both mind and spirit.
22
For about seven years, I was assigned to
the Neuroscience floor where cases ran
the gamut of brain tumors, brain-
damaged and stroke patients, including
trauma-related cases.
On a daily basis, I see life happen in
front of me. I see pains and heartaches of
family members dealing with ‘end of life’
issues. Part of my job is to help them get
through or walk with them through the
process of accepting the inevitable. Yes, I
have been the focus of a family’s
displaced anger which can range from
‘Who do you think you are?’ to ‘You are
not even from here.’ My weekends at
Miami Children’s have not been any
easier, either. I am alone during my shift
and there have been very few weekends
when I did not have a death, a trauma, or
an abuse case. I love both jobs because
one balances the other. I am very good at
what I do and with how I deal with my
patients and families.”
Nothing ever seems to faze Nida. She
had chosen her fields of study because,
according to her, “I wanted to talk to
people — help people. I feel I have the
knack for understanding where they are
in their lives.”
Nida Recabo was born and raised in
Manila, Philippines, the second to the
youngest child in a family of seven
children. She reminisces about her father,
a civil engineer who was an overseas
Filipino professional, coming home from
his travels with American-made candies
for the family. Nida’s fondest memory of
her childhood was the “siestas” (after-
lunch naps). She recalls,“My siblings and
I got together and slept in the same room
where we shared all our ‘kuwentos’
(stories).”
After attending Espiritu Santo
Parochial School with her four sisters and
two brothers, Nida spent her high school
years at the College of the Holy Spirit
until her junior year. Her sister’s petition
for the family to join her in the US had
been approved. After saying good-bye to
Manila in 1971, Nida finished her studies
at Curtis High School in Staten Island,
New York a year later.
Homesickness, acculturation, and
assimilation were hurdles Nida Recabo
had to go through as a teen-age
immigrant. While Psychology classes
helped Nida understand herself and
other people, she also worked at the
George Washington University Library.
During her duties as ‘shelver exemplare’
leading to Library Specialist upon
graduation, Nida found camaraderie and
friendship among her co-employees, a
huge group of Filipino students.
It was a successful career in the
insurance industry that paved the way
for finding her life’s vocation. Nida’s visits
to elderly clients, when she serviced their
old debit policies, emotionally touched
her. She said,“I would spend hours with
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
them, providing comfort and emotional
support at the recent loss of a dear family
member or a beloved spouse.”
At this time, Nida Recabo discovered
the serenity and energizing “high” of
weekend spiritual retreats with the
company of Catholic nuns. She called
them Kiss and Run Weekends, a term
which also applies to her present-day
visits with friends in Las Vegas and San
Francisco. Nida was 25 years old when
she thought about the possibility of a
religious life. She made a life-changing
decision when she was 33 years old.
Nida recollects,“Religious life was a
beautiful experience because it brought
out the best and worst in me.”Conducting
and coordinating spiritual retreats and
youth encounter programs were
interspersed with groundskeeper duties.
She was, however, taken aback by the
realities of the religious community life
when the nuns’ expectations differed
from hers. After seven years, Nida
Recabo left the religious life,
remembering this period as “one of the
most painful experiences and loneliest
times of my life.”
Nida’s spiritual strength was lovingly
transferred to her career in social work
which included internships with the
Dade County Youth and Family
Development Program and the
University of Miami Mailman Center for
Child Development.“We provided
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
individual and group counseling sessions
to children of parents embroiled in
domestic violence issues,”Nida explained.
From hospice care to a homeless
program, the indomitable Nida Recabo
also worked with mentally-ill patients.
When Nida was diagnosed with breast
cancer in 1999, her life’s purpose seemed
to acquire more meaning. During and
after six-plus years of treatment, Nida
kept going — and going. Community
service activities included appointments
and volunteer work at the first woman’s
house for Habitat for Humanity, the
Advisory Board of Jackson Memorial
Hospital Rape Treatment Center, the
Miami Dade County Asian American
Advisory Board, and the Governing
Board of NANAY, Inc. As a breast cancer
survivor, Nida also participates as a
member of the dragon boat paddling
team of the Save Our Sisters (SOS) group.
Nida Recabo’s involvement with
members of the Filipina Women’s
Network is a natural outcome of her
championship of women’s issues. She
shares the necessary steps for women to
become more self-aware and empowered,
thus avoiding abusive relationships:
“Knowledge is power. We need
education. Women need to learn about
inter-relational processes. We need to
develop programs that teach women how
to be aware, and how to distinguish
abusive and non-abusive relationships.
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
We need more in-services about
domestic violence. In tandem with this,
we should offer self-improvement classes
on developing skills and talents. We can
never have enough self-esteem
workshops.”
When asked about the common
pitfalls women fall into that keep them in
violent relationships, Nida’s experience as
a therapist provide some insights.“They
feel stuck, so afraid of their own shadows.
They don’t believe they have any place to
go or anyone to turn to. Many of them
indulge in self pity or lack thereof.
Women in abusive relationships are Looking forward to FWN’s Future Search
scared to move on and go forward with Summit’s reunion in 2012, Nida is
their lives. There are cultural issues that optimistic about the future of Filipina
make them stay, such as the way they women. She concludes,“We need to have
were raised in their families. For instance, more women who can change the world.
being submissive. They think it’s not their I believe that we’ll see more Filipinas in
place to speak up and stand up for their key positions if we continue the
needs,” Nida reveals. mentoring that we have been doing.
Nida Recabo’s role as a National
Steering Committee member for the THE LESSON
2007 FWN Summit in Washington DC At the end of our first meeting at
gravitated her toward “women of Max’s, I did not foresee that Nida’s life
substance, women who are ‘evolved, ’ who experiences would serve as a mirror for
have overcome adversity and thrived.” my own journey to enlightenment, that
is, seeing things
as they are in
my world. In
the process
of getting to
know Nida, I
uncovered the
many layers of
wonder of my
“reason for
being.” Nida
gives us an
unexpected
gift: self-
introspection
and
contemplation.
This intuitive
realization is
enough to make
us joyous.
Left: Nida (6th from left), with Ligaya Avenida,
Elena Mangahas, Marily Mondejar, Sonia Delen,
Mitos Santisteban and Ging Reyes at the PIA
fundraiser last year in San Francisco.
Top: Nida (back row on the right) with close friends
Malou Alhambra Nelson, Sonia Delen and Mitchie
Aquino.
23
 F our benefit shows to end vio l ence against F i l ipina women and gir l s

FILIP
V-DAy
F I LIPI NA W O M EN’ S NET W O Rk
SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK

premiere
performance
Until The The Vagina MMRP: Usaping Puki

Design: Al Perez, Creative i Studio | photography: owenphotographie.com, remy aquino.com

Violence Stops
A powerful film about V-Day
FRI, MARCH 28 | 7:00 pm
Bank of America Building
A.P. Giannini Auditorium
555 California Street (@ Montgomery)
San Francisco
Monologues
Mon, March 31 | 7:00 pm
Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer
FRI, April 4 | 7:00 pm
Tagalog version of “The Vagina Monologues”
Sat, April 5 | 2:00 pm
Herbst Theatre
Academy of Art University
401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Morgan Auditorium
SAT, April 5 | 7:00 pm 491 Post Street, San Francisco
Academy of Art University
Morgan Auditorium
491 Post Street, San Francisco

Sponsorships and Advertising in the FRI, APRIL 18 | 7:00 pm SAT, April 19 | 7:00 pm Sat, April 19 | 2:30 pm
V-Diaries (anti-violence resource guide): Philippine Center New York Philippine Center New York Philippine Center New York
http://vdiaries08.eventbrite.com 556 Fifth Ave., New York 556 Fifth Ave., New York 556 Fifth Ave., New York

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Marily Mondejar DIRECTED BY: Elena Mangahas, Ken Marquis & Genevieve Jopanda (SF); Christina Baal & Theresa Tantay-Wilson (NY) ASSISTANT DIREC-
Tors: Esperanza Catubig & May Nazareno PRODUCER: Kai Delen-Briones SET DESIGN: Barry Picazo ART DIRECTOR: Al Perez
BENEFICIARIES: Filipinas Against Violence, V-Day Spotlight 2008: Katrina Warriors – Women of New Orleans & the Gulf South, Comfort Women Survivors in the Philippines

TIckets: $ 5 – $ 1 0 0 Herbst Theatre: www.cityboxoffice.com | (415) 392-4400

Morgan Auditorium: http://morgan08.eventbrite.com FILIPINA
Philippine Center New York: http://vdaynyc08.eventbrite.com WOMEN’S
NETWORK
for more information: 415. 278. 9410 | Email: Vday@ffwn.org | www.ffwn.org
 sa n fra n cisc o
03/31
PA R T ON E
FOREPLAY
Tagalog song
Charmaine Clamor
THE VAGINA
MONOLOGUES WELCOME
7:00pm Marily Mondejar
Introduction
Esperanza Catubig, Rosie Josue,
Blesilda Carmona, Helen Marte,
Jodie Olympia, Kristina Guido,
The Vagina Monologues is a cel-
Rissa Duque, Angela Delgado,
ebration of female sexuality in all its
complexity and mystery. Based on in- Vanessa Kenyon and Sunny Dykwel
terviews with over 200 women about Intro – Hair
their memories and experiences of Lissa Sobrepeña
sexuality, The Vagina Monologues gives
voice to women’s deepest fantasies and Hair
Hydra Mendoza
fears, guaranteeing that no one who
reads it will ever look at a woman’s Intro – The Flood
body, or think of sex, in quite the same Vanessa Kenyon
way again. “At first women were reluc-
tant to talk,” Ensler writes. “They were a The Flood
little shy. But once they got going, you Charina Cabanayan
couldn’t stop them.” The Vagina Mono- The Vagina Workshop
logues has now been translated into Thelma Boac, Rebecca Delgado
over 24 different languages. Rottman and Candi Bashiri
Vagina Happy Fact
Alyson Megur
intro - Because he liked
to look at it
sa n f r a ncisc o
> Casting for ALL shows Sonia Delen
are subject to change
Ang Aking Baha
04/05
Rae Almajose
Kiki Workshop
usaping puki
Nimfa Y. Gamez, Marianne
Almajose and Lissa Sobrepeña
2:00pm Katotohanang Puki:
Tinggil
Candi Bashiri
PA R T ON E
FOREPLAY Intro – Pagkat Gusto Niya
Itong Titigan
dalagang pilipina
Sonia Delen
Tracy Lynn Sarmiento
Pagkat Gusto Niya Itong
MALIGAYANG BATI Titigan
Marily Mondejar Blesilda Carmona
Introduksyon Isang Hindi Nakatutu-
Blesilda Carmona, Rachael wang Katotohanang Puki
Domingo, Jodie Olympia, Nimfa Y. Gamez
Candi Bashiri, Fenina Gamez,
Ang Aking Puking Galit
Nimfa Y. Gamez, Sonia Delen,
Jodie Olympia and
Miriam Pantig Bonus, Genevieve
Miriam Pantig Bonus
Dwyer and Gloria Ramos
Intro – Ang Kwentong I N T E R M I S S I ON
Buhok PA R T T WO
Jo-Ann Agcaoili
Introduksyon sa Bosnia:
Ang Kwento ng Buhok Ang Aking Pwerta
Miriam Pantig Bonus Gloria Ramos
Intro – Ang Aking Baha Ang Aking Pwerta,
Aida Carmona Ang Aking Nayon
Nimfa Gamez and
Marianne Almajose
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
Because he liked to
look at it (“bob”)
Sunny Dykwel
not-so-happy fact
Vanessa Kenyon
intro - crooked braid
Sonia Delen
crooked braid
Sunny Dykwel, Blesilda Carmona,
Lissa Sobrepeña, Helen Marte,
Nimfa Y. Gamez and Hydra
Mendoza
extro - crooked braid
(update on the claire joyce
tempongko and marisa
corpuz cases)
Genevieve Jopanda
my angry vagina
Rachael Domingo and Rosie Josue
I N T E R M I S S I ON
intro - my vagina was
my village
Rissa Duque
my vagina was my village
Rebecca Degado Rottman and
Alyson Megur
ili - ili (lullaby)
Charmaine Clamor
ili - ili (Lullaby)
Amor Ilao McGuinness
extro – claire joyce
tempongko and marisa
corpuz update
Sonia Delen
Intro – Ang Aking
Munting Kalachuchi
Blesilda Carmona
Ang Aking Munting
Kalachuchi
Fenina Gamez, Keisha Navarro
and Jodie Olympia
Intro – Sabihin Ninyo
(PARA SA COMFORT WOMEN)
Sonia Delen
SABIHIN NINYO (PARA SA
MGA COMFORT WOMEN)
Aida Carmona and Fenina Gamez
FILM CLIP ON COMFORT
WOMEN
ang katotohanang puki:
vibrator
Lissa Sobrepeña
Ang Aking Maiksing
Palda
Jo-Ann Agcaoili and
Genevieve Dwyer
Intro – Pagbawi sa
Salitang Puki
Rachael Domingo
Intro – The Little Coochi
Snorcher That Could
Genevieve Dwyer
The Little Coochi
Snorcher That Could
Jodie Olympia, Franceska Gamez,
Fenina Gamez, Kristina Guido,
Rachael Domingo and Rissa Duque
Intro – Say It
(For the Comfort Women)
M. Evelina Galang
Say It
(For the Comfort Women)
Helen Marte Bautista, Nimfa Y.
Gamez and Fenina Gamez
FILM CLIP ON COMFORT WOMEN
Extro – Say It
(Update on hr 121)
Rep. Mike Honda (invited) and
M. Evelina Galang
Outrageous Vagina Fact:
The Vibrator
Melissa Josue
My Short Skirt
Alyson Megur and
Annadel Almendras
Intro – Reclaiming Cunt
Rissa Duque
Reclaiming Cunt
Charmaine Clamor
Pagbawi sa SALITANG Puki
Gloria Ramos
Intro – Ang Babaeng
Mahilig Magpaligaya
ng mga Puke
Jodie Olympia
Ang Babaeng Mahilig
Magpaligaya ng mga Puke
Miriam Pantig Bonus and “The
Moaners:” Blesilda Carmona,
Rachael Domingo, Candi Bashiri,
Jo-Ann Agacoili, Genevieve
Dwyer, Gloria Ramos, Aida
Carmona, Jodie Olympia and
Genevieve Jopanda
Intro – Naroon Ako sa
Loob ng Silid
Rae Almajose
Naroon Ako sa Loob
ng Silid
Nimfa Y. Gamez, Sonia Delen and
Gloria Ramos
ugoy ng duyan
Tracy Lynn Sarmiento
SPOTLIGHT 2008:
Katrina Survivors
Elena Mangahas
SPEAK OUT
Marily Mondejar
CURTAIN CALL
Intro – The Woman Who
Loved to Make Vaginas Happy
Candi Bashiri
The Woman Who Loved to
Make Vaginas Happy
Esperanza Catubig and “The
Moaners:” Genevieve Jopanda,
Rachael Domingo, Rosie Josue,
Vanessa Kenyon, Alyson Megur,
Kristina Guido, Jodie Olympia,
Angela Delgado and Rissa Duque
Intro – I was there
in the room
Annadel Almendras
I was there in the room
Thelma Boac with daughter,
Hydra Mendoza with daughter,
Sonia Delen with son, Charina
Cabanayan with daughter and
Sunny Dykwel with son
ugoy ng duyan
Charmaine Clamor
Spotlight 2008:
Katrina Warriors
Elena Mangahas, Genevieve
Jopanda, May Nazareno,
Esperanza Catubig and
Nida Recabo
SPEAK OUT
Marily Mondejar
CURTAIN CALL
All in the Family
....... u. . . . . . .
We’ve added new
faces in our cast/crew!
Sisters:
Rosie & Melissa Josue
Marily Mondejar &
Genevieve Dwyer
Marianne & Rae
Almajose
Mothers and
Daughters / Sons:
Sunny Dykwel &
Devon (son)
Rebecca Delgado-Rottman &
Angela (daughter)
Aida Carmona &
Blesilda (daughter)
Nimfa Y. Gamez &
Fenina & Franceska (daughters)
AUNT AND NIECE:
Sonia Delen &
Kai Delen-Briones (niece)
Father and Son:
Deo Tantay & Larry (son)
Partners:
Ken Marquis & Al Perez
25
 sa n fra n cisc o

04/04 – 04/05 PA R T ON E
FOREPLAY
Maurice
Jodie Olympia (4/4)
Melissa Josue (4/5)
Rescue
Greg Macabenta

a memo ry, a m onol ogu e , Amor Ilao McGuinness and fur is back
a ra n t a nd a prayer Tracy Lynn Sarmiento Conversations Rebecca Delgado Rottman
7: 00 pm | san francisco
with my son and Genevieve Jopanda
WELCOME Sunny Dykwel in dialogue
Marily Mondejar with her son, Devon spotlight 2008:
Katrina warriors
first kiss The perfect marriage Elena Mangahas, Genevieve
A M e m o r y , A M o n o l o g u e , A R a n t a n d a P r aye r Angles Delgado (4/4) Esperanza Catubig Jopanda, May Nazareno and
Rissa Duque (4/5) Rodel Rodis Esperanza Catubig
A groundbreaking collection of monologues by world-renowned authors The closet Darfur Monologue SPEAK OUT
and playwrights, edited by Eve Ensler and Mollie Doyle and commissioned Rodel Rodis Alyson Megur Marily Mondejar
by V-Day for the first V-Day: UNTIL THE VIOLENCE STOPS festival, which
untitled
took place June 2006 in New York City. Celia CURTAIN CALL
Carlo Seletaria Rosie Josue
These writings are inspired, funny, angry, heartfelt, tragic, and beautiful. My two selves In Memory of imette
Together they create a true and profound portrait of how violence against Lissa Sobrepeña Annadel Almendras
women affects every one of us. A MEMORY, A MONOLOGUE, A RANT, AND Nimfa Y. Gamez
A PRAYER is a call to the world to demand an end to violence against the destruction Artist
Dear Ama Hydra Mendoza and
women. Charina Cabanayan and Dave Rodriguez
Angela Delgado
Contributing writers include: Edward Albee; Tariq Ali; Hanan Hands in protest
al-Shaykh; Erin Cressida Wilson; Kimberlé Crenshaw; Michael Cunningham; my house is Helen Marte Bautista (4/4)
Ariel Dorfman; Edwidge Danticat; Michael Eric Dyson; Eve Ensler; Jane wallpapered with lies Vanessa Kenyon (4/5)
Fonda; Carol Gilligan; Suheir Hammad; Carol Kaplan; Michael Klein; Rosie Josue, Fenina Gamez
Deborah Copaken Kagan; Nicholas Kristof; Mark Matousek; Susan Miller; and Jodie Olympia True
Rachael Domingo (4/4)
Susan Minot; Robin Morgan; Kathy Najimy; Lynn Nottage; Anna Deavere Glen Corteza and Nikko
Smith; Alice Walker; Jody Williams; Howard Zinn Delozada (4/5)

sa n f ra n cis c o
N EW YORK CITY NEW YORK CITY

04/19 PA R T ON E
FOREPLAY
The perfect marriage
Elton Lugay and Larry Tantay
To stop the violence
against women
Theresa Myra Cantado,
a memory, a monologue, Darfur Monologue
a rant and a prayer WELCOME Jenny Tjiong, Kristine Delgado,
Theresa Tantay Wilson
7:00 pM | NEW YORK Marily Mondejar Amor Ilao McGuinness and
In Memory of imette Grace Baldisseri
1600 Elmwood Avenue
Christina Baal
Larry Tantay fur is back
Connect: A Web of Words Charmaine Clamor and
First Kiss M. Evelina Galang
Full Cast
Mia Fernandez
the next fantastic leap SPEAK OUT
My two selves Marily Mondejar
Jenny Tjiong, Deo Tantay, Tessa
Ernabel Demillo
Myra Cantado, Grace Baldisseri, CURTAIN CALL
my house is Melvyn P. Lopez and Amor Ilao
wallpapered with lies McGuinness
Alice K. Dugan, Mary Grace
the destruction Artist
Torres and April Tiamzon
Garrett Rafols
Maurice
True
Nina Lagac
Melvyn P. Lopez, Deo Tantay,
Mary Grace Torres, Elton Lugay
and Kristine Delgado
Rescue
All male cast members

26 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

 NEW YORK CITY

04/18
Intro – Hair Crooked Braid The Little Coochi Intro – The Woman Who
Tessa Myra Cantado, Vanessa Snorcher That Could Loved to Make Vaginas
Hair Ramalho, Alice K. Dugan, Alice K. Dugan, Jenny Tjiong, Happy
Charmaine Clamor Grace Baldiserri, April Tiamzon, April Tiamzon, Kristine Delgado,
THE VAGINA Nina Lagac Tessa Myra Cantado and intro - The Woman Who
MONOLOGUES dalagaNG Pilipina Vanessa Ramalho Loved to Make Vaginas
(song interlude) Extro – Crooked Braid Happy
7:00 PM
Amor Ilao McGuiness (Update on Teris Casco Case) Intro – Say It Christina Baal and “The
(For the Comfort Women) Moaners:” Alice K. Dugan,
Intro – The Flood My Angry Vagina Kristine Delgado Theresa Tantay Wilson, Kristine
Guest performer,
PA R T ON E Christina Baal (understudy) Say It Delgado, April Tiamzon, Jenny
The Flood Tjiong, Mia Fernandez, Nina
FOREPLAY Amore Ilao McGuinness (For the Comfort Women)
I N T E R M I S S I ON M. Evelina Galang and Lagac, Tessa Myra Cantado and
WELCOME The Vagina Workshop PA R T T WO Grace Baldisseri Ernabel Demillo
Marily Mondejar Ernabel Demillo, Alice K. Dugan
and Mia Fernandez Musical interlude Extro – Say It intro - I Was There in
Introduction Charmaine Clamor (update on HR 121) The Room
Full cast Vagina Happy Fact M. Evelina Galang
I Was There in
Intro – My Vagina
intro – Because He Liked outrageous vagina fact: The Room
Was My Village
to Look at It Tessa Myra Cantado vibrator Jenny Tjiong, Amor Ilao
Grace Baldisseri McGuinness and Grace Baldisseri
Because He Liked to My Vagina Was My Village
spotlight 2008:
Look at it (“bob”) Ernabel Demillo and my short skirt
Johanna Martinez, Katrina Warriors
Theresa Tantay-Wilson Kristine Delgado and
Theresa Tantay Wilson All Directors
Mia Fernandez
(understudy) Intro – The Little Coochi
SPEAK OUT
Snorcher That Could Intro – Reclaiming Cunt
not-so-happy fact Marily Mondejar
Intro – Crooked Braid Reclaiming Cunt CURTAIN CALL
Theresa Tantay Wilson

NEW YORK CITY

Intro – Ang Kwentong I N T E R M I S S I ON Intro – Ang Babaeng

04/19 Buhok
Ernabel Demillo

Ang Kwento ng Buhok

PA R T T WO

intro - Ang Aking Pwerta,

Ang Aking Nayon
Mahilig Magpaligaya
ng mga Puke
Johanna Martinez
USAPING PUKI Nina Lagac Ernabel Demillo Ang Babaeng Mahilig
2:30 PM
Magpaligaya ng mga Puke
Intro – Ang Aking Baha Ang Aking Pwerta, Nina Lagac and “The Moaners:”
Mary Grace Torres Ang Aking Nayon Allice K. Dugan, Theresa Tantay
PA R T ON E Mary Grace Torres Wilson, Kristine Delgado,
FOREPLAY Ang Aking Baha April Tiamzon, Lorli Villanueva, > Casting for ALL shows
Athena Lopez Ang Aking Munting Nina Lagac, Tessa Myra Cantado,
MALIGAYANG BATI Ernabel Demillo are subject to change
Kalachuchi
Marily Mondejar Kiki Workshop Lorli Villanueva
Amor McGuinness Intro – Naroon Ako
Introduksyon Intro – Sabihin Ninyo sa Loob ng Silid
Johanna Martinez, Alice K. Dugan, KP: Tinggil (PARA SA COMFORT WOMEN) Mia Fernandez W RI T E RS & TAG ALO G
April Tiamzon, Amor Ilao Ernabel Demillo T RAN S LAT I O N V- T E AM
McGuinness, Lorli Villanueva, SABIHIN NINYO (PARA SA Naroon Ako sa
Mary Grace Torres, Mia Intro – Pagkat Gusto Niya MGA COMFORT WOMEN) Loob ng Silid Bernardo Bernardo
Fernandez and Athena Lopez Itong Titigan Athena Lopez, Amor McGuinness Amor Ilao McGuinness, Athena Bettina Santos Yap
April Tiamzon Lopez and Mary Grace Torres Byumi Gonzales
ang katitihanang puki: Charmaine Mesina
Pagkat Gusto Niya Itong vibrator SPOTLIGHT 2008: Edna Murray
Titigan Mia Fernandez KATRINA WARRIORS Elena Mangahas
Grace Baldisseri All directors Elson Mondalbo
Ang Aking Maiksing Jei Africa
Palda Joy San Andreas
Isang Hindi Nakatutu- SPEAKOUT
April Tiamzon Kathleen Ben
wang Katotohanang Puki Marily Mondejar Leah Laxamana
Amor Ilao McGuinness Rita Asilo
Intro – Pagbawi sa
CURTAIN CALL Sarah Jane Ilumin
SALITANG Puki
Extro – Updates on Teresa Opaon Thompson
v-cases) Tessie Zaragoza
Pagbawi sa SALITANG Puki
Charmaine Clamor

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 27

VAGINA WARRIORS 2008
“Vagina Warriors: The New Revolution” celebrates new activists and
leaders who are working to end violence against women in the Filipino
community. Vagina Warriors are the women and men who have often
experienced violence personally or witnessed it within their communities
and dedicated themselves toward ending such violence through effective,
grassroots means. The Filipina Women’s Network is proud to honor eight
women and men who personify courage and conviction. They have faced
and overcome adversity in their lives and are now actively involved in or
heading efforts to end violence against women and girls.

heart writers: Alyson Megur, Noelyn
Germono, Vanessa Kenyon, Lorna Deitz,
and Cherie M. Querol Moreno
Mona Pasquil
Mona Pasquil is vice president of MSHC
Partners, where she mentors local
government office holders who aspire to do
more for their communities. She serves as a
board member for My Sister’s House, the first
and only non-profit organization to
specifically identify and address the unique
needs of women and children impacted by
domestic violence in the Central Valley’s
highly diverse Asian and Pacific Islander
community.
Mona’s work for the California Senate,
the California treasurer, the Democratic
National Committee, and on President
Clinton’s White House staff has provided her
with the opportunity to affect social policy
and influence the political agenda on city,
state and national levels. The ability to help
push the envelope for others to be heard as
well as giving a voice to the community is
the fuel behind her efforts: “This has always
been my passion, to address issues that face
the community.”
Mona explained that her work with My
Sister’s House is really about creating a safe
environment, “to really make it a safer
place” for the community at large. She states
that it is the cultural context that makes the
struggle within the culture sometimes
difficult to break. It’s asking the question:
“Why won’t people talk about domestic
violence?” and coming to the realization that
it is “difficult to talk about and difficult to
expose. More people should understand that
this is out there. It’s not something that
should bring shame. Exposing and talking
about it is part of the healing process.”
Having grown up within a supportive
family, with role models in social work, and
having “always had phenomenal woman
mentors, I always remember that you bring
others along with you,” in your journey. You
realize that “the everyday mocking that can
ruin a spirit,” is lessened as a “sister helps to
pick you up.”
“Sometimes there are things that happen
to people” and it is knowing where you
come from, knowing “how much has been
sacrificed” that brings you along.
Sonia Delen
Tracking down Sonia Delen isn’t an easy
feat. If she’s not traveling for her job as a
senior vice president at Banc of America
Leasing, and she’s not at a board meeting of
a non-profit, she’s likely home caring for her
three sons, husband and extended family
who all live in the same home. Year after
year, she also devotes the considerable
amount of time required to be a part of “The
Vagina Monologues,” having been in the
cast each year since the original 2004
production and contributing to the
productions with behind the scenes support.
United States, and served on the steering After graduating from UCLA, Annalisa
When Sonia joined the cast of “The committee of the Filipina Summit in 2007. spent a year in the Philippines as a Fulbright
Vagina Monologues” she wanted her young
Even after nearly 20 years of marriage, Scholar studying the organization GABRIELA
nieces to be involved. When a local radio Sonia’s eyes still get teary when she talks (General Assembly Binding women for
reporter asked Sonia why she would allow
about her husband Chris Fitzsimmons, whom Reform, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and
minors in the show, she said that they can she credits for teaching her true honesty. She Action), Philippines’ grassroots efforts to
now know, at their young age, that no one
knows that relationships can help bring out create women’s empowerment in domestic
can touch them inappropriately and these the best in a woman, not pain and suffering. violence settings and the effects of
are lessons that can never be taught too
Sonia dedicates her life to making sure not militarization, labor, colonization and
early. Today, her niece Kai serves as a one friend nor a Filipina has to live in an imperialism on women and children. Her
producer of FWN’s V-Day benefit
abusive home again. Ph.D. dissertation at UCLA examined the rise
productions. of Filipino adolescent suicide and its possible
The strength Sonia has today is a
culmination of many tests and triumphs.
Annalisa Enrile connections to domestic violence, rape, and
abuse.
When she first arrived in the United States as Dr. Annalisa Enrile’s defining moment In 2007, Annalisa was one of three
a 26-year-old, she was pregnant and single. came at 19, when her friends held a mirror
women detained by the Philippine
Her son David was born blind, hearing up to her bruised face and said, “This is what government for nine days. Although the
impaired, and developmentally disabled. you look like. Is this what you want?”
country is not supposed to have a blacklist,
Adamant that she would not go on welfare With the support of her family, Annalisa Annalisa and the other two women were
in her new home country, Sonia found a job walked away from an abusive relationship
held because they had been part of the
and raised David on her own for seven years. and has spent every day since working so human rights delegation to the Philippines
Since 1982, Sonia has been climbing the that other women never feel pain. She and a the year before. It took a large and very
corporate ladder and today is the highest friend created a program for high school
active network of supporters, organizations,
ranking Filipina in her company. students to talk about teen dating violence, family members pushing U.S. officials, and
Sonia has been selected as one of FWN’s but soon realized it is not enough to provide the press, to put enough pressure on the
Remarkable Women, one of the Top 100 services to survivors. One has to stop abuse government to get them out.
Most Influential Filipina Women in the and violence before it starts.

28 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

 Last year’s detention re-focused
Annalisa, as the national chairperson of
GABnet, is a US-based multi-racial women’s
solidarity mass organization, on the issues
facing genuine women’s liberation around
the world. Annalisa also uses her classroom
in the USC School of Social Work to educate
and advance the women’s movement.
She believes V-Day is the epitome of the
strength of the women’s movement. “We
must continue to use art and other creative
methods to capture the hearts of people in
a way they can accept.”
Despite her strong criticism of the
Philippine government, Annalisa is very
proud of her heritage. Her dedication, she
says, comes from the collective spirit of
strength of Filipina women.
love and happiness.”
Evelina has recently been named by
FWN as one of the 100 most influential
Filipina women in the US. Aside from
teaching in the MFA Creative Writing
Program at the University of Miami, she has
begun a U.S. chapter of Friends of Lolas at
the same university, an advocacy group for
“comfort women” of WWII.
“Our voice is already with us, at the very part of what brings Ken back year after year.
center of our hearts,” said Evelina, “Give it Some love the theatre for entertainment
time and space to arise and be strong
enough to let that voice ‘just be.’ Follow
your intuition. Trust it.”
Justice Tani Gorre
Cantil-Sakauye
nomination, Ken Marquis has had a long
and exciting career. He says, however, his
work the last three years as a director of the
.......
u. . . . . . .
FWN’s “The Vagina Monologues” has a
unique place in his heart. “I have witnessed 2008 Vagina Warriors
or heard about the results of our efforts
– which is no less than saving people’s Annalisa Enrile
lives.”
This transformative power of theatre is
Ken Marquis
Ken Theisen
M. Evelina Galang
and escapism, but Ken sees its ability to Mona Pasquil
change people. In the case of V-Day, he can Nenette Flores
help change how people see the subject of Sonia Delen
violence against women. By attending the Justice Tani Gore
show, audience members can be part of the Cantil-Sakauye
solution and part of the healing. They take
away knowledge well beyond the one show.
..................

Part of his role as director includes

M. Evelina Galang Being gracious and respectful and having working with cast members and helping 2007 Vagina Warriors
a great sense of humor are qualities that them find their own interpretations of the
M. Evelina Galang is the author of have helped make Justice Tani Gorre monologues. The words can be heart- Al S. Perez
several books of fiction as well as the Cantil-Sakauye stand out as a remarkable wrenching and the experience emotional, Bettina Santos Yap
recipient of numerous awards. She has also leader and trailblazer, as well as a but Ken says it is like watching a flower Elena B. Mangahas
been researching the lives of the women of barrier-breaking, history-making Filipina bloom. As cast members bring to life the Laureen Laglagaron
Liga ng mga Lolang Pilipina, surviving woman and Vagina Warrior. messages of the monologues, they also find
Filipina “comfort women” of World War II, In the last two decades, Tani has worked healing and empowerment within Perla De Jesus
since 1998. An initial eight weeks of daily in Sacramento as a deputy district attorney, themselves. Ken says he is honored to be Rudy Asercion
interactions with the Lolas in Manila (1999) a member of Governor Deukmejian’s senior able to enhance the experience on both Bincy Jacob
resulted in an inspiring grandmother- staff, a trial judge, and has been appointed sides of the curtain with the knowledge that Krittika Ghosh
granddaughter relationship, intensifying to successively higher levels in the judiciary he has in production. Venessa Manzano
Evelina’s private commitment to elevate by Governors Deukmejian, Wilson, and Ken’s day job as a team manager at the ..................
these surviving Filipina “comfort women’s” Schwarzenegger. George P. Johnson Company means he is
issues to the legislative level. Evelina In 1997 as a judge in the Sacramento
co-authored a blog, “Laban for the Lolas!” Superior Court, Tani started and presided
often traveling around the world, creating 2006 Vagina Warriors
marketing events. He has also produced
in support of House Resolution 121, which over the first court in Sacramento dedicated events and concerts around San Francisco
Beverly Upton
was passed on July 30, 2007. Resolution solely to domestic violence issues. She was including “Ginoong Pilipinas” at the Palace
121 called upon the Government of Japan also a member of the presiding judge’s task of Fine Arts and the main stage at the Dorka Keehn
to formally apologize and accept historical force on domestic violence. Gloria Megino Ochoa
“Pistahan Dance and Music Festival.” Imelda Oppenheim
responsibility for their involvement. She was Appointed in 2005 to California’s Court Despite his intense community
the Filipino American Outreach Coordinator of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Tani is Jonah Oliverio
participation, Ken says he’d “absolutely”
for the 121 Coalition. one of only two women and only one of come back work on “The Vagina
Ligaya Hattari
M. Evelina Galang is currently writing two persons of color presently serving on Monologues” again. There are new friends, Sarah Jane Ilumin
Lolas’ House: Women Living With War, this court, which has jurisdiction over new interpretations and new audiences. Tess Crescini
stories of surviving Filipina “comfort appeals from 23 Northern California And although some might consider this ..................
women,” which has been constantly counties. Currently, she serves on the show outlandish, the topic of domestic
changing and evolving. The book Judicial Council’s Task Force on Domestic
documents not only the experiences of Violence Practice and Procedure, which is
violence is still not as widely discussed as 2005 Vagina Warriors
it should be. All the hard work is worth it,
survivors and how they’ve overcome their charged with recommending changes to if we can make a difference in one
past, but, Evelina says, “it’s also about my improve court practices and procedures in Kamala D. Harris
person’s life. Giovannie Pico
own relationship with them and what cases involving domestic violence
they’ve taught me about being a strong
Pinay. Lolas’ House is a story about how
allegations.
Tani attributes her uncommon success to
Ken Theisen Gloria Ramos
Rita Villavicencio Schmidt
these surviving Filipina “comfort women” her second-generation Filipina mother and Anybody who meets Ken Theisen today, Velma Roset Veloria
changed so many lives, including my own.” the legacy of her strong Cebuana arguably San Francisco’s senior-most activist ..................
Evelina shares some of her insights from grandmother. “We were taught to see against domestic violence, would have a
her advocacy work. “We should implement ourselves as leaders,” Tani recalls of her
peace. We need to educate everyone about mother’s lessons. “I stand on the shoulders accident.
hard time believing that he got into this by 2004 Vagina Warriors
what war is and what war does. When we of my grandmother and my mother,” she In 1981, Ken took a job in the family law
understand who we are as human beings declares. “I am here for someone to stand department of Bay Area Legal Aid because Blesilda Ocampo
and how great we are, we can also on my shoulders.” it was the only one available. His plan was Cherie Querol Moreno
understand how horrible we can be . . . . to spend a year in that position, then make Clara Tempongko
These Lolas bring forth a very ‘giving’ legacy Ken Marquis a move over to the immigration law unit, his Genevieve Dwyer
of empowerment, respect, dignity, and faith. true passion at the time. On his first day, a Tisa Mendoza
From childhood acting credits in “The survivor of domestic violence arrived at
Despite the horrible things they went Vangie Canonizado Buell
Waltons,” to working on “The Tonight 9:30am and there were five more
through, when they are in a relationship Leni Marin
Show” starring Johnny Carson, to an Emmy
with you, they are concerned about your » continued on page 40 ..................

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 29

SF+NY Cast & Crew Bios
Aida Ragasa Carmona is a teacher by
profession and a theater/television/screen
actress by avocation. She played the role of
“Aling Atang” in the long-running 1980s
Tagalog soap opera “Flordeluna,” on RPN in the
Philippines. She has worked with some of the
legendary directors of Philippine cinema. She
and her husband, Ron, have four grown children
and five grandchildren.
Al Perez is the Creative Director of AsianWeek,
managing the newsroom and a team of
dedicated journalists, contributors and designers
in publishing “the Voice of Asian America.”
He is also the president of the annual Pistahan
Parade and Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens –
the largest Filipino parade and festival on the
West Coast.
Alice K. Dugan graduated from the University
of Akron with a degree in media production.
She has interned for National Public Radio and
WEWS-Cleveland, has written for the university
newspaper, and was a producer, host and
reporter for the university radio station. She is
dedicating this performance to her mother,
Lilian Villena-Kolodziej, and her good friend,
Kim Baraoidan.
Alyson Megur Before moving to the Bay Area
in January, Alyson spent three years working
as a television anchor and reporter in Syracuse,
New York. Before that, she was a producer for
“Good Day New York” the Fox morning show
in New York City. She is involved in a number
of organizations, including the Asian American
Journalists Association.
Amor Ilao McGuinness is a graduate
of the University of the Philippines School
of Nursing and did graduate work at Johns
Hopkins University. Later she was a Realtor®
and an entrepreneur. A soprano and musician,
she founded the U.P. and Friends Rondalla 15
years ago and has performed in the U.S., the
Philippines, Jordan, Portugal and Cuba.
Annadel Almendras is a Filipina who wants
to do work that benefits the public and the
community. As a government lawyer, she is able
to do that, but she wants to do more.
April Anne Rivera Tiamzon is an account
manager and reporter for Asian Journal
Publications, Inc. She received her BA in radio-
TV-film and minor in psychology from California
State University – Fullerton in 2006. A member
of Delta Zeta Sorority & TV-Film Society, April
was crowned “Mutya Ng Uliran” in Los Angeles
in 2004.
Athena Santos Magcase-Lopez comes
from a Filipino family of artists, poets and
politicians who have influenced her life and
art. She holds a degree in fine arts from the
College of the Holy Spirit in Manila, and has
30
san francisco
san
been a portrait artist, art director, children’s
book illustrator and teacher. She is preparing a
solo exhibition for the UN secretariat’s lobby in
New York.
SF Who’s Who
in the Cast
Blesilda I.R. Carmona will receive her
master’s degree in social work from the Aida Carmona Alyson Megur
Mother Nature Gardener, Journalist
California State University, East Bay in June. Helen Turner School, HUSD
The horoscope columnist of the Manila Mail
newspaper, she is an award-winning poet whose
first volume of poetry, published by Watermark
Press, is titled, “A Novice in Altruism and
Other Poems.”
Candi Bashiri believes that “you can’t go
through life with catcher’s mitts in both hands,
you have to throw something back.” We attract
blessings to ourselves if we also provide them to
others. She’s the proud mom of two wonderful,
adventurous, loving young men and has an Dave Rodriguez Devon Dykwel Esperanza Catubig Fenina Gamez
incredible husband, her best friend. Realtor, Pacific Realty and Film Student, Associate Producer Communications
Investment Corp. UC Santa Barbara for RedCape Cinema’s Manager, Mission-Hope
webisode: EVE Developmental Services
Carlomagno Seletaria Born in the SAG/AEA/The Actor’s
Philippines, Carlomagno and his family moved Network
to San Francisco when he was eight. He’s in his
final semester at San Francisco State University,
where he has a double major in criminal justice
and drama.
Charmaine Clamor is the first Filipina
jazz singer to find success on American radio,
achieving the rare feat of simultaneously making
the top-5 on both JazzWeek’s world- and
traditional-jazz charts. Her critically acclaimed Helen Marte Bautista Hydra Mendoza Jo-Ann Agcaoili Jodie Olympia
Educator, San Francisco (w/daughter or son) Assistant Vice President, Cultural Analyst and Writer
album, “Flippin’ Out” synthesizes American jazz Unified School District Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Operations Consultant,
with traditional Filipino folk music, languages, Education Advisor, Bank of America
and instruments, creating a new genre she calls CCSF; Commissioner,
“jazzipino.” SF Board of Education
Christina Baal is an activist, yoga teacher,
social worker, and artist. Through her work
at Cabrini Immigrant Services, she provides
advocacy, counseling (including domestic
violence counseling), immigration assistance,
and educational workshops to immigrant
families throughout New York and New Jersey.
She received her bachelor’s in drama from NYU, Miriam Pantig Bonus Nikko Delozada Nimfa Y. Gamez Rachael V. Domingo Morales
and her MSW from Hunter College. Singer, actress, Principal, President & CEO, Pre-Law Student, UC
voice teacher Amethyst Dragon Eye Mission Hope Davis and Faith Formation
Deo Tantay is a retired engineer, outdoors Production Inc. Developmental Services Volunteer & Youth Ministry
Founder, St. Patrick’s
and motorcycle enthusiast, physical fitness Parish-Rodeo
advocate and budding artist. He did volunteer
work rebuilding housing for displaced youths.
He hopes in his first time on stage to convey the
importance of stopping violence against women Who’s Who
and empowering them with voice, dignity and
respect. in the Crew
Devon Dykwel is in his second year studying
film at UC Santa Barbara. He was excited to
see his mom perform in TVM last year and is Thelma Boac TRACY LYNN SARMIENTO Vanessa Kenyon
proud to be performing with her this year in Principal, Silver Creek High Singer, student Advisor, Healthcare
School Workforce Development
MMRP. In student government, Devon helped Program & Nutrition
organize projects to donate funds to Doctors Education Coordinator,
Without Borders in Darfur and collect clothing Santa Rosa Junior College
for earthquake victims in Pakistan. Devon enjoys
F I L I P I N A W OME N ’ S N E T W O R K | w w w. f f w n . o r g
francisco

Angela Delgado Annadel Almendras Blesilda Carmona Candi Yvonne Bashiri Carlomagno Seletaria Charina Cabanayan Charmaine Clamor
Personal Trainer, Deputy Attorney General, Poet, Social Worker, Senior Manager, Student, San Francisco Principal, Jazz Singer
AngRocks Real Fitness California Attorney Astrologer Business Applications, State University Douglas Retail Group, Inc.
Solutions General’s Office Wind River Systems BloomButik

Florante Aguilar Franceska Gamez Genevieve Dwyer Genevieve Jopanda Glenn Corteza Gloria Ramos Greg Macabenta
Guitarista / Haranista Student, California High President, General Manager, Professional Dancer Teacher, Elk Grove Unified Publisher, Filipinas
Genevieve’s Corporation San Francisco Bay Area School District” Magazine
and Deputy Marriage for Zipcar
Commissioner of San
Francisco, California

Keisha Navarro Kristina S. Guido Kristine Rafols, RN Lissa Sobrepeña Melissa Josue M. Evelina Galang Marianne Almajose
Student / Artist, Cardiothoracic Wife, Mother of Seven, Journalist Author of HER WILD Concierge, Donatello Hotel
San Jose State University Operating Room Nurse, Architect / Interior Design AMERICAN SELF and ONE
Newark Beth Israel Consultant in the process TRIBE, Assistant Professor,
Medical Center of Reemerging University of Miami

Rae Almajose Rebecca Delgado Rissa Duque Rodel Rodis Rosie Josue Sonia Delen Sunny Dykwel
Rottman Program Director, Member, Board of Trustees, Theatre Actress, Senior Vice President, Realtor,® Board Member,
VP, Community Relations Manilatown Heritage City College of San SFSU Student Banc of America Leasing Palo Alto Chamber of
& Government Affairs, Foundation Francisco Singer (SF) Commerce, YMCA and
Academy of Art University other non-profits

Public Relations SF Stage Design Photographer Hair & Makeup Artistry Assistant Director Assistant Director Producer
Alyson Megur Barry Picazo Brenda Hartshorn Don Santos Esperanza Catubig Genevieve Jopanda Kai Delen Briones
Journalist Managing Partner, Patio Photographer Fragrance Model Associate Producer for General Manager, Producer
Filipino Redcape Cinema San Francisco Bay Area
for Zipcar

F I L I P I N A W OME N A G A I N S T V I OLE N CE 31
music and guitar playing.
Elton Lugay A journalist, Elton is branch
manager of Philippine News, East Coast bureau.
In 1996 and 1999 he was the Philippines’
delegate to UNESCO conferences in Bangkok
and Washington. He heads Ginoong Pilipinas-
USA, the only national search for the best
Filipino male in America, which is now in its
sixth year.
Ernabel Demillo With more than 15 years
experience in broadcast news, Ernabel for
more than a decade was anchor and reporter
for FOX-5’s “Good Day New York.” While
raising her daughter, she continues to freelance
as a reporter and anchor, most recently for
CourtTV and MSNBC, and teaches journalism at
Brookdale College in New Jersey.
Esperanza Catubig is the oldest of five
and the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and a
schoolteacher. Credits include guest-starring on
Without A Trace as the nanny, “June Ojeda,”
and as “Daisy Avila” in the Kirk Douglas Theatre
production of Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn.
Esperanza is proud to call San Francisco “home.”
Fenina Joimari Jiasmin Yamsuan Gamez
is the epitome of a serene and graceful young
soul. She loves her family dearly and is very
proud of her Filipina heritage. She recently
graduated from UC Davis with a degree in
psychology and communications. Fenina’s latest
endeavor is to be a certified project manager.
Garrett Rafols is a member of SHADES
Theatre at Rutgers-New Brunswick, where he is
studying English and double-minoring in theater
arts and education. His interests are spoken
word poetry, music, and brown sugar pop tarts.
He also hopes to continue acting through his
career as an English teacher.
Genevieve Dwyer A former beauty queen,
Genevieve was a medical technologist in the
Philippines and co-authored five books on
environmental and medical procedures for
remote communities. She is a deputy county
clerk for the County of San Francisco, and since
childhood has loved dance and performs various
folk, jazz, ballet, ballroom and other dances.
Genevieve V. Jopanda is FWN’s vice
president of youth and community advocacy and
general manager of Zipcar, San Francisco/Bay
Area region. The middle of five children of the
Villafranca-Jopanda family, she enjoys embracing
her deep Visayan cultural roots and educating
and spreading awareness through music,
culture, and art.
Glenn Corteza is a dance instructor and
choreographer of Argentine tango in the Bay
Area. He has appeared on stage productions,
commercials & dance events both local and
international.
Gloria Ramos has had a thousand careers.
She’s learned that what’s important is love,
32
people and the passions that make your heart
sing. She’s a lifelong learner who works at
being absurdly happy and actually succeeds at
san fran
times. This is due to having a terrible memory,
and that she never walks and chews gum at the
same time.
Grace Baldisseri is an educator, community
organizer, broadcast journalist and artist. As
Chair of Tinig Mamamayan Foundation, she
established an education program for street
children in the Philippines. As an artist, she
Public Relations Public Relations Assistant Director Photographer
directed “Ala-ala ng Kahapon” and co-directed Keesa Ocampo Lorna Lardizabal Dietz May Nazareno Owen Millado-Donnahoo
“Filipinos Coming to America.” She is also the Community Relations Business Development, Playwright, Actor, Artistic Photographer,
author of “Rhythms from the Heart.” Assistant, ABS CBN Intl. Filipinas Magazine and Director of the Pamana Owen Photographie
FilipinasMag.com Theatre Project
Greg B. Macabenta is president of Minority
Media Services, an ethnic ad agency; publisher-
editor of Filipinas Magazine; a newspaper
columnist; and national vice-chair emeritus of
the National Federation of Filipino American
Associations. He was a radio, TV and film
writer-director in the Philippines and acted on
stage in college.
Music Director Senior Director Playwright Assistant Director
Hydra Mendoza Public school parent Hydra Charmaine Clamor Elena Mangahas Eve Ensler Genevieve Jopanda
Mendoza currently serves as Mayor Gavin Jazz Artist General Manager,
Newsom’s education advisor and liaison. She Zipcar
is the former executive director of Parents for
Public Schools and has also worked on the
PTA and a number of policy committees for
the district. She also became the first Filipina
American to be elected to the San Francisco
Board of Education.
Jenny Briones Tjiong is a mother of two,
travel agent, martial arts competitor and
instructor. She helps women train for martial arts
tests and competitions. She’s the first Filipina to
receive the Inside Kung-Fu magazine 2007 Hall
of Fame “Competitor of the Year” award. She
supports charity events to help children in the
Philippines.
Jordana Ria Alvarez Olympia was born
in Quezon City, Philippines, twenty-odd years
ago and has since lived in eight different places
in the Philippines, Saipan and California. As a
mystic following the Babaylan path, she believes
that the nobility of the Pilipina spirit raises world
consciousness.
Johanna Martinez Born in Mandaluyong,
Johanna is a social worker and karaoke
enthusiast. She is the executive director of
Filipino American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI), a
nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the
Filipino/Filipino-American community of New
York City.
Kai Delen-Briones A college student, Kai is
one of the original cast members of the 2004
FWN production of “The Vagina Monologues.”
She is also the producer of the Pistahan Festival
and an active volunteer for Richmond Aids
Foundation and Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
She is thrilled to be part of this amazing
production 5 years running.
Kristina S. Guido is a young, ambitious
F I L I P I N A W OME N ’ S N E T W O R K | w w w. f f w n . o r g
ncisco SAN FRANCISCO

SF Executive
V-Team
Zipcar is the closest thing to owning a car without the cost
and headaches. It is also more convenient, cost-effective
SF Stage Design Art Director and more fun than renting. Join now and reserve one of our
Paule Tenchavez Al Perez
Principal, Design Studio Art Director, AsianWeek hundreds of cars!

www . zipcar . com wheels when you want them

Our Vision:
To promote the business
Senior Director Executive Producer V-Diaries Editor Marketing/P.R. Chair
and economic development
Ken Marquis Marily Mondejar Melissa Josue Sunny Dykwel of our members and the
Manager, President, Filipina Women’s Journalist Realtor,® Filipino-American business
George P. Johnson Network Community Leader
community in San Francisco.

sffacc@g mail.com
4 15 . 449 . 9 1 07

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

LEFT: The cast of The
Vagina Monologues, the
production team, the
cast of Usaping Puki, the
directorial team and the
cast of MMRP.

F I L I P I N A W OME N A G A I N S T V I OLE N CE 33
Filipina. She is an aspiring artist and
currently a student at San Jose State
University studying chemical engineering.
Smiling and laughing are her favorite
hobbies and she puts her life in God’s
hands because He is her strength,
courage and wisdom.
Kristine Rafols is a former member of
UNITY theatre at Rutgers-Newark, where
she completed her BSN in nursing May
‘07. She is an open-heart-surgery nurse
at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center,
and hopes to continue acting throughout
her nursing career.
Larry Tantay is a young, gay
Filipino living in NYC. He is currently
working as the Community Health
Education Coordinator at APICHA and is
volunteering for the Kalusugan Coalition
– focusing on improving the health of
Filipinos in NY and NJ - as well as the
YELL Coalition - a program educating
youth through the arts. He aspires to one
day be a professional actor and drama
therapist. He has a B.A. in sociology from
Rutgers University.
M. Evelina Galang has been
researching the lives of the surviving
Filipina “Comfort Women” of WWII,
since 1998. She authored the blog
“Laban for the Lolas!” and was the
Filipino-American outreach coordinator
for the 121 Coalition in support of House
Resolution 121. She is currently writing
“Lolas’ House: Women Living with War.”
Mary Grace Torres immigrated to
the U.S. from the Philippines in 2000.
She serves as the executive VP in the
undergraduate student government at
Baruch College and is an alumnus of the
INROADS organization. She is a senior
majoring in cultural economics and, upon
graduation, she will be joining JP Morgan
Chase as an IB Operations Analyst.
May Nazereno is a playwright,
actor and producer. Her experience in
the Philippines inspired her to create
her theatre company, The Panama
Theatre Project, which strives to forge a
bi-national exchange with Pilipino and
Filipino-American theatre artists. PTP
partnered with the Filipino American Arts
Exposition to create Tanghalan Onstage,
the first Filipino-American theatre festival
in the U.S.
Melanie V. Dulfo Though Melanie
lived a privileged life in the Philippines,
her progressive high school teachers took
her into shantytowns, making her aware
of a poverty-stricken society beyond her
sheltered life. She’s been a community
organizer ever since, currently as outreach
coordinator for Filipino American Human
Services, Inc.
34
Melissa Josue is a writer based in
San Francisco. She writes so she may
draw other travelers to the places that
N E W Y OR K
have informed and deepened her sense
of wonder. When not writing, she’s
volunteering, eating with friends and
making a mess in her kitchen. Who’s Who
in the Cast
Melvyn P. Lopez is an activist-
writer-poet with a background in street
theater. As a member of Kamanyang
and founding member of Kalinangang
Alice K. Dugan Amor Ilao April Anne Rivera
Anak Pawis, he saw action during the Book keeper, McGuinness Tiamzon
tumultuous Marcos dictatorship. He is an Faesian-Diamant Group Soprano Account Manager and
IT consultant/administrator for financial Reporter, Asian Journal
institutions, a board member of Global Publications, Inc.
Share Resource Foundation and an
antiwar blogger.
Mia Fernandez Mia’s mission is to
make a profound difference in people’s
lives. A former top tennis player and
corporate lawyer, she shares financial
knowledge with empathy and humor.
Salamat, angkan! Ernabel Demillo Garrett Rafols Grace G. Baldisseri Jenny Tjiong
Journalist; Teacher; Student, Chair & CEO, Martial Arts Instructor;
Miriam Pantig Bonus Since winning Founder, Bodystyle Rutgers University – Tinig ng Mamamayan Travel Agent, Patria
Athletics New Brunswick Foundation World Travel, Inc.
the grand prize on the prestigious and
popular Philippine TV show “Student
Canteen,” Miriam has had a successful
career as a singer and actress, performing
on stage (“Miss Saigon,”) and screen
(“Cuatro y Media,” “Sugatang Puso”
and “I Will Always Love You”). Miriam is
the entertainment director, and performs
at Edna’s Ichiban Library in South San
Francisco.
Nikko DeLozada was inducted into Melvyn P. Lopez Mia Fernandes Nina Legac Tessa Myra Cantado
Database Administrator, Financial Consultant, Membership Physical Therapist,
the World Black Belt Hall of Fame in Sumitomo Trust & World Financial Group Representative, Daughters of Israel –
2000. DeLozada went on to become a Banking National TV Index, United Jewish
successful action film choreographer, The Nielsen Company Communities of NJ
actor, screenwriter and music video
producer of the soon to be released music
single and music video, titled “Faith,” and
in development, a film story titled “Miles Who’s Who
Beyond.”
in the Crew
Nimfa Yamsuan Gamez Dubbed
“Phoenix Rising,” Nimfa was named one
of the 100 most influential Filipinos in the
U.S. As president/CEO of Mission-Hope Allan Castro Christina Baal, Elton Lugay
Day Program LLC and Mission-Hope Photographer LMSW Branch Manager,
Developmental Services, Inc., Nimfa Director of Immigrant Philippine News,
has provided services in the East Bay Family Services, Cabrini East Coast
that she hopes make a difference in the Immigrant Services
developmentally disabled community.
Nina Nguyen Lagac hails from a
long line of strong women. Having been
exposed at an early age to campus,
national and international activism, she
holds youth, women and environmental
advocacies close to her heart. A teacher
by training, she is now a media researcher
for the Nielsen Company, responsible for
the New England area.
Noelyn Germono has been working
as a Realtor® and bartender since she
graduated from San Jose State University
F I L I P I N A W OME N ’ S N E T W O R K | w w w. f f w n . o r g
K CI T Y N E W Y OR K CI T Y with a BA in behavioral science and psychology.
She is returning to school this fall to pursue a
career in nursing.
Rosie Josue relishes the genuine moments,
laughs at herself, shares peace with strangers,
dreams, listens to the wisdom of silence, smiles,
prays, embraces the bizarre, lets go, fights to the
Owen Donnahoo of Owen Photographie is end, indulges in the simple things, is dangerous
a former TVM cast member and a photographer and controversial, finds beauty in everyone she
whose work has appeared in Philippine News, meets, challenges, grows, builds, and pursues life
AsianWeek and Scrapbooking on the Wall, to with passion.
name a few. Her latest work is entitled “Honor
Thy Mother” by author and publisher Bing Sonia T. Delen, senior vice president at Banc
Carrion-Buck and will be released this Mother’s of America Leasing, serves on several non-profit
Day. boards, is a community advocate, and the
Athena Santos Christina Baal, LMSW Deo Tantay Elton Lugay
Magcase Lopez Director of Immigrant Professional Lolo Branch Manager, longest-continuing original 2004 member of
Portrait artist, Art Family Services, Cabrini Philippine News, Rachael V. Domingo Morales comes from cast and crew of TVM in San Francisco and New
Director, Children’s Immigrant Services East Coast a valuable Spanish and Pilipino heritage and is York. Sonia is married to Chris Fitzsimmons with
Book Illustrator currently in the pursuit of her double Bachelor children David, Justin and Matthew.
of Arts degree in Philosophy and Psychology
as a pre-law student at UC Davis. She enjoys Sunny Dykwel This is Sunny’s second year
getaway trips to her favorite places, cooking, performing in TVM. She is Hermana Mayor
quality time with her favorite people, and loves for Pistahan 2008. She serves on several
to ride. non-profit boards including the Palo Alto
YMCA and Chamber of Commerce. She is
Rachael V. Domingo Morales is a young also an interboard arbitrator for the California
Filipina-Spanish American looking to make Association of Realtors. Sunny enjoys time with
Johanna Martinez, LMSW Kristine Rafols, RN Larry Tantay Mary Grace Torres a difference in the world in as many ways as her family, entertaining, traveling, theatre and
Executive Director, Cardiothoracic Community Health Investment Banking possible. She is a law student at the University the symphony.
Filipino American Operating Room Nurse, Education Coordinator Analyst, JP Morgan of California, Davis, and has various interests,
Human Services, Inc. Newark Beth Israel – YMSM Project; Asian Chase & Company
(FAHSI) Medical Center & Pacific Islander including riding motorcycles, doing hair and Tessa Myra Cantado, RPT is a physical
Coalition, HIV / AIDS make-up, dancing, talking (haha), and – her therapist, an artist, and a volunteer. Through
favorite – spending time with people she loves. her work at Daughters of Israel, she is able to

NY
provide physical therapy services to the Jewish
Rebecca Delgado Rottman, born and geriatric population. She enjoys indoor &
raised in the Philippines, in 1998 became the outdoor sports/activities with her husband. She
first Filipina woman elected to the San Francisco earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy
County Democratic Central Committee and from Cebu Doctors University.
served as second vice-chair. She is vice president
for community relations and government affairs Thelma Boac is principal of Silver Creek
at the Academy of Art University. High School in San Jose, California. A strong
Theresa Vanessa Ramalho Executive Producer community advocate, a pianist, and one of
Tantay-Wilson Assistant Director, Marily Mondejar
Director of Health UNITY Theatre President, Filipina Women’s
Rissa L. Duque is the Program Coordinator FWN’s 100 Most Influential Women in the U.S.,
Promotion, Network for Manilatown Heritage Foundation. She has Thelma is married to Dan Boac and has two
Rutgers University – had extensive experience working with social children.
Newark Campus justice non-profits, the Filipino community,
student organizations and larger progressive Theresa Tantay-Wilson is happiest carrying
communities since 1995. her daughter, Madeleine, in one arm, while
fighting social injustices with the other. She’s
Rodel Rodis An attorney, Rodel is a trustee grateful for her ever-supportive husband (who
of the San Francisco Community College board, produced the growing activist in her belly)
a former president of the San Francisco Public and her father, who has patiently embraced
Utilities Commission, a Filipino community “Lolo-hood.”
newspaper columnist (“Telltale Signs,” since
Grace G. Baldisseri Mayumi Ando Nina Legac Theresa 1987), and the husband of VM veteran Edna Vanessa V. Kenyon is a Filipina rediscovering
Chair & CEO, NY Stage Design Membership Represen- Tantay-Wilson Austria-Rodis. His proudest achievement, her roots, her power, her histories, her love, her
Tinig ng Mamamayan tative, National TV Director of Health however, is being the father of Carlo, Daniel people, her pride. She is a survivor fighting to
Foundation Index, The Nielsen Promotion, and Eric. kill the silence of shame and injustice for many,
Company Rutgers University –
Newark Campus so she starts with the very person she sees in
the mirror! She is a poet, painter, farmer, sister,
daughter, friend. She is a lover of all beauty, a
warrior against fear.

Vanessa Tulop Ramalho is a senior at

Rutgers University, pursuing a degree in fine
art. She spreads awareness of social justice and
promotes healthy choices among the student
body through the interactive theatre company
UNITY Theatre, of which she is assistant artistic
director. Vanessa is proud to be a “mixed baby,”
of Philippine and Portuguese descent.

F I L I P I N A W OME N A G A I N S T V I OLE N CE 35
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36 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

San Francisco Conocimiento:
By Bles Carmona
Aida Carmona is named after the female
lead in the famous opera, “Aida.” She first felt
her parents’ pride in her when at 5 years old
she was asked to sing on top of a barrel and
everyone was howling with laughter while
being entertained. She wishes that the Filipino
tradition of the “Simbang Gabi” – the nine
early morning masses during the Christmas
season, would encourage the sense of peace
and community among our people.
“Seize the day because life is too short”
is how Alfonso “Al” Santiago Perez, named
after his father, approaches life. Al is an avid
collector of ephemera like stamps and coins.
He would like to pass on to others the Filipino
custom of bayanihan. His greatest fear is that
of drowning.
Annadel Angeline Almendras of San
Francisco, California is named after Annadel
State Park in Sonoma County. She realizes
that “the more I learn, the less I know.”
Nevertheless, her battle cry is: “Always do the
best you can.” She loves big Filipino meals,
especially those done during the holidays. She
wishes her son and others she knows would
experience the joys and goodness of those
meals.
Alyson Kam Megur’s dad is Jewish but her
“Kam” is from an actor’s name in Hawaii. She
declares that “the most rewarding things in life
are the things that nobody asks us to do.”
She has always enjoyed eating and laughing
as she maintains, “I live, I laugh, I help, I
change, I make things better.” Then she
declares, “I love.”
Blesilda Immaculada Ragasa Carmona is
named after a grand-aunt, Tomasa Blesilda, for
whom she dedicates one of her poems, “Rainy
Season, Philippines,” in her first published book
of poems titled A Novice in Altruism and Other
Poems (2005). She fears growing old alone
and that’s why she even talks to people on the
streets, the homeless, the vagrants, and she
vows to “give until it hurts.” She’s mighty
proud of the Filipino customs of bayanihan
and kusang-loob.
Brenda Salamat Hartshorn, who is older
than she looks, tries to learn as much about
the world from other people’s mistakes so
she doesn’t repeat them – that’s the point
of studying history, isn’t it? As an artist and
photographer, she is inspired by Stanley
Kubrick, who as a young man set out to earn
the respect of other filmmakers. She always
passes on to others the Filipino customs of
strong family bonds and welcoming others
with good food.
Candi Bashiri’s last name is from Farsi
(Persian) meaning “bearer of good news” and
her good news philosophy is twofold: “Just do
it” and “Find beauty in everything.” And she
does just that: she bungee-jumped! Though
she had seen violence while growing up in the
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
Philippines and in California, she takes pride
in the Filipinos’ tradition of community and
declares that it does take “bayanihan” to
thrive in this world. She has three inspirations:
Gandhi, Helen Keller, and Mother Teresa.
Charina Cabanayan, who declares that
one doesn’t need eyes to have vision, claims
that we wouldn’t guess that she has a good
perception of people around her. She who’s
inspired by two queens, Elizabeth I and II, has
sadly experienced violence in her own home
during one of her visits to the Philippines.
Clarissa Ocampo, whose name means
scintillating light, is an amateur boxer. She
sings and paints, too. She, who wants to
leave a legacy of constant, mindful, and
exaggerated love, has experienced “a little bit
of almost every form of violence. Her greatest
fear however is that of losing her Dad. One
funny thought, though: her Mom apparently
had said this to her, “Wear pretty underwear.
It will make you happy.”
David Rodriguez was named after, can you
believe it, Dwight D. Eisenhower! His greatest
fear, borne of personal experience in being
hospitalized and bedridden for almost a year,
is that of being useless in life.
Devon James Dykwel Devon is an Irish
name. Just before he was born, his parents
told his brother, who is twelve years older than
Devon, that he could select his little brother’s
first name, so he chose Devon because it’s the
name of one of his friends and he liked the
sound of it. Devon’s middle name is in honor
of his grandfather on his father’s side. The
driving force in his life is creativity.
Genevieve Villafranca Jopanda reveals
that she’s the first American born among the
very Visayan Jopandas of Danville, CA. She
believes in the concept of karma. That’s why
she says, “Don’t take matters into your own
hands. Trust that God and the powers of the
universe will take care of matters if someone
does you wrong.”
Hydra Mendoza is named after the train
her Dad was on while he was rushing to the
hospital when she was being born. He
imagined her to be like the train: strong,
powerful, and determined. And her Dad cried
happy tears for her when she got a position
in the mayor’s office. Would you like to know
something, though? Hydra’s belly button is
pierced!
Jordana Ria Alvarez Olympia was named
after a revolutionary warrior, but is actually
greatly afraid of drowning! Could it be
because her last name alludes to “Olympia,”
Commodore Dewey’s flagship that sunk the
Spanish armada in the Battle of Manila Bay?
She admonishes everyone to “remember the
survivors of the Philippine-American War when
you speak my name.” And remember the
victims, too! Continued on page 39
37
 New York Conocimiento:

Filipino Heritage Night @ AT&T Park | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | 7:15 pm

commemorative t-shirt. Call (415) 972-2298 | www.sfgiants.com/specialevents

$20 Ticket Package includes 1 seat in the Filipino Heritage Night section and a
An Exploration of Violence
By GRACE BALDISSERI

D
uring our first group rehearsal in New York, Theresa Tantay-Wilson, director of the Filipina
Women’s Network’s New York production of “The Vagina Monologues” and “A Memory,
A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer,” asked the cast and crew to explore what violence
would be like if it were a tangible object. She asked the cast to work in pairs and discuss their
15th Annual definitions of violence and then to think about what violence would taste, feel, smell, and
sound like. Here are the fruits of that discussion.
Violence tastes: bitter, like dark gritty, thick, black mud in your mouth.
Violence feels like: being slapped, new sunburn, rough, being punched, sandpaper,
a porcupine.
Violence smells like: garbage, rotten eggs, feces, filth, and blood on a hot summer day.
Parade and Festival 2008 Violence sounds like: glass shattering, nails on a blackboard, deafening silence,
a scream.
For the sense of sight: Theresa asked the cast to create a snapshot to represent what
Be a Part of Our Fantastic Festival they think violence looks like.
of Filipino Culture and Cuisine!
Come partner with us as a vendor, exhibitor, sponsor or participant at the
15th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival,
a 2-day celebration of Filipino art, dance, music, culture and cuisine.
Au g us t 9 – 10 , 20 0 8
Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
(415) 777.6950 » info@Pistahan.net
www.pistahan.net

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Call: Delza Delen Briones: 415-205-2995
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38 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

(SF Conocimiento, from page 37)
Ken Marquis, our director, was born in
Santa Monica, CA and proudly acknowledges
that he came straight from his mother’s vagina.
He wants to us to relax, enjoy, it’s not brain
surgery! He knows that his parents are proud
of him on account of their heartfelt smiles, and
their advice to him is to simply be himself at all
times. Ken is deathly afraid of knives! One
thing we wouldn’t guess about him is that
he would make an excellent football referee.
A Mr.Thornton inspired him once upon a time,
and laughter is the legacy he would like to
leave to his loved ones. The Filipino sense of
blood ties and kinship are customs he would
like to pass on to others, too. Ken has had
firsthand experience with violence and is
an advocate to putting a stop to all of it!
Kristina Guido possesses the power to
bend her thumbs all the way back! In addition,
others believe her to be “too nice.” Yet, she
declares that she’s not afraid to be herself.
What she’s most fearful of is to end up being
alone.
Melissa Josue, whose first name means
“honey,” played right forward in a roller hockey
league for a number of years! Writing and
travel are true loves of hers and to wherever
she journeys, she goes with all her heart.
Between writing, travel and—when she’s on
wheels—checking the opposition, she uses her
talent to help better the community and help
others discover ways to live more mindfully,
purposefully and have a healthier quality of
life. “Never stop doing something creative
otherwise you’ll rot into the system,” her
parents told her when giving her advice
on how to transcend the daily grind.
When Miriam Pantig Bonus was two,
her parents discovered her singing and acting
talents. Personally, she believes she’s a natural
comedian, too. In spite of this happy mission,
she’s deeply afraid of being too old or being
sick. Her golden rule is to do unto others
what you want others to do unto you.
Nikko De Lozada affirms his citizenship
on Planet Earth and considers himself a Baby
(as “nikko” means “newborn”) since he is
the youngest in the family. His motto is: “one
person, one soul, one day at a time to like with
every breath we take.” Nikko made his parents
proudest when he made it into the USA
Olympic Team. His mother’s best piece of
advice to him was to shoot for the moon and
in that way if he should miss, then at least he
would be among the stars. His greatest fear is
that of failure, and his guilty secret is that he
loves watching cartoons. He is inspired by the
leadership and greatness of Martin Luther King.
Rachael Domingo remembers her Mom
smothering her with kisses and her Dad saying,
“All right, Baby… you got it from me!” as her
parents’ expression of their pride in her. The
thought of leaving the world lonely and alone,
without anyone knowing who she is prods her
to strive to be successful. Did you know that
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
she rides motorcycles and fixes cars?
Rebecca Rottman’s mother told her that
she (the mom) was abused physically by her 5,000 babies
husband (Rebecca’s father) when they were
married. It all happened before Rebecca
was born and her Mom eventually left the
relationship. Her mother told her not to marry
a year.
RSC is the Bay Area affiliate of IntegraMed, the largest and most experienced fertility center network in the
a Filipino man — but Rebecca did! Rebecca’s country. Only IntegraMed has done over 100,000 IVF cycles. And only IntegraMed brings over 5,000
motto is: when the going gets tough, get babies a year into the world. To learn more, call 888-DRS-4-IVF or visit www.rscbayarea.com.
tougher! The Dalai Lama and Eleanor
Roosevelt are the leaders who inspire her. Reproductive Science Center
A N I N T E G R A M E D A F F I L I A T E
Rissa Duque, who claims that her
“vagina is angry!” takes Gabriela Silang as her Experience never mattered more. TM
inspiration. Though her legacy is to fight for CALL 888-DRS-4-IVF OR VISIT www.rscbayarea.com
social justice, she shares this with everyone:
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t
say anything at all.” In addition, she reminds
us: “…Sometimes in order to win, you have
to play through the pain.” Wholeness in Healthcare
“Rod” from Rodis, the last name of his Continuing education classes for health professionals
father, and “el” from Elepano, his mother’s
last name, equals, Rodel Rodis. His life’s
philosophy is: “A rising tide lifts all boats.”  Pathways to Wellness
His parents have shown him unconditional love  Essentials of Rehabilitation and Self-care
by always forgiving him whenever he makes
mistakes, and by advising him to always look  Imagery, Creativity and the Heart of Healing
out for his own family. His greatest fear is not  Mindfulness and Yoga, Reducing Stress
being able to stand up after falling, following
a harrowing personal experience. He considers  Balance, Fitness and Nutrition
his long-term involvement in the community
as his legacy, and would like to pass on some
caring and compassion to others. Rodel has www.wholenessinhealthcare.com
seen and experienced violence firsthand,
especially during the martial law years in
the Marcos era in the Philippines.
Rose Marie Josue felt her parents’ pride
in her when they told her that she was still a
champion after losing in a statewide forensic
competition. She reminds everybody of the
importance of resilience and living with
passion when confronted with the question,
Congratulations!
“What is the biggest picture of it all?”
No one would guess that Thelma Boac H e l e n M a r t e -B a u t i s t a
is “daring!” She whose motto is: “Have
confidence and humility” likes to pass on the
Filipinos’ tradition of respect and care for the First Filipina nominated as
elderly. Her leader-inspirers? Dr. Martin Luther
King and Mother Teresa! 1st Vice-President / President
Soledad Santos Dykwel “Soledad” Elect of the American Library
means solitude, but it doesn’t really match my
personality. She prefers being around people Trustees and Advocates
than being alone. Her family nicknamed her
“Sunny” because it better matches her
personality. Her mother always told her to do Served for eight years as
everything the best she possibly could, and San Francisco Public Library
that is reflected in the way she approaches
her work, her volunteer efforts, and her life.
Commissioner
Vanessa Verdadero Kenyon’s first name
means “butterfly” in Greek. This is one strong
butterfly lady whose motto is: “All of life is
relative. Actions enter into the ripple effect of
life.” She is a survivor of an abusive experience.
Vienna Martha Gehrett believes that God
didn’t place us here by accident. “Our lives
should be the example for our children and
the children not yet born.”
39
Larsen and Contemplacion (from p 19) to even offer a plea bargain to reduce the
going to let him have custody of my child.” felony charge to a misdemeanor with no
After Jennifer had been in jail for nearly jail time. The D.A. wanted Jennifer to go to
two months, I worked out a deal with the state prison.
court for Jennifer to be released on her During the 10-day trial, Jennifer recount-
own recognizance if her son was returned ed how businessman James Larsen went to
to his father within seven days. Jennifer her family’s home in Florida and convinced
reluctantly agreed to the deal and asked her parents that she would be better off
her sister to fly to Manila to pick up her living with him in his beautiful home in
son and turn him over to his father, which Walnut Creek than with her poor family
her sister did on the seventh day, just a in a trailer in Florida. Jennifer was only 17
few hours before the deal would have when she moved in with then 34-year-old
expired. As agreed, Jennifer was released James Larsen. The following year, when
from custody without bail. But the District she turned 18, Jennifer married James and
Attorney refused to dismiss the charges or gave birth to James Jr. Then the physical
C e l e b r at i ng O u r P a r e n t s
Mom Consuelo, 93 and Dad Aqui, 83
Thank you for your love and
a beautiful life with us.
Love,
Ester Delen
Sonia Delen & Chris Fitzsimmons
David, Justin, Matthew
Delza & Hermie Briones
Kristein, Katrina, Kimberly
Charina Cabanayan
Congratulations
Mom!
XOXO,
Z & K
40
beatings began, she said, especially when
her husband was drunk. In his testimony,
James denied all allegations of abuse and
portrayed Jennifer as an unreasonable and
spoiled wife who did not appreciate all that
he had given her.
Jennifer did not have family in California
and did not know how or who to report
her husband’s abuse. When she complained
to her parents, they assumed that she
had done something wrong to make her
husband angry. “Just be patient,” they
counseled her, “and follow what your
husband wants you to do.”
Then one time after James had beaten
her, Jennifer told her husband that she
would leave him. James then took out her
son’s US passport and tore it to pieces in
front of her, warning her that if she ever
left him, she would never see her son
again. So one day, in May of 1994, feigning
a trip to the dentist, Jennifer went to the
airport with her Philippine passport and
her son’s new US passport and boarded a
plane for Manila.
An element of the crime of child abduc-
tion, according to California Penal Code, is
Vagina Warriors (from p29)
appointments lined up for later that day.
Immigration law never had a chance.
department of Bay Area Legal Aid
because it was the only one available. His
plan was to spend a year in that position,
then make a move over to the immigration
law unit, his
In the nearly 30 years since then,
Ken has dedicated his life to educating,
improving and changing policy on nearly
every facet of domestic violence. He is one
of the co-founders of the San Francisco
Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic and
the California Coalition for Battered Women
in Prison (today known as Free Battered
Women).
Over the years, Ken has helped train
thousands of staff and volunteers at
agencies that assist survivors. He has also
worked with the SFPD, judges, DAs, lawyers,
students, and medical personnel on
domestic violence issues. He has met with
the last 4 mayors and the last 8 police
chiefs. He’s not one to hold back his
opinions and says, “I don’t care if they like
me or not” just as long as he’s getting
through to them.
Ken works extensively with the media to
raise awareness about domestic violence. If
his name isn’t on the byline of an article, op-
ed piece or letter to the editor, he likely had
a hand in an article, radio or television story
on DV somewhere along the way.
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
the intent to “detain or conceal the child
from a lawful custodian.” But because
Jennifer contacted Larsen as soon as she
landed in Manila and invited him to join
them and he, in fact, joined them, the jury
unanimously found Mrs. Larsen not guilty
of child abduction.
After the trial, Jennifer regained custody
of her son. However, had Comtempla-
cion’s case not prompted action from the
Philippine government, Jennifer would
likely still be in jail. More importantly, had
Jennifer been informed of her rights and
the resources that were available to her
while she was living with her husband as a
victim of domestic abuse, she would have
had the support and knowledge to build
a case against her husband and possibly
avoid having had to spend time in prison
for trying to escape the terror she suffered
in their “beautiful home.”
Please send comments to Rodel50@aol.
com or log on to rodel50.blogspot.com
or write to Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at
2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA
94127, or call (415) 334-7800.
He’s been around long enough to assist
the second generation of many families and
at least once, the third generation of a
family. Despite this disheartening reality,
Ken says he is driven by the strength of
survivors who often have no idea how
strong they are.
Nenette Flores
Nenette Flores speaks against domestic
violence with much conviction and empathy
because she knows whereof she speaks—
the San Mateo County accounting officer
survived not one but two abusive
relationships. Tears fall when she tells of the
psychological, emotional, sexual and
physical battery she endured from her
husband in Manila and her second marriage
here in the Bay Area. Family and friends
helped her move on from her abusive
relationship at the beginning and then she
sought the support of CORA. Nenette went
to counseling, group therapy and one-on-
one mentoring, which all helped her reclaim
her self-esteem. Fiercely independent, she
now identifies herself as a CORA Kumare,
speaking out at community events to give
hope to those suffering in silence and
enlightenment to those who deny that
domestic violence can happen to anyone.
“Continue to be aware of the signs and
warnings of abuse,” she said, “Follow-thru
with support groups, help other victims to
realize the abuse and accept the fact that
they are in an abusive relationship.”
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
 galler y warehouse
965 Natoma Street 1465 Custer Avenue
San Francisco CA 94103 (at Third Street)
Rodel E. Rodis tel 415 255-4579
fax 415 255-0453
San Francisco CA 94110
tel 415 642-1056
at to r n e y
o f f h o u r a p p o i n t m e n t s a v a i l a b l e
RGColl@sprynet.com • www.RichardGervaisCollection.com
2429 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco,
California 94127

Tel: (415) 334-7800

Fax: (415) 334-7855

Over 27 years of legal Email: Rodel50@aol.com

experience in immigration,
family law and Blog: rodel50.blogspot.com
civil litigation

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 41

 SALAMAT ADVERTISERS! F i l i p i n a W o m e n ’s N e t w o r k
21
44
40
36
Asian Week
Allstate Insurance Company - Buddy Braganza
Cabanayan Family
Carmen’s Adobo Joint
Sixth Annual Filipina Summit
12 City College of San Francisco THE CHANGING FILIPINA: MEETING THE CHALLENGES
33 Corinthian Medical Staffing
36 Corte Riva Vineyards
T H U, O c t 25 – S AT, O C T 27, 2008 | NEW YORK CITY
40 Delen Family
38 Delen Travel
44 Devonshire Oaks Nursing & Rehab Center
33 Erwin Carracedo, MD
38 Filipino American Arts Exposition / Pistahan
10 Filipino American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI)
47 Fil-Estate Properties, Inc.
42 FWN 6th Annual Filipina Summit
41 Gina Alexander Philanthropy Project
39 Helen Marte-Bautista
44 John Bandfield
36 Kenkoy’s Grill
10 LBC Remittance
44 Macabenta Family
36 Manilatown Heritage Foundation
44 Marietta Almazan MD
41 Owen Photographie
48 Patio Filipino
10 Philippine News
47 Poleng Lounge
48 Ramar Foods
10 Redcape Cinema
39 Reproductive Science Center
41 Richard Gervais Collections
41 Rodel E. Rodis, Attorney
33 S.F. Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce
36 Sobrepena Family
18 The Philippine Center - San Francisco
36 SW Hotel
39 Wholeness in Healthcare
12 Zebulon Restaurant and Bar
33 ZipCar

Message from the Publisher

Continued from p 2
Although Judge Benson said the murder
of Marisa Corpuz, mother of two, was “a Support for Pinay Survivors
murder during a rape or robbery. The
bloody, brutal, gruesome and savage
killing,” he said that he had no choice but to of Domestic Violence in NYC
recent murder case of William Corpuz, who reduce William Corpuz’s sentence to
killed Marisa, his wife and mother of their second-degree murder because the evidence by Johanna Martinez, Filipino American community
two children, shows that we must continue Executive Director of New York City. The FWSP
did not support a finding of deliberation. of FAHSI offers crisis counseling, a
to be vigilant and vigorous in making sure Judge Benson explained that he was bi-monthly support group,
that perpetrators of domestic violence are constrained by limitations in California’s Through a grant from the educational and Pinay/female
punished and that women and girls feel safe laws on homicide to rule as he did. New York City Council’s empowerment workshops
and protected in their own homes. Why should a domestic violence case be Domestic Violence Initiative and case management
On March 14, 2008, members of FWN (DoVE), the Filipino American services. Another goal of the
treated as less important under the law? We Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI) program is to educate our
were in the courtroom when San Francisco need to change the law to send batterers created the Filipina Women’s community about domestic
Superior Court Judge Jerome Benson away for a long time so that women in Support Program (FWSP) in violence, the awareness of
reduced a jury’s first-degree murder verdict abusive relationships feel safe about coming 2007. Based in Queens, New which is sorely lacking. For
in a domestic violence case to second- forward. This legislative campaign should York, FAHSI is a community- more information, please
degree murder. A jury convicted William based organization dedicated contact Ofelia Reyes, FWSP
not take another five years. Join us. to serving marginalized Coordinator, or visit our
Corpuz in May 2007 for slitting his wife’s segments of the Filipino/ website at www.fahsi.org.
throat.

42 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

Why People Stay In
Abusive Relationships
M
any people recognize
they are being
mistreated or even
abused, but choose
to stay in the
relationship for a number
of reasons. When friends or
family members ask them
“Why do you stay?” they
may have a hard time
explaining. After all, it is
never easy to end a
relationship, even a hurtful
one. Below are some of the
common reasons people
stay in unhappy or abusive
relationships. If you are being
mistreated, it might be
helpful to look over this list
and circle the reasons that
might have something to do
with your decision to stay.
1. Love. You love your
partner, and there are still
times when your partner is
very loving.
2. Hope. You have many
memories of happy times, and
hope those times will return.
Your partner may promise to
change, or you may think if
you do things differently, the
abuse will stop.
3. Making light of the
abuse. Your partner may
deny that his or her behavior
is abusive, or act like it’s not
such a big deal, and you want
to believe this. It is very
painful to admit that someone
you love would hurt you,
so you might try to convince
yourself it’s not really that
bad.
Over 4,000
A s i a n w o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n f r o m ac r o s s
the co untry utilize a r ange of services
p r ov i d e d by A s i a n W o m e n ’ s S h e lt e r ( AWS )
in S an F r ancisco each year . AWS turns away
75% of the battered women who call for
shelter because of lack of shelter space .
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
4. Blaming yourself.
Your partner might blame you
for his or her abusive behavior
– saying you mad him or her
angry, or that you did
something to deserve it. A
part of you may believe this.
5. Link between love
and violence. If you grew
up in a home where there
was violence, or if you were
ever hit by a parent and told
they were doing it because
they love you, you might have
learned to think that love and
violence go together.
6. Hopelessness. You
might feel like you’ll never be
able to be happy, you’ll never
find a partner who treats you
any better, or that all
relationships include abuse.
7. Gender roles. If you
are a woman in a relationship
with a man, you may have
learned from family, religion
or culture that men are
supposed to be in charge,
can’t help being violent, or
have the right to discipline
their women. You may believe
that women have to put up
with this behavior and try
to keep their men happy.
8. Embarrassment and
shame. You may not want
to admit what’s going on to
others because you’re afraid
of what they’ll think about
you.
9. Financial
dependence. You may
depend on your partner
for financial support.
10. Lack of supportive
relationships. You may
have become isolated from
your friends and family.
Or, family and friends may
pressure you to stay with
your partner.
11. Fear. Your partner
may have threatened to hurt,
or kill you or someone you
care about if you leave.
12. Not wanting to be
alone. You may panic at the
thought of being without your
partner.
13. Loyalty. You may
feel the right thing to do is
to stick with your partner no
matter what.
14. Rescue complex.
You think you can change,
fix, or heal your partner if
you stay.
15. Guilt. Your partner
may make you feel guilty
about how much it would
hurt him or her if you left.
S/he may even threaten to
commit suicide.
16. Children. If you have
a child with your partner, you
may believe it is best for the
child to have to parents who
are together.
17. Dependency on
drugs or alcohol. Many
people use drugs or alcohol as
a way of coping with abuse,
which then makes them less
clear and strong and makes
it more difficult to leave.
Courtesy of BabaeSF and
Asian Women’s Shelter.
Bakit? (Why?)
By Gloria Ramos
I adore Filipina women! They are fun and
funny! C’mon! Have you ever been to a
“quiet” party hosted by a Filipina? Filipina
women are beautiful inside and out. Not only
are they gorgeous, but also they are ready
to lend a helping hand, amazingly resilient
through difficult times, and they are the
smartest women I know. and “masunurin” kind of folk. The founding
So, why are so many Filipina women in
dysfunctional or abusive relationships?
A friend of mine suggested it was the
“nanay syndrome” (mothering). We are such
a strong lot; we think we can fix it all – and
we offer every attempt to do so. In this day
and age, we still want unmarried children to
live with us and do for them what they should
be doing for themselves. Even when they’re
married, we let them stay on the pretext of
helping them get on their feet.
I know a woman named Betty who lives
with her alcoholic, drug-addicted 27-year-old
son. Betty’s son has stolen from her, been in
and out of jail, and cost her a fortune in legal
fees. Despite his behavior, she always
rationalizes her decision to let him stay at
home. “Hindi ko naman pweding itapon yung
anak ko. Hindi naman tayo gaya ng mga
puti.” (I can’t throw my son away. We’re not
like these white people). What I want to say
to her is that you don’t have to stop loving
him; you may want to stop enabling him.
Let him live on his own. Let him pay his way.
Let him take responsibility for his own actions.
Then there’s this thing called “hiya”
(shame). We don’t want to air out our dirty
laundry. We are ashamed when our significant
other, husband or boyfriend beats us up
physically or emotionally. We are ashamed
when one of our children or family members
is not doing well. It is easier to put on a
happy face.
I ran into a college friend recently, she told
me of her sister Elaine. Elaine was married
and living with her parents. After an argument
with her husband, Elaine’s father held her
down so that her husband could beat her up.
I can’t imagine what anyone could have done
to deserve that. Elaine is quiet, a doctor, and
looks like a movie star. Why did she take it?
She apparently did not deem herself worthy
of respect or better treatment.
Elaine eventually got divorced – after her
husband had drained their bank account and
left her – but she has been in similar abusive
relationships since then. To this day, she
doesn’t talk about her experiences because
of “hiya.”
I have news for you my dear, smart and
gorgeous pinays. IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT! What
others do is not a reflection of what you have
done or deserve. They are the ones trying to
control, blame and, manipulate. The shame
is on them.
“Masunurin.” (obedient) This is our legacy
from 500 years of Spanish colonization and
partly our Chinese heritage. We are
programmed to be obedient. How many of
us boast of our children being “mabait” (kind)
and masunurin? We let our parents choose
our careers. We let employers take advantage
of us because we don’t want to rock the
boat…in the name of obedience and respect!
America wasn’t founded by “mabait”
fathers of this country not only rocked the
boat, they threw away the tea and were
famously disobedient to Mother England.
It took us 500 years to boot the Spanish from
our country. Are you going to wait as long
to get rid of the people who take advantage
of you?
Mother Theresa died and there are
thousands of Filipinas vying for her vacant
spot. Our national motto of “pasensiya ka
na” (be patient) is the culprit. “My husband
has not worked for 1,000 years.” (pasensiya
ka na). “My boss has not given me a raise
since Eisenhower was president.” (pasensiya
ka na). “My son and daughter live at home,
don’t go to work, don’t help with the chores
and I’m working double shifts at the hospital,
and cooking and cleaning too!” (pasensiya ka
na. Bahala na and Diyos! God is in charge!).
Really? I thought the Bible says, “God
helps those who help themselves?” Are you
waiting for your circumstances to change?
The best success stories I have heard are
those about people changing themselves
first. There is no rule that says you have to be
patient with people in circumstances that are
not healthy for you. You can say no. You can
say no more!
My dearest pinays, when are you going
to realize that you are fun and funny, brilliant
and beautiful, giving and caring, talented and
strong, and every bit as deserving of being
treated like a goddess?
Katrina, Continued from p. 17
thunderstorms that she has to hold
and rock them. One student, who
had a picture of him and his brother
on the wall, told Rhonda that he had
made a deal with god that he would
give up all his pictures if god made
this place clean again. “These kids
see on TV all these beautiful places
and they wonder why the place they
live in is so ugly.” Going to work is
“her heaven,” says Rhonda, because
she gets to play with kids all day in a
clean environment. “But as soon as
I get in my car, I’m reminded that it’s
not over yet.”
43
 C o n g r at u l at i o n s o n yo u r p e r f o r m a n c e
Can I Feel Me Now?
by Jodie Olympia

Charina Cabanayan
D evonshire O aks N ursing & R ehab C enter
3635 J efferson A venue , R edwood C ity , CA 94062
650. 366. 0294
W
hy does it seem that male
masturbation is accepted by
mainstream society as a natural
biological function while some
people do not even believe that
female masturbation exists?
I have a friend who is desperate to find
a new boyfriend because she has all this
pent-up desire and she doesn’t know what
to do with herself anymore.
So I ask her, “Have you ever considered
sariling sikap (pleasuring yourself)?”
She was shocked. She couldn’t believe that

Mabuhay!
I would even suggest it.
“Wait, so you mean, you’re no longer a
virgin but you have yet to try masturbating? Jodie Olympia at rehearsal

Congratulations! Have you even looked at yourself down

there?”
Of course she hasn’t. I doubt she even
knows how to find her clitoris!
Grace G. Baldisseri, It dawns on me that there may be masses
Director, “Usaping Puki” of women out there who have yet to discover
and the V-Day New York cast and crew! the power in owning their pleasure. That is
– not relying on someone else to make them
happy, not waiting for someone else to give
– from John Bandfield them satisfaction. Taking what they want!
And as I keep mulling this over, it also occurs
to me that there may come a time, if it isn’t
already upon us, that vibrators will have just
as much impact as higher education in
Mayette Almazan statistically affecting a woman’s decision
THE BIPOLAR SPECTRUM: FIGHTING A to delay having families in favor of pursuing
DISEASE WITH A THOUSAND FACES a career!
BY MARIETTA A.N. ALMAZAN, MD Gasp! What does this mean for
heterosexual and/or bisexual men in their
Price: $49.95 + $6.00-tax, shipping and handling pursuit of willing vaginas?! When women
Book order c/o 916-962-0021 begin to own their pleasure in vast numbers,
specialtycenters@yahoo.com or men (who are attracted to women) will have
w eb s i t e : http://mdbipolar.net/book.html
to step up their game.
Despite its prevalence and impact on society, there I am not talking about responding to spam
continues to be little public knowledge of Bipolar Disorder. e-mails that promise to give you just the thing
It is indeed a treatable illness, and the road to recovery to deceive your partner into thinking you’re
begins with education and awareness. A learning guide bigger and longer than you really are.
for patients and families as well as allied professionals.
I am talking about having the emotional
maturity and desire to understand women’s
needs. Women are multi-faceted, so even
if you’re good in bed, being a lousy
conversationalist who leaves dirty socks
all over the place will no longer cut it!
Yes, read the amended minimum
requirements in the job description:
• Must have skills in both giving and
receiving emotional support
• Must possess complimentary life goals
• Must be able to create and maintain a
genuine rapport that grows stronger
over time.
It’s tough to compete with technology, eh?
Do not worry, men. It’s never too late to
acquire new skill sets to compete in the
new millennium.
What does this mean for women in the
pursuit of pleasure? It’s never too late to
discover your clitoris and take matters into
your own hands.
Jodie Olympia will overcome her fear of
strangers and allow herself to smile more.

C ongratulations , Papa !
We’re very proud of you.

F rom the M acabenta C lan —

Gigi, Ringo, Mercy, Christina, Jack, Paolo,
Anne, Jinx, Kathy, Derick, Vegas, Max,
Cabo, Pepper, Ban-Ban, Mocha and Oreo.

44 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

 S I L E N C E ected are usually

most impor eling proud and confi hters to

dent and
t h e va g i

grow up fe ause I want my daug gainst

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.

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e.
to be una ccep tabl AGAI NST VIOL ENCE BECA USE
Especiall y in I WANT THE UNDH EARD TO BE HEAR D,
Violence robs the hum m y comm unit y. THE HIDD EN TO BE SHOW N,
out of a person and no anity E SPEC IALLY AND YOU to know that you are
deserves that kind of one ag ainst women. not alone .
pain. .
violence.
I am a survivor of WORDS AN
D HANDS
power T BE U S ED
ss the I want to help em SHOUND NO
... I refuse toapa
,
ter n find the THE SPIRIT
r to my daugh
quiet fe women so they ca TO WEAKEN
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E
k the
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THAT HAS BEEN WOMEN cycle and embra
ce AND INSPIR
E..

GENERAT IO N S OF
ME. inner beauty.
IN MY FAMILY BEFORE I truly believe that
nobody in this world
serves
....Every human being de spect.
deserves to be
I believ e in the human spirit Love, dignity and re treated with any
and aspire for tolernace form of violence.
and understanding.
... I belie
ve that a
I cannot ll pain is
wish to s relative,
e n and that
bl he
without s e ek the t
ruth for
i
s W r
eeking to myself
on ly. ou s,
I believe find the
truth fo
s p i f er e
that bre
aking the r others
.
re fam r o ff her
others a silence w
im of
ccountab le ill hold
u
am my mbe y s . T r
v i c t for their
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e b een a voice I r e it fer fo
ha v
I too nce and m ard.
y fo e m un uf se
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on mm ll s cu ould l i v
viole to be he co e a ex . sh
ves w no ce O NE
dF IeLseI rP I N A W O M E N A G A I N S T ... N O
is len
VIOLENCE 45

vio

Filipina Women’s Network
P. O. Box 192143
San Francisco, CA 94119
Phone: 415. 278. 9410
Fax: 415. 840. 0655
E-mail: filipina@ffwn.org
Web site: www.ffwn.org
Mission Statement
Established in 2001, FWN’s
mission is to enhance public
perceptions of Filipina women’s
capacities to lead, change biases
against Filipina women’s
leadership abilities and promote
the entry of Filipina women into
positions of leadership in
corporate, government, and
nonprofit sectors.
FWN achieves its mission through
public education forums that
heighten Filipina women’s
visibility, research on Filipina
women’s issues, leadership, skill
building and career development
programs for Filipina women, and
influencing popular culture.
Goals 2008-09
Increase financial assistance
capabilities to ensure that FWN
educational programs and events
are accessible to Filipina women
of all socio-economic
backgrounds.
Increase FWN’s network of Filipina
women business owners and
those employed in corporations,
government and nonprofit
organizations and utilize the
database as a leadership pipeline
for corporate visibility.
Endow the Filipina Leadership
Development and Womantoring
Program.
Generate operating funds for the
establishment of a national
headquarters and research library
to house our historical collection
documenting the achievements of
Filipina women in the U.S.
46
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
Fundraising Events, Corporate Sponsorships and Naming Opportunities
Partner with the Filipina Women’s Network and support Filipina women, America’s
untapped source for leadership and talent.
FILIPINA WOMEN leaders, to increase the odds that some FILIPINA VOICES: Changing
AGAINST VIOLENCE will rise to the position of president the Face of Power in
Campaign to end violence against in all sectors. Sponsor a “presidential America
Filipina women and girls in candidate.” Call 415.278.9410. Our speakers will engage us in
collaboration with Eve Ensler’s conversation and story-telling ala
V-Day organization. Filipina Women’s “The View”:
Network Magazine
All-Filipina women benefit production Annual publication about the nuances • Being Filipina savvy in the
of “The Vagina Monolgues” (TVM) of Filipina culture, empowerment workplace: more, better, faster
performed in English and Filipino articles, career strategies and • Developing a purposeful career
(“Usaping Puki”). Presented in March highlighting the accomplishments of or business: what about family/
annually in celebration of Women’s Filipina women in the U.S. Publication personal life?
History Month. Two coast-to-coast date: Annually in the Fall. To place • Culture, leadership, presence:
shows (San Francisco and New York) an ad, call 415.278.9410 or go to how to play the game
http://fwnMagazine.EventBrite.com • Lessons from the trenches:
COUNCIL OF REMARKABLE words of wisdom
FILIPINA WOMEN “Kaibigan ng FWN” • The state of the world:
Womantoring Circles – creating a Community Partner Fund how it affects our families and
community of Filipinas helping each Endow research projects and communities
other succeed and cultivating future educational programs about the
community leaders. Sponsor a Filipina American experience.
womantoring circle. Call 415.278.9410. Call 415.278.9410 for naming FWN Professional
opportunities and for sponsorships. Development Series
“V-Diaries:” Anti-Violence The series is based on the 12 Life
Resource Guide Power Lunch 2008: Challenges for Empowerment adapted
Annual publication designed to Remarkable Filipina from the work of Schein, Farren,
provide a voice for domestic violence Women Hudson and Kaye. FWN workshops
survivors and Filipina women and and seminars are designed around
girls in abusive situations including a Make ME a Filipina Millionaire these life areas which represent the
resource list of domestic violence Forum diverse needs of FWN members.
agencies, shelters, legal and counseling Workshop facilitators are invited
services and law enforcement offices. In support of Make Mine a Million specialists who contribute their
Publication date: Annually in March. $$$$$$ Business, a program of Count knowledge for the advancement and
Call 415.278.9410 to place an ad or go Me In for Women’s Economic development of FWN members and
to http://v-diaries.EventBrite.com Independence, Filipina women. The Professional
Development Series can be taken by
Filipina Women Who Filipina entrepreneurs will share their anyone regardless of education, work
Could Be President journey - how they reached their first experience, age or life situation.
Emerging Leaders program for million dollars in business, as they
Filipina women. Building the Filipina work their passion, achieve their
community’s pipeline of qualified dream and share their prosperity
with those who need it.
How to reach the Filipina Women’s Network • P. O. Box 192143, San Francisco, CA 94119 • Phone: 415 / 278. 9410 • Fax: 415 / 840. 0655 • www.ffwn.org.
The views and opinions of advertisers and contributors expressed in this publication do not necessarily state or reflect those of Filipina Women’s Network.
© 2008 Filipina Women’s Network. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be published without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
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FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 47

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