FWN Magazine 2005 - Evelyn Dilsaver

3rd Annual Filipina SummitFilipina First:

Reinventing Ourselves

Filipina Women Who Could Be President

Celebrating Filipina History

Filipina First in the U.S.

Flying High in Silicon Valley

A Woman For All Nations

P R E M I E R E I S S U E 2 0 0 5

FILIPINAW O M E N ’ S N E T W O R K

Evelyn Dilsaver: The Face of the New FilipinaMOTHER • CEO • WOMEN’S ADVOCATE

F I L I P I N A W O M E N ’ S N E T W O R K | w w w . f f w n . o r g02

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I recently found an essay that I wrote in 1992 for a social work class. It is reprinted here because the questions I asked 13 years ago still resonate with me today.

WHY I AM WHERE I AM TODAY I don’t really know why I left the Philippines. In 1969 my parents traveled abroad without taking me; I was enrolled in a “not-of-my-choice university; and I was learning western sociology/psychology. I guess I just wanted to get away. The turning point in my life was when I was accepted at the University of California, Berkeley, to continue my undergraduate studies. Upon looking back, after 25 years, I realized that the decision to leave the Philippines was made solely on that admission. Coming to the United States was not really a change. In fact, it seems to be a logical continuum – a product of colonial education. Knowledge of western culture/values alone cannot shield one from the greatest cultural shock – alienation. I came to Berkeley in the midst of the anti-war and the Third World/ethnic studies/nationalist movement. I found myself swept in the Filipino nationalist and the emergent Filipino-American movement. This was my introduction to a theoretical understanding of why change should be forthcoming; the concepts of imperialism, colonialism, feudalism, etc. In 1972 I left for the Philippines, not certain if I was returning to the U.S. My return to the U.S. was contingent on my acceptance to the graduate program at SF State. It was a difficult stage in my life for I felt alienated in my own culture that I thought I knew. I was not fully accepting of the demands of the Philippine nationalist movement. As Philippine society was in transition, so was I. Fortunately, I received word that SF State accepted my application; and with no hesitation, went to the U.S. Embassy to perfect my student visa. I left in August of 1972 – just 3 weeks before martial law was declared and all travel banned for months. Upon my return I got involved in the anti-fascist (anti-Marcos) struggle and the Filipino-American identity movement. For almost 15 years I was an activist. Active in the study of Marxist ideology and active in the struggle: anti-martial law, anti-war, anti-imperialist, anti-racist, anti-housing demolition, etc. In other words, just caught up in the turmoil of domestic and

world events; worst of all – in the internal upheavals of the “organized left”. In the tumultuous events that led to the downfall of Marcos, the Filipino community that turned out in protest of U.S. support was members of the educated “petit bourgeois” (burgis) and minimally, the “working class” that was the target of our 15 years of organizing. People in the 60’s grow to enter into a mid-life crisis of “where have all the years gone?” It was then I realized that I was a participant to change. Though developments and events external to me were changing and I, a witness to these changes; the internal motion of my life remained the same or unknown to myself. As events change, the people around me did not change. We were for change and yet, when one struggles to understand their situation and in the process begin to alter their inner motion, a supportive environment did not exist. People did not know how to support the changes, only to struggle for change; the process of change, which was more important than change itself, was short-circuited to achieve the end. Why was it necessary to relate my life experience? After 35 years, my life seemed to be predetermined: the condition of my birth, the by-product of who I have become, the historical developments (social movements) I aligned with. I am a product of history. And yet, one would argue that I have actively participated towards change.

– Teresita “Tessie” Zaragoza, 1992

Sometimes we make decisions to change. Often times, change becomes inevitable. When we initiate change, we are in control. When change is unexpected, we sometimes feel like victims. Where am I now? I am in career transition and I’m looking for new challenges. I am grateful for the upcoming 3rd Annual FWN Summit: Filipina First: Reinventing Ourselves – an opportunity to explore, network and build relationships. Life is a journey and its twists and turns provide opportunities to reinvent ourselves. But the key is to seize the the gifts that come along.

Message from the Chair of the Board

3 R D A N N U A L F W N S U M M I T : F I L I P I N A F I R S T

FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK

03

Message from the Publisher

Marily MondejarPresidentFilipina Women’s Network

Tessie ZaragozaChair of the BoardFilipina Women’s Network

WE ARE FILIPINA WOMEN

» Are you encouraged as a Filipina when you have a network of peers to support you?

» Would you like to be part of a community of Filipina women who dare to succeed and help our community members get “seats” at the corporate and political tables?

» Are you the kind of person who likes to be challenged and learn from others?

If you said “yes” to at least one of the questions, the Filipina Summit is the place to be. Our agenda “Filipina First: Reinventing Ourselves” promises to be provocative and introspective. The sessions will stimulate you as a woman, a leader, and a female member of the global community.

We developed four educational tracks to support your world of life and work:» Breaking the Glass Ceiling» Entrepreneurship» Community & Political Empowerment» Personal Leadership Development

Truly exciting is that our pool of speakers are mostly Filipina women. Women mentoring women. Peer-to-peer networking. Filipinas sharing life skills, career tools, and lessons on how to act decisively, think strategically and influence others using real life and business situations.

We convene the Filipina Summit in October because the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the Continental United States was in October 1587 in Morro Bay, California.

So it was important for FWN to create an event that is meaningful and truly celebrates all Filipina women. An event that recognizes the contributions and experiences of Filipinas in America. Three significant ways:

» Filipina First – recognizing the contributions and experiences of Filipina women in America. Our call for

submissions was enthusiastically received. We could feel the pride in every email, document, photo, story submitted.

» Filipina Who Could Be President – this year, we did something different. We asked Filipinas to nominate themselves. Not their friends. Not their colleagues. Not their co-workers. Themselves. Self-empowerment. You want that job? You have to ask for it. You want that promotion? You go for it. Toot your own horn... you’re on your way to becoming President. And FWN will support you all the way.

» FWN Magazine – celebrating the old-fashioned way, getting into print. Launching the premiere issue was quite challenging. We wanted a magazine worth keeping, treasured forever as a testament to who we are and what we are about. So we wrote about Filipina women and this issue is dedicated to all of you who dare.

FWN’s Filipina History celebration begins at the Filipina Summit on October 21-23 in San Francisco. This gathering is for all Filipina women. Come to our annual renewal, a place for rethinking, and reinventing ourselves. Only as one can we make a difference.

Here is what one of our new members said would make her give up “a beautiful weekend to play in the park” and attend the Filipina Summit.

“I am ready to come out of my shell and be inspired again, network with high impact Filipina women who are leading the way for all of us. I want to be with women who are committed to what they do. When I saw the FWN commercial on The Filipino Channel (TFC) and saw all those Filipinas, I knew I want to be around them and renew my spirit once again.”

Join us. Tell us your story.

Filipina Women’s Network is a nonprofit association for women of Philippine ancestry. It enhances public perceptions of Filipina women’s capacities to lead; changes biases of Filipina women’s leadership abilities; and fosters the entry of Filipina women into positions of leadership in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. For more info, visit www.ffwn.org.

How to reach the Filipina Women’s Network • P. O. Box 192143, San Francisco, California 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.

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E

23 About FWN28 About V-Day10 FWN Members04 Kapamilya Community Partners04 Filipina Summit Sponsors

F E AT U R E S25 Filipina Women Who Could Be President05 Filipina First in the U.S.12 Irene Natividad13 Freada Kapor Klein22 Maryles Casto

FILIPINA SUMMIT14 Learning Sessions15 Summit Schedule

O N T H E C O V E R20 Evelyn Dilsaver

A D V E RT I S E R L I S T16 ABS-CBN International07 Alliant International University18 BroadPower Communications21 Costless Maintenance Services19 Creative i Studio21 Edna Murray – Professional Massage Therapist18 Edward Jones – Meg Roces07 Fast Easy Divorce24 Finance Bureau, Inc.02 Genentech25 Home & Garden Realty24 Institute for Image Management18 Manila Bulletin USA25 Marsha Golangco Consultants27 May “K”: The Giovannie Pico Foundation18 MediaFactory.TV21 Philippine News13 Piedmont Piano25 Pre-Paid Legal Services24 Prudential Realty – Vivian Araullo24 RE/Max Realty - Arlene Gaspar07 Robert Half International07 Syndi Seid’s Advanced Etiquette24 Tancinco Law Offices16 The Philippine Center


“Kapamilya” Community Partners

Filipina Summit SponsorsI FI M

Institute for Image Management

Women’sInterculturalNetwork

CALIFORNIAWOMEN’S AGENDA

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMENS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

FILIPINO AMERICANS COMING TOGETHER@ Genentech

San Francisco’sDEPARTMENT ON THESTATUS OF WOMEN

I FI M


O RG A N D O N O RR I G H TS N E T WO R K

The FWN Editorial Team

. . . . ♥ . . . .

DeVoted Publisher M A R I LY M O N D E J A R

Loving Mother of Bobit and Franklin Ricarte

Angel Art DirectorA L S . P E R E Z

Loving Son of Al & Fely Perez

. . . . ♥ . . . .

LoVe Writers

M A R Y K AT E S T I M M L E RLoving Daughter of

William & Margaret Stimmler

C O N N I E L L O R E NLoving wife of Fred Jungmann

S A M A N T H A H . F E R N A N D E ZDedicated Volunteer of FWN

T E S S I E Z A R A G O Z ALoving wife of Rich Carter

Loving mother of Lilla, Danielle & Monique

F R A N K L I N R I C A R T ELoving Rusty and Fernando

R Y A N P I S C O V I C HFriend of FWN

. . . . ♥ . . . .

FWN Board

TESSIE ZARAGOZA Chair

MARILY MONDE JAR President

DINA GUINGONA Treasurer

LAARNI SAN JUAN Director

CONNIE LLOREN VP, Member Relations

GENEVIEVE JOPANDA VP, Youth & Community Advocacy

JESSIC A JALLORINA VP, Communications

© 2005 Filipina Women’s Network. All Rights Reserved. No part of this

publication may be published without the expressed written permission

of the publisher.

3 R D A N N U A L F W N S U M M I T : F I L I P I N A F I R S T 05


T H E A R T S

Zen LopezFirst Filipina to be appointed as Arts and Culture Commissioner, Glendale, CA

In a city with a population of over 30,000 Filipinos, Lopez is the only Filipino in an appointed or elected position. Lopez is an Arts Consultant and Curator of Verbal, Visual and Performing Arts. She chaired the Philippine Heritage month-long celebration in Glendale and is a board member of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in historic Filipino town. As California Arts Council CORO Fellow, Lopez has received recognitions from California State Senator Jack Scott and Assembly member Dario Frommer. A graduate of Philippine Women’s University, Lopez is a former international member of the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company and a Karilagan model who has traveled extensively to over 60 countries and continues to explore, discover and learn from other cultures of the world.

Cristeta ComerfordFirst Filipina-American to become Executive Chef at the White House

After an extensive six-month search and hundreds of applicants, Comerford was appointed executive chef by First Lady Laura Bush who is quoted as saying “[Comerford’s] passion for cooking can be tasted in every bite of her delicious creations.” Comerford had been an assistant chef at the White House for 10 years where she worked under the former executive chef Walter Scheib III. A naturalized U.S. citizen from the Philippines, Comerford is the first woman and first minority to serve as the White House’s head chef. As head chef, Comerford is responsible for designing and executing menus for state dinners, social events, holiday functions, recep-tions and official luncheons hosted by the president and first lady. Comerford has

been trained in French classical tech-niques and specializes in ethnic and American cuisine and has a bachelor’s degree in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines.

Faith RiveraFirst Filipina to win a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Original Song category

Faith Rivera is the first Filipina to win a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Original Song category. Rivera was awarded by the National Television Academy at the May 10th, 2003 Creative Arts Presentation held simultaneously in Los Angeles and New York for her vocal and songwriting work on “Forever Near,” which was featured on NBC’s daytime drama, Passions. Emmy-winning composer John Henry Kreittler had approached Rivera about collaborating to create a song that would be aired on August 26th, 2002 as a special video montage in tribute to young actor Josh Ryan Evans’ character who had been missed by fans since his death. “Forever Near” had been up against two songs from Port Charles and two songs from All My Children. The Emmy-win for Rivera and Kreittler had been the first one ever for Passions.

Elsie B. HammondExecutive Editor and Co-Founder of Military Spouse magazine

Elsie B. Hammond is co-founder and executive editor of the magazine Military Spouse, which was “created to be the source of inspiration for military spouses.” Military Spouse is in its first year of publication. The magazine acts as a celebration of military spouses and their many contributions to the nation. “In the words of Army Spc. Sean Brown, in a letter to his wife, ‘Stay strong, stay tough;’ Military Spouse magazine is here to help military spouses do just that.”

Vangie Canonizado Buell“I worked at International House at UC Berkeley from 1984-1992 as the first Public Events Manager/Coordinator. I started and headed the department with 30 students and career employees. We organized, planned and implemented over 2,000 events a year. International House is a multi-cultural residence and cultural center on the campus. Its mission is to promote international understanding and fellowship among peoples of all nations, races and cultures. Its approxi-mately 600 resident students and scholars represent over 80 countries and close to 50 U.S. states. Notable I-House alumni include Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, W. Michael Blumenthal, economist and former U.S. Ambassador to India, John Kenneth Galbraith, just to name a few.”

Consumers Cooperative of Berkeley, Inc.

“Another ‘Filipina First’ was my position as the Program Coordinator of the Consumers Coop of Berkeley. I served in the member services, community relations, consumer education programs, training and education areas in a span of 25 years supervising over 20 education assistants. I wrote a weekly column in the Co-op News distributed to over 100,000 member families. The Co-op was a consumer-owned chain of shopping centers that included nine supermarkets with annual sales of $82 million with 600 employees.”

City of Berkeley Arts Commissioner, Alameda County, California

“Mayor Shirley Dean appointed me in 1990 to the City of Berkeley Arts Commission. I served as Arts Commis-sioner and Co-Chair of the Commission for four years.”

Clockwise from top left: Military Spouse Magazine, Elsie Hammond, Cristeta Comerford, Faith Rivera and Zen Lopez

Recognizing the contributions and experiences of Filipina women in America.


E D U C A T I O N

Vilma Helms, Ph.DElected to the Jefferson Township Local School Board in Ohio (2003)

One of Helms’ projects is to recommend the best and most qualified teachers and administrators to improve the quality of education in the district. First Filipina in the state of Ohio to present papers about Gifted Education in the World Conference of the Gifted in Hague, Netherlands; Toronto, Canada; Taipei, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Gloria Ysmael Adams, N.C.C., M.Ed.» First Filipina American School

Counselor, Seattle, Washington (1969)

» First woman commander of Bataan Corregidor Survivors Association and Their Families (2000-2004)

H E A LT H S E R V I C E S

Maria Lourdes F. Reyes, M.D.President of the American Cancer Society for the state of California

As President of the California Division of the American Cancer Society (2000-2001) Reyes’ theme was “Bridging the Gaps: Working to Eliminate the Cancer Burden Disparities.” Dr. Reyes is a Pathologist and owner of Community Development Communications, a company for community growth development, and is part of the faculty staff at San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health. Reyes has held many local, statewide and national healthcare leadership positions.

Dr. Reyes was born in the Philippines where she received her M.D. from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila and received Pathology training from St. Louis University Hospital in Missouri with a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Harvard Medical School, and Georgetown University. Reyes has pursued a masters in Public Health (2002) and was an outstanding graduate with an induction into Phi Kappa Phi National Honors. Reyes has been awarded the National Achievement award in Medicine and Education by Filipinas Magazine and has also received the “One in a Million” award from the ACS, California Division.

Rosario Lourdes Carrion-Di RiccoMaster of Arts in Gerontology, San Francisco State University

At 50 years old Ricco went back to school in 1993 to take the Master of Arts in Gerontology program with an emphasis in long-term care. At the time there were only two universities in the Bay Area offering the Gerontology Program. While a student at SFSU, Ricco was working full-time for the California Public Utilities Commission. On June 30th, 2000 then Mayor Willie Brown appointed Ricco as a Commissioner to the City and County of San Francisco Department of Adult and Aging Services and re-appointed her on August 31, 2004. The newly elected Mayor Gavin Newsom again re-appointed

Ricco for another 4-year term. Ricco is currently practicing her profession as a consulting gerontologist.

Maria V. Lazaro-ElemosAwarded Suma Cum Laude in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing’s Accelerated Program at the State University of New York

Melen Gaano Renovilla McBride, Ph.D., R.N.Nurse who received a doctoral degree in philosophy in 1982 from the University of Michigan School of Nursing.

Melen Gaano Renovilla McBride is an alumni of the University of Santo Tomas, School of Nursing. McBride specializes in gerontology and geriatric nursing and has been an active educator, researcher, and practitioner in the field. McBride was awarded the two-year Robert Wood Johnson postdoctoral clinical fellowship from 1989 to 1991; McBride is the first Filipina to complete this fellowship. In 1991 McBride joined the Stanford Geriatric Education Center (SGEC) School of Medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California as a scholar in residence. McBride later became the first Filipina to have the position of associate director of SGEC. The majority of her scholarly and professional activities focus on the health, aging, and cultural practices of ethnic minority elders, especially Filipino-American elders.

M I L I T A R Y

Dr. Yolanda B. Truckenbrodt, Major, USAF (Ret)» First minority woman to graduate as

Weather Equipment Repairman, a traditionally male-dominated field.

» First military female assigned to Weather Maintenance Detachment, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas

» First Filipina and American to win the International Run, Great Wall, China (1998)

» First minority to win the State of Ohio Summer Biathlons Championship Cup (2002)

From top: Rosario Lourdes Carrion-Di Ricco and Rene Nora


M E D I C I N E

Jei AfricaOpenly gay Filipino-born licensed psychologist in the Bay Area

Dr. Jei Africa is a licensed clinical psychologist and a certified addiction treatment specialist. Currently, Africa is CORA’s (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) Clinical Director and head of its Client Services Program. Prior to CORA, Dr. Africa was a manager at Asian American Recovery Services where she provided overall programmatic, administrative and financial oversight to youth treatment services.

Africa has been involved with a number of different Filipino-based and commu-nity based organizations:» Filipino Task Force on AIDS

(as a Board Member and now their Clinical Consultant)

» KAPAG (an informal group of Filipino mental health and social service providers in San Mateo county)

Africa was born in Pasay City, grew up in Quezon City, and received her BA in Social Sciences in 1992 from the University of the Philippines. Africa received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology, Alameda, California in June 2002.

Rena M. Nora, M.D.» Chief of Psychiatry Service at the Lyons

VA Medical Center in New Jersey and one of the first Asian American Female Psychiatry Service Chiefs in the VA system (1975).

» The first Filipina to be appointed as Commissioner in the Governor’s Commission for Mental Health and Developmental Services in Nevada (2000).

» The first Filipina to receive the Herman Goldman Award, the highest award of the National council on Problem Gambling, given in recognition of more than 20 years of documented work with problem gamblers and their families.

» The first Filipina President of the Nevada Chapter’s American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Dr. Nora is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nevada’s School of Medicine and a retired Lt. Col. of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Juliana Sustento Seneriches, M.D.Admitted to the Harvard School of Medicine Psychiatry Residency Program (1966)

» Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Philippine Board of Psychiatry

» Fellow, American Psychiatric Association and Philippine Psychiatric Association

» Founding Fellow, Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists

» Visiting Consultant, West Visayas State University-West Visayas Medical Center, Dept. of Psychiatry Consortium, Iloilo City, ILoilo, Philippines

» Lecturer, U. C. Davis School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

“In 1966 when 80% of my University of the Philippines School of Medicine graduating class availed of the Tydings-McDuffy immigration restrictions, I had stayed behind fired by the youthful wish “to serve my countrymen.” Later, I was recommended to The Harvard School of Medicine and was accepted as a second year resident and a teaching fellow. I became the first Filipino to be in a Harvard School of Medicine Psychiatry residency program.

When I arrived at Boston City Hospital campus, I was ushered to the Nurses Quarters. When I asserted that I was a doctor and wanted to be in the doctors’ quarters, they put me up in the upper-most floor. The next year, I was chosen to be the chief resident of the Psychiatry Out-Patient Department. The rest of my colleagues were men and were much older than me. That same year, the department head published the Lange’s Series handbook of Psychiatry and I authored a chapter. In the 80’s, I co-authored the first book on psychiatry about Filipino-Americans.”

ALLIANTINTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

ARebecca Turner, Ph.D.Organizational Consulting and Executive CoachingProfessor, California School of Professional Psychology Alliant International University

Visit the Alliant website for information about the master’s and doctoralprograms we offer in clinical psychology, organizational psychology, and educational leadership at the San Francisco campus.

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STRETCHYO U R F I N A N C E A N DAC C O U N T I N G S TA F F

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F I L I P I N A W O M E N ’ S N E T W O R K | w w w . f f w n . o r g

MEDIA, POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Jacqueline Lingad-RicciAppointed to become Vice President and later President of the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Commission.

Lingad-Ricci was first appointed by former Mayor Willie Brown and was given a second term to serve another four years by Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Recently Lingad-Ricci has been co-hosting at a Filipino-American radio talk show called “Filipina First and Foremost” produced by Caroline Suleiman Ocampo.

Rozita Villanueva Lee» First Filipina producer and on-camera

co-host of television program, “SPECTRUM” on Channel 10-TV, PBS in Las Vegas, NV. The program was a half-hour segment each week during the years of 1981-1983.

» First Filipina elected president of the Women’s Democratic Club of Clark County (1995); one of the oldest women’s organizations.

» First Filipina appointed special assistant to Governor of Nevada, Bob Miller from 1989-1991.

» First Filipina and founding chairwoman of the Asian Chamber of Commerce Board in Las Vegas (1994-1996)

» First Filipina producer of Polynesian Revue at a Las Vegas Strip Hotel, Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino, which is in its 14th year.

Charito Benipayo» First woman president of United

Pilipinos of Alameda (UPA) who co-founded the Battered Women Shelter

» First Woman President of Pilipino American Political Association (PAPA) who registered hundreds of voters and received a Votingest Award (1976) from the former mayor of Alameda County, Chuck Corica.

» First president of FilAm Council of Alameda County – now NAFAAA.

» First Filipina woman appointee to Alameda Police Department to assess racial climate in the county

» First Filipina president of Business Professional Women (Alameda)

» First Filipina to serve on the Children’s Interest Commission (Alameda)

» First Filipina to serve as member of the Health Board Commission (Alameda)

» First Filipina to serve on the Human Relations Board (Alameda)

Elena GonzalesElena Gonzales was the first Filipina Deputy District Attorney in California (1978). Gonzales is now an Administra-tive Law Judge with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Prior to that Gonzales had been assistant chief trial counsel of the state bar, the first Filipina in that position as well.

Marie-Lorraine MallareMaria-Lorraine Mallare is the first Filipina appointed to the Immigrant Rights Commission S.F. (1998), the first Filipina member on the S.F. Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (1999), and the first Filipina Associated Students Vice President at San Francisco State University (1997).

Eleanor NisperosFirst Filipina admitted to the California Bar (1971). First Filipina Deputy Attorney General in California.

Thelma Garcia BuchholdtMember of the Alaska Bar Association and elected to a state legislature in the U.S.

An attorney, Thelma Garcia Buchholdt is the first and only Philippine-born member of the Alaska Bar Association and the first Filipina-American woman elected to a state legislature in the United States. Buchholdt has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) since 1987, and is currently the national president of FANHS. Buchholdt is also the author of Filipinos in Alaska: 1788 – 1958, an identification of Alaska’s Filipino pioneers.

Buccholdt was born in Claveria, Cagayan province, northern Philippines. Buchholdt earned her Juris Doctor degree from the District of Columbia School of Law, renamed David Clarke School of Law, which is now part of the University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

In 1974, Buchholdt was elected to the Alaska State House of Representatives in a predominantly white working class district in Anchorage. She was re-elected three times, serving her constituents for a total of eight years. Since 1972, Buchholdt has been the only Filipina on the Alaska State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission for Civil Rights; and since 2002, the only Filipina on the Alaska Supreme Court Judicial Outreach Commission.

In 1980, Buchholdt initiated the formation of the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center, a nonprofit, tax exempt organiza-tion that nurtures, promotes, and shares Filipino and other Asian music and dance, customs and traditions with the people of Alaska. Elected president of the Filipino Community of Anchorage, Alaska, Inc. in 1973, Buchholdt became the first female president of this organization and remains an active member to this day.

Cheryl B. Moss» First Filipina and first Asian American

elected to the Judicial District Court Family Division in Nevada ( 2000).

» Moss was elected in 2000 and re-elect-ed in 2002 to the 8th Judicial District Court Family Division and is currently serving a six-year term.

» Moss is the first judge in Nevada to institute a pilot program in the 8th Judicial District Court, referring parents in child custody cases for problem gambling assessments.

» Moss is an active community leader, working with organizations such as the Task Force on Gang Prevention, the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, UNLV Boyd Law School, the Clark County Bar Association, the Clark County Library District, and many Filipino organizations.

» Judge Moss was elected in November 2000 defeating her opponent by a nearly 60% to 40% margin and she was re-elected in November 2002 for 6 more years.

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Judge Cheryl B. Moss attended college at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., then went on to law school at Catholic University, where she was a student at night and working full-time by day. Moss graduated Magna Cum Laude in the top 25% of her law school class in 1994.

Moss does 24-hour fax duty for Tempo-rary Protective Orders in cases of domestic violence and is a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the American Judges Association, and the Nevada District Judges Association. Teresita Bautista» 1964 – First Filipina at Notre Dame

High School in Alameda, CA to be elected Senior Class President, MVP of the varsity volleyball team, and “Most Likely To Succeed” at graduation.

» 1971 – First Filipina to organize and build a community institution, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, now an essential community-based organization for services and advocacy to the San Francisco Bay Area community.

» 1972 – First Filipina to receive UC Berkeley Minority Scholarship in Education.

» 1973-78 – First Filipina to serve the Oakland Public Schools as the District Filipino Liaison. Organized the Filipino Youth Development Council, the first Filipino Bilingual program in Oakland, Oakland Public Schools’ Filipino Teachers Association with over 50 members, and created “Asians Now” for KTVU (FOX), a first-time bilingual news and magazine program with a Filipino segment. In addition, Bautista served on the board of the Asian Library, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, Oakland Museum Cultural Guild, and the Filipino Peoples Far West Convention.

» 1990-04 – Appointed Community Relations Director and Director of Medical Interpreter Services of a large county hospital. In addition, founded the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA).

Lorna DietzLorna Dietz became the president of the San Francisco Rotary club in 1999-2000. Dietz is the first Filipina American to have become the president of a Rotary club in the Bay Area.

Vida Benavides» First Filipina to serve as a political

and finance strategist by consulting National Democratic Presidential campaigns.

» First Filipina to consult any presidential campaign – Democrat and or Republican.

» First Filipina to serve at a senior level position at the Democratic National Committee- Director of Public Liaison.

» First Filipina to establish national public service campaigns in the area of civic engagement such as Get-Out-The Vote and Day of Remembrance PSA’s- Japanese Internment Experience.

» First Filipina to intern on Capitol Hill; interned in mid-80s for Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan).

UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY Dittas A. FormosoPresident of the Philippine Computer Society. Formoso was the first Filipina president of the Filipino computer society who organized the first IT Professional’s Congress in 1996 where the Code of Ethics of IT Professionals were presented to then President Fidel Ramos. Formoso also organized the first Philippine Summit on Women and Technology in July 2005 along with the Women’s Business Council of the Philippines.

Chris RobertsonThe first Filipina, or more importantly – woman, hired as a cablesplicer for utility company PG&E in the state of California.

B U S I N E S S

Grace Rodriguez WelchFirst Filipina Mom Inventor, founder and president of Patemm & Company

Grace Rodriguez Welch is the inventor of the award-winning patented round diaper changing pad called the Patemm Pad – named after her two children: Patrick and Emma. Parents across the country are raving about Welch’s Patemm Pads, including “Friends” actress Courteney Cox-Arquette. Welch’s Patemm Pads have been featured in People, Parents, Parenting, Real Simple magazine, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Seattle Times. The Patemm Pads were also named 2005 Product of the Year by Fit Pregnancy magazine and most recently iParenting Media Awards recently recognized Patemm™ Pads as an Outstanding Product of 2005.

From far left: Rosario Lourdes Teresita Bautista, Lorna Dietz, Cheryl Moss, the “Patemm Pad,” Grace Rodriguez Welch and Chris Robertson

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{ A }Abad, DebbieAccountantUSS Hornet MuseumP.O. Box 460 Pier 3, Alameda Point Alameda, CA [email protected]

Abriam, RosieEngineering Applications ManagerNew Focus, Inc.2584 Junction AvenueSan Jose, CA 95134408.919.1536 work [email protected] guru, engineer

Afan, SusanRegional Vice PresidentRobert Half International50 California St., 10th flrSan Francisco, CA 94111415.434.1900 [email protected] resource recruitment

Aglipay, Elaine YanHarvard Business SchoolKennedy School of [email protected]

Alegre, JossieVice President, External AffairsHeartBridge International Foundation510.590.2028 [email protected] & Finance, non-profit, management

Alikpala M.D., Agnes1580 Valencia St. #601San Francisco, CA 94110415.285.6210 work [email protected]

Araullo, Vivian Z.RealtorPrudential Realty180 El Camino Real San Bruno, CA [email protected] estate, video production, public relations

Aroy, MarissaProducerThe Media Factory / Wide Angle Pictures372 Euclid Ave, Ste 105Oakland, CA 94610510.295.4305 phone

510.368.0580 [email protected], documentary film and television, journalism

Ashley, Ruthy CatolicoMember, Board of Governors; State Bar of California Assistant Dean, Career & Professional DevelopmentUniversity of the PacificMcGeorge School of Law3200 5th AvenueSacramento, CA 95817916.739.7099 [email protected]

Atanacio, SheleneActorwww.sheleneatanacio.comshelene.atanacio@ sbcglobal.net415.572.2474 phone

{ B }Barton, BabeRecreation TherapistCenter for [email protected] phone

Bautista, TerryPrincipalTCB Consultants510.533.8781 [email protected]

Borromeo, Linda P.DirectorInternational Museum of Women323 Geary St., Ste. 317San Francisco, CA 94102plantacion_asia@ sbcglobal.netwww.imow.org

Brion, Lilian AlcantaraVice PresidentLabco Inc.Regulatory EconomistMinnesota Public Utilities Commission6310 Stillwater Blvd.Oakdale, MN 55128651.297.7864 [email protected]

Briones-Ubalde, AgnesExecutive DirectorSan Francisco Small Business Commission; Office of Small Business AffairsSan Francisco City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, Room 448San Francisco, CA 94131415.554.6134 [email protected]/sbc

Public policy; management, small business services; community and economic development

Buell, VangieInternational HouseUC BerkeleyBerkeley, CA [email protected] phoneAuthor, speaker, performer

Bueno-Johnson, BeverlyDistrict Public Records Act CoordinatorDept. of Transportation111 Grand AvenueOakland, CA 94623510.604.9419 [email protected] outreach, event coordination, public relations

Bustos MPA, Ana Marie Guinto4617 Country Hills DriveAntioch, CA 94531925.777.0757 [email protected]

{ C }Calub, Vicky ServillonCFOHyatt Regency Subway 5 Embarcadero CenterSan Francisco, CA 94111415.986.4622 phone

Casteel, Edna MabanesFiscal Officer & Pre-Award Manager (Former Director and Manager)California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute123 Farallones StreetSan Francisco, CA [email protected] and Finance Federal, State, Private, Grant Management – Pre and Post Award

Carrion-Di Ricco M.A., Rosario L “Puchi”President / OwnerOperation Wishing StarPO Box 460176San Francisco, CA 94146415.370.9448 [email protected], community relations, public relations/fund raising

Choy, CarmenExecutive Director

Filipino Bar Association of Northern California268 Bush Street, #2928San Francisco, CA [email protected]

Cortez, Polly SRegional QA ManagerDepartment of TreasuryWest Region925.876.7695 [email protected]

{ D }De Castro, Socorro “Kit”Musical DirectorLandsberg ProductionsPiedmont Piano Company4382 Piedmont AvenueOakland, CA 94611510.547.8188 [email protected]

De Jesus, Melinda Professor, Asian Pacific Asian Pacific American StudiesArizona State UniversityTempe, AZ 85287-4603480.727.7340 work

Delen, SoniaPrincipalBank of America Leasing415.203.8111 cell415.765.7372 [email protected]

Devis, SonyFinancial ConsultantLau Financial Services650.401.4672 [email protected]

Dietz, Lorna LardizabalStrategic Business ConsultantRadiantView.com2390 Powell Street, Ste 402San Francisco, CA 94133415.235.9884 [email protected] relations, marketing communications, strategic business consulting

Dunham, ChristinaAssociate PublisherFilipinas Magazine1580 Bryant StreetDaly City, CA 94015415.341.5812 cellcontact@christina dunham.comMarketing strategy, business development/sales, loyalty marketing

Dwyer, GenevievePresidentGenevieve’s Corporation

582 Market Street, Ste 717San Francisco, CA 94104415.822.2222genevieves@sbcglobal.netwww.fasteasydivorce.comAlternative medicine, real estate, paralegal

{ E }Edralin, Stella M.Attorney at LawLaw Office of Stella M. Edralin220 Montgomery, Ste 1109San Francisco, CA 94104415.399.9900 [email protected] planning, employee benefits law, ERISA and HIPAA compliance.

{ F }Fernandez, NerissaMarketing ServicesABS-CBN International859 Cowan RoadBurlingame, CA 94010650.652.6691 office650.921.7002 mobile650.697.1736 [email protected]

{ G }Garcia, Charina P.PrincipalCornerstone Law Group595 Market St., Ste 2360San Francisco, CA 94105415.357.2096 [email protected] law

Gaspar, Arlene CRealtorRE/MAX AccordDanville Branch111 Provence RoadDanville, CA 94506650.465.0393 cell800.519.3001 office925.838.4100 RE/MAX 925.736.3066 [email protected] estate, mortgage loans and business management

Gibson, Kathleen PradoOffice ManagerReal Estate ServicesUC San Francisco415.353.4750 [email protected]

Golangco, MarshaPresidentMG ConsultantsP.O. Box 1088Alamo, CA 94507925.946.1006 phone

[email protected]

Guillermo, TessiePresident and CEOCommunity Technology Foundation of CaliforniaOne Rincon Center101 Spear St., Suite 218San Francisco, CA 94105415.371.8808 [email protected]

Guingona, [email protected] accounting, human resources

Guingona M.A., Teresa [email protected]

{ H }Hipolito-Estilo, EileenV/P, Manager Projects Banking Group Support Northern California-Nevada Bank of America415.436.3456Hipolitoestilo4@comcast.netwww.bankofamerica.com

Hondrada, MariaPresidentIsland Huts, Inc3377 Veer Valley Rd #308Antioch, CA 94531925.754.3580 [email protected]

{ J }Jallorina, JessicaAccount ManagerTelogy, Inc.3200 Whipple RoadUnion City, CA 94587510.675.9500 [email protected] and marketing, telecommunications, wireless and electronic test equipment

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{ K }Kagawan-Lucas, AnneSales Representative, VWR International Vice President – Internal Affairs, JMDIAA1482 7th AvenueSan Francisco, CA [email protected]

FWN Members

10 F I L I P I N A W O M E N ’ S N E T W O R K | w w w . f f w n . o r g

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Kerwick, Christina OcampoPresidentAsean International767 Pradera WaySan Ramon, CA [email protected]

{ L }Leano, ChristinaExecutive DirectorAyala Foundation, USA255 Shoreline Dr., Ste 128Redwood City, CA 95065650.598.3126 [email protected]

Legaspi, LizaAccount ExecutiveIntertrend Communication555 East Ocean Blvd. 9th FlrLong Beach, CA 90802562.733.1852 [email protected]

Lingad-Ricci, JacquiePresident, HeartBridge International Foundationcharity@HeartBridgeIntl.orgwww.heartbridgeintl.orgCommissioner, San Francisco Juvenile Probation CommissionPresident & Managing Director, Travel Industry Professional Services, LLC dba CruiseTipsLLC445 Washington StreetSan Francisco CA 94111415.956.0228 [email protected] travel, juvenile issues, non-profit foundation

Lloren, ConnieStaff Accountant and Stock Plan AdministratorWillis Lease Finance Corporation2320 Marinship Way, Ste 300Sausalito, CA [email protected], financial analysis, stock plan administration

Luluquisen, EvelynHuman Resources Manager, Communications & Network ServicesUC BerkeleyBerkeley, [email protected] phone

{ M }Macababayao, ImeldaGeneral Manager5th Avenue Financial1553 Bennington CourtStockton, CA 95209866.587.2719 [email protected], commercial, & equipment leasing loans

Malay MFT, Paulita L.PsychotherapistMills Park Plaza715 El Camino Real #211San Bruno, CA [email protected]

Mangahas, ElenaCo-ChairpersonLittle Manila Foundationwww.littlemanila.net209.351.2428 [email protected]

Marania, Vilma426 27th Street, Suite 204BOakland, CA 94612415.262.2093 work phone415.760.9612 [email protected], disposition and development commercial real estate transactions; residential investments

Marilla, LovejoyInformation Services and Data Processing Services 121 Lindbergh StreetSan Mateo, CA 94401650.580.9505 [email protected] & Marketing, retail sales & merchandising, broadcasting

Maristela, TriciaCEOFuturity, [email protected] services, community development

Mathias, PeachyTV ReporterABS-CBN International The Filipino Channel150 Shoreline DriveRedwood City, CA [email protected] gathering, news production, public relations

Mausisa, VictoriaProject ManagerKaiser Permanente34 Sonia Street

Oakland, CA 94618510.316.8543 [email protected]

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Mendoza, TisaPresidentBeing Real Media, Inc.650.483.9757 [email protected]

Mesina, CharmaineAttorney; Managing Director, Corporate Legal ServicesApplied Materials2881 Scott Blvd. M/S 2062P.O. Box 58039Santa Clara, CA 95054408.463.2153 [email protected]

Mondejar, MarilyExecutive DirectorInstitute for Image ManagementPO Box 190007San Francisco, CA 94119415.863.2573 [email protected] development, executive career coaching, change management

Murray, Edna BiscochoClerk, Alameda CountyProfessional Massage Therapist510.261.2265 [email protected]

{ O }Ocampo, BlesildaChild Support OfficerSan Francisco Department of Child Support Services415.867.2544 [email protected]

Ordonio-Dixon, LindaSenior Trial AttorneyEqual Employent Opportunity Commission (EEOC)350 The EmbarcaderoSan Francisco, CA 94105415.625.5654 phone

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{ P }Pallas, Consuelo “Chelo”SEC and GAAP Compliance ManagerURS Corporation2440 Bush Street, Unit #CSan Francisco CA 94115415.744.2758 work phone415.716.7280 [email protected] and Finance, human resources, management information systems

Parina, June FrancesManager, Media RelationsThe Blueshirt Group 415.217.4968 [email protected]

Parmelee-Cabrera, PearlCommunity Relations & DevelopmentPhilippine Childrens Fund510.858.4215 [email protected]

Pico, GiovannieActor429 Elm AvenueSan Bruno, CA 94066310.869.4993 [email protected], voice over

Puno-Juliana, RachelAttorney at Law1135 Park Pacifica AvenuePacifica, CA 94044408.563.9098 [email protected] and Intellectual Property Law

{ R }Remigio, LorraineAsst. Vice PresidentHeffernan Insurance Brokers1350 Carlback Ave. Ste 200Walnut Creek, CA [email protected]

Robertson, Chris L.Electrical Systems Operator, PG&EPresident, JMDIAA4801 OakportOakland, CA 94609510.653.4946 [email protected]

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San Juan-Geronimo, LaarniPublic Health NurseSan Mateo County Public Health Department107 Huron AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94112415.608.9979 [email protected] child health, parenting workshops

Schmid, MaryannOwnerThe Lodge at Blue Lakes5135 West Highway 20Upper Lake, CA 95485-9513707.275.2181 phonemaryann@thelodgeatbluelakes.comwww.thelodgeatbluelakes.comhospitality management, real estate

{ T }Tancinco, LourdesAttorney, PartnerTancinco Law OfficesOne Hallidie Plaza, Ste. 818San Francisco, CA 94102415.397.0808 [email protected]

Tintiangco, VirnaDirector, Business DevelopmentJeeba [email protected]

Tursi, Carmelita M.Associate State DirectorAARP California200 Pine Street, Suite 700San Francisco, CA 94104415.986.3324 [email protected]

{ U }Uichanco, ChristinaFernandez & Associates, LLP1047 El Camino Real, Ste 201Menlo Park, CA 94025 650.325.4999 phone

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{ V }Villahermosa De Guzman, Anne MarieOffice Manager, Dixon Landing Family Dental Care1786 Milmont DriveMilpitas, CA 95035408.942.7791 [email protected] management, dental care operations, customer service

Villavicencio Schmid, RitaVP, Sales & MarketingThe Lodge at Blue Lakes5135 West Highway 20Upper Lake, CA 95485-9513707.275.2181 [email protected] & marketing, public relations

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{ Y }Yap, Bettina SantosMarketing ConsultantSun Microsystems408.276.6239 work [email protected]

Yuchengco, Mona LisaFounder, Chair and Executive DirectorPhilippine International Aid 5226 Diamond Heights BlvdSan Francisco, CA 94131415.401.7157 [email protected] Media, Non-Profit

{ Z }Zaragoza, Teresita “Tessie”Community AdvocateOrgan Donor Rights Network510.229.8216 [email protected]

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MMargaret Thatcher once said, “In politics, if you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” She should have added that if you want something done, the woman to ask is Irene Natividad, whose life’s work is empowering women politically and economically.

“I’m not into whining,” Natividad said. “That really bores me. You have to look at problems head on and be part of the solution. You have to have a positive attitude. In other words, you must not only envision change, but you must see yourself as the agent of change.” Natividad, who is a native of the Philippines, has acted on her belief that the key to political progress is the empowerment of women. She served as the first Asian American president of the National Women’s Political Caucus, a national bipartisan organization dedicated to electing and appointing more women to public office. Before heading that organization from 1985 to 1989, she was the Deputy Vice Chair of the Democratic Party’s Asian Caucus.

“Women have not had access to leadership roles because their work is devalued and stereotypes abound as to what women can or cannot do,” she said. “I

can’t believe there has been such a brouhaha lately about an American woman serving as president on television. The Philippines, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, India, Sri Lanka and many other countries have been led by women, but not the United States. Women haven’t been considered for the presidency in this country because we haven’t had role models in women’s political leadership. If we look around the world, we see the stereotype is wrong.”

Natividad knows the struggle for women’s equality is global and has traveled the world speaking and organizing women’s groups. She is the president of the Global Summit for Women – now referred to as “the Davos for Women by past participants – which brings together women from around the world to share best practices in advancing women’s economic status worldwide. The most recent Summit, which took place in Mexico, was visited by Mexican President Vicente Fox and international leaders from 75 nations. Previous summits have been held in Seoul, Marrakesh, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, London, Miami, Taiwan, Dublin and Montreal.

Natividad’s Filipino heritage has guided her toward international work. “Filipinos have a strong desire for community and I have tried to bring people together from around the world,” she said. “I don’t look like a typical American. I have a Latino sounding name and look dark – all of which makes it easier for me to be accepted abroad as a global citizen.”

Natividad has often worked for political progress through economic advancement. “It’s politics that drives me,” she said, “but politics and economics are very much intertwined. When a woman brings money home to her family, she acquires power. Studies have shown that when a woman’s earning power increases, the family’s welfare improves as well. Having her own income also allows women to venture

into politics, at the very least, to exercise their right to vote; or at most, to run for office.

As Chair of WomenVote USA, Natividad has also worked to increase American women’s participation at the voting booth. Currently, only half of American women vote. Natividad bemoans structural barriers that prevent all voters, male and female, from casting their ballot because of conflicts with work and family schedules. “Whose idea was it to schedule voting on a workday? Because it’s on a Tuesday, women are sometimes faced with the choice of going to work, picking up the kids after school or voting. Often voting doesn’t come first.”

Natividad also co-chairs Corporate Women Directors International, which promotes the participation of women on corporate boards around the world. “The budget

IRENE NATIVIDAD A Woman for All Nations


Looking to the Future: A Level Playing Field will be the keynote address given by Freada Kapor

Klein, Ph.D., Founder and Board Chair of Level Playing Field Institute as the closing message to the “Filipina First: Reinventing Ourselves” – 3rd Annual Filipina Summit on Sunday morning, October 23.

Her special presentation will use a powerful combination of film, song, story and critical thinking about workplace equity, strategies on reinvention, and ways Filipina women can fully participate in the workplace by understanding the processes and attitudes in business environments.

A level playing field is the American dream – individuals advancing in the workplace based on their capabilities: no hidden barriers, no obstacles, no unfair advantages. It should be about what you know, not whom you know, or where you grew up. Sadly, it’s more myth than reality.

With this in mind, Freada Kapor Klein and Mitchell Kapor, both serial entrepreneurs and

both highly committed to work-life quality, decided to do something about it. Freada founded the Level Playing Field Institute. Mitchell Kapor is best known for creating Lotus Development Corporation and the designer of Lotus 1-2-3.

In 1976 Freada co-founded the first organization in the United States to offer training and consultation on the topic of sexual harassment and became the leading expert witness and sexual harassment/diversity consultant for Fortune 500 companies and professional services firms.

Freada has been interviewed for numerous publications, including: Business Week, the Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Fortune, the Harvard Business Review, the Los Angeles Times, the National Law Journal, Newsweek, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Television appearances include: “The Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News” with Tom Brokaw, “Prime Time Live,” “Nightline,” “The MacNeil-Lehrer Newshour,” “20/20,” “CBS This Morning,” and “Good Morning, America.”

FREADA KAPOR KLEIN

A Level Playing Field

of some corporations,” she said, “is larger than that of some countries. Corporations make decisions that affect thousands of lives, so it’s important to know the composition of corporate boards and whether women’s voices have been included. Women are the majority of consumers in products ranging from cars to health care. Their presence on boards can provide valuable insight into this important market.” That is why CWDI has issued reports on women directors in the largest companies in Australia, Canada, Japan, Spain, and South Africa. It also released in 2005 the first-ever report on women directors of the largest companies in Latin America. In CWDI’s 2004 report on Women Directors in the Fortune Global 200 Companies, it found that only 10.8% of board seats are held by women in the 200 largest companies in the world.

Given the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. economic doldrums, Natividad admits that keeping a positive outlook while being an activist and confronting inequalities everyday can be a challenge. “However, I have infinite faith in women’s

creativity,” she said. “No matter what barriers women face, they find a way to manage. They become entrepreneurs even without access to credit from banks worldwide. They are now almost half of the workforce all over the world, even when discriminatory practices are still in place even in the U.S. They have run for political office in increasing numbers, even when financial support still lags for most women candidates. Women have remarkable courage and persistence and they use it to survive and thrive. I’m very proud of them and they are what keeps me going.”

Natividad has been awarded several honors including two honorary doctorates from Long Island University and Marymount College for her work on behalf of women. She has also been recognized by the media and has been named Women’s eNews “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” in 2004; one of Working Mother Magazine’s “25 Most Influential Working Mothers;” and one of Campaigns and Elections Magazine’s “74 Women Changing American Politics.” In 1988 she was named as one of Ladies Home Journal’s “100 Most Powerful Women in America.”


Celebrating Filipino History Month in October!

The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) brings together Filipina women, corporate America’s untapped source of leadership at a time when economic, social and political challenges demand new levels of talent and innovation.

FWN strives to meet this demand by providing Filipina women the knowledge and resources and by building a network of women who dares to change the landscape of the leadership in today’s workplace. This year’s theme “Filipina First: Re-inventing Ourselves is about fostering new thinking, stimulating new actions, and creating new results.

At this three-day gathering, Filipina women will articulate a progressive agenda to develop new strategies, expand and enhance current personal and professional situations, and share ideas about reinvention as a vehicle for social change.

The following learning and development tracks will take a holistic approach to examining the different factors affecting the Filipina woman’s ability to lead productive and meaningful lives: » Personal Leadership Development » “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” » Entrepreneurship » Community & Political Empowerment

Filipina Summit Learning Sessions

A. Breaking the Glass Ceiling”

A1. Opening Keynote by Irene Natividad: “Filipina First: Re-inventing Ourselves”

A2. Remarkable Filipina Women: Developing Organizational Savvy

A3. Own Your Future: Strategic Mentoring (how to leverage the power of mentoring circles)

A4. How to Get Published for Instant Credibility

A5. Business Dining Etiquette (tutorial lunch)

A6. Filipinas in Motion

Roundtable Discussions (Mirror, Mirror on the Wall)

B. Entrepreneurship

B1. Coming Home: Doing Business in the Philippines

B2. Road to Entrepreneurship

B3. Smart Financing for You and Your Future

C. Community & Political Empowerment

C1. Filipino Pop Culture: the Development of the Filipino Image in America (truths, lies, secrets and legacies)

C2. Run, Filipina Run: Campaigning to Win

C3. YouthSpeak: Growing Up Bi-Cultural in the U. S.

C4. Developing Our Community of Influence

D. Personal Leadership Development

D1. Kali, Filipino Martial Art of Self Defense: Calm in the Storm

D2. Clear Eye for a Filipina Style: What Your Image Says About You

D3. Emotional Intelligence

D4. Closing Keynote by Freada Klein - Looking to the Future: A Level Playing Field

D5. The Power of Feng Shui: Achieving Fulfillment and Success in Your Life

E. Celebrating Filipina Women Artists at FWN Theatre (fundraiser to benefit Filipina Women Against Violence)

E1. Special performance by Faith Rivera

E2. A special presentation from The Vagina Monologues

E3. Underneath the Smile

E4. Dead Woman Home

F. Career Fair @ the FWN Expo Featuring resume critiques,

career coaching, conducting a job search and corporate recruiters will be on hand to attract Filipina women into joining their organizations. Bring a batch of your resumes!

“People get trapped into thinking

about just one way of doing things.”

ERIK WEIHENMAYER, Blind Rock Climber

FILIPINA SUMMITF I L I P I N A F I R S T : R E I N V E N T I N G O U R S E L V E S

Filipina Women’s NetworkThird Annual

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D AY O N E : F R I D AY, O C T O B E R 2 1

8:00 am – Check-in / Registration 9:00 am

9:00 am – Concurrent Sessions 12:00 pm Clear Eye for a Filipina Style Kali, Filipino Martial Art of Self Defense: Calm in the Storm

12:00 pm – Career Fair @ the FWN Expo1:50 pm Visit exhibits. Bring your brown bag lunch to the Career Fair

Business Dining Etiquette (tutorial lunch, additional fee)

2:00 pm – Concurrent Sessions3:30 pm Smart Financing for You and Your Future

Getting Published: Authors, Agents and Publishers 3:30 pm Break

3:45 pm – Concurrent Sessions5:15 pm Emotional Intelligence

The Power of Feng Shui

5:15 pm Break

5:30 pm – Full Gathering 7:00 pm FWN Expo Sponsor & Exhibitor Reception 7:00 pm – Celebrating Filipino History in the U.S. 9:00 pm (Summit Weavers) Featuring Faith Rivera

Launch Filipina Womens Network Magazine Opening Remarks Marily Mondejar, President FWN

Keynote Filipina First: Reinventing Ouselves Irene Natividad

Panel Discussion Filipino Pop Culture: The Development of the Filipino Image in America (Truths, Lies, Secrets and Legacies)

D AY T W O : S AT U R D AY, O C T O B E R 2 2


8:30 am – Full Gathering12:15 pm Welcome (Summit Weavers)

Panel Discussions Remarkable Filipina Women: Developing Organizational Savvy

Strategic Mentoring: How to Leverage the Power of Mentoring Circles

12:15 pm – FWN Expo1:15 pm Visit exhibits and Career Fair @ Lunch

1:15 pm – Full Gathering (Summit Weavers) 6:00 pm Panel Discussions Road to Entrepreneurship

Run, Filipina, Run: Campaigning to Win

Coming Home: Doing Business in the Philippines

6:00 pm – FWN Expo7:00 pm FWN Members Reception

7:00 pm – Filipina Women Who Could be 9:00 pm President Awards

Celebrating Filipina Women Artists @ FWN Theatre

A special performance by Faith Rivera

My Vagina was My Village from “The Vagina Monologues” by Giovannie Pico and Edna Rodis

“Dead Woman Home” by May Nazareno, of the Pamana Theatre Project

D AY T H R E E : S U N D AY, O C T O B E R 2 3


9:00 am – Full Gathering 1:00 pm Filipinas-in-Motion Roundtable Discussions @ Sunday Brunch

Panel Discussions YouthSpeak: Growing Up Bi-cultural in the U.S.

Developing our Community of Influence

Keynote Looking to the Future: A Level Playing Field Freada Kapor Klein, Ph.D.

Closing Remarks Marily Mondejar, President FWN

2:30 pm – Audition Call5:00 pm V-Day San Francisco The Vagina Monologues Spotlight 2006: Justice to Comfort Women

F R I D AY, O C T O B E R 2 1 – 2 3 , 2 0 0 5Crowne Plaza Union Square, 480 Sutter St. @ Powell St., San Francisco

As a special celebration of our Filipino heritage, we will honor the rich tradition of the T’boli tribe with a special

exhibition of rare and beautiful handwoven T’nalak fabrics. These fabrics are sacred weaves passed from

generation to generation of skilled weavers with many meanings and spiritual uses. The principal task of weaving are performed by women of royal blood,

supported by the entire community from extracting the raw abaca fibers, to the dyeing and final ironing of the finished T’nalak. T’Boli weavers are guided and inspired by dreams. The colors used coincide with the elements from the afterlife as designated in T’boli cosmology: red symbolizes hulo, the land where the souls of the

murdered rest; black symbolizes hitem, the destination of the souls who died of natural causes; white

represents bukay, the repository of suicide victims.

Lovingly curated by Fides Enriquez and Rafael Musni of the Pacific Ethnographic Research Society

www.persociety.org


The Philippine Center in San Francisco is composed of two adjoining buildings located on Sutter Street, a block away from prestigious Union Square and within a mile of San Francisco’s financial district. Because of their extensive history, the City of San Francisco has defined the Philippine Center Buildings as historical landmarks. The buildings were purchased by the Philippine government in 1974 and are managed by the Philippine Center Management Board. It is the mission of the Center to: • Nurture, promote and propagate

Philippine culture • Promote investments to the Philippines• Expand the foreign market for

Philippine products• Encourage foreign tourists to visit

the Philippines• Enhance the image of the Philippines

The Center is an intelligent building venue that showcases the best in the Filipino. Improvements include a fully renovated and modern Consulate lobby, a Business Center, Executive Suites for Lease, a Dynamic Website, Art and Culture Exchange Galleries, A Movie and Screening Room, Upscale Filipino Restaurant and Café and ultimately the conversion of the 447 Lobby into the Cultural Center of the Philippines in San Francisco. Wealth of information about the Center can already be accessed at www.philippinecentersf.com.

For more information about the center please contact:

The Business OfficeThe Philippine Center447 Sutter Street, Suite 518San Francisco CA 94108Email: [email protected]: (415) 982-6153Fax: (415) 982 1232

San Francisco


OPENING KEYNOTEIrene Natividad PresidentGlobal Summit of Women

Irene Natividad will talk about how

Filipina women can create a

demand for their leadership abilities

and talents by seizing opportunities

within their organizations and by

calling for a revolutionary shift on

how Filipinas live and work,

manage their careers, and create a

competitive advantage in the

workplace.

CLOSING KEYNOTE Freada Kapor Klein, Ph.D., Founder and Board Chair The Level Playing Field Institute

Freda will talk about workplace

equity, strategies on reinvention

and ways Filipina women can fully

participate in the workplace by

understanding the processes and

attitudes in business environments.

(A) BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING

A1 Opening Keynote – Filipina

First: Reinventing Ourselves

Irene Natividad, President, Global Summit of Women

A2 Remarkable Filipina Women: Developing Organizational Savvy

Evelyn Dilsaver, President and CEO, Charles Schwab Investment Management

Charmaine Mesina, Esq., Managing Director, Corporate Legal Services, Applied Materials

Agnes Strandberg, National Vice President, Product Development & Network Strategy, Senior Products Division, Health Net, Inc. (invited)

Margaret Lapiz, Vice President, Strategy and Implementation, The Permanente Medical Group

MODERATOR : Sonia Delen, Principal, Banc of America Leasing

A3 Own Your Future: Strategic Mentoring

Bev Strand, Business Manager, Supplier Diversity Program; Chair of Mentoring Circles, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Denielle Palomares, Quality Assurance, Genentech; Filipino Americans Coming Together (FACT) @ Genentech

Erica Javier Samoranos, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Ruth Asmundson Ph.D., Mayor of Davis, California

Susan Afan, Regional Vice-President, Professional Staffing Services, Northern California, Robert Half International

MODERATOR : Evelyn Luluquisen, Human Resources Manager, Communication & Network Services, U.C. Berkeley

A4 How to Get Published for Instant Credibility

Martin Delahoussaye, Senior Editor, Pfeiffer

Rena Down, screenwriter and Emmy Award-winning director; Faculty, New School University

MODERATOR : Terry Bautista,

TLB Consultants, Educator, Advocate, Activist

A5 Business Dining Etiquette (tutorial lunch)

Syndi Seid, Founder & Director, Advanced Etiquette

A6 Filipinas in Motion Roundtable Discussions (Mirror, Mirror on the Wall)

Attendees will join small discussion groups of Filipina women in similar fields and professional areas of expertise.

(B) ENTREPRENEURSHIP

B1 Coming Home: Doing Business in the Philippines.

Clara Lapuz, Founder, Marigold Commodities (Mama Sita brand)

Casimira Gorce, Owner, XOX Truffles

Alice Ignacio, U.S. food importer and distributor

Tricia Garcia, Marketing

Manager, LBC Mundial

MODERATOR : Nini Alvero, Philippine Trade Commissioner, U.S.Western Region

B2 Road to Entrepreneurship

Al S. Perez, Principal, Creative i Studio

Maria Honrada, President, Island Huts, Inc.

Norma Edar, Owner, Costless Maintenance Services Co., Inc.

Elaine Villamin, Wine Gypsy (Winemaker, Thirsty Traveler, Vineyard Pixie) Eden Canyon Vineyards

MODERATOR : Agnes Briones Ubalde, Executive Director, Small Business Commission, City and County of San Francisco

B3 Smart Financing

Kathy Fettke, President, International Wealth Builders, East Bay Chapter

Meg Roces Finones, Investment Representative, Edward Jones

MODERATOR : Jessica Jallorina, Vice President,Communications @ FWN; Account Manager, Telogy Inc.



MEG RO CES FINONESInvestment Representative1001 Sneath Lane, Suite 107San Bruno, CA 94066Bus: 650. 952. 2877Fax: 866. 619. 1978www.edwardjones.comCA Insurance License OC24309serving individual investors since 1871

Don’t Tell Them. Show Them.With High Quality Corporate Video.

Our production staff includes broadcast professionals who have worked for HBO, BBC and PBS.

We are specialists in producing corporate video for web and dvd.

The Media FactorySaul Zaentz Film Center2600 Tenth St., Berkeley, CA 94710510. 294. 4305


(C) COMMUNITY & POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT

C1 Filipino Pop Culture: the Development of the Filipino Image in America

Bambi Francisco, Editor, Columnist, Correspondent, MarketWatch, CBS Radio

Benny Evangelista, Host, Chronicle Podcasts; Staff Writer, San Francisco Chronicle

May Briosos, General Manager, Prime Image Media Group

Regina Reyes, North America News Bureau Chief, ABS-CBN International

MODERATOR : Tessie Zaragoza, Organ Donor Rights Network; Chair of the Board @ FWN

C2 Run, Filipina Run: Campaigning to Win

Alice Lai-Bitker, Supervisor, District 3, Alameda County

Gloria Megino Ochoa, Assistant Chief Counsel, Senate Judiciary Committee; former California State Senator; former candidate for U.S. Representative (against Michael Huffington)

Janet Reilly, Democratic Candidate for the State Assembly, District 12

Rachel Puno Juliana, Attorney; Trustee, Jefferson Union High School District

Rozanna Verder-Aliga, Board Member, Vallejo City Unified School District, CA;

candidate for Vallejo City Council

MODERATOR : Stella Edralin, Esq., Law Office of Stella Edralin

C3 YouthSpeak: Growing Up Bi-Cultural in the U. S.

Nikki Santiago, President, Pilipino Student Union, Skyline College

Kristein Delen Briones, Student, City College of San Francisco

MODERATOR : Genevieve Jopanda, District Operations Manager, Hertz Corporation; Vice President, Youth & Community Advocacy @ FWN

C4 Developing Our Community of Influence

Marilyn H. Fowler, Founder & President, Women’s Intercultural Network

Vida Benavides, Political and Public Affairs Consultant (expert on Asian Pacific American electoral politics); Member, Democratic Party Presidential Primary Timing and Scheduling Commission

(D) PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

D1 Kali, Filipino Martial Art of Self Defense – Calm in the Storm

Rosie Abriam, Gura, Kamatauuran School of Kali; Engineering Applications Manager, New Focus Inc.

D2 Clear Eye for a Filipina Style: What Your Wardrobe Says About You

Suzie Woodward Morris, CIO, Strategic Imaging, Inc., nationally known author, wardrobe and image consultant

D3 Emotional Intelligence

Rebecca Turner, Ph.D., Professor, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University and Organizational Consultant

D4 Closing Keynote – Looking to the Future: A Level Playing Field

Freada Kapor Klein, Ph.D., Founder and Board Chair, Level Playing Field Institute; President, Klein Associates, Inc.

D5 The Power of Feng Shui:

Achieving Fulfillment and Success in Your Life

Marsha Cheung Golangco, President, MG Consultants

(E) CELEBRATING FILIPINA WOMEN ARTISTS @ FWN THEATRE Fundraiser to launch V-Day San Francisco: Spotlight 2006 – Justice to ‘Comfort Women’

Beneficiaries: Filipina Women Against Violence, Pamana Theatre Project, Bindlestiff Studios

» About “The Vagina Monologues” Intro by Lourdes Santos Tancinco, Esq. Perfomed by Giovannie Pico and Edna Rodis

» “Dead Woman Home” Written and performed by

May Nazareno, The Pamana Theatre Project

» “Women of the World,” a musical presentation by

Faith Rivera, a pop songwriter, 2003 Daytime Emmy Award winner

FWN Theatre Host: Bettina Santos Yap, Marketing Consultant, Sun Microsystems


MARKETING MATERIALS

LOGO DESIGN

CORPORATE IDENTIT Y

ADVERTISING

WEB SITE DESIGN

W A N T T O R E A C H T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I C A N M A R K E T ? C A L L T H E E X P E R T S :

Al Perez | 415. 334. 9170 | [email protected]

iNNOVATIVE, iNTELLIGENT AND iMPACTFUL DESIGN SOLUTIONS


velyn Dilsaver has gotten far for a woman who claims she “fell in” to her career. Although she says, “I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do,” Dilsaver, a Filipina native to San Francisco, has worked her way

to the top of her career path to become executive vice president of Charles Schwab, a member of the Executive Policy Committee and president and CEO of Charles Schwab Investments, a position which gives her considerable sway over Schwab’s $145 billion portfolio of proprietary funds. Her career journey began when she took an internship after college with Ernst and Ernst (now Ernst and Young), which put her on the track to accounting.

Dilsaver’s path was not always straight. “Too many people,” she said, “get hung up trying to achieve certain goals at certain times. I hear young women say they want to be married by the time they are 21, have kids by the time they are 24, and be president of their companies by the time they are 30. It doesn’t work like that.” Dilsaver’s career has often required her to make lateral changes to different roles or new companies, rather than simply stepping up the ladder. “This has been key for me,” she said. “At times, I even moved backwards, but the changes allowed me to learn more and see what

was happening in other departments. My knowledge became broader and broader and eventually this helped me have a sense of my company and industry as a whole.”

Prior to her current position at Charles Schwab, Dilsaver was chief financial officer and chief administrative officer at U.S. Trust, controller at 1st National Bank and controller at Schwab. Her ability to accept change is rooted in her childhood. Growing up in a military family, she was often shuffled around to new homes, states and countries. “I learned to make new friends quickly,” she said. “I have done the same in business. It is the relationships that make a team work.”

Dilsaver brings her ability to build relationships to her community commitments as well as her work. She coached volleyball at Assumption School, her three sons’ school, and co-chaired the Oakland Diocese Sand Volleyball League. “In sports, building a team is almost as vital as athletic capability,” she said. “Being able to coach girls at a young age is especially rewarding because sports gives them self-esteem. When they win a game or practice, it teaches them to take pride of themselves and to take care of themselves at a very difficult stage in growing up.”

Dilsaver has overcome several challenges in her career, but balancing her personal life with her career has been the greatest. “How are you supposed to make time for yourself when the only hour you have free each week is spent grocery shopping?” she asked. Nevertheless, her commitment to her family has shined through. “My children are my greatest accomplishment,” she said. “I have raised three amazing, well-rounded boys who treat others with respect and that gives me so much pride. Being there for them as they grow up has brought me incomparable joy.” Dilsaver said her family also works as a team and she is grateful for the support of her husband, who has not resented her success.

ilsaver admits that her indepen-dence and ability to take risks has enabled her to excel at both work and home. At one point in her career, when she was the chief financial officer and chief

administrative officer at U.S. Trust, she was required to spend one week each month in New York. When she was routinely asked to stay longer and spend more time away from home, she had the courage to make a career change in order to balance her family commitments. Dilsaver returned to Charles Schwab to be head of product development and

distribution for mutual funds at Schwab. At the time, taking this risk, seemed like a backward step in her career, but it gave her the opportunity to gain insights into another function of the business. This knowledge was instrumental in preparing her for her executive position. “My Filipino heritage has sometimes been an obstacle,” she said, referring to the culture’s aversion to risk.

Being a Filipina at the top ranks of portfolio management, Dilsaver says she does not feel like a pioneer. Instead, she points to several other women who had led companies and forged a path for her. “I haven’t thought of myself that way,” she said. “Instead I look at what my job has enabled me to do. I am in the business of helping people achieve their dreams financially.”

Dilsaver also chairs the board of directors for the Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment (WISE). Over 750 women have graduated from the center’s entrepreneurship training and started their own businesses. Of the graduates 75 percent double their income within 18 months of completing training. “It’s inspiring to see women take the lead and change their lives,” Dilsaver said. “It’s great for them and for their community.”

B Y M A R Y K A T E S T I M M L E R

EVELYN DILSAVER: The Face of the New Filipina

E

Email Mary Kate at [email protected].

D


FWN: How has mentoring been a factor in your personal life or career? Have there been certain people who have guided you in your development? If so, how did they help you? What did you learn?

I’ve had many mentors who have taught me how to approach business problems, who trusted me enough to give me a chance at a new job that I had never done before. Even if one doesn’t have a mentor, observing the behavior of other managers and leaders you admire is very instructional. Also, observing behaviors that help you understand what you should never do (if you really want to lead) is just as important. At a personal level, I have many couples as friends who are older, so I got a chance to see how they fostered a healthy relationship with their children as they became teenagers and adults. FWN: You mentioned many ways that you have given back to your community, but what role has community played in your life? What kinds of community do you connect with most?

Community is very important in my life. I get rejuvenated by my circle of friends, business and church, non-profit and sports. I don’t have just one that I connect with the most – in fact, many areinterconnected. My business friends become personal friends, become sports and non-profit friends. Having exposure to people from different walks of life gives me such tremendous perspective that I can apply to business and complex situations. FWN: You mentioned that being a Filipina has been a challenge. Can you think of one specific example of a time you felt hindered or judged because of your identity? How did you resolve it?

I was the senior manager on the audit job (when I was with a big-eight accounting firm) and had several men working for me at the time. The CFO of the company walked in and started addressing his concerns to the men in the room. His bias was that women and certainly a Filipina could not be in charge. The guys turned to me and said, “Evelyn’s in charge... she can answer your concerns.” If that hadn’t happened, I would have

stepped in and said the same thing. FWN: In the next ten years, there will be many changes to the role of women and Filpinas. What trends do you see?

I believe there will always be the issue of balancing a career with family, primarily because men can’t have babies (though I’d love to see that happen!). I am starting to see the pendulum swing where many college educated women are deciding they will stay home for 5–6 years during their children’s early life and then return to work, rather than try to achieve it all at once. That means it will be harder to get women into positions of power (the board room or members of executive decision making teams) because of that time lag. Having said that, I believe we will have a president who is a woman and more entrepreneurial businesses will be women owned, since they can fit that into the life of their family. FWN: What has been a source of inspiration for you?

Early in my career and raising a young family, I read the book “How to talk so your kids will listen & listen so your kids will talk” by Adele Faber and Elain Mazlish and a subsequent book, “Sibling Rivalry.” They are fabulous books that have great applicability in the corporate world when it comes to understanding behavior. As for business books, I enjoy those that help me understand what happened (such as Conspiracy of Fools, the Enron story). FWN: If you could have lunch with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Leonardo DaVinci. He was so ahead of his time and very creative. FWN: If you weren’t in the financial industry, what other job would you most like to have? What did you want to be as a child?

I’d probably be in design. I’m an avid knitter (it’s my form of relaxation) and I like designing. As a child, I wanted to be a nun (that lasted a year) and then I thought I’d marry someone in the Navy (since my dad was a Navy man).

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Maryles Casto is Chairman and CEO of Casto – The Travel Company, the second largest woman-owned business in the Silicon Valley based on a survey conducted by the San Jose Business Times. She began her career as a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines. After moving to California and marrying, she managed a major travel agency in San Jose. In 1974, she and a friend each invested $1,500 and founded Casto Travel. Within two years the company became a $1-million-dollar business. Today Casto Travel has annual revenues of over $120 million.

FWN spoke with Casto about how she does it all.

FWN: How did you come to start your own travel business?

Casto: I moved to this country after I got married. I was a stewardess in the Philippines, but at the time airlines didn’t allow flight attendants to be married, so I needed to find a new job. I worked with a travel agency for a while and had a lot of ideas as to what a company should do, what it should look like. This was in Silicon Valley, but before Silicon Valley was Silicon Valley. My friend and I each invested $1,500 to start our own company. We were in the right place at the right time. Our first customers were

Gordon Moore and Andy Grove, the founders of Intel. At the time Intel only had 100 customers. The second month Apple became a customer. And so it went for the first year, when we made $500,000. We made $1 million dollars the second year. I believe in providing the highest level of customer service and am committed to excellence. It makes all the difference.

At that time everything was happening so fast. I didn’t have time to ask, “What if?” I never asked myself what would happen if it didn’t work out. I love change and risk. It keeps you on your toes and gives you a fresh perspective.

FWN: How did you learn to take risks?

Casto: I had no other option. I never think of failure. I really don’t. Failure never occurred to me. I never even thought about my success. I was in the business ten years before it sank in for me. I was driving up to the office on a day they were installing a new sign. I knew they were putting up a new sign, but it still shocked me when I saw the sign that said, “Casto Travel.” Then I realized, “That’s my name.” I realized what I had created and what I had done.

FWN: Did you ever have a moment when you were unsure whether the business would make it through?

Casto: After 9/11 the travel business stood still. There was no business for a month. I knew there had to be a way to make the business work and that the downturn was a business opportunity. So I decided to move some functions of my business to the Philippines where we had offices.

FWN: What role has your Filipino heritage had on your career?

Casto: It has taught me patience. I’m not a reactive person. I think things through and don’t rush toward specific goals. My international background has also taught me how to be sensitive to different cultures and different ideas, so I can adapt more quickly.

FWN: Do you think being a woman has been a factor?

Casto: Women tend to be detail-oriented. In the travel business, I work with details everyday. There is also the maternal instinct to take care of people, which is important in travel. I have customers who have been with me since the beginning because I try to make their travel like an

extension of their home. It is important to be nurturing.

FWN: According to the census, women are starting businesses at twice the national rate and people of color are starting businesses at four-times the national rate. Why do you think entrepreneurship is growing?

Casto: I think people are frustrated with the corporate ladder. You can only climb up so far. When we start our own businesses, we are able to manage our own destinies. People want to be able to see the impact of what they do. In large corporations your impact is quite small. But as a business owner I am able to see the impact of what I do everyday. It’s so rewarding.

FWN: How have you managed to balance your career and your personal life?

Casto: Being in my own business, I could manage that a little better. I made sure my son always came first. I always spent the morning with him. If I had to work late, that was okay. There are doors in my brain. When one opens, the other closes. I am very focused. When I am with my family, I’m not thinking about work. When

B Y M A R Y K A T E S T I M M L E R

MARYLES CASTO: Flying High in Silicon Valley


I am at work, I am only thinking about work. A friend once taught me to take time everyday to ask myself, “What have I done for my family today? What have I done for my business? And what have I done for my community?” Everyday I try to do all three.

FWN: How often do the three work together?

Casto: All the time. My business is part of my community. There is so much excitement in my work. I love being able to watch people grow. Sometimes people start as a receptionist and become managers. I love to see them work their way up. People take pride in what they do and enjoy doing it. Sometimes we hire people who eventually leave and that’s okay too, because I know they have learned from their time in my business and are ready to move on.

FWN: In what ways have you been able to give back to your community outside of your business?

Casto: I’m on so many boards. I’m on the board of Junior Achievement, Commonwealth Club, and Parkinson’s Institute and a member of the Committee of 200. If have some knowledge in an area, I want to be able to share it and give back. I love being involved in Junior Achievement and working with youth. The Commonwealth Club is a great public forum for issues of government and economic development. At the Parkinson’s Institute we cover issues of science, stems cells, and research. In all of these positions I learn so much.

FWN: If you had to choose only one place to travel to where would it be?

Casto: Buenos Aires. I love the people, the culture, and the food.

FWN: What is one place that you haven’t been to that you would like to see?

Casto: Russia. I just haven’t had the time to go there but have always wanted to see St. Petersburg.

Email Mary Kate at [email protected]

Mission StatementFWN’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 2006-07Increase 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 pipeline for opportunities for corporate visibility and professional development.

Endow the Filipina Leadership Development and Mentoring 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.

Year Established: 2001Organization service area: National

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCECampaign to stop abuse against Filipina women and girls.

V-Day San Francisco Spotlight 2006: Justice to ‘Comfort Women’

All-Filipina women production of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” performed in Taglish.

Sunday, February 26, 2006Sunday, 6:00 p.m.Herbst Theatre401 Van Ness Ave., San FranciscoTickets (after Dec. 1)(415) 392-4400www.cityboxoffice.comCall (415) 278-9410 for sponsorships

FILIPINA WOMEN WHO COULD BE PRESIDENTLeadership program for Filipina women. Building the Filipina community’s pipeline of qualified leaders, to increase the odds that some will rise to the president position in all sectors. Call (415) 278-9410 to sponsor a presidential candidate.”

“V-DIARIES”ANTI-VIOLENCE RESOURCE GUIDEAnnual publication designed to provide a voice for domestic violence survivors and Filipina women and girls in abusive situations including a resource list of domestic violence agencies, shelters, legal and counseling services and law enforcement offices. Publication date: March 2006. Call (415) 278-9410 to place an ad.

4th ANNUAL FILIPINA SUMMITOctober 27-29, 2006San Francisco

Attention Corporations:Plan Your Participation Now! Send your Filipina employees to the Summit.Call (415) 278-9410

The Filipina Summit is convened in October because the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the Continental United States was in October 1587 in Morro Bay, California.

COUNCIL OF REMARKABLE FILIPINA WOMENMentoring Circles – creating a community of Filipinas helping each other succeed and cultivating future community leaders. Call (415) 278-9410 to sponsor a mentoring circle.

FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK MAGAZINEAnnual publication about the nuances of Filipina culture, empowerment articles, career strategies, and highlighting the accomplishments of Filipina women in the U. S. Publication date: October 2006. Call (415) 278-9410 to place an ad.

KAPAMILYA COMMUNITY PARTNER FUNDEndow research projects and educational programs about the Filipina American Experience. Call (415) 278-9410 for naming opportunities and sponsorships.

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.

P. O. Box 192143 | San Francisco, CA 94119 | Website: www.ffwn.orgPhone: 415.278.9410 | Fax: 415.840.0655 | E-mail: [email protected]

FilipinaWomen’s Network


Arlene Gaspar, Realtor313 Sycamore Valley Road WestDanville, CA 94526Email: [email protected]

Direct: (650) 465-0393Office: (925) 838-4100Fax: (925) 736-3066

C A P A B I L I T I E S O V E R V I E W The Institute for Image Management has developed a unique approach to helping indviduals and organizations define themselves and commmunicate with relevance and credibility to important internal and external audiences.

The Institute for Doing Business in the U.S. was formed to address the lack of understanding of the cultural nuances affecting international executives and teams operating in the U.S., and international businesses wanting to expand operations in the U.S.

Image Builds Business

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V I V I A N A RA U L L OServing Filipinos in the SF Bay Area

Representing: » Sellers » Buyers » Investors

Real Estate Information at: www.BahayKoSaSFBayArea.comwww.ILoveMySFBayAreaHome.com

E-mail: [email protected]: (650) 892-1863

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Tel: 925. 973. 0923Fax: 925. 355. 1262Cell: 510. 209. [email protected]

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Ernie T. JopandaRealtor / Loan Consultant

Stephanie Marie Romana Velasco, Ed.M.Director, CAPAS (Center for Asian Pacific American Students) Pitzer College, A Member of the Claremont College Consortium

WHY I SHOULD BE PRESIDENTI, Stephanie Marie Romana Velasco, should be president because I am a servant leader with a passion for serv-ing the global community rooted in a commitment to the Pilipino community. Through my education, work and com-munity involvements, I believe I am the visionary with the heart and skills to work with others to achieve a common goal for the greater good.

LEADERSHIPFrom my undergraduate years at University of California Irvine where I held several positions, most notably two of which my peers elected me include: Vice President of Student Services and Homecoming Queen for a campus of over 17,000 students. During my gradu-ate studies, I was elected Vice President of Diversity for my class. As a young professional, I was elected as Staff Council Representatives for all staff in my college and am an appointed member of an Asian American Advisory Board for the five Claremont Colleges. Within the community, I serve as on the Board of Directors for our Kababayan Alumni Chapter of the UCI Alumni As-

sociation. I was also chosen as a team leader to oversee a team of six profes-sionals to serve people in Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic. This past summer, I was chosen as one of ten fellows as ambassadors for the Pilipino Youth American Leader Program for a hands-on experience to imagine all the possibilities for a better Philippines.

PASSION FOR SERVING THE GLOBAL COMMUNITYIn 1997, I was invited to join a team to teach English in China. Later, I joined a team in 2000 from Azusa Pacific University to Japan to share in drama and music. In 2002, I participated with a team to Trinidad where we visited homeless shelters, elementary schools, jails and other places to serve. In 2004, I led a team from Newsong Community Church to partner with a Kyrgyz-Russian-Uzbek team in Kyrgyzstan to serve the college students. This summer, I commit-ted two months to a fellowship to serve the Philippines.

COMMITMENT TO PILIPINO COMMUNITY Since high school, I have been involved with a Pilipino organization. My interest began with my membership in the Maharlika Pilipino club in Cerritos. In college, I participated in numerous activities such as student government, residential life, intramural sports and religious fellowships, but the one activ-ity that remained consistent throughout my five years was my involvement with the Kababayan Pilipino Organization. It was here where I committed much of my time and energy to serving and building the “once largest Pilipino American student organization” in the United States.

(continued on page 26)

Filipina Women Who Could be President 2005

STEPHANIE MARIE ROMANA Velasco


Edna Mabanes Casteel is a dynamic woman who since childhood has always exhibited great leadership capabilities though her passion, her achievements, her take charge attitude and her ability to balance the important things in life. Edna was only 11-1⁄2 when her mother died. Her mother’s death forced Edna to assume the role of a mother to her younger siblings and deprived her of a real childhood. Regardless of all her adversities, Edna always managed

to remain at the top of her class. A master of multi-tasking, her biggest accomplishment was simultaneously completing a Master’s degree while raising her young son and successfully landing a Director’s role at her company. Inspired by her grandmother’s philanthropic activities and never forgetting her humble roots, Edna established a foundation in which she has provided her own resources as well as successfully fundraise to in order to raise money for scholarships to provide to indigent children. Edna best summarized her achievements and goals in her statement, “Nothing is impossible when your heart is in it.”

“Why I want to be the President of the United States.” Could I be President of the United States? Yes I think so! I think the United States is ready to have a Filipina President! It is about time that the women’s leadership in this country is recognized. In fact, the results of a national poll released in May of 2005 proved that most voters are ready for a woman in the Oval Office. In the past, women have stood behind their men to take care of business. I feel that things have changed and it is now time for women to take

care of our country and to stand up on important issues. We need to get away from the antiquated phrase that a woman is the strength behind every successful husband or manager. Women deserve credit for their accomplishments and to be in the frontline. We need to have a smart, competent woman president who operates on a proactive rather than a reactive mode. My name is Edna Mabanes Casteel and based on my leadership accomplishments achieved during my educational years and in my career, I believe I could be President. I earned a BA in Accounting from Golden Gate University and an MA in Non-Profit Administration from the University of San Francisco. While attending Golden Gate University, I served as Vice President of the Business Club. At Heald Business School, I made the dean’s list and was the student speaker during our graduation ceremony. I currently serve as an executive member of the Nonprofit Management Alumni Society Board of the University of San Francisco. The board consists of elected officials who oversee the activities of over 500 graduates. I proudly work for the Research Institute Division of the California Pacific Medical Center, one of the largest

private, not-for-profit, academic medical centers in California. I was hired as an Accounting Manager and then subsequently promoted to the Director of Research in Finance. I currently serve as a Fiscal Officer and focus my efforts on Pre-Award Management / Research Budget Development. Dear to my heart is my investment in philanthropic activities including the inception of Panday Corporation, a Subchapter-S-Corporation based in San Francisco and a minority owned business focus on construction development and consulting and a business partner of Marcasteel Enterprise. Resources earned for these businesses help support scholars for underprivileged children on their educational tuition, uniforms and other school expenses. Through the years, I have learned that “power” doesn’t necessarily mean being a president of a company or a country but what you can do as an individual. I am the first Filipina, who has held the highest position at California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute. I am the first Filipina elected as president of the Society of Research Administration. I, Edna Mabanes Casteel, could be President.

(Stephanie Marie Romana Velasco)

As an alumnus, I continue to serve and connect with the younger generation as one of the Board of Directors. Beyond that, I have spoken on various occasions with different Pilipino associations and strive to stay connected through my involvement with other Pilipino-based networks.

STRONG EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDI obtained my Masters in Higher Education Administration from Harvard Graduate School of Education in less than a year while serving as the Vice President of Diversity for my graduat-ing class. I completed two bachelor’s

degrees (B.A. Asian American Studies & B.A. Social Sciences) where I graduated with cum laude in both disciplines. My knowledge expertise and network from each of these areas could assist during both hands-on experience and work-shops where critical thinking, decision-making and inquiry are needed.

WORK EXPERIENCE IN MULTI-ETHNIC CONTEXT / ABILITY TO WORK WITH DIVERSE GROUPSAt U.C. Irvine, I was involved and interned at our Cross Cultural Center. This led to my interest in a multi-ethnic programs where I worked with students of color to promote diversity across cultures. In my graduate experience,

I interned at an International Center where I hosted and coordinated the annual multicultural festival for the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Presently, I am the Director for the Cen-ter for Asian Pacific American Students (CAPAS) at Pitzer College, advocating, celebrating and serving the students of diverse pan-ethnic Asian American identity, including Pilipino Americans.

One of my greatest strengths and joys includes public speaking and people. I’ve been invited to speak on topics such as the Pilipino American experience, Asian Americans, and Higher Educa-tion. My most unforgettable experience

included the time I was requested as the keynote alumni speaker for the Kababayan Pilipino graduation at my alma mater where I received a stand-ing ovation from the graduates with my speech to be published in our KAC newsletter. My networking skills are attributed to my membership in ten organizations, three career-related, three community-related, and four academic-related which I remained involved with. My public speaking ability and network-ing bridges could serve as places to advocate in a common vision for the greater good.

Filipina Women Who Could be President 2005

EDNA MABANES Casteel

KMAY

May “K”: The Giovannie Pico Foundation

When Giovannie Pico, Hollywood actor of the multi-awarded television series E.R., returned to her homeland in July 2005, she held a two day medical mission and gift giving in her home-town of Tondo, Manila with the help of Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the GMA Network Inc. and Gaitor Ideas. Hundreds of families who would not have had access to medical care were seen by a group of doctors, nurses, dentists, and eye specialists.

But it still wasn’t enough. The children’s antibiotics were the first to run out. There were still families who needed on-going care. And there were also the neglected streetchildren that didn’t have families to care for them.

Pico, who is also a young mother with a 5-year-old son of her own, confides: “I can’t imagine my son being in that same situation…It’s so common here, people forget it’s a problem. Sometimes apathy is worse than hate.”

Pico is a woman whose personal life endears her to street children and victims of domestic violence. Her sense of advocacy is built on these life experiences. “I admire Angelina Jolie, not because she’s got Brad Pitt, but because she gives back so much. As a United Nations ambassador, she’s a role model,” she gushes. She believes in doing her part in making the world a better place – and that each person has an obligation to help out, even in some small way.

This is why she is laying the groundwork for The May “K” Foundation.

The “K” stands for many things:May Karapatan: Everyone has the right

to a better future.May Katungkulan: We have the obligation

to help those that are less fortunate.

May Kakayahan: Together, we can make a difference in this world.

Even though the foundation is still in it’s infant stages, the May “K”: The Giovannie Pico Foundation has several projects already in the works: besides partnering with the CFO in endorsing its program for street children, the

May “K” Foundation is also in the process setting up a house in her hometown of Tondo, where victims of domestic violence can seek refuge and counseling.

Filipina actor Giovannie Pico earned her Hollywood merits via her role as medical intern Ludlow in America’s long-running hospital drama “E.R.” She has appeared in four “E.R.” episodes last season. This 26-year-old, Tondo-born petite morena has also been cast in various internationally-produced independent films. Most recently, Giovannie played the female lead in the movie “American Yearbook” which won the 2004 Dances With Films Audience Award and “Counting the Days” which just premiered at the 2005 SF World Film Festival. For more information about her acting career and her foundation, please visit www.giovannie.com.

F i l i p i n a W o m e n ’ s N e t w o r k & V - D AY p r e s e n t

Eve Ensler’s The Vagina MonologuesElson Montalbo, Director | Marily Mondejar, Executive Producer

v-day san francisco 2006 | filipina women against violencespotlight 2006: justice to “comfort women”

Sunday, February 26, 2006 | Herbst Theatre | 401 Van Ness @ McAllister | San Franciscojoin our cast and crew! to audition, call 415. 278. 9410 | [email protected]

for more information | www.ffwn.org | www.vday.orgtickets on sale beginning Thursday, December 1 | www.CityBoxOffice.com | 415. 392. 4400

3rd Annual Filipina SummitFilipina First:

Reinventing Ourselves

Filipina Women Who Could Be President

Celebrating Filipina History


Flying High in Silicon Valley

A Woman For All Nations

P R E M I E R E I S S U E 2 0 0 5

FILIPINA2 0 0 4 c as t a n d c r ew w i th eve e n s le r

2 0 0 5 c as t a n d c r ew

FWN Magazine 2005 - Evelyn Dilsaver

Documents

process of change

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antimartial law

filipino nationalist

world events

social work class