WE'VE MOVED!

Hello!

We have moved our website to www.firenyc.org! Please update your browsers!

Best,
Webmaster

A message from the FiRE website manager

Since we've installed the counter in mid-May 2007, the FiRE website has received a consistent weekly trickle of about 125 unique visitors from all over the world! We thank you for your interest in the National Democratic movement, acknowledgment in the value of this work, and hope to incite your further involvement in our cause.

With that, we've recently received a slew of blog comments regarding our current campaigns, and have found answers to some of your questions. We are elated that you are using this forum as a means of engagement. We welcome any honest and critical dialogue, and should you ever need to contact us, please do not hesitate to use the information found at this link, and we will get back to you shortly!

Best,
Hanalei Ramos
Organizational Development Officer


Now, onto the matter at hand! Please keep the questions and requests coming; feel free to use us as a resource! :)

Comment:
(original thread found here: http://firenyc.blogspot.com/2007/07/justice-for-sentosa-27-migrante-hits.html#comments )

"I'm a nurse also, and I have signed up with sentosa recruitment agency. Until now I'm still here in the Philippines despite having completed all my requirements. I've been with trhem for 2 and half years already and still there is no or there's just very little progress with my papers. My friends who signed with sentosa and others taht I know that signed up with sentosa suffered the same fate. I HOPE THAT THIS FIGHT AGAINST SENTOSA RECRUITMENT AGENCY WILL NOT JUST BE FOCUSED BY THOSE 27 NURSES IN NEW YORK, WE HOPE THAT NURSES LIKE US THAT CAN'T GET OUT OF SENTOSA BECAUSE OF ITS CONTRACT AND A CERTAIN FEE TO BUY OUT THE CONTRACT THAT ARE TRAPPED WILL BE NOTICED. We the nurses that signed with SENTOSA ARE ALSO SHOUTING THAT WE WANT OUT OF SENTOSA!! "

Response: (via Rico Foz, Executive Vice President of NAFCON - the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns)

Through FiRE, tell these RNs in the Philippines that our struggle for justice is not really meant for the 27 healthworkers in NY only; which is why it is called 27++. They are not alone, many of their colleagues are of course coming out in the open and reaching us out. The unabated exploitation of healthworkers by the Sentosa Recruitment Agency, in cahoots with some unscrupulous businesspersons and corrupt government officials continues to this day. This is also the very reason why we strive to advance the struggle to higher grounds.

If you please tell them to uncover themselves with anonymity and email me directly at nafconusa@yahoo.com, as extreme confidentiality is to be expected from us. We understand their difficult plight but we are inutile until they reach out to us and reciprocally communicate with them to learn their stories. This will further strengthen our arguments then stand side by side and fight with them in their quest for justice.

FiRE's Sec Gen, in the press!

Valerie Francisco, who is currently doing an Exposure trip in the Philippines was highlighted in the State of the Nation Address coverage in the Philippines:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=85673

Street protesters twist chants with a twang

Journalists and other members of the media covering Monday's protests
during President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address were surprised
with activist chants not from the regular Filipino demonstrators but
from English-speaking protesters all the way from abroad.

Filipino-American members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
from Honolulu, Los Angeles and New York participated in the protests
along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, several hundred meters from
Mrs. Arroyo's location at the Batasan Pambansa Complex.

Together with their Filipino counterparts, "imported" protesters
expressed dismay at the political and economic climate in the
Philippines.

Two of them, Belgians Koen Roel and Veronique Potuer, joined street
demonstrators in shouting "Hoy, hoy, hoy" and "Ibasura."

"They face political killings. We want to express our international
solidarity with them," Roel said, referring to the cases of murdered
Filipino activists who were identified with left-leaning groups.

"Do not criminalize what activists are doing. We just want to help,"
Filipino American Valerie Francisco said in her parents' native
language.

The Fil-Ams also headlined the "variety show" of the demonstrators atop
a makeshift stage. Instead of venting their anti-Arroyo statements by
way of shouting, a group did a rap number.

Their song's lyrics, however, was unflattering to the President.

"Gloria we say, we abrreviated GMA. Another President puppet to the
USA," sang a rapper.

Poteur, meanwhile, said that she does not fear for her safety following
the 40-day ordeal of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in the hands of
Muslim extremists in Mindanao.

Bossi, a missionary, was kidnapped on June 10 in Zamboanga Sibugay
province.

"I think it's a dangerous place for Filipinos [but] not for foreigners
if you [know] what's happening [around you]," said Poteur. With a
report from Ni–a Corpuz, ABS-CBN News

FIRE NEEDS YOUR DONATION!

Kimmie and I are glad that you enjoyed last night's screening of Modern Heroes, Modern Slaves. We are grateful for the opportunity to share with you the many stories of struggle faced by overseas Filipinos all over the world. We strongly encourage you to take these stories back to the communities you serve and note how these gross injustices replay themselves in local narratives.

Thank you for also filling out our event assessment form, as it is our only line of evaluation, and our impetus for improvement. We are elated that you enjoyed the empanadas, promise a discussion at next month's film, and look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events and actions.

Organizationally, one of our objectives is to send Val to WISAP!
FiRE is excited to have a representative present for the Women's International Solidarity Affair in the Philippines (WISAP). However, unexpected expenses have led to some difficulty getting Val (FiRE's Sec. Gen) to attend ---- as the registration is $400--yes, American dollars! If you have the capacity to, please help us by making a donation below. ANY AMOUNT HELPS!!!!

(FAQ: Paypal takes about $2 off per transaction, and accepts credit/debit cards, personal checks EVEN WITHOUT A PAYPAL ACCOUNT)

Sandy!

Sandy has been an amazing organizational partner and friend. When we had to wish her well as she starts a new life this fall in London (though she will be making a quick stop in the Philippines--- where she and Val will reunite during Expo trips), everyone's hearts broke a little. As a one of the six founding members of FiRE, she has been an incredible asset to this organization, community, and movement. Best of luck, Sundraaaaa, and we can't wait to see you when you return for Diwang Pinay next year! <3

Founding Retreat! (Part 2)

And April 14th, 2007 is when FiRE was born! What a lovely time with you all! <3

Founding Retreat!

The lovely folks of FiRE are in the middle of their founding retreat! Our constitution was created today and the following is our mission statement:

Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) is a mass based women’s organization serving New York City and its surrounding areas. We are dedicated to global and local Filipina and Filipina American issues. We believe that class oppression is inextricable to the struggle of women; therefore we support and create women’s initiatives by fostering leadership, building alliances and mobilizing our immigrant and native-born community through critical education and learning. We are an anti-imperialist formation working in solidarity with the National Democratic movement of the Philippines. We connect the Filipino diaspora to the women’s struggle in the Philippines by organizing across class, gender, sexual identity, and age lines. Bringing woman-born and woman-identified people together, we challenge pervading stereotypes by creating self-defined Filipina identities.

Congrats, women!

Our Temp Logo!

Yay! (For now)

Contact Us!

About FiRE!

Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) is a mass based women’s organization serving New York City and its surrounding areas. We are dedicated to global and local Filipina and Filipina American issues. We believe that class oppression is inextricable to the struggle of women; therefore we support and create women’s initiatives by fostering leadership, building alliances and mobilizing our immigrant and native-born community through critical education and learning. We are an anti-imperialist formation working in solidarity with the National Democratic movement of the Philippines. We connect the Filipino diaspora to the women’s struggle in the Philippines by organizing across class, gender, sexual identity, and age lines. Bringing woman-born and woman-identified people together, we challenge pervading stereotypes by creating self-defined Filipina identities.

FiRE can be reached at the following email: fire.nyc@gmail.com

Meet FiRE's Executive Committee! (2007-2008)
Secretary General – Valerie Francisco
Organizational Development Director – Hanalei Ramos
Educational Discussion Director – Kimmie David
Mass Campaign Coordinator –

Other Founding Members:
Robin Castel
Charlene Morales
Sandra Panopio


• General Assembly meetings are on every second Wednesday of the month.
• Executive Council Meetings are on every fourth Wednesday of the month.
• Educational Discussions (EDs) occur monthly and vary by topic. Please check our blog frequently to receive updates.
• Pinay Brunch happens one weekend a month. Please visit the official site at pinaybrunch.blogspot.com
• The Young Women's Resource Academy meets every other Friday at Philippine Forum.

Philippine Forum:
54-05 Seabury Street, Elmhurst, New York 11373.
To get to the Philippine Forum office, take the V, G and R trains to Grand Avenue/Newtown Station in Elmhurst, Queens. Exit on Southside of Queens Boulevard . Walk towards 54th Avenue and turn left on Seabury St . Take the side entrance to the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown.

Summer Screening Series
@ the International Action Center
39 W 14th St (Between 5th and 6th Aves.)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 633-6646