Bad economy stymies UFO programs, fundraising

The economic turmoil has been impacting the programs and fundraising of Filipino groups in the CNMI, but the United Filipino Organization said it is during these troubling times that member-organizations should help one another more than ever and continue to give back to the community.

Olive Yana, the newly inducted president of UFO, the umbrella organization of 31 Filipino groups in the CNMI, said the tough economic times reduce the ability of member-organizations to raise funds for their projects.

The affected projects include building classrooms in underserved areas in the Philippines, funding the education of needy students back home, the holding of cultural activities in the CNMI, and helping those who are victims of disasters in the Philippines.

“It’s now hard to raise funds and look for sponsors for programs and activities because of the economy,” Yana told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The Visayas-Mindanao Association, or Visminda, for example, used to donate $200 to each member whose loved one passed away.

“This has stopped; there’s no more automatic donation of $200. We still help but not as much as before; it now depends on individual member’s ability to help,” said Yana, who is also the secretary of Visminda.

She said UFO’s sponsorship of the annual Philippine Independence Day celebration, highlighted by the Pistang Pinoy or Filipino Festival, has to be scaled down due to lack of funds.

The annual celebration used to be held at the Civic Center in Susupe but Yana said UFO had to pay $500 for power consumption alone and another $1,500 to $2,000 to put up a stage.

“To save money, we decided to hold the Pistang Pinoy at the Garapan Centeral Park [in 2008] because we didn’t have to pay for power and there’s already a stage available. This year, we have not decided yet where to hold it,” said Yana, who is also the president of the Saipan Association of Filipino Skilled Workers.

She said the decision on where to hold the June 12 Independence Day celebration will depend on whether UFO will be able to raise enough funds from the upcoming UFO basketball tournament.

In addition, the UFO float for the annual Fourth of July Parade has also been scaled down to save costs.

Established in 1993, UFO has helped many needy Filipinos in the CNMI and in the Philippines through its various programs and projects, including the Adopt-A-School Project, book donations, and scholarships for needy but deserving young Filipinos.

UFO has also consistently joined the CNMI government and private sector in its various community projects and programs through volunteer work.

Besides the Pistang Pinoy, UFO has also initiated and consistently celebrated the “Paskong Pinoy” and “Simbang Gabi,” giving the CNMI community a glimpse of Filipino culture and traditions.

UFO aims to unite the many diverse regional, professional, sports, and other Filipino organizations in the CNMI. But Yana said there are some member organizations that are now inactive, and she called on them to reactivate. UFO consists of at least two representatives from each member organization.

Some of the member-organizations of UFO are the Bayani Association, Bicol Association, Circulo Boholano, Cabalen, Cavite Association, CNMI Power, Filipino Community Foundation, Kapisanan Ng Mga Maggagawang Pilipino, Marianas Radio Group (MDX), Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects, Marianas Filipino Women Association, Mariana Islands Filipino Institute of CPAs, Northern Marianas Bartenders’ Association, Samahang Laguna, Saipan Filipino Referees Association, Samahang Ilocano at Pangasinense, University of the Philippines Alumni Association-CNMI Chapter, and the Visayas Mindanao Association.
[B] 2009 UFO officers[/B]

On March 15, Philippine labor attaché Joann Lourdes Lavilla swore in the 2009 officers and board members of UFO led by president Olive Yana.

The ceremony, held at the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel in Garapan, also inducted the following officers: vice president-administrative, Melvin Malvar; vice president-internal, Apollo Madriaga; vice president-external, Ladyvir Canape; secretary, Annamae Adaza; assistant secretary, Evelyn Deazeta; treasurer, Fernan Enano; assistant treasurer, Mylene Macapagal; auditor, Antonio Soriano; public relations officer-internal, Nicasio Galvez; and public relations officer-external, Lolita Velasco.

Yana said the 2009 officers will continue UFO’s tradition of holding cultural activities such as the Pistang Pinoy, and other civic duties including assistance to disaster victims.

On April 10, UFO will again put up a table and tent on the side of the road leading to Mount Tapochau to provide free food and drinks to those who will join the annual Good Friday trek to Saipan’s highest point. This will be followed by the April 26 UFO 7th Inter-Organizational Basketball League.