Tuesday, August 28, 2012

REFLECTIONS: And so it began...Providing Access To Hope




And there they were, beautiful bright stars twinkling against the inky black sky. The FALDEF/NaFFAA volunteers, by the light of their hearts, shined as beacons against the darkness of this country’s immigration laws, assisting Filipino nationals seeking to know if they qualified for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals via the PATH For DREAMs Program. 



(The 1st PATH for DREAMs DACA processing event at the Philippine Center, August 24, 2012)


This is a history making joint initiative not only because of those whose plight are being addressed nor for the organizations that have chosen to band together (PCGNY/FALDEF/NaFFAA) but also, for a very specific possibility it promises and holds.  The Consul General, Mario De Leon, envisions the fulfillment of his long held wish when Filipino nationals will no longer need to show their passports as a means of identification. This makes them vulnerable. He believes the PATH For DREAMs Program will be the beginning, the catalyst for all Filipino nationals to having a Consular I.D. Card. The Mexican community has had it for years. The Filipino nationals deserve no less for themselves. He therefore dares to lead towards this ambitious end as the PATH For DREAMs Program sweeps across the nation---processing one DACA at a time. For those whose family is with them, this is the ideal setting for them to find guidance and answers since it is untainted by any material gain. Ever ready at the Consul General’s side are the soft-spoken Deputy Consul General Ms. Tess Dizon-De Vega and Consul Bong Carino. It was they who coordinated closely with NaFFAA/FALDEF in order to provide a venue at the Consulate which allowed the program to be rolled out in a haven of safety and confidentiality. 

(Volunteers at the 1st PATH for DREAMs event reviewing DACA documents)


The volunteers came from all walks of life. Lawyers and paralegals from at least five different law firms were there in force. A principal from a catholic school in New York manned one of the tables. A non-for-profit center in Brooklyn was well represented with its two paralegals and, believe it or not, an intern who loves, yes loves, assisting in filling out forms! There was a financial professional, works for Morgan Stanley, who came that Friday night, never having been to any such event before or knowing what it was really about yet stayed to assist all of the three hours of DACA processing. One of the newest FALDEF members, an author of a book that documents exactly the situation of the applicants, a former I.T. professional, has clocked in about 60-70 hours every week making flyers, posters, running the FALDEF website and Facebook page (as if her full time job as a mother, wife and newly published book were not enough!). She wept meeting a family mirroring her own pain and suffering. This family’s situation is exactly why she wrote the book and also why she has been, for weeks, selflessly giving her time and talents. 




The "Tita" table - (left to right) NaFFAA NJ State Chair & member of FALDEF Board, Mrs.Nimfa Du- Tinana, NaFFAA Treasurer, Mrs. Cely Deauna, FALDEF Secretary,  Angie Cruz Ph. D.,  and Mrs. Lilibeth Napolitano all manning the Meet & Greet Table at the PATH For DREAMs Program at the Philippine Consulate on Aug 24. Applicants came in to find out if they are eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Then there are the ‘old stand-by’s’ (nothing to do with age but reliability!). At the “Tita Table” were four ladies, veterans of FALDEF/NaFFAA volunteer work. They normally put in long hours behind the scenes quietly making sure the organizations have what they need when they need it.  Today they were fully seen for their beauty and expertise as they greeted applicants and volunteers. It was they who made sure everyone had their paperwork ready at the start and complete at the end. To look at them you’d think the job doesn’t match them. Why? They look way too glamorous (one was a beauty queen in her younger days)! In truth they actually do and they cover the not-so-glam part of the job: paperwork! They made sure to have name tags, folders, pens, post-its and a firmness to make sure everything checked off. Oh, did I mention they had a zebra print clip board for applicants to use? Yup, glamorous.



(NaFFAA Region 1 Director of Advocacy, Ivan Gonzales, assisting Filipino nationals during the 1st PATH For DREAMs Program at the Philippine Consulate on Aug 24th. Next to him is NaFFAA Reg 1 Chairman, Atty. Emerito Salud)

The youth were well represented. Eager, good looking, super intelligent and, icing on the cake, superbly dressed. All come from an avant-garde organization well recognized in the nation. Their legal and educational background, social consciousness and passion were an enormous contribution to making a difference for others. They work closely and serve with the Regional Chair of NaFFAA Region 1, Attorney Emerito Salud. 

In all, there were four different nationalities, about nine types of professions, four languages, at least two dialects and an age range from about 23 to 60 years old in the volunteer community. Like a symphony orchestra, all 15 of them, came together beautifully as they officially launched the first of many more PATH For DREAMs Program events.



There was much to be thankful for that evening. Eighteen Filipino nationals came to FALDEF/NaFFAA’s arms to be assisted in this dire situation in their life. In the safety and confidentiality of the room, they shared their fears, heartache and longing. They hoped against hope they would get that Yes at the end. They hoped against hope they could one day be free in the land of the free. Free from hiding and shame. To some that was the case. For others, the Universe, in its great wisdom somehow felt it was not such an easy Yes. To those, PATH For DREAMs Program, at least, serves as a safety net to turn to and get further assistance in what’s next for them. They at least now know there is place where money is not the motivation to serve them. They at least now know that they are NOT ALONE navigating the shark invested waters of corrupt, greedy lawyers and a legal system that has chosen to forget their humanity. We were humbled to serve them.




The great unsung hero in all of this is FALDEF President, Attorney JT Mallonga. His loving and large heart is what draws all these people who have come from far and wide. Only those who work closely with him will know how long his day is, how many emails and calls he gets, crisis he addresses, documents he writes up, family time he gives up, meetings he attends and finally, how he fights for lives from either being executed or inhumanely kept in detention centers. He is the Sun that makes life in this FALDEF/NaFFAA galaxy possible. We thank you, sir, for your dedication and selflessness. May the universe continue to shower you with success, good health, fulfillment and abundance in order to be able to continue to serve our voiceless brothers and sisters.