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 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.