On April 26, a panel of immigration attorneys and a representation from INS will discuss the laws and process when applying for U. S. citizenship and the problems to avoid so the application is not rejected.  This free workshop, "NATURALIZATION CLINIC – Applying For U. S. Citizenship", will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fil-Am Trade and Cultural EXPO. The workshop is sponsored by the Southwest Center For Asian Pacific American Law (SCAPAL), a nonprofit law center. The EXPO, sponsored by "One Vision One Voice" will be held on April 26, Saturday, at the Golden Hall San Diego Concourse, 202 C St. The EXPO is free and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Transportation services will be provided at designated locations from Mira Mesa and National City. A ribbon-cutting opening ceremony with local-elected officials and Filipino diplomats is planned for 10:00 a.m.

Consular Services

 
A consular outreach program will be held by the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles. Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon announced that Vice Consul Jim B. San Agustin will lead a team that would provide the following consular services: processing of applications for Philippine passports and renewals, notarization of documents, and processing of Philippine citizenship reacquisition. Sam Samson, a local business entrepreneur and EXPO sponsor will be assisting the consulate team.

Corporate sponsors

Corporate sponsors include: Viejas Enterprises, Samson PCS, AT&T, RCBC Remittance Services, Open Community IT, Operation Samahan Community Health Centers, San Diego Center for the Blind, American Cancer Society, Conching’s Café (8th St National City) and Jochi’s Restaurant (1340 3rd Ave. Chula Vista inside the Seafood City), Alpha Phi Omega (APOAASD).

Transportation Services
Transportation vans will be available at the Mira Mesa SeniorCenter on 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd and KimballTowers on 1450 D Ave. National City. Pickup times are scheduled for 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.. The last return trip is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Chef Larry on stage at noon

Famous local Filipino Chef Larry will share his culinary expertise on stage at noon.

Home Foreclosures Help Workshop

A workshop on 995 HOPE- help on home foreclosures and mortgage loans will be given by Noel Bigay of Auritron Solutions.

"REDISTRICTING--WHAT IS THIS AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOUR VOTING RIGHTS" 

The workshop is also sponsored by SCALPAL will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. A panel of attorneys, professors and other professionals will educate the public about redistricting and voting rights and how to improve political empowerment in San Diego County's API community.  This is free and open to the public.  Seating is limited. Pre-registration is recommended by emailing SCAPAL at info@scapal.org or phooper@qhlawyers.com or by calling SCAPAL at 858 571 9070 no later than April 23rd.

For workshop information contact Demy Din at Demy@filamexpo.com or Dr. Ceferina Ruiz at DrRuiz@filamexpo.com.

Health Services

 Operation Samahan Community Health Centers will be offering the following services during the EXPO: Blood Pressure Tests, Asthma Screenings, Blood Sugar Screening, Pediatric BMI assessments, Smoking Cessation Consultations, Rapid Oral HIV Testing (results in 20 minutes), Cancer Detection Program info, Screening/Assessments for Samahan Programs & Services, Set appointments with our Doctors right at the Expo, Reproductive Health insurance eligibility & enrollment. These services will be coordinated by program manager, Brian Hayes.

Computer Giveaways

            Open Community IT, the technology division of Operation Samahan Inc., will share technical expertise during the EXPO on: Medical Practice Management System (PMS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Accounting Systems, Groupware, HR Systems - Time Keeping, Telephone System, Website Development, Technical Training, Consulting Services. In keeping with it’s philosophy of offering low cost, open source solutions to bridge the “digital divide”, Open Community-IT will be giving away four complete Linux based computer systems, each consisting of a computer, monitor, mouse and keyboard! Eric Bringas and Jay Ampolo can be reached at (619) 477-4451 or egbringas@operationsamahan.org and jampolo@opencommunity-it.org

Radio stations and Opera Stars “Karim at Jasmin”

 
Stars from the spectacular Filipino opera “Karim at Jasmin” will render song snippets from the opera at about 1:30. The opera will be playing that same evening at the Spreckels Theater. Written by Dr. Ramon Sison Geluz, the opera touches the heart of the modern audience with its exotic setting in a Southern Philippine village and is about love, family, honor, war and the pursuit of peace.

Radio Z90 and KFMB Magic 92.5 will have booths. Many genres of entertainment are planned, to include talents Marlon Dane, local R&B singer, From Rising Starz of RC Delmor Intl: young singers Carolyne Bantug and Emily Talampas, AB Samahan SDSU, group folk dance from local, cultural, pop, band to modern dance. For more program information and inclusion, contact J.R. Melchor at JR@filamexpo.com or Virgil Yalong at virgil@filamexpo.com.

Exhibitors

 A partial list of confirmed vendors and exhibitors include: AIG Insurance Company, Alpha Phi Omega (APOAASD), Anooh.com, Arlie Ricasa for State Assembly, 78th District, AT&T, Auriton Solutions/ HOPE NOW, Barbizon, City of San Diego City Council Members Best Care Health Systems, BSV Productions/Clicktone Pictures, Consul General of the Philippines, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (FACC), Filipino American National Historical Society, First Christian Church of National City, Heavy Rotation, Hellocom Inc, JeepneyBooks.com, Kalusugan Community Services, KAMP (Kuya Ate Mentorship Program), Kent Karras Chiropractic, Leave Your Legacy Ent. Inc, Niederfranks, Office of Mayor Jerry Sanders, Open Community IT, Operation Samahan, Pacific Home Remodeling, Philippine Tourism and Philippine Trade, RCBC Remittance Services, Robert Strong & Associates, Sam Samson PCS, San Diego Center for the Blind, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Registrar of Voters, San Diego Republican Party, Southwest Center For Asian Pacific American Law (SCAPAL), Share Network of San Diego, Teresita L. Paje - Financial Adviser ICM, Viejas Enterprises, Zija. Food concessions will be provided by Conching’s Café (8th St National City) and Jochi’s Restaurant (1340 3rd Ave. Chula Vista inside SeafoodCity). Security services will once again be provided by APOAASD.

Media Sponsors

 Media sponsors include: ASIA, Asian Journal, ASIANReader, Filipino Times, National City News, Philippines & Asian Report, Philippine Village Voice and San Diego County Times.

Booths Sponsorships Advertising

 Any FilAm organization can have a booth free provided they do not sell goods. Vendors, those selling any type of goods or services, will be charged a fee of $225. Nonprofit organizations that are non-Filipino will be charged a $125 fee. For vendor booth information contact Joseph Roley Arzaga at Joseph@filamexpo.com. For more information on sponsorship levels and advertising rates, please check out www.filamexpo.com.

Next Group Meeting

The next meeting of the organizing group will be on: April 16 at Villa Manila Restaurant on 8th St. National City. Volunteers are invited to join. Leading the volunteer team are Michael Nguyen (Michael@filamexpo.com) and Michelle Mendoza (Michelle@filamexpo.com).

From a Press release issued by the OVOV, San Diego, CA, sent by Romeo P. Marquez of the Philippine Village Voice.