Nov 2025 - Kababayan Newsletter

ALL SOULS DAY IN WESTSIDE LONG BEACH REFLECTIONS ON THE MEANING OF UNDAS ACROSS GENERATIONS

By Re Prado

Undas is a day to grie but most of all it is a d be in good company unload the burden of grief, and to honor th we ve lost

It s been a year and a since my lola died aft ten-year battle with Congestive Heart Fail Since then, mourning has become muscle memory for my family Mama’s ofrenda is ne empty, she’ll never go hungry with plates of bread, ulam and snac we lay out every time eat together as a fam We’ve bought more flowers in the past yea and a half than in my entire lifetime Papa sits at the cementaryo quietly and I write Mama letters in my journal, telling her things I was too scared to say to her while she was still here

Kahit bumili ng gulay kahit tumingin sa labas ng pinto, kahit madumi ang mga kamay sa lupa ng hardin, kahit tumingin sa isang paruparo sa paglilipad maaalala kita.

Mama I ve asked myself so many questions since I realized this was the disease that would take her What could we have done differently to save her from this condition? Why do so many of us Filipinos work in healthcare, yet we suffer and die from some of the most persistent, often stress-related conditions? How do you grieve something that feels like it was taken from you? Why must I lose you in this way?

Ilan ang mga bata ang nagdadalamhati sa isang mahal sa buhay na kinuha mula sa kanila?

accept and carry with us Loss of a home, mourning sacrifices we or our families made to leave our home country for a chance at stability Loss of language loss of community, loss of culture When I cry and a wave of rage washes over me--I think of the people whose loved ones were taken from them, only they were taken by someone who has a name and a badge number. Or an agency that promised them a living wage and a home for their family in another country Or an official that promised protections that were never provided

continued on page 2

I’ve come to realize the hands that tear away migrant parents from their children are directed by the same system that forces our kababayan to work back-breaking jobs just to scrape by and die from being overworked and chronically stressed It s the same system that kills innocent journalists students, and farmers in the Philippines with bombs gunfire, ghost flood-control projects, and corruption And it’s the same system that allows Lola Lorna to die on her way to church, and for the corner she was hit by a car at to still remain unchanged and without renovation It is a system that gives no thought to the grief it puts us through as long as those in power remain.

Exploitation, forced migration wage theft, workplace violence deportation and family separation what makes others richer is paid for with the human cost of loss and suffering

Grief is a bellowing cry from deep inside us. Deeply personal and still, it s an echo that rings through the whole world, across oceans and in the hearts of our families back home As Filipinos, we experience loss in ways that we learn to bury deep inside. This Undas, I’m tired of the kind of grief that remains buried within, that makes us feel lost and heartbroken This Undas, I want to remember those we’ve lost by fighting for the living. By fighting for a Philippines where our families can be reunited, where we can live and die with dignity, not as a result of negligence and exploitation. By fighting for a city that is safe for us to live and walk and enjoy full and healthy lives. By fighting to free those who are alive, yet grieving loved ones who have been torn away from them, with no promises of surviving detention.

Araw-araw, naaalala kita Pero lalo na naaalala kita kapag lumalaban ako para sa ibang tulad mo.

Re Prado is a Street Safety Campaign volunteer and member of Filipinos in Health - Long Beach

Victory! Street S Campaign Wins for Street Safety

The Street Safety Campaign co outreach and advocacy for the Westside Long Beach Volunte community picnic on Septemb various concerns of local hous that WLB residents share con incomes, the housing crisis, a the neighborhood Residents difficulties with affordability an about the high rate of traffic a around Santa Fe Ave

On October 7 and 21 local com mobilized to the Long Beach C meetings to share public com improved safety infrastructure After months of campaigning presented a proclamation in Lorna, a local WLB resident w after a car collision on Sante committed a budget of $100, street safety on the Santa Fe This is a significant victory m organizing the campaign, un fighting for our demands tog

The fight isn’t over, as resident just commercial streets to be i shared concerns about the lac behind the closure of Hudson and on-going pollution in the

11th @ 5:30 PM Film Screening FORWARD /palaya nscreeningnov11

v 14

N IN ACTION: Webinar People, Fight Corruption n Zoom: t nyurl.com/bdr1114

ov 30 nifacio Day! and connecting to them, it doesn’t have to be a big gesture, the smallest thing can make an impact.” Café Dochi can be found inside Teofilo Coffee Company on 714 E Carson St Follow Catanayag and Café Dochi on Instagram @cafedochi.

Artist Spotlight: Arisha How

Arisha How is a recent graduate of the Kabataan Unite Youth Program (pictured right) held this past summer at the Fi pino Migrant Center

Drawing inspiration from their family’s experiences moving from the Ph lippines to the United States How wrote “Papa’s Girl” which debuted at the Mabuhay Migrante Art Exhibit in August 2025. The poem is written from the perspective of How’s mother talking to her own father, speak ng of the sacrifices she had to make to provide for her own family.

Papa’s Girl

Papa do you see me?

I left my home, my friends, you

I wanted to do r ght by you

I made the r ght cho ce, I hope you think so too

Papa can you see me?

I’m working hard, ust l ke you taught me.

I’m provid ng for my fam y in this country, just l ke you taught me.

Papa can you see me?

I had to eave my daughters a one, to fend for the r own

I’ve been overworked and underpa d,

But I power through the hardsh ps, just like you taught me

Papa do you hear me?

When I think about you, I feel ike crying

When I think about you, It’s like I m 19 again

Your absence sti wounds me ke a fresh cut

No amount of sutures or bandaids can patch the hole that you left in my heart

Papa do you st know me?

My daughters feel ke they bare y know me

I’ve seen them grow, flour sh into beautiful rays of light that the sun wou d envy

But I barely know them, One of them, a mirror image of me,

We share the same eyes, the same nose, the same smile But yet, she barely knows me

How can I look at someone, indistinguishab e from me

But know so l ttle about them?

FAQs on the Government Shutdown

What is the government shutdown?

The U.S government shutdown began on October 1, 2025 poised to become one of the longest in history

How Will I Be Affected?

Food and Housing:

SNAP, WIC, and Cal Fresh benefits will be affected starting November with expected delays and only partial funding

Housing assistance funding and processing halted

Immigration:

There are delays in immigration paperwork, visa renewals, and adjustments of status applications

Agencies like USCIS may still operate but prepare for extended delays and slowdowns

Working Visas:

The Department of Labor may suspend the processing of labor certifications, prevailing wage requests, etc.

Without Department of Labor certifications many work visa filings will stall until the shutdown ends

Elderly, Disabled, or Medically Vulnerable:

Delays in Medicare/Medicaid card processing, benefits replacement, or clinic services

Federally funded health programs will reduce staff or capacity

What Should I Do If I’ve been affected?

If services and benefits you rely on are at risk of stoppage and delays during the government shutdown, community resources are available Call the FMC hotline at (562) 453-3408

Filipino Migrant Center Celebrates 15 Anniversary:

th On October 25, 2025, Filipino Migrant Center (FMC) celebrated its 15 anniversary with a gala dinner celebration themed, “Rooted in Justice, th Rising for Change.”

Over 450 attendees came together to celebrate the non-profit’s achievements, while showing support for its current campaigns to defend migrants, combat Anti-Asian hate, and stand up for workers rights

Rooted in Justice, Rising for Change

“Since being a part of the community, you all make me stronger – from my fear, little by little nawawala ang fear ko. Because of the community. You all. I was motivated and encouraged to fight. To stand up for my kids,” said Nerissa Gonzalez of Migrante San Diego.

Attendees from across Southern California attended to support and donate to FMC to be able to provide free services and resources for low-income Filipino workers, youth, women, migrants, families, and seniors To learn more, visit 1631 West Burnett St , Long Beach CA 90810

F lipino Workers Performance with M grante South Bay, LA and San Diego members performing “BAYAN

WORKERS PROGRAM FOR CAREGIVERS

By Emmanuel Ronquillo

DURING FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

October was Filipino America History Month, a time to reco and honor the lives, struggles achievements of Filipinos in t United States. The month wa time of reflection, to rememb hardships that Filipinos conti face each day. But it was also for encouragement and unity chance for kababayan to com together and call for genuine change

On October 1, Filipino Migran Center hosted the first sess its workers program, an educational workshop and community gathering mean give workers a space to find community, share their experiences, and take actio fair treatment and wages. T three sessions of the two-month program had 8 participants, a majority of whom are active caregivers living and working in the Long Beach area

Thousands of Filipinos Protest Government Corruption and “Ghost Flood Projects”

Over the past several months, Filipinos, at home and abroad, expressed outrage over the "ghost flood projects” in the Philippines. Since the beginning of his presidency, President Marcos Jr has allocated P545 billion ($29 6 billion) of government funding to flood-control projects The projects have proved dangerously ineffective Despite this budget, Filipinos across the archipelago are still vulnerable to the devastation of annual flood seasons, with thousands of people displaced, injured, or dead among countless submerged homes

$2.3 million to her former caregivers.

Participants learned practical skills and information over the first few weeks, such as labor protections (regardless of documentation status) and how to calculate their legal minimum wage requirements. The workers also learned about the issue of wage theft, an issue prevalent in California, with many employers stealing thousands from their employees. Participants were introduced to the End Wage Theft (EWT) Campaign, grassroots efforts to get workers the wages they are owed

The workers program is not just about educational workshops, but about building community among the participants and local residents. Workers shared their frustrations over mistreatment or low-wages, but connected over their similar values and love for their families. Despite the challenging nature of their work, the caregivers all agreed on the importance of the service they provide.

When asked about her favorite part of the program, one participant,

are gathering as a community to show compassion to one another as workers.”

The workers program will continue through the end of November, with future sessions of the program planned for 2026

If you are interested in supporting caregivers in their fight for fair wages and treatment join the Justice for Filipino Caregivers Campaign, launching on November 5.

Details on page 8

On October 9th, a Senate investigation confirmed the existence of least 421 "ghost projects”, exposing that government officials and corporate contractors have been pocketing the funds for themselves rather than building infrastructure that is effective in protecting Filipinos from natural disasters

The neglect of the Philippine government of its people is not new but the Filipino people refuse to accept the mistreatment and thievery Mass protests erupted all over the country in September and October, with thousands of people taking to the streets to call for an end to rampant government corruption. The affected population demands that government funds be used to improve infrastructure and protect the people from these natural disasters, not line the wallets of politicians Despite the threat of police arrests, citizens continue to protest against the mistreatment of their communities

Filipino migrants in the United States share feelings of devastation and outrage as they watch the news unravel “I just want that these officials will be responsible for their wrongful act I want them to be in jail, course, and return back the money that they got from the Filipino people so that it can be used for good,” shared one migrant Filipino worker living in the Westside

The outrage is generational, as many Philippine officials come from political dynasties that have stolen from its citizens for decades. The image of politicians and their families flaunting wealth stolen from the blood of their people side-byside with the countless lives lost from floods and typhoons continues to ignite people into action

Widespread corruption in the Philippines drives countless people out of their homeland in search of better lives. “10 000 [Filipinos] are going abroad every day just to get a good, you know, future outside the country Instead of just waiting there, as we cannot get help from the government So that s why a lot of Filipinos are working abroad That's one of my reasons on why I came here,” the local migrant added, reflecting on the corrupt system and the resulting forced migration out of the country

As of the beginning November 2025, no government officials have been held accountable

Kababayan in the Philippines, United States, and internationally continue their demands for justice and the safety of their communities.