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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2008
Contact: Steve Raga, BAYAN-USA Northeast Coordinator, 917-392-4546,
Filipinos in New York Celebrate a True Filipino Hero, Ka Bel
Queens, New York—In a solemn gathering of 30 to 50, Filipinos from all
over New York City came to salute the life and contributions of the late
Congressman Crispin Beltran, known to many community members across the
Philippines and the world as Ka Bel.
BAYAN-USA organizations New York Committee for Human Rights in the
Philippines (NYCHRP), Anakbayan New York/New Jersey and Filipinas for
Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) led the vigil for the night with prayer,
songs and reflections. "What does Ka Bel have to do with me? Everything,"
stated Valerie Francisco, chair of FiRE, "His service to the people was
and continues to be a sparkling example of what fighting for justice is
supposed to mean."
The action held in the heart of the Filipino community in Queens, New York
coincided with a national work halt called by the militant union Kilusang
Mayo Uno (May 1st Movement – KMU) in the Philippines in honor of Beltran
on the day of his funeral. The vigils for Ka Bel -- spread throughout the
US happening in Seattle, San Francisco and LA -- was a testament to Ka
Bel's widespread influence, even in the US.
Born and raised in New York, Steve Raga from NYCHRP was greatly inspired
by Ka Bel's life and work from the Philippines and around the world. He
remembered, "When Ka Bel was released from a 16-month detention under the
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime, he insisted that it didn't matter if he
was out of jail because there is a bigger fight to be fought." Deeply
affected by the life and death of Ka Bel, Raga declared that the way we
will commemorate his life is through organizing and mobilizing for the
rights of the workers and the poor in the Philippines.
Bernadette Ellorin, secretary general of BAYAN-USA, stated, "Ka Bel was a
true example of a kasama who dedicated his life to serving the people and
living simply." At the age of 75, still strong and committed, Ka Bel
served in the Philippine congress as a representative of Anakpawis since
2001. Premised by over 55 years of work with several worker organizations
like the Taxi Driver Union and Kilusang Mayo Uno, Ka Bel worked hard to
champion the rights of workers.
"Ka Bel's legacy lives on in the militant struggle against the fascist GMA
administration, US imperialism and the landlessness in the Philippines,"
Jonna Baldres, secretary general of Anakbayan NY-NJ added, "It's not about
the way he died, it's about the way he lived."
Vice chair of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns Rico Foz
reminded the crowd about Ka Bel's international work, fighting not only
for better working conditions and livable wages for Filipino workers but
for workers worldwide. As the first chairman of the International League
of Peoples Struggle, Ka Bel was a staunch advocate the way to establish
international alliances between people's movements globally.
The somber evening closed with tears and heartfelt goodbyes but, more
importantly, all of the Filipino youth, community members and leaders
recommitted to the very fight for justice that Ka Bel's life represented.
The upcoming "CRICES: Got rice?" concert by BAYAN USA Northeast will also
include cultural performances as tribute to Ka Bel. The concert will be
held at the BarYo Restaurant in Woodside, Queens on May 31.
Mabuhay si Ka Bel!
Patuloy ang laban, Ka Bel!
Sulong Anakpawis!
Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!
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Anakbayan (in english: "youth of the nation") is a comprehensive mass
organization that aims to build unity among Filipino youth -- immigrant,
US-born/raised, student, working, LGBT, women, artists, etc -- striving
for nationalism and democracy and for the promotion of cultural awareness
and the advancement of rights, welfare, and social justice. All Filipino
youth are agents of social change, so all Filipino youth are welcome to
join.
Anakbayan New York/New Jersey is a full-fledged chapter of Anakbayan in
the Philippines and a member organization of BAYAN USA, MIGRANTE
International, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and
International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS).
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Email: anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com
Yahoogroups: anakbayan_nynj@yahoogroups.com
Blogspot: http://anakbayan-ny.blogspot.com
Multiply: http://anakbayannynj.multiply.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/anakbayannynj
Friendster: http://profiles.friendster.com/anakbayannynj
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9868109595
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