V

FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK

ANTI-VIOLENCE RESOURCE GUIDE

DIARIES
C E N T E N N I AL ISSUE | MARCH 2006

4 TH ANNUAL
F I LIPINA SUMMIT

Concerned About
Your Relationship?
A GUIDE TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT’S
RIGHT AND WHAT’S WRONG

2 0 0 6 VA G I N A W A R R I O R S

BECOMING A SWAN PRINCESS:

A T R A N S G E N D E R E D S TO RY

Justice to Comfort Women

Marisa
POWER A N D C O N T R O L

Gutierrez Angeles
A n t i - v i o l e n c e A d v o c a t e. D o n o r. S i n g l e M o m .

The “ V” Team
. . . . . . . .
♥ somehow we have struck a chord –
DeVoted Publisher
M a r i ly M o n d e j a r
DiVine Editor At Large
G e n e v i e v e V. J o pa n d a
Angel Art Director
Al S. Perez
. . . . ♥ . . . .
LoVe Editor
S T EP H ANIE LOLENG
. . . . . . . .
♥
Heart Contributors
T E S S CRES C INI
LORNA DIE T Z
RICA ECHAVEZ
B Y U M I G ONZALEZ
C o n n i e L l o r e n J U N G M ANN
( c ove r P h o to )
C H ERIE M . Q U EROL M ORENO
I M EL D A O P P EN H EI M
M ARIA LUI S A OS M EÑ A
G IO V ANNIE P I C O
B E T T INA S ANTO S YA P
. . . . ♥ . . . .
FWN Board of Directors
Tessie zaragoza, Chair
marily monde jar, President
dina guingona, Treasurer
Laarni San Juan, Director
Connie lloren JUNGMANN,
VP, Member Relations
edna rodis,
VP, Professional Development
Genevieve Jopanda,
VP, Youth & Community Advocacy
Jessica Jallorina,
VP, Communications
02 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
Marily Mondejar
President, Filipina Women’s Network
We Filipinos are a proud people who
value family, faith, and tradition. We
are also a compassionate people.
We help each other in times of need.
Despite personal difficulties, we help
friends and neighbors even if it means
personal sacrifice. When someone dies,
we grieve with them. When someone
is sick, we comfort her; bring her food.
Why is it then that when someone
we know is in an abusive relationship,
we become tongue-tied and helpless?
We avoid the person. We change the
subject. We feel embarrassed. We
sympathize but we do not often help.
When the Filipina Women’s Network
announced the production of Eve
Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues in
2004, FWN came under attack not
only by the Filipino community but also
by our own members. I was personally
criticized through emails and phone
calls for “defaming” our organization
and the Filipino community, for being a
bad role model, of being immoral, for
daring to speak the word “vagina”
and “puki.” I became known as the
“vagina lady.” We lost members. Some
of our volunteers feared for their safety
and questioned the wisdom of FWN’s
collaboration with Eve Ensler’s V-Day,
the global movement to end violence
against women and girls.
It was difficult emotionally to
separate myself from the backlash. The
resistance however challenged me and
provided an opportunity for reflection
and dialogue. I felt there was something
deeper to the hostile reaction and that
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
M e s s a g e f r o m t h e P U B L I SHER
why were people so threatened by
vaginas or “pukis”?
The Vagina Monologues is a play that
highlights the tragedy and comedy
about women’s sexual lives. While at
times funny, the play is graphic in its
description and representation of
women’s experiences. We held home
viewings and weekly rehearsals of
The Vagina Monologues: to find out
where the hostility and anger comes
from and to alleviate any uneasiness
about pukis. We made sure that every
attendee felt safe and that their
opinions were heard. What resulted
was unexpected. These home viewings
and weekly rehearsals became
community gatherings where women
shared their stories, their secrets, and
their recipes. It became a love fest and
a food fest. We called them Vagina
Love Feasts.
At these community gatherings,
we met Filipina victims of domestic
violence sharing the shame or “hiya.”
We found that many of us still think
that domestic violence only affects
other communities, the “puti,” poor
people, the uneducated, the TNTs.
We sensed helplessness. No one
knew where to go for help. Very few
knew about resources that were
available.
We found that agencies tasked with
helping women in abusive situations
lack culture- and language-appropriate
resources for Filipinas. Agencies cannot
often relate to the specific complexities
that Filipinos face in a domestic abuse
situation.
We learned the meaning of fear.
Victims of domestic violence are so
afraid for themselves, for their children.
Their aggressors instill such fear and
isolation that victims often feel that
no one will listen or help.
We learned about Claire Joyce
Tempongko. Marissa Corpuz.
Giovannie Pico. Many stories of
Filipinas still not ready to come out
publicly.
As the president of the Filipina
Women’s Network, I have made it one
of our organization’s top priorities to
help end domestic violence. The success
of our campaign can be achieved only
through coalition building.
For two years now, we have produced
The Vagina Monologues with an
all-Filipina cast and with Tagalog
vignettes to make it closer to home.
The Vagina Monologues fundraisers
have benefited CORA, WestBay, the
Filipinas Against Violence Campaign
and Eve Ensler’s Annual V-Day
Spotlight Campaigns (The Murdered
and Missing Women of Juarez, Mexico
in 2004, The Women of Iraq in 2005,
and Justice to Comfort Women in
2006). This year we are premiering the
first Tagalog version of The Vagina
Monologues, “Usaping Puki” as a
tribute to the Filipina Comfort Women
survivors and in homage to our
Filipina culture.
But we need to do more. We
need to partner with all our sister
community service agencies and
organizations. We need to rally our
workplaces to eradicate domestic
violence. We need to lobby our elected
officials to provide more funding for
much-needed resources for Filipinos.
We need to engage our friends and
neighbors about the roots of domestic
violence. We need to encourage
victims of abuse to seek help. We
need to talk to our sons and our
daughters about the realities of
domestic violence. And, most
importantly, we need to recognize
that in each of us is a compassionate
Filipino who can and should do
anything she can to make Filipinos
lead better and constructive lives.
 M e s s a g e f r o m t h e F W N B OAR D C HA I R

remain unnoticed. Recognition of

our community outreach resulted in
partnerships and commendations
from many organizations including
A performance engulfed in their
collective experience to bring the
urgency of the essence of “The
Vagina Monologues” – the urgency
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
V
DIARIES

the California State Assembly to stop the violence against women

Tessie Zaragoza
Chair, FWN Board of Directors
When Marily Mondejar approached
the Filipina Women’s Network’s
(FWN) Board to produce “The Vagina
Monologues” in 2004, there were
hesitations, primarily because it
would be a huge financial obligation.
FWN was running on volunteer
energy and to venture in the area of
money was too daunting a risk.
However, two performances
later, the FWN has catapulted to the
forefront of the Filipino community’s
efforts to break the silence about
domestic violence and identify the
providers who support the needs
of Filipinas. FWN’s efforts did not
presented by Speaker Pro Tempore
Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D., the San
Francisco Commission on the Status
of Women presented by its Executive
Director, Emily Moto Murase, Ph.D.,
and the declaration of “Filipina
Women’s Network Day” on March
13, 2005 in Alameda County
proclaimed by the Alameda County
Board of Supervisors and on March
14, 2005 in San Francisco by Mayor
Gavin Newsom.
“The Vagina Monologues”
also became a stage for personal
transformations for many of our
members. For more than eight
weeks, Filipinas treasured the
weekly rehearsals where they felt
safe to share, to remember, to
learn, to understand, to empathize,
and to journey with one another
in the performance of a lifetime.
and girls.
What was viewed as an outreach
to the Filipino community to become
aware of domestic violence, evolved
in the bonding of more than 100
women of Philippine ancestry.
Domestic violence has become
a common denominator of the
Filipina women, both Fil-Ims and
Fil-Ams (Filipino Immigrant/Filipino
American).
FWN, under the leadership of
Marily, took the bull by its horns and
uttered loud and clear “PUKI!!!”
and shattered the timidity of the
Filipino community. We are nurses,
educators, homemakers, students,
attorneys, united to stop the violence
against women and girls.
T a b l e o f C o n te n ts
Program: 17
The Vagina Monologues
Usaping Puki
About V-Day 15
2006 Vagina Warriors 10, 11
V-Resources 8, 9
The Vagina Monologues
Cast and Crew 18, 19, 20
Acknowledgments 23
O n the Cove r
Marisa Gutierrez Angeles 13
V-RESOURCE ARTICLES
Eve Ensler & V-Day Spotlight:
Comfort Women of Asia 4
Becoming a Swan Princess 21
Battering Personalities 12

M e s s a g e f r o m t h e E D I TOR - AT - L ARGE Equality Wheel 12

Genevieve Jopanda
VP, Youth & Community Advocacy
Since the first publication and release
of the V-Diaries, we have received 141
calls for help and requests for referrals.
V-Diaries, the anti-violence resource and
help guide for Filipinas became a tool in
the metamorphosis of healing and trans-
formation amongst us. It is only through
education and awareness can we break
the silence, and help change attitudes
that deny the existence of domestic
violence in our community. As the Cycle
of Violence ends, the Cycle of Healing
begins. Help us heal our community.
V-Diaries: A Year Later…
Last Year: areas.
Published 35,000 V-Diaries distrib-
uted in the San Francisco Chronicle,
Examiner, and the Bay Area Business
Woman throughout San Francisco Bay,
Peninsula, and greater East Bay.
FWN helped form the Filipino
Community Alliance, a coalition of
Filipino organizations who have
pledged to end domestic violence in
the Filipino community.
Giovannie Pico: Survivor. Advocate.
Single Mom. Actor
Power & Control 12
This Year:
We are committed to its annual pub-
lication until domestic violence stops V - F eatu r e S
Filipinas Against Violence 7
in the Filipino community. Expanded
distribution of the V-Diaries to include V-Diaries 6
South Bay, Sacramento, and Stockton
First Vagina Warrior 14,15
About FWN 26
All cast & crew members of this year’s
How to Reach FWN 26
The Vagina Monologues graduated
from a three-hour domestic violence
training workshop conducted with the © 2006 The V-Diaries is a publication of
help of Asian Women’s Shelter, API the Filipina Women’s Network.
Legal Outreach, and CORA. This pro-
gram allows its graduates to become
trained advocates and peer counselors
in the fight to end domestic violence.
Giovannie Pico: Vagina Warrior.
Advocate. Acting Coach. Founder: May
“K” the Giovannie Pico Foundation

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCT 03

Eve Ensler and V-Day 2006
Spotlight Comfort Women of Asia
By Genevieve V. Jopanda

I
n December 1941, Japanese
military forces landed on
the island of Luzon,
Philippines during the Asia /
Pacific Wars of WWII. Military
‘comfort stations’ were
constructed in Manila and other
occupied cities. An estimated
50,000 – 200,000 young women
were forced to offer sexual
services to the Japanese troops,
coining the term ‘comfort women.’
Women from Korea, China, In April 1943, 15 year old
Taiwan, North Korea, Indonesia, Maria Rosa L. Henson was
Malaysia, the Netherlands, taken by Japanese soldiers.
Timor L’Este, and the Philippines In 1992 after a radio
were sold to ‘comfort stations,’ announcement to urge comfort
deceptively recruited by middle women to come forward,
men to think they were going to Maria Rosa L. Henson broke
her silence. She passed away at
be given a better job, or detained
age 69 on August 18, 1997 of a
and forcibly abducted. In the heart attack at the Pasay City
cramped and shabby ‘comfort Hospital, Philippines.
stations,’ women were beaten,
tortured, and raped by up to 30
soldiers a day. her promise, she spotlights the
In the early 1990’s, surviving Comfort Women of Asia in this
victims of Japan’s military sexual year’s V-Day campaign.
slavery broke their silence and Today, the aging survivors
began to call for justice. Despite range from 75-90 years old. They
years of protest by the survivors, are continuing the campaign and
the Japanese government still the social movement for all
denies legal responsibility to victims and survivors until they
this day. receive reparation and redress,
In 2002, Eve Ensler visited the and a formal apology from the
Philippines and interviewed the Japanese government.
Filipina survivors at a V-Day
benefit performance of “The
Vagina Monologues.” She promised Genevieve V. Jopanda is a youth and
the Filipina survivors that she and community advocate for the Filipina
V-Day will work with them until Women’s Network. She can be reached
justice is served. Continuing with at genevievej@ffwn.org.

04 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

 2006 Ticket Donors Our Com mu n it y Partners
Suzanne Craig
Managing Director,
The Blueshirt Group
Jennifer and J.D. Swartz asian pacific american womens leadership institute
Dr. Marietta and Pio Banogon
CALIFORNIA
Reverend Eileen Peters WOMEN’S AGENDA
Divine House of God
Loreto Tinio
Alison Taylor Coy
Assistant Principal,
Cupertino High School
FILIPINO AMERICANS COMING TOGETHER
Mike Klugow @ Genentech

Eunice Azzani
Leah Laxamana
Dr. Jei Africa
Christine Dunham
Giovannie Pico
San Francisco Department
on the Status of Women

E D N A M U R R AY

Maria Luisa Osmeña, m.d.

UCSF-trained, Board Certified,
Pediatrician
invites you to visit her at her new office
Women’s
Intercultural
Live Well
medical clinic
Network
T ess C rescini 1150 El Camino Real, Suite 225, San Bruno, CA 94066 • (650) 873-3338

API Legal Outreach • Fillipino Community Alliance • West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCT 05

 I’m a Vagina Warrior
THE VAG INA MONOLOG UES

V
At the orientation of The Vagina Monologues, the cast
The word vagina has been coming up a lot lately.
and crew were given a journal to capture their thoughts as In fact it’s printed in big pink letters on posters
DIARIES the production progressed. Ultimately, they found a deeper
meaning to their participation as buried memories and
popping up all around town. People tell me they
find the word vagina, and the posters offensive.
feelings started surfacing. The following are excerpts from
their journals reflecting their involvement in The Vagina
Monologues and The Filipina Women’s Network. Do you know what I find offensive? A 17 year
old girl with a broken nose, beaten so badly she
requires emergency room treatment. Beaten by
five young men hanging out at the high school.
S ur vi vor
That’s offensive. Half a million rapes a year in
My mother is dying
-Tess Crescini this country [United States]. That’s offensive.
Dying not because of disease, A teenage girl hit with a two-by-four by
u so muc h,” or by accident, or freak of nature.
He said, “I love yo Dying because my father is members of her high school wrestling team.
her mouth shut,
as he duct taped beating her to death. Yep, I find that offensive too.
hind her back,
tied her hands be I am eight years old.
a belt
He beat her with My aunt is taking me and
That’s what V-Day and the Vagina Monologues
reclaiming my sisters out of school early.
proc laiming, he’s We think it’s going to be are all about – ending the violence. And that’s
manly dignity a special day.
why I’m thrilled to be a member of the cast of
hurt by her lies My mother is dying.
elity, Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues.” That’s
and imagined infid old wounds,
“Go home now and stop your
e st in gi ng sk in opening scabs of papa from hurting your mama.” why I’m proud to be a Vagina Warrior. Are you
th ,
et by the family
Her driver drops us a few
screams kept secr houses away from our own offended? You should be.
of fire,
beyond this circ le and drives away.
and fear,
passed the rage e
We surprise my father at the door.
she’s always alon He takes us to our chauffeur,
to a place where - Excerpted from “New Times,” San Luis Obispo, California weekly
ld onto something
announcing that he will take us
where she can ho
on February 12, 2004.
r. out to lunch.
liter at ur e, or ev en righteous ange
God, My mother is dying
on the marble floor.
lieve,
for a reason to be Her body badly beaten,
She dared to ask twisted like a used rag.
e to life
That there is mor
had survived. The man my father ordered
than the one she to “beat her until she’s dead” lets her live.
He puts her in a taxi to a hospital.
My mother is dying. He’s a government
official whose “compadres” protect him.
No one protects her.

– Imelda Oppenheim
Filipina Women’s Network Responds: Filipinas Against Violence
By Marily Mondejar
E
nding abuse against Filipina
women and girls is a major
concern for the Filipina
Women’s Network (FWN),
because domestic violence is
widespread in the Filipino
community and a violation of
basic human rights.
According to UNIFEM, one in three
women will suffer some form of
violence in her lifetime, becoming
part of an epidemic that devastates
lives, fractures communities, and
stalls development. Despite some
progress on this issue over the
past decade, its horrendous scale
remains mostly unacknowledged.
New dimensions include the global
trafficking of women and girls.
It was the killing of a Filipina
woman, 28-year-old Claire Joyce
Tempongko, witnessed by her
two young children, in 2000 that
prompted the investigation of
San Francisco’s citywide response
system that handles domestic
violence.
Kamala Harris, now San Francisco’s
District Attorney, wrote in an article
in Asian Week (Dec. 5, 2003),
“Our city desperately needs a
change in our criminal justice
system. I can sum up why I’m
running for district attorney with
the story of one Filipina American’s
life: Claire Tempongko.”
Another Filipina woman,
32-year-old Marisa Corpuz, was
killed by her husband, William
Corpuz, in September 2004. Her
death is prompting San Francisco Are Not Going To Hurt Filipina in the Filipino community by
prosecutors once again to rethink Women and Girls.” partnering with domestic violence
the city’s system for safeguarding agencies, the Domestic Violence
victims and counseling their Prevention Consortium, the San Francisco
abusers. William Corpuz had just Interrupting the cycle of violence Commission on the Status of
completed 39 weekly counseling is vital, stopping violence before it Women, local governments, the
sessions before he slashed Marisa’s starts is crucial. FWN responds in Philippine consulate, professional
throat in their home shared with two ways: women’s associations, faith-
her parents and one of their two (1) the publication of the V-Diaries, based organizations and for-profit
young children. anti-violence resource guide; corporations.
(2) domestic violence training.
FWN Responds: Advocacies The cast and crew members are Bringing the voices of advocates
That Make a Difference invited to participate in domestic together bring our issues center
FWN works on ways to interrupt violence trainings to strengthen stage.
the cycle of violence against the growing numbers of trained
Filipina women and girls by linking advocates and peer counselors Marily Mondejar is an organizational
violence to the source that feeds it: in the Filipino community. change consultant. She can be
gender inequality. FWN multiplies contacted via email at
the power of its strategies Collaborations marily@image360.com.
through the Filipinas Against FWN draws attention to the
Violence advocacy campaign and serious domestic violence problem
collaborations with other women’s
groups, domestic violence agencies,
faith-based organizations, and
with the local Philippine and U.S.
governments.
Raising Money and
Consciousness
Since 2004, FWN has collaborated
with V-Day, empowering and
celebrating women and their
sexuality with a festival of theatre,
comedy, and the spoken word
highlighted by the all-Filipina
performance of Eve Ensler’s The
Vagina Monologues. 2006 marks
the first Tagalog version (“Usaping
Puki”) performed in the U.S.
Filipino Men Pledge
At The Vagina Monologues
performance, we ask the men and
boys in the audience to pledge by
imprinting their hands on paper
and canvas – that “These Hands
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 07
v -resources
CHILD ABUSE

Catta Center
707. 664. 3225
1 Hayward, CA 94544
510. 670. 5150
No-fee court affiliated
assistance with custody,
child support, etc.
Building Futures with
Women And Children /
Sister Me Home
1395 Bancroft Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94577
866-A-Way-Out
510. 357. 0205
www.bfwc.org
Spanish; Women and
Children
Spanish; Six weeks
max. stay

Weave (Women
Escaping Violence)
1900 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916. 920. 2952
916. 448. 2321
Asian Women’s Shelter
2
abc
408. 279. 7550
www.nextdoor.org
Spanish; Women and
Children; Boys under
16 only; 24 hour intake,
sliding fee
Network for Battered
Women
1975 W. El Camino Real,
Suite 205
LESBIAN, GAY,
BISEXUAL,
TRANSGENDER,
& QUESTIONING

AQAU
San Francisco
415. 292. 3900
Queer youth services
Child & Family Services DA’s Office Emergency Shelter 3453 18th St., #19 Mountain View, CA Network for Battered
San Francisco Domestic Violence Program San Francisco, CA 94110 800. 275. 6472 Lesbian & Bisexual
415. 206. 8772 Advocate 22634 2nd St., Suite 205 877. 751. 0880 650. 940. 7850 Women
Oakland Hayward, CA 94541 415. 751. 7110 650. 940. 1037 San Francisco County
Parental Stress 510. 268. 7276 510. 581. 5626 Various Asian Languages www.snbw.org 415. 281. 0276
Alameda Contact: Ali 510. 786. 1246 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Spanish language; Women Support group
510. 893. 5444 888. 339. SAFE M-F intakes; 12 week stay and Children

4 5
800. 829. 3777 DA’s Office – Stalking Spanish; 90-day stay, Community United
www.pscfamily.net 510. 272. 6295 women and children La Casa de Las Madres Nisa (North American Against Violence
Respite childcare, Victim Witness Advocate: of domestic violence / 1850 Mission St., #B Islamic Shelter for the 160 14th St.,
parenting classes, family, Kelly Sage; Trains homeless San Francisco, CA 94103 Abused) San Francisco, CA 94103
hotline stalking victims; Stalking 877. 503. 1850 Palo Alto 415. 777. 5500
Inspector: Corey White Save 415. 503. 0500 888. 275. 6472 415. 333. Help
Child Abuse Prevention 39155 Liberty St., www.lacasa.org 415. 777. 5565
Council Fremont Police Dept. Suite C310 Spanish, Mandarin, Eden Info & Referral www.cuav.org
Stockton Domestic Violence Fremont, CA 94538 Tagalog, French, Arabic; East Bay Legal advocacy, free
209. 464. 4524 Advocate 510. 794. 6055 Women and children; 510. 537. 2552 counseling, 24-hour
Working with families, Fremont 510. 574. 2250 9:00–5:00; M–F intakes alamedaco.info support line, emergency
support groups 510. 790. 6939 510. 574. 2252 Daily updates of shelter assistance (hotel, food,
Contact: Carol save-dv.org Marin Abused Women’s availability in East Bay etc.) to domestic violence
Spanish, Hindi, Tamil; Services and sexual assault victims,
COURT SERVICES / 734 A Street National Domestic education, prevention
60-day shelter Violence Hotline
LAW ENFORCEMENT DOMESTIC San Rafael, CA 94901
OFFICES VIOLENCE SHELTERS Shepherd’s Gate 415. 924. 6616 800. 799. Safe Maitri Hotline
Domestic violence shelters

ghi jkl
Livermore 415. 457. 2464 San Mateo County
Court Info My Sister’s House 925. 443. 4283 415. 924. 3456 – Spanish in US regions PO Box 60111
Co.alameda.ca.us/courts/ Sacramento Fax: 925. 449. 3114 www.Maws.org Sunnyvale, CA 94086
index.shtml Woman Inc. 408. 730. 4049
906. 428. 3271 Bay Area
Court dates, fill out forms www.my-sisters-house.org Tri-Valley Haven Asian Women’s Home 888. 8. Maitri
PO Box 2190 2400 Moorpark Ave. 415. 864. 4722 www.maitri.org
24-hour help line, provides Daily updates of shelter
Alameda County safe haven for battered Livermore, CA 94551 San Jose, CA 95128 South Asian Women
Superior Court 800. 884. 8119 408. 975. 2739 availability in the Bay Area Peer support / counseling
Asian / Pacific Islander
Berkeley Clerk’s Office women and children 925. 449. 5845 www.aaci.org for domestic violence,
2000 Center St., Rm. 202 925. 449. 5842 Asian languages; New Hope Family Shelter Family law, immigration
Berkeley, CA 94704 24-Hour Emergency Cantonese, German, Women and children 445 South San Joaquin St. domestic violence issues,
510. 644. 8999 Shelter French, Spanish, Tagalog, Stockton, CA translation, interpretation,
Filing for Temporary 4700 International Blvd. Hindi; Emergency shelter CORA (Community 209. 466. 2138 transitional housing and
Restraining Orders Oakland, CA 94601 for women and children of Overcoming Daily updates of shelter community education
510. 534. 6030 DV; 3.5 month max stay Relationship Abuse) availability in the Bay Area
Alameda County 510. 534. 9140 – Fax San Mateo Pacific Center
Superior Court 650. 312. 8515 Haven of Peace Women’s Alameda County,

7 8
Family Court Clerks
1225 Fallon St., Rm. 250
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 208. 4935
Restraining order
application for self-filing
Alameda County
Superior Court
Family Law Facilitator’s
Office
224 West Winton Ave.,
Room 179
Women and children;
30-90 Days
AASRA-Federation of
Indo-American
Fremont
800. 313. 2772
510. 657. 1245
South Asian Languages;
Women and Children
(Priority to South Asian);
M-F intakes and
overnight emergency
Saint John’s Shelter 650. 652. 0800 Emergency Home Berkeley, SF County
1321 N.C. Street Spanish; 6-8 weeks; Stockton 2712 Telegraph Ave.
Sacramento. CA 95814 Women and Children 209. 982. 0390 Berkeley, CA 94705
916. 448. 0701 18+ years accepted; 35 510. 548. 8283
Spanish, Vietnamese La Isla Pacifica space capacity; assist www.pacificcenter.org
San Jose women with food, clothing Group and individual
Stand Against Domestic 408. 683. 4118 and counseling counseling, narcotics
Violence Women and Children anonymous, HIV and Aids
1410 Danzig Plaza group, social groups
Concord, CA 94520 Next Door
888. 215. 5555 1181 N. Fourth St., Ste. A
925. 676. 2845 San Jose, CA 95112
www.standagainstdv.org 408. 279. 2962

08 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK | w w w. f f w n . o r g

Project Eden
Hayward
510. 247. 8200
alcohol use
Sexual Minority
Alliance of Alameda
County (SMAAC) Youth
3
def
LGBTQQ Youth; Support
groups for youth
surrounding drug and
Center
Alameda County
510. 834. 9578
LGBTQQ Youth;
Support groups for youth
SF LGBT Center
6
San Francisco County
415. 865. 5555
LEGAL REFERRALS:
TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING
ORDER ASSISTANCE
Legal Aid of
Napa County
1227 Coombs St.,
Napa, CA 94559
707. 255. 4933
707. 255. 2312 – Fax
Seniors only; Only services
mno
senior clients in abusive
situations; For domestic
violence retraining orders
in Napa area, refer to
Napa Emergency Women’s
Services
Napa Emergency
Women’s Services
1001 Second St.,
Napa, CA 94559
707. 255. 6397
707. 252. 3687
707. 252. 3069 – Fax
Contact legal advocate
Gabby Caro for help with
9
restraining orders
The Cooperative
Restraining Order
Clinic
San Francisco
415. 864. 4777
415. 864. 4722
415. 864. 1082 – Fax
Bilingual Service;
Restraining Order
Assistance free of charge;
Paperwork served to
batterer at reduced fee
LEGAL SERVICES
Asian Pacific Islander
(API) Legal Outreach
1212 Broadway St., #400
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 251. 2846
510. 267. 6248 – Fax
Walk-in Clinic Rm 1-4;
Interpreter provided with
appointment; Family, civil,
and immigration law
restraining orders, queer
domestic violence, Asian
Languages; Free and
sliding scale fees
Asian and Pacific
Islander (API) Legal
Outreach
1188 Franklin St., #202
San Francisco, CA 94109
415. 567. 6255
415. 567. 6248 – Fax
Serves Asian
Communities; Family,
civil, and immigration
law; temporary restraining
order, Gay Domestic
Violence Project; Free and
sliding scale fees
Asian Women’s Home
2400 Moorpark Avenue,
Suite 300
San Jose, CA 95128
408. 975. 2739
Temporary restraining
order assistance;
Counseling; Serves all
countries; 24-hour crisis
line, shelter; Works with
translators to serve
various Asian-speaking
clients
Catholic Charities
Immigration Project
Oakland
510. 768. 3102
Visa petitions, citizenship,
Vawa Cases (Victims of
domestic violence cases)
DV Restraining Order
Clinic
Richmond
137th St., Room 185,
Richmond, CA
510. 374. 3364
Restraining Order
clinic held in Richmond
Courthouse Mon & Fri
8-5 pm
Law Center for Families
510 16th St., Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 451. 9261
510. 763. 2169 – Fax
Income required; Services
are free or on a sliding
scale; Legal advocates for
deaf women and children
victims of domestic
violence in greater
Bay Area
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Bay Women Against
Rape
Oakland
510. 430. 1298
sfcf.org.bawar.htm
Serves rape and incest
victims; Intake: M-F 10-3;
10 free then sliding scale;
Short-term counseling,
referrals, accompaniment
to hospital, court advocacy
Eden Information and
Referrals
Alameda
510. 537. 2552
M-F 10-4; Counseling,
legal, sexual assault,
CalWorks
Sage Project
San Francisco
415. 905. 5050
sageinc.org
Girls in custody, substance
abuse
Women Against Rape
3543 18th St.,
San Francisco, CA 94110
415. 861. 2024
Sexual assault
TEENS
National Domestic
Violence Hotline
800. 799. Safe
Rape Crisis Line
510. 798. 7273
Asian Community
Mental Health
510. 451. 6729
Teens and adults
Center for Family
Counseling
510. 562. 3731
Girls and Boys; Free
family counseling for 8-17
yr-old girls / boys; girls
self-esteem group; boys
anger management group;
After-abortion counseling
talk-line, confidential,
nonjudgmental, and
BATTERER’S
TREATMENT
PROGRAMS
The Men’s Program
(of MAWS)
415. 924. 1070
24-hour hotline
Peer support groups for
Men Overcoming
Violence (MOVE)
1385 Mission St. #300
San Francisco
415. 626. 6683
Counseling programs
for heterosexual, gay
and bisexual men
Xanthos, Inc.
2325 Clement Ave.
unbiased male perpetrators Alameda
510. 522. 8363
Community Solutions Living Without Violence Anger management,
Gilroy 1725 Technology Drive alcohol / drug recovery;
408. 693. 4118 Santa Clara County 52-week DV batterer
Drop-in support groups 408. 441. 5682 program
Batterer resources,
children services
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FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 09
2 006 vagi na warriors
V
By Cherie M. Querol Moreno
“Vagina Warriors: The New
Revolution” celebrates new
activists and leaders who are
working to end violence against
women in the Filipino community.
Vagina Warriors are the women
and men who have often
experienced violence personally
or witnessed it within their
communities and dedicated
themselves toward ending such
violence through effective,
grassroots means. The Filipina
Women’s Network is proud to
honor eight women who personify
courage and conviction. They have
faced and overcome adversity
in their lives and are now actively
involved in or heading efforts to
end violence against women
and girls.
Tess Crescini
Tess Crescini is a real estate broker
and co-host of her own community
TV channel program conceived to
educate and empower individuals
who have reclaimed their lives
10 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
Tess
C resc i n i
Ligaya
h a t t ar i
from cruelty. Like herself.
Shortly after she came to this
country with her father at 13, she
was date-raped. She endured
psychological, physical and
financial abuse by her first and
second husbands. She was
sexually assaulted by a trusted
friend, became dependent on anti-
depressants and contemplated
suicide but was deterred by her
responsibility to her three sons.
Education and writing became the
refuge of the published poet and
author from Fremont. She is
president of the Filipino American
Real Estate Professionals
Association, and a June bride-to-be.
Ligaya Hattari
Ligaya Hattari is project manager
for administration of California
Indian Manpower Consortium in
Sacramento. She is a scholar,
teacher and a researcher who
earned her doctorate in
Anthropology with her dissertation
on domestic violence within the
Asian / Asian American
communities. Ligaya speaks freely
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
Sarah Jane
ilumin
about her experience with
domestic violence, which informs
her work as a member of the
board of My Sister’s House and
volunteer facilitator for its Women
to Work program.
A single mother to a 15-year-old
son, she encourages him to
understand the dynamics of
healthy against unhealthy
relationships, advocating efforts
to address domestic violence (DV)
issues and her labor of love at
My Sister’s House as her greatest
contributions to the women’s
movement.
Sarah Jane Ilumin
Sarah Jane Ilumin is a professional
singer, event planner, and president
of her design firm in Daly City. A
mother to a grown son, she first
played the role at age 9 when she
assumed the responsibilities of her
mother, who was abused by her
father. Hearing that her parents
were planning to split their four
children between themselves,
Sarah Jane vowed to support her
three siblings.
Dorka
k ee h n
She grew up sooner than most
and did not take time to process
the intense emotions she felt
through the years she mothered
her family. She joined the cast of
The Vagina Monologues to
“complete my healing.” She is
quick to tell her story“so that
others can find their strength”
in her example.
Dorka Keehn
Dorka Keehn has been a trailblazer
for 14 years. She co-founded 1000
Flowers, a GOTV initiative to
engage women in the 2004
elections. She formed EMERGE,
a political leadership training
program for women Democrats
in Northern California. She also
co-formed Women Count, a
national nonpartisan media and
education drive to mobilize
women in the 2000 elections.
Dorka is a member of the
Commission of the Status of
Women of the City and County of
San Francisco and has been its
president and vice president. She
chairs the Justice and Courage

Gloria
megino ochoa
Domestic Violence Panel, convened
to review San Francisco’s response
to domestic violence cases in light
of the murder of Claire Joyce
Tempongko.
Gloria Megino Ochoa
Gloria Megino Ochoa was the first
Filipina elected to a mainland U.S.
County seat and almost made it to
the U.S. Congress after her term of
office on the Santa Barbara County
Board of Supervisors in 1993. The
Deputy Chief Counsel of the
California Senate Judiciary
Committee was born and raised in
the Philippines, earned her BS in
Chemistry and juris doctor at UC
Davis. For almost 30 years, she has
been in the forefront of the
women’s movement, drawing from
her personal experience with
domestic violence to help draft
women- and survivor-friendly
legislation such as the domestic
violence prevention act that
became a model for other states
and basis for federal law known as
Violence Against Women Act. In
June she will head the board of
Jonah
o l i ver i o
directors of Sacramento-based My
Sister’s House and hopes to expand
the agency’s services.
Jonah Oliverio
Jonah Oliverio defines fearlessness.
She is an administrative assistant
by day and a community educator
on call. A member of the survivors’
panel of Community Overcoming
Relationship Abuse (CORA), the
Pacifica resident shares her
experience at public events and
agency workshops to deepen the
cultural sensitivity of staff members
responding to domestic violence
cases.
For 14 years, Jonah was locked
in a marriage with a man who
subjected her and their two sons
to violent verbal outbursts, name-
calling, curses, public humiliation,
and threats. He slapped her around.
Twice police were called to their
home by concerned neighbors. She
sought counseling, liberated herself
from her abusive husband, and
gives moral support to other
survivors at her support group.
Imelda
o p p en h e i m
Imelda Oppenheim
Imelda Oppenheim is a personal
fitness trainer in San Mateo who
has worked in diverse fields
including event planning and
marketing. Her serenity belies her
painful past. Healing for her is
“a work in progress.” She joined
the cast of FWN’s The Vagina
Monologues to “reconnect with
my roots” and to honor her mother
who is a domestic violence
survivor.
Her abusive father used the
children to punish their mother
after she left to save herself from a
savage beating. The five children
were split up, some resettled in the
United States with their mother.
Despite the separation, they were
nurtured by their mother’s gift of
hope for a better life. She taught
Imelda “never to accept any type
of abuse.”
Beverly Upton
Beverly Upton has had a long
and brilliant history of advocating
for women’s rights. The executive
director of the San Francisco
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
Beverly
upton
Domestic Violence Consortium and
Partners Ending Domestic Violence,
she leads 18 member agencies in
setting and implementing direct
service and public policy.
Beverly is a relentless champion
of collaboration of shelters, legal
service providers, and public policy
agencies to close gaps thereby
providing optimum service for
clients and their children. Her
service began with her exposure
to the human rights struggle of
garment workers, which sent her to
India and Pakistan to set “codes of
conduct.” Her personal experience
with domestic abuse adds fuel to
her passion to end family violence.
Special thanks to
Cherie M. Querol Moreno,
2004 Vagina Warrior
and 2006 Vagina Warrior
Selection Committee Chair.
Cherie is Community Outreach
Coordinator for CORA
(Community Overcoming
Relationship Abuse).
CORA’s 24-hour support lines:
800. 300. 1080 and
650. 312. 8515
11
 re l i g i o n
family stat
e/g
Signs to Look for in a Battering Personality cul
t u re
MESTIC VIOLEN
ov
ern
me
ity DO / INTIMID CE nt
un R E AT S AT I
m TH G DENIAL ON
N
IZI BL

so
AM

co
M

cia
Many women are interested in whom she talked. As this behavior
I NI IN

ls
SEXUAL ISOLATION
ways that they can determine gets worse, he may not let the M G

y
Rape (forced or coerced sex); Using jealousy; preventing

er
iet
forcing or coercing sex after you from going out, getting a
whether they are about to become woman make personal decisions

vic
physical abuse; forcing sex in job, going to school, seeing

soc
involved with someone who will be about the house, her clothing, front of children or others; your family and friends;

physically abusive.
Below is a list of behaviors that are
seen in people who beat their
girlfriends or wives. The last four
signs listed are almost always seen
only if the person is a batterer. If
the person has several of the other
behaviors (say three or more) there
is a strong potential for physical
violence.
Initially the batterer will try to
explain his behavior as signs of his
love and concern, and a woman
may be flattered at first. As time
goes on, the behavior becomes
more severe and serves to
es
forcing or coercing intimidating family and
going to church. He may keep unwanted sexual acts; friends so they won’t
withholding see you anymore;
all the money or even make her sex as keeping you away
PHYSICAL punishment from community
ask permission to leave the house Pushing; hitting; kicking; VERBAL / EMOTIONAL
or room. biting; pulling hair; throwing;
stomping; grabbing; punching;
Put down; calling names –
stupid, ugly, fat, crazy, etc.; yelling;
choking; using a weapon; throwing playing mind games; making you
objects at you; cornering you; not feel crazy; making you always feel
3. Quick Involvement: Many letting you sleep; driving dangerously wrong; humiliating you; not
allowing privacy
battered women dated or knew POWER &
their abuser for less than six USING PREJUDICE / PRIVILEGE CONTROL ECONOMIC
months before they were engaged Using your oppressed status
against you (sexism, homophobia,
Controlling your money; not letting you
get a job; not giving you access to
or living together. He comes on like anti-immigrant, racism, ableism, income; recklessly spending or
gambling money; destroying or
classism, etc.)
a whirlwind – “you’re the only USING USING withholding your property
CHILDREN / RELIGION / or valuables
person I could ever talk to,” FAMILY / SPIRITUALITY
“I’ve never felt loved like this FRIENDS OR PETS
Abusing the children;
Devaluing your
religious / spiritual
by anyone.” using guilt about beliefs; using
children / family; making religious / spiritual
children / family / friends beliefs to justify abuse
blame you / threatening to or prevent help; using
4. Unrealistic Expectations: take or harm children; religious/ spiritual
He is very dependent on the threatening or hurting
family / friends
practices against you
such as spells,
woman for all of his needs. He / pets curses

dominate the woman. expects her to be the perfect wife/

girlfriend, mother, lover, and friend.
1. Jealousy: At the beginning of a He may say things like, “if you love
relationship, an abuser will almost me, I’m all you need – you’re all I
always say that his jealousy is a need.” She is supposed to take care
sign of love. Jealousy has nothing of everything for him emotionally
ED ON EQUA
to do with love. It is a sign of and in the home. BAS L IT
insecurity and possessiveness. He E M SUPPORT Y
will question the woman about 5. Isolation: He tries to cut the ST Listening to you &
LI
SY
non-judgmentally
PHYSICAL TRUST
whom she talks to, accuse her of woman off from all resources. If she SAFETY
• Being emotionally
affirming and Supporting your

B
flirting, or be jealous of the time has men friends, she is a “whore,” goals in life
EN

Staying in touch with understanding

ER
own needs and motivations • Valuing your • Respecting your
she spends with family, friends and if she has women friends, she is a right to your own feelings,
OP

• Respecting partner’s opinions

AT
physical space friends, activities and
children. As the jealousy progresses, “lesbian,” if she is close to family, • Expressing self opinions

IO
AN

he may call her frequently during she is “tied to the apron strings.” SEXUAL
EXPRESSION
non-violently
ACCEPTANCE OF

the day or drop by unexpectedly. He
may refuse to let her work for fear
she’ll meet someone else, or even
do strange behaviors such as
checking her car mileage or asking
friends to watch her.
2. Controlling Behavior: At first,
the batterer may say that this
behavior is because he’s concerned
for the woman’s safety, her need to
use her time well, or her need to
make good decisions. He may be
angry if the woman is “late”
coming back from the store or an
appointment. He may question her
closely about where she went, to
He accuses people who are her Accepting that
“no” means “no”
supports of “causing trouble.” • Asking, not expecting
• Caring about partner’s sexual
He may want to live in the country needs and wants
without a phone. He may not let • Sharing birth control responsibility
her use the car. Or he may try to
EMOTIONAL HONESTY
keep her from working or going Partner lets you know when they
feel afraid, insecure, etc.
to school. • Communicating happiness
• Sharing fears
ECONOMIC
6. Blames Others for His JUSTICE
Supporting you
Problems: in your decisions
about work
Someone is always doing him • Who pays for something
wrong – out to get him. He makes would not be an issue
about indebtedness
mistakes and then blames the or expectations
woman for upsetting him.
He may tell the woman she is at
fault for almost anything that
goes wrong. (Continued on p. 24)
ASIAN WOMEN’S SHELTER, ADAPTED FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION PROJECT
DULUTH, MN (VERS 6/6/97)
N
RESPONSIBILITY
Accepting responsibility for
behaviors and attitudes
• Acknowledging past use of
violence
• Admitting being wrong
EQUALITY
AFFIRMING RELATIONSHIPS
Developing open and genuine
relationships with other
people and self
• Honor right to privacy
NON-
SHARED THREATENING • Respecting family
and friends
PARTNER- BEHAVIOR
SHIP Talking and acting so
Mutually that you feel safe and
agreeing on a comfortable expressing
fair distribution yourself and doing things
of responsibilities • Being sensitive to others’
• Making decisions needs and preferences
together • There is not
a “right” way to do
things • Supporting
your choices
• Flexibility in roles
Marisa Gutierrez Angeles
i
anti-violence Advocate. Donor. Single M om.
“I have never been so passionate
about any particular cause until
I joined FWN’s Filipinas Against
Violence advocacy campaign,”
Marisa recalled. “When I
accompanied my daughter, Jessica,
to an audition of The Vagina
Monologues, I was so moved by
the commitment of the cast and
crew – women working together
united in ending violence in the
Filipino community – that I knew I
wanted to be part of the solution.
“Silent killer” is what she calls
domestic violence. The discussions
about how to help, where to go,
and what to do, when someone is
in an abusive relationship reminded
her of a friend who went into
hiding to get away from a violent
marriage. She wonderes where she
is now.
It was 16 years before Marisa
saw her mother again. She was six
when her mother left for the U.S.
She and her four brothers were
raised by a nanny and by long-
distance love. She grew up seeking
to understand why her mother had
to find a job in a foreign land to
support their family. She quickly
learned independence and to
appreciate family relationships.
She went on to earn an industrial
management engineering degree
from the Mapua Institute of
Technology.
Marisa is a giver. Two years
ago, she registered with the bone
marrow registry. “The opportunity
to give life and share life is the
ultimate gift,” said Marisa. When
she was contacted that she was a
match for a 17-year-old leukemia
patient, she did not hesitate. She
went through a battery of tests to
ensure that the young woman can
look forward to a future – a future
that was robbed from her stepdad
when he was diagnosed with
cancer and lost the battle.
Marisa raised her two children,
Jessica, 17, and Jonathan, 15, to
“live each day as if it were your
last.” Her passion for life fuels
her anti-violence advocacy, her
philanthropy and her determination
that every Filipina deserves a
violence-free society.
My Mom
Words to describe my mother:
Strong-willed. Passionate. Loving.
Sincere. Generous. Honest.
Supportive. My relationship with my
mother stands on a very strong
loving foundation. Now that I’m in
college and away from home, our
bond is all the more strengthened.
My mother was born and raised
in the Philippines. I remember her
telling us to appreciate what we
have because she never had much
growing up. Don’t get me wrong,
we weren’t spoiled, but she made
sure that we experienced the finer
things in life that she didn’t have.
Such as a good education, travel,
shopping couture, owning fine
jewelry, attending the latest concerts
featuring pop artists, dining at fancy
restaurants, and many more.
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
My mother is the most supportive
person I know. When she found out
that I wanted to major in theatre, she
told me to do what I enjoyed and
give it my all. She nurtured my dream
of performing on stage. My mother is
the one person I can count on for the
things that matter most. She is my
source for strength and inspiration to
achieve what in most cases would be
impossibility.
The issues surfacing in the
production of “The Vagina Monologues”
allow the two of us to appreciate
more our mother-daughter
relationship – a relationship that is
oftentimes lost in the modern day
social struggles that women face.
We continue to communicate and
spend time with each other whenever
we can, discussing a myriad of issues.
“No matter what you do, have
faith,”she frequently reminds me.
And it is her faith in my ability that
I am able to generate the energy and
inspiration I need to approach and
explore the complex issues affecting
women of my generation.
– Jessica Angeles
13
The First
Vagina Warrior
T
By Stephanie Grace Loleng and
Bettina Santos Yap
If it weren’t for Eve Ensler, The
Vagina Monologues would not
exist. She is the mastermind behind
not only one of the most
controversial and powerful
performance pieces about women’s
sexuality, but also behind a
worldwide movement to stop
violence against women. The Vagina
Monologues is based on interviews
Ensler did with over 200 women.
Many celebrities such as Jane
Fonda, Selma Hayek and Glenn
Close have performed the show and
support the work Ensler has done.
As Ensler performed in venues
throughout the globe, from small
towns to large cities, hundreds of
women told her their stories of rape,
incest, domestic violence and
genital mutilation. From this, Ensler
was inspired to create V-Day.
V-Day, is a global grassroots
movement that organizes
campaigns to show The Vagina
Monologues in different
communities to raise awareness
about violence against women and
funding for local anti-violence
groups. “The movement is
14 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
completely inspirational,” said
Ensler. “The movement keeps
getting larger and larger and keeps
spreading. We’re having victories
everywhere. We are in fact ending
violence against women.”
Ensler visited the Philippines a few
years ago, to watch the first-ever
Tagalog performance of The Vagina
Monologues. While there, she met
with Filipino comfort women who
were forced to have sex with
Japanese soldiers during World War
II. Their stories of being taken from
their families while they were
teenagers, to be prostitutes for the
Japanese military, touched Ensler so
much she vowed to make their
struggle public. This year, V-Day is
dedicated to these women. Many
are now in their twilight years and
are demanding an apology from
the Japanese government and
reparations for the injustice they
experienced. During Filipina
Women’s Network’s (FWN)
performance of The Vagina
Monologues, a delegation of
Japanese women from different
NGOs that seek justice for these
comfort women, will be special
guests at the San Francisco FWN
performance. “I believe firmly that
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
the empowerment and the freeing
of women is freeing of human
beings,” said Ensler.
V-Day has staged large-scale
benefits and has highlighted
international women’s issues.
In the beginning, Ensler got a lot of
flack for using the word “vagina” So I think the whole key to being
so liberally. She said that a lot of empowered as a woman is taking
people asked her not to use that risks, being bold, risk not being liked
word, but she used it anyway and if you’re standing up to something
that women everywhere should you believe in,” said Ensler.
empower themselves.
It’s this attitude that inspired FWN
“Are there people who wish I to launch the “Filipinas Against
wasn’t talking about vaginas? You Violence” campaign. Because of the
bet. Are there people who like to lack of any agency or organization
keep women in the dark ages? You in the U.S. that helps Filipina women
bet. Anytime you move anything and girls in violent situations, FWN
forward in this world people are saw the need to do something to
going to have a problem with you.
help these Filipina victims of
domestic abuse. In 2004 and 2005
more than 150,000 people were
exposed to FWN’s anti-violence
campaign.
She recently told FWN that she was
proud of the work done to help
educate people in the Filipino
community to stop the violence.
“I honor so deeply the work you’ve
done in your community for V-day
and you’re just true Vagina Warriors
in leading the fight. You’ve broken
through such extraordinary things
and I’m moved and honored to
call myself your sister and friend,”
said Ensler.
Eve Ensler is currently on tour
performing her new play “The Good
Body,” that encourages women to
love their bodies – no matter what
size or shape. She said she has had
many women in her life that have
been very supportive of her,
especially her mother who has
attended numerous performances.
“I think we’re all in this together
and the more brave we can be
talking about the truth of our lives
and really saying what happened to
us…the chances are that we free
ourselves and everyone around us,”
said Ensler.
F R O M V - D AY
TO V - W O R L D
As V-Day benefit performances of
“The Vagina Monologues” reach
more people, and as the V-energy
spreads, 2006 is the year when
we envision a new world, where
violence would end and V-World is
finally born. Between February 14
and March 31 this year, over 2,500
fundraisers are taking place in
1,150 colleges and communities
in over 54 countries worldwide –
the largest number of events ever
for V-Day!
Here’s what V-World will look like
When the violence stops, women
and girls will be:
» Allowed to be born in China,
India And Korea
» Swimming in Iran
» Safe in their beds at home
in the United States, Europe
and Asia
» Eating ice cream in
Afghanistan
» Keeping their clitorises in
Africa and Asia
» Wearing blue jeans in Italy
» Voting in Kuwait
» Walking in the park at night
in the United States
» Openly flirting in Jordan
» Safe at parties on college
campuses
» Playing with toys and not
being sold as them in Asia,
the United States, Europe and
Eastern Europe
» Driving cars in Saudi Arabia
» Wearing trousers in Swaziland
» Safely walking home from
work in Juarez, Mexico
» Enjoying sex
» Celebrating their desires
» Loving their bodies
» Running the world
About V-Day
V-Day, a nonprofit corporation,
distributes funds to grassroots,
national, and international
organizations and programs that
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
work to stop violence against
women and girls. V-Day is a global
movement to stop violence
against women and girls. V-Day is
a catalyst that promotes creative
events to increase awareness,
raise money and revitalize the
spirit of existing anti-violence
organizations. V-Day generates
broader attention for the fight to
stop violence against women and
girls, including rape, battery,
incest, female genital mutilation
(FGM) and sexual slavery. The ‘V’
in V-Day stands for Victory,
Valentine and Vagina.
Mission
V-Day is an organized response
against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world
where women live safely and
freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest,
battery, genital mutilation and
sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe
women should spend their lives
creating and thriving rather than
surviving or recovering from
terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising
money and consciousness, it
will unify and strengthen existing
anti-violence efforts. Triggering
far-reaching awareness, it will lay
the groundwork for new educa-
tional, protective, and legislative
endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work
as long as it takes. We will not
stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day: We proclaim
Valentine’s Day as V-Day, to
celebrate women and end the
violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstop-
pable movement and community.
15
 D I R E C T E D B Y : B E T T I N A S A N T O S YA P, E L E N A M A N G A H A S & G I O VA N N I E P I C O
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 USAPÍNG PUKI
1:30 PM
Kiki Workshop Dunham, Bettina Yap, Cherie Sabihin Ninyo Tinanong Namin ang
Christina Dunham, Tess Crescini, Querol Moreno Lina Mesina Susbilla, Sorcy Isang Anim na Taong
Anne Almendral Apostol Gulang na Batang
Extro – Tabinging Babae
Katotohanang Puki: Trintas Extro – Sabihin Ninyo
PA R T O N E Tinggil Jei Africa Elena Mangahas Intro – Ang Babaeng
Michelle Buendia Mahilig Magpaligaya
FOREPLAY Intro – Binugbog ang
Ang Aking Puking Galit ng mga Puke
Kit de Castro Intro – Pagkat Gusto Pagkababae sa Aking
Edna Rodis, Joy San Andres Jei Africa
Niya Itong Titigan Lalaki
MALIGAYANG BATI
Edna Murray Leah Laxamana
Marily Mondejar INTERMISSION Ang Babaeng Mahilig
Pagkat Gusto Niya Itong PA R T T W O Binugbog ang Pagkaba- Magpaligaya ng mga
Introduksyon
Titigan bae sa Aking Lalaki Puke
Leah Laxamana, Mae Brana,
Bettina Santos Yap Introduksyon sa Bosnia Byumi Gonzalez, Cameron Rinabeth Apostol
Edna Rodis, Byumi Gonzalez,
Marisa Angeles Garcia
Sarah Jane Ilumin Intro – 12 years old. Intro – Naroon Ako sa
Sinampal ako ni Nanay Ang Aking Pwerta, Extro – Binugbog Loob ng Silid
Intro – Ang Kwento
Rinabeth Apostol Ang Aking Nayon Marisa Angeles Anne Almendral
ng Buhok
Mae Braña, Michelle Buendia
Marisa Angeles 12 years old. Sinampal Ano’ng Amoy Mo? Naroon Ako sa Loob
ako ni Nanay Extro – Ang Aking Edna Murray, Joy San Andres, ng Silid
Ang Kwento ng Buhok
Joy San Andres, Anne Almendral, Pwerta Cherie Querol Moreno, Elena Mangahas, Sorcy Apostol,
Edna Murray
Mae Brana, Genevieve Dwyer Elena Mangahas Genevieve Jopanda, Tess Lina Mesina Susbilla
Kung Mabibihisan / Crescini, Christina Dunham
Isang Hindi Nakatutu- Intro – Ang Aking CURTAIN CALL
Makapagsasalita ang
wang Katotohanang Munting Kalachuchi Ang Aking Maiksing
Iyong Puki, Ano Ang
Puki: Female Genital Genevieve Dwyer Palda
Isusuot / Sasabihin Nito?
Mutilation Sarah Jane Ilumin
Lina Mesina Susbilla, Cameron Ang Aking Munting 2006
Tess Crescini
Garcia, Cherie Querol Moreno, Kalachuchi Intro – Pagbawi sa Puki VAGINA WARRIORS
Byumi Gonzalez, Genevieve Intro – Tabinging Mae Braña, Rebecca Apostol, Bettina Santos Yap
Jopanda, Genevieve Dwyer Trintas Anne Almendral, Leah Laxamana
Byumi Gonzalez Pagbawi sa Puki Tess Crescini
Intro – Ang Aking Baha Intro – Sabihin Ninyo Edna Rodis
Jei Africa Tabinging Trintas Tess Crescini, Bettina Santos Yap Ligaya Hattari
Ang Aking Baha
Edna Murray, Michelle Buendia Sarah Jane Ilumin
Sarah Jane Ilumin, Christina
Sorcy Apostol
Dorka Keehn
Gloria Megino Ochoa
THE Jonah Oliverio
Extro – Crooked Braid Say It
Imelda Oppenheim
The Vagina Workshop
VAGINA Rinabeth Apostol (For the Comfort Women)
MONOLOGUES Imelda Oppenheim, Maria Luisa
Osmeña, Sarah Jane Ilumin Vangie Cononizado Buell, Jessica Beverly Upton
6:30 PM My Angry Vagina Angeles
Vagina Happy Fact Evelyn Luluquisen, Leah
Edna Rodis Laxamana Extro – Say It
Intro – Because He Liked to Elena Mangahas
PA R T O N E INTERMISSION
FOREPLAY Look at It Intro – They Beat the Girl
Rinabeth Apostol PA R T T W O
Kit de Guzman Out of My Boy…or so They
Tried A Six-year-old Girl
Introduction Because He Liked to Intro – My Vagina Was
Look at It My Village Leah Laxamana was Asked
Rica Echavez, Genevieve Jopanda, Maria Luisa Osmeña, Katrien
Leah Laxamana, Evelyn Luluquisen, Cherie Querol Moreno Marie Rivera Yip They Beat the Girl Out of Van Riel, Julia Van Riel
Joy San Andres Intro – I was 12 My Mother My Vagina Was My Village My Boy…or so They Tried
Slapped Me Genevieve Jopanda, Rebecca Cameron Garcia, Byumi Intro – The Woman Who
Intro – Hair
Minette Mangahas Apostol Gonzalez Loved to Make Vaginas
Jessica Angeles
Happy
Extro – They Beat the Girl
Hair I was 12 My Mother Extro – My Vagina Was Rebecca Apostol
Slapped Me My Village Out of My Boy…
Christina Dunham Jei Africa
June Pariña, Jena Kocian, Giovannie Pico The Woman Who Loved to
Wear and Say Rica Echavez, Jennifer Jimenez Smell
Make Vaginas Happy
Cameron Garcia, Minette Intro – The Little Coochi Rinabeth Apostol
Not-So-Happy-Fact Snorcher That Could Tess Crescini, Vici Layus, Rica
Mangahas, Anna-Liza Estoesta, Echavez, Christina Dunham,
Lina Mesina Susbilla, Byumi Anna-Liza Estoesta Teresa Ferrer Guingona Intro – I Was There in
Marie Rivera Yip, Evelyn The Room
Gonzalez, Joy Almquist Luluquisen
Intro – Crooked Braid The Little Coochi Bettina Santos Yap
Intro – The Flood Mae Braña Snorcher That Could
Jena Kocian, June Pariña, My Short Skirt I Was There in The Room
Teresa Ferrer Guingona Giovannie Pico
Crooked Braid Anna-Liza Estoesta, Jennifer Sorcy Apostol, Vangie
The Flood Lina Mesina Susbilla, Vici Layus, Jimenez, Minette Mangahas Canonizado Buell
Imelda Oppenheim, Sarah Jane Intro – Reclaiming Cunt
Sorcy Apostol Joy Almquist
Ilumin, Tess Crescini, Joy Intro – Say It CURTAIN CALL
Almquist (For the Comfort Women) Reclaiming Cunt
Gloria Megino Ochoa Edna Rodis

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 17

Backstage: Beyond
Being V-Day Women
By Lorna Lardizabal Dietz
Rehearsals, more rehearsals, more
tongue-twisting words spewing out
of our mouths, more rehearsals –
more, more, and more. Yet every
week-end, we juggled our personal
commitments to be there to rehearse,
aiming to perfect our craft for the
love of “pop culture through
community theater.” We’ve revealed
and shared so much of ourselves
during the time we spent together.
Courageous and daring are only a
few adjectives that describe us since
we, at Filipina Women’s Network,
produced “The Vagina Monologues”
(TVM) yearly since 2004 at the
historic Herbst Theatre. All of us,
through inevitable osmosis,
throughout the duration of our
rehearsals – and culminating in
the adrenalin-pounding, knees
shaking, and thoroughly thrilling
performances, poured out our
passion and compassion in bringing
our message forward. We are not
alone. You came along and cheered
with us, supporting our stuttering
mouths through phrases like
“Usaping Puki.”
Let’s bring you backstage and give
you some juicy highlights about our
“being-ness,” our friendships, and
camaraderie… so you get to know
us beyond our names and our
uhum, so-called titles of profession
and vocation.
Genevieve Jopanda, who
understands how karmic benefits
and consequences play in her
decision-making process (“gaba” in
the Visayan dialect), and Minette
Lee Mangahas, who believes in
living honestly and joyfully, both
have first names that are French
in origin. While Genevieve and her
four other siblings were named after
French saints, Minette says her
name means “girl or cat.”
We would never have guessed that
Cherie M. Querol Moreno –
the woman who walks like a fashion
model on a catwalk, wields the
fountainhead of her pen like a
18 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
sword, and believes in never letting
anything get in her way – hates
Math. Or, that Cameron Garcia
{ }
(a.k.a. a former police officer who
is the first Filipina transgender to
publicly come out) is actually former
Who’s Who
Philippines’ First Lady, Imelda
Marcos, in disguise. We commend in the Cast Anna-Liza Estoesta Anne Almendral
Cameron for driving to and from Sales Representative, Mother, Wife,
Monterey, and joyously carpooling Farmers Insurance, Business Woman,
with our Silicon Valley performers. Jeffrey Wong Insurance Almendral Management
Agency Services
Edna Austria Rodis takes on
a totally different persona when
watching horror movies: she
screams, clings to her companion,
and yes – shuts her eyes during
those gory, oh-so bloody scenes.
Our parents played a huge role in
influencing us to “Do your best…
do the right thing,” according to Bettina Santos Yap Byumi Gonzalez Cameron D. Garcia Cherie M. Querol
Teresa Ferrer-Guingona, who Marketing Consultant Operations Agent, Bank Sexual Assault Counselor, Moreno
of America; Freelance SART, Monterey Rape Community Outreach
has a Masters degree in Human Fashion Designer, T-sh/ Crisis Center Coordinator, CORA
Sexuality Studies and is currently B’yumi Couture
working on a Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology. Lina Susbilla, an
Eleanor Roosevelt admirer and a
tree-climbing aficionado (aha!)
in her pre-Florist days, also had
parents who told her to “do the
best that you can.”
When Marily Mondejar asked us
how we knew that our parents were Christina Dunham Edna Austria Rodis Edna Biscocho Elena Mangahas
proud of us, Sarah Jane Ilumin Associate Publisher, Registered Nurse, Murray Co-Chair,
Filipinas Magazine; Kaiser Medical Center Clerk, Little Manila Foundation
and Imelda Oppenheim – both Vice-President, Atlantic Alameda County;
inspired by the life and works of Bancorp of America Professional Massage
Oprah Winfrey – talked about Therapist
their careers. Imelda poignantly
remembered “when I was accepted
to Juilliard Ballet School” while
Sarah said, “When I became a
professional singer.” Jennifer
(Jenna) Kocian answered, “When
they’d take me shopping at Stanford
Mall and didn’t yell at me.” In a
more somber note, Jenna confessed: Evelyn Luluquisen Genevieve Dwyer Genevieve V. Jopanda Giovannie Pico
“Even though I don’t see or call
Human Resources President, City Operations Manager, Actor;
Manager, Genevieve’s Corporation South Bay, Founder,
myself a survivor of domestic U.C. Berkeley Hertz Corporation May “K”: The Giovannie
violence, I am.”Amidst the laughter Pico Foundation
and the celebrations, we opened
up to each other about our fears.
While Edna Murray, a holistically-
talented massage therapist and
health educator who cites her father
as her inspiration, confidently
affirmed, “No fear! I believe in God.
I can start all over again!” Vici
Aquino-Layus, who first watched
her friend, Edna Rodis, perform in Imelda Oppenheim Jei Africa, Psy.D. Jennifer Francia Jennifer S. Jimenez
the 2005 production of “The Vagina
Trainer, Clinical Director, Kocian Client Support Specialist,
Excel Personal Training Community Overcoming Financial Consultant, Community Overcoming
Monologues,” felt that “the Relationship Abuse World Financial Group; Relationship Abuse
challenge to perform in TVM” is (CORA) Cosmetologist (CORA)
| w w w. f f w n . o r g

Jessica Angeles
Student,
Cal State Fullerton
June Pariña
Director, Media Relations,
The Blueshirt Group
Mae Brana
Gemologist;
MBA Student,
University of San
Francisco
Michelle U. Buendia
Financial Coach,
World Financial Group
Rinabeth Apostol
Performing Artist / Activist
Joy Francia Almquist
Registered Nurse, BSN,
PHN
KATRIEN VAN RIEL
Student
Maria Luisa
Osmeña, MD
Pediatrician,
LiveWell Medical Clinic
Minette Lee
Mangahas
Program Associate,
Center for Art and Public
Life, California College of
the Arts
Sarah Jane Ilumin
Vice President and
Manager,
Yashi Okita Design
her greatest fear. Not to worry, Vici!
Rica Echavez, who admits that she
is full of surprises (delightful, we
add!), is afraid about “not doing
enough or taking the wrong path.”
Trying to relax in our perfectionism
Joy San Andres JULIA VAN RIEL was no easy task. There were words
Teacher, Student to live by (or mottos) that kept
Sunnyvale School District popping up during rehearsals
or in our e-mails. While Leah
Laxamana – our administrative
powerhouse who also freelances
in graphic and web designs –
believes in living life without regrets,
Byumi Gonzalez, who says she
struts better than any supermodel
and claims to own a wardrobe that
would make Donatella Versace join
the unemployment line, displayed
Leah Laxamana Lina Mesina Susbilla her “joie de vivre” with “Who needs
Administrative Assistant, Owner, Lena’s Flowers
Korn / Ferry International & Gifts; Commissioner, a love life when you’re loving life?”
Commission on the Status Not to be outdone, Jennifer S.
of Women, San Mateo Cty. Jimenez, who provides counseling
and emotional support to female
survivors of domestic violence,
simply blurted out, “Just do it!”
About our legacies for those who
follow us, legacies for more women
who dare to come out and speak
up for their rights – well, there
were varied responses. Evelyn
Marisa Angeles Marie Rivera Yip Luluquisen, who declares her life
Office Manager, Retired,
Bonita House, Inc. Alameda County is an open book, candidly said, “
I did it my way!” June Pariña,
who recently went home to the
Philippines to do some research on
her family history, stated: “Experience
the world, find your way. If you get
lost, always know where ‘home’ is.”
Altruism also scored high with the
“legacy” question. For instance,
Joy Francia Almquist, our
Florence Nightingale, wants to be
Rebecca Concepcion Rica Echavez remembered as “the person who
Apostol Mortgage Consultant,
Member, Board of Capital West gave herself for the good of others.”
Directors, Philippine
National Day Association; My, oh my, we found more little-
known trivia about our 2006 TVM
cast and crew.
The very busy Stephanie Loleng
had successfully jumped from the
world of print media to public
broadcasting, found time to
co-author a coffee table book,
and practice yoga. Cabo, Christina
Sorcy Apostol Teresa Ferrer Dunham’s adorable Black
Instructor, Sacramento Guingona
City College; Regional Member, Filipino Task Labrador-Pit Bull (who’s more Lab
Manager, Force, CORA; in temperament), greets visitors and
UC Davis School Board Member, Asian clients in her office. C’mon, Christina,
University Partnership American Recovery Svs.
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE
we also found out you are quite
a sultry singer and a successful
swimsuit model on the runway!
Even Genevieve Dwyer’s
transformation these past few years
is breath-taking. Not only does she
make the divorce process easy for
her clients, she also had to replace
all her old, “fat” photos with
bling-bling, head-turning portraits.
The spontaneous, fun-loving Anna-
Liza Estoesta, known to many
of her friends as the “Annalyzer,”
takes pride in her ability and
willingness to put others before
herself as well as having a close-knit
multi-cultural group of friends. In the
meantime, Joy San Andres, who
first joined TVM in 2005, has made a
joyous 180 degree transformation –
from performer to Tagalog coach
to Tagalog translator. Joy’s self-
confidence boosted her performance
in the more challenging Tagalog
monologues in “Usaping Puki.”
There are many risk-takers in the
cast but none as determined as
Mae Brana. She definitely pushed
the envelope. Mae left a successful
business in the Philippines to
pursue her MBA in San Francisco,
dared to explore the wonders of
political empowerment in her
MBA program’s student council,
and finally found her groove among
the FWN members when she
volunteered during our Filipina
Women’s Summit in October 2005
with her best friend, Anna Mamon.
The businesswomen in this year’s
cast inspired us to believe that we
can have it all. We’re curious to find
out how Michelle U. Buendia
manages to balance her life as a
wife, a mother with two kids, and
still perform in the Tagalog version
of TVM so eloquently and flawlessly.
(Sigh!) One of our 2006 Vagina
Warriors, Tess Crescini, is a
survivor of emotional, mental,
and physical domestic abuse.
As someone who has successfully
overcome her personal circumstances,
Tess co-hosts a TV show entitled
“Survival,” which raises awareness
of and advocates for ending
domestic violence. We also met
Anne Almendral, who articulated
her priorities when she had to take
care of her family’s health challenges
19
during the rehearsal weekends. “I’m
a mother first, a businesswoman
next,” she declared. We clearly have
an early advocate for Filipina
women’s empowerment in Anne.
She didn’t say “businessperson”
or “business professional.” Anne
insisted on using the word,
“businesswoman” with pride.
Way to go!
Dr. Jei Africa, a known expert in
cultural competence, mental health,
and substance abuses, gave voice
to her predicament about the cast’s
choice for its curtain call costume
changes. She was puzzled. “What is
it about ‘red’? I’ve never worn a red
outfit in my life.”
Evangeline (Vangie) Canonizado
Buell, the grandmother who will
be eternally remembered for her
poignant rendition of the monologue,
“I was There!” with her daughter,
Nikki Vilas, in our 2004 production,
is one of our Vagina Warriors (2004).
After having suffered abuse as a
child, Vangie successfully turned her
life around to become one of our
Filipina community’s sterling role
models: an elegant grandmother, a
musical artist, a community activist,
a prominent Filipino American
historical and inter-cultural advocate,
and a celebrated author. Vangie’s
dearest friend, Marie Yip, also
joined us in this year’s TVM. These
two life-long friends are inseparable.
In 2004, she brought the house
down with her dead-pan sense of
humor in the group monologues.
Nowadays, Marie celebrates her
retirement by being involved with
her love for theater and travel
activities. Her great sense of fashion
– and never a hair out of place! –
makes us proud!
This year, we had more families join
the cast.
Maria Luisa Osmeña, M.D.,
brought her daughters, Katrien
Van Riel, a third grader at Presidio
Hill School, and Julia Van Riel,
a kindergartener from the same
school. This forward-thinking
pediatrician, who believes in serving
children and families, just opened
her brand-new medical clinic at the
Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno
(yes, with lots of parking space!)
20 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
last January 29. Bringing medical
services directly to her patients
during mall hours is quite an
innovative concept. Imagine,
we can shop while waiting for
2006
our appointment!
Let’s talk about the Apostol mother- Tess Crescini Vangie Canonizado Vici Aquino-Layus
daughters team. Mom Sorcy Broker, RW-Heritage Buell Financial Aide Consultant,
Concepcion Apostol and Homes & Investments Author, Musician, San Jose State University
Events Coordinator
daughters Rebecca Apostol and
Rinabeth Apostol spent their
own money and commuted to
San Francisco every weekend for
{ }
rehearsals. They’re that committed to
the cause of ending violence against
women and girls. Sorcy commuted
from Sacramento/Central Valley
Who’s Who
while her daughters traveled from
Los Angeles. None of our 2006 TVM
in the Crew
cast and crew knew that Rebecca’s Executive Producer: Executive Producer:
dramatic prowess was evident when Marily Mondejar Tessie Zaragoza
she participated in a short stage President, FWN; Executive Chair of the FWN Board;
Director, Institute for President, Organ Donor
presentation with 11 other youth Image Management Rights Network
representatives from all over the U.S.
that breathed life to a lyrical essay,
“The Flames of Consciousness,” in
the 2002 National Empowerment
Conference of the National
Federation of Filipino American
Associations. Rinabeth, named after
Queen Elizabeth, emphasized to us
that her parents and Spiderman
inspire her. Rinabeth’s quirky sense Producer: Director: Director: Director:
Ken Marquis Bettina Santos Yap Elena Mangahas Giovannie Pico
of humor showed up when she Executive Producer, Marketing Consultant Co-Chair, Little Manila Actor, Founder,
stated her motto: “When life pisses GLOBAL360, Inc. Foundation May “K”: The Giovannie
in your dreams, just add chlorine Pico Foundation
and keep on swimming.” She even
disclosed that parental advice was
also spiked with metaphors, such
as, “As long as you hang out with
turkeys, you’ll never soar with the
eagles!”
Then, we met the mother-daughter
pair – Marisa Angeles and her Editor, V-Diaries: Editor, V-Diaries: Art Director: Musical Director:
daughter, Jessica Angeles. Jessica, Genevieve V. Jopanda Stephanie Loleng Al S. Perez Socorro “Kit”
who is currently a student at Cal City Operations Manager, Writer Principal, de Castro
State-Fullerton, commuted from South Bay, Hertz Creative i Studio Musical Director,
Corporation Landsberg Productions
Southern California every weekend
just for this production. Marisa, a
single mom, is a passionate
advocate for the National Marrow
Donor Program. She must have gone
beyond what was expected of her
because someone donated a family
ad in her name for TVM 2006 and
some money to fund this year’s VIP
Reception, which Marisa chaired. Connie Lloren- Lorna Dietz Marisa Angeles Sonia Delen
Jungmann Marketing and PR Office Manager, Managing Director,
Photographer, Consultant, Bonita House, Inc. Banc of America Leasing
CLJ-Photo.com, RadiantView.com
Senior Accountant,
Xythos Software
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
Becoming a Swan Princess
By Byumi Gonzalez
I was a stud in high school. My
father forced me to be a part of
the Junior basketball team, and
I remember those hot sweaty
afternoons where I had to engage
in rough, competent routines,
rebounds and defense. The boys
called it play. I called it torture.
I had such a small, boney
frame as a kid, and I remember my
peers pushing me around like a
punching bag – I was abused with
hard fists and relentless punches.
I was scared of those hard, rubber
basketballs, and I remember
falling head first on the floor with
a bloody nose because I failed to
catch the one ball flying towards
my face.
I didn’t mind it though. I got
to hangout with the hottest boys
in school. I’d see them undress in
the locker rooms, and take steamy
showers after practice. My eyes
explored every single part of their
manhood on a regular basis,
and to me that made it all worth
the game.
I was forced to learn how to
smoke, shoot air guns, play video
games, and learn how to pick
up fights with the nerds and the
wankers. While deep inside all I
wanted to do was, play Barbie
dolls, sew, cook and do my nails.
Everyone hated me. Everyone,
including myself.
I felt like the ugly duckling. A
butterfly caged in her own cocoon.
I hated the fact that I couldn’t
shave my facial hair even if it was
itchy. I felt uncomfortable wearing
loose, boring clothes and pants
that felt like they were falling
because they were 2 sizes too
bigger. I hated being a man.
Salutations & Glorious Greetings
I hated how everyone expected
me to be a man. to FWN and the Cast & Crew of
When I got to college,
everything changed. It became The Vagina Monologues 2006
“Co-ed “and everything was more
diverse. Because I grew up in an all
boys Catholic school that required
uniforms, the liberty of being free
to wear anything you want put a
Lena’s Flowers & Gifts
big smile on my face.
I started plucking my eyebrows,
growing my hair, and shaving my
legs. I said goodbye to the loose
clothes and started wearing my
mom’s clothes to school. Everyone
was shocked. My basketball
friends didn’t talk to me anymore. Len & Lina Susbilla, Owners
My dad was ashamed of me. I got 100 Los Olivos Avenue
mocked and bullied everyday. The
more they made fun of me, the Daly City, CA 94014
more I enjoyed it. My wardrobe Tel: 650. 270. 3363
started to bloom, and the girls
loved me for my style. I started
getting compliments, and as my
hair started to grow, it became Polly S. Cortez
softer and shinier. Board of Directors
I graduated College as the
“Batch Queen.” I became the Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay Area
most popular girl in school. People
stopped giving me crap. The girls
842 Navaroone Way
took care of me, and I started to Concord, CA 94518
hangout with the rich, snobby Home: 925. 676. 7465
glam girls and the cheerleaders. Cell: 925. 876. 7695
My basketball friends talked to me pscortez@aol.com
again because they were dating
my girlfriends. I got my diploma
wearing a dress, and because my
brother never graduated college,
I finally got my father’s respect.
I’m now 27, and I just went
through my breast augmentation
surgery last month. The ugly
duckling is now a swan princess,
and my basketball shorts are
neatly folded in an old, dusty box
hidden under my bed, where it
belongs.
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 21

And let’s see what our production crew was
up to this year.
Our co-directors brought in creative and
insightful ideas. Our tried-and-true actor from
Hollywood who founded her “May ‘K’: The
Giovannie Pico Foundation,” opened her heart
and home to cast members who needed
additional coaching. Thank you, Giovannie
Pico! Stockton-based Elena Mangahas, our
co-director who roared “Cunt!” in our 2004
TVM production, believes in a peaceable
future while co-director, Bettina Santos
Yap, whose mother originally wanted to
name her Beatrice, feels that her “sense of
community” will resonate well with future
generations.
We were so blessed to have the adorable Ken
Marquis join us as “producer extraordinaire”
this year. This Emmy-nominated TV producer
and former child actor, among his numerous
credentials, coached the actors before
Giovannie Pico took over. Ken really made it
happen. He made sure that the cast and crew
totally understood the nuances of a theater
production – and especially with the novice
performers, who had to learn the basics of
stage projection and stage presence – for a
Wow! performance.
Al Perez, the “darling of our Filipino
community” and our art director, is truly one
of our most heart-warming success stories in
graphic design and volunteerism, dispelling
22 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
the myth that these two genres are oil-and-
water mixtures. Pistahan Parade and Festival,
the annual celebration of our Filipino culture
and heritage, is Al’s main non-profit cause.
You bet, we’re there to support you this
August, Al!
What if we were to tell you that synchronicity
and serendipity were responsible for bringing
Socorro “Kit” de Castro, our musical
director, to us in 2004? Lorna Dietz was so
attracted to Kit’s mastery of the keyboard in
2000 that she insisted on keeping in touch.
When Kit came on board, lo and behold,
we had one of the most talented Filipina
woman composers / song-writers in our midst.
Although we now know about Kit’s
credentials, here are just a few tidbits: Socorro,
along with her husband, keyboardist Norman
Landsberg, run Landsberg Music Productions,
a full service music production company
providing music direction and arrangements
for album productions, live performances, as
well as scoring for commercials and films such
as Ramona S. Diaz’ award-winning
documentary, “Spirits Rising.” Kit also has her
own CD of original compositions, self-titled
“Socorro.”
Connie Lloren, our volunteer photographer,
another veteran since 2004, has always kept
us straight and narrow with her accounting
and project management skills. If you loved
many of our performers’ headshots, chances
are that it was Connie’s work.
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
Sonia Delen, who recently humbly
announced her promotion to Managing
Director at Banc of America Leasing, decided
that this year, she would just do production
work. Thanks to her, Bank of America will
always stay top-of-mind because we have
wonderful memories of our rehearsals in their
auditorium during the past three years.
As executive producer, Tessie Zaragoza
managed the business aspects of producing
TVM since 2004. She made our productions
look and feel effortless. We didn’t realize that
it is Tessie’s skills as a diplomat and negotiator
that helped us overcome many challenges. As
a staunch advocate for transplant donors,
we’ve seen Tessie take community relations in
non-profit work to new levels of
professionalism in the Filipino community.
Tessie’s co-executive producer, Marily
Mondejar, ever-articulate and ever-evolving
as a true example of “A Filipina who could be
President,” declined the inclusion of too much
trivia in her honor. Marily said, “My job is to
be invisible and let the cast and crew shine!”
As for me, the volunteer society columnist for
this year’s TVM cast and crew, I do have the
last word. I didn’t know many of the cast
members – and I had to come up with newsy
and juicy tidbits. So, I lurked in the yahoo
group and planted spies all over the place
who willingly fed me inside information about
the fabulous TVM cast and crew. I revealed
photo b y voltaire yap
their personal highlights while remaining
respectful and sensitive. Really, my role was to
read between the lines.
There’s really more to Filipina women that
you’ve met backstage this year. We’ve offered
you some delectable morsels of thought about
our “Filipinas in Motion.”
We’ll be back. And you’ll be back. And you’ll
bring your friends to meet more of us. We look
forward to our next time together.
Lorna Lardizabal Dietz is a public
relations, marketing, and strategic business
consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Although Lorna claims that she will make the
time to update her website, www.radiantview.
com, she feels that some of her activities, such
as her consulting work with the Filipino
American Senior Opportunities Development
Council, Inc. in San Jose and her business
development responsibilities at www.
filipinasmag.com (Filipinas Magazine) rate
“high” on her priority list. Lorna thinks that
perhaps Marily Mondejar is right in assuming
that a society-gossip column on Page 6 of a
reputable publication might just be a new,
“pop culture” avenue of promoting Filipino
American empowerment. Lorna Dietz can be
reached at lornadietz@gmail.com.
ACKNOWLEDG MENTS
MARKETING MATERIALS
LOGO DESIGN
CORPORATE IDENTITY
ADVERTISING
WEB SITE DESIGN
V-Angel Sponsors: Tessie Zaragoza, Organ Donor Rights Network;
Bob and Catherine in honor of Marisa Gutierrez Angeles
DiVine Sponsor: Marily Mondejar, Institute for Image Management WA N T T O R E AC H T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I C A N M A R K E T ? C A L L T H E E X P E R T S :
Valentine Sponsor: ABS-CBN International Al Perez | 415. 334. 9170 | alsperez@pacbell.net
LoVe Sponsors: Filipinas Magazine, Philippine News i NNOVATIVE, i NTELLIGENT AND i MPACTFUL DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Heart Sponsors: Pinoy Today, Lucky Chances, Creative i Studio

National V-Day Sponsors:

ABC Carpet & Home • Barneys New York • Berlex • Dramatists
Play Service • Eileen Fisher • GK Designs for Jewelserv • Luna Bar
• Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams • Unique Swiss Skin Care • Vosges
Haut Chocolat • Zhena’s Gypsy Tea

Media Friends: ABS-CBN International: Nerissa Fernandez, Mitos

Santisteban • Ang Panahon: Charito Benipayo • Filipinas Magazine:
Christina Dunham, Ferlie Andolong • Filipino Journal: Joy Rivera Dodds
• Manila Bulletin USA: Jacqui Conclara, Henni Espinosa, Tricia Garcia •
Media Factory: Marissa Aroy, Carlo Kamin • Philippine Fiesta: Dinnah
San Pedro • Philippine Headlines: Charito Benipayo • Philippine News: t o a d v o c at e f o r t h e r i g h t s o f o r g a n d o n o r s
Francis Espiritu, Margarita Argente • Pinoy Today: Marilyn King, Thelma
Cruz, Epee Rafanan • San Francisco Examiner: Dave Caccerelli ORGAN DONOR “BILL OF RIGHTS”
ORGAN Campaign to develop the rights of organ donors – those

Rights
DONOR
Donors: Acme Bread • Marisa Angeles • API Legal Outreach: Kevin listed in donor registries and those who have signed
donor cards. Organ donors need to understand the
Pimentel, Laureen Laglagaron • Rudy Asercion, War Memorial financial implications of the organ donation process.
Commision • Asian Women’s Shelter: Geene Gonzalez • Miguel
Barrairo • Bob & Catherine • Elizabeth Bromberger • Beverly Buhain Tessie Zaragoza, Founder
Cruz • Cheese Board Pizza • Citizen Cake • City Box Office: Gus 22 Pembroke Court, Oakland 94619
Glimis, • Connie Lloren Jungmann • CORA: Johnny Yabut, Melissa N E T WO R K 510-229-8216
www.organdonorrightsnetwork.org
Lukin, Lisa DeGeneste, Tagi Qolouvaki,OliviaHorgan,Esq. Juan Alvarado organdonorrightsnetwork@gmail.com
• Elena Mangahas • Ken Marquis • Lauren McQuade, John Mumaw
• Marie Enriquez • Richard Gervais • Goldilocks, SF • Byumi Gonzalez
• Herbst • Edna Murray • Theatre: Jennifer Norris, John Bott • Joell
Javierre • Francis Jopanda • Leah Laxamana • Evelyn Luluquisan •
Manila Bay • Manila Plaza, Pittsburg CA • Theresa Opaon • Edna
Murray • June Pariña • Patio Filipino: Barry Picazo,Tito Gonzales,
Bambie Fernando, Johann Yuzon • Al Perez, Creative i Studio • Giovannie
Pico • Cherie M. Querol Moreno • Imelda Oppenheim • Peet’s Coffee
and Tea • Giovannie Pico • Gerry Phillips • Piedmont Party Rentals, Rene M. Medina
Oakland, CA • Franklin M. Ricarte • Daniel Rodis • Eric Rodis • Joy San President / Owner
Andres • Robbi Silverio • Safeway Deli, Pittsburg CA • Consul General
Rowena Mendoza Sanchez • Ruby San Juan • Don Santos • Ricardo 1700 Hillside Boulevard, Coima, CA 94014
Sison, Philippine Center • Paul Stewart • Yuri Syuganov • The Cheese Tel: (650) 758-2237 • Fax: (650) 758-1189
Board • Bettina Yap • Voltaire V. Yap • Jason Zien • Richard Gervais

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 23

(Continued from p. 12)
7. Blames Others for His Feelings:
He may tell the woman “you make me
mad,” “you’re hurting me by not doing
what I ask,” I can’t help being angry.”
He really makes the decision about
what he thinks and feels but will use
feelings to manipulate the woman.
8. Hypersensitivity: He may be easily
insulted. He claims his feelings are
“hurt” when he’s really mad, or he
takes the slightest setbacks as personal
attacks. He will “rant and rave” about
the injustice of things that have
happened to him. These things are
really just part of living, like being asked
to work overtime, getting a traffic
ticket, being told that something he
does is annoying, being asked to help
with chores.
9. Cruelty to Animals or Children:
This may be a man who punishes
24 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
animals brutally or is insensitive to their
pain or suffering. He may expect
children to be capable of doing things
far beyond their ability (hits a 2-year-old
for wetting their diaper), or he may
tease children or young brothers and
sisters until they cry. (60% of men,
who are with women, also beat their
children). He may not want children to
eat at the table or expect them to keep
to their room all evening while he is
at home. Congratulations and Best Wishes
10. “Playful” Use of Force in Sex:
to the Filipina Women’s Network!
He may like to throw the woman down
and hold her down during sex. He may
want to act out fantasies during sex
where the woman is helpless. He may
be letting her know that the idea of
“rape” excites him. He may start having
sex with the woman while she is
Richard Gervais Collection
sleeping or demand sex when she is ill 965 Natoma Street, San Francisco
or tired.
415. 255. 4579
Adapted from Project for Victims of Family Violence, Inc., Fayetteville, AR
www.richardgervaiscollection.com
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
 Vicitacion!
We’re so proud of you
for taking a stand
and join you...
No violence to women and girls.
Clay, Roman, Leia & Marius
Image Builds
Business
Capabilities Overview
The Institute for Image Management has
developed a unique approach to helping
indviduals and organizations define
themselves and commmunicate with
relevance and credibility to important
internal and external audiences.
The Institute for Doing Business in the
U.S. was formed to address the lack of
understanding of the cultural nuances
affecting international executives
and teams operating in the U.S., and
international businesses wanting to
expand operations in the U.S.
F O R I N D IVI D U ALS
» Corporate Savvy
» Dressing to Influence
» Seven Aspects of Image
» Career Management
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» Workforce Consulting and
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» Facilitation and Training

I F Institute for
Call for a career image consultation Image
www.image360.com | 415. 863. 2573 I M Management

Congratulations Tessie!
Woman. Survivor. Warrior
By shattering your chain of domestic abuse,
your courage is like a mace in the fight
to end violence against women and girls.

Ikaw and aking Puking Magdirigma!

Mahal Kita,
Paul

FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 25


Filipina Women’s Network
P. O. Box 192143
San Francisco, CA 94119
Phone: 415. 278. 9410
Fax: 415. 840. 0655
E-mail: filipina@ffwn.org
Website: www.ffwn.org
Mission Statement
Established in 2001, FWN’s
mission is to enhance public
perceptions of Filipina women’s
capacities to lead, change biases
against Filipina women’s
leadership abilities and promote
the entry of Filipina women into
positions of leadership in
corporate, government, and
nonprofit sectors.
FWN achieves its mission through
public education forums that
heighten Filipina women’s
visibility, research on Filipina
women’s issues, leadership, skill
building and career development
programs for Filipina women, and
influencing popular culture.
Goals 2006-07
Increase financial assistance
capabilities to ensure that FWN
educational programs and events
are accessible to Filipina women
of all socio-economic
backgrounds.
Increase FWN’s network of Filipina
women business owners and
those employed in corporations,
government and nonprofit
organizations and utilize the
database as a pipeline for
opportunities for corporate
visibility and professional
development.
Endow the Filipina Leadership
Development and Mentoring
Program
Generate operating funds for the
establishment of a national
headquarters and research library
to house our historical collection
documenting the achievements of
Filipina women in the U. S.
26 FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK
Fundraising Events, Corporate Sponsorships and Naming Opportunities
Partner with the Filipina Women’s Network and support Filipina women, America’s
untapped source for leadership and talent.
FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST 4th ANNUAL FILIPINA FILIPINA WOMEN WHO
VIOLENCE SUMMIT COULD BE PRESIDENT
Campaign to stop abuse against October 27-29, 2006 Leadership program for Filipina
Filipina women and girls. V-Day San Francisco women. Building the Filipina
San Francisco Spotlight 2006: Attention Corporations: community’s pipeline of qualified
Justice to ‘Comfort Women’. Plan Your Participation Now! leaders, to increase the odds that
All-Filipina women production Send your Filipina employees to some will rise to the president
of “The Vagina Monologues” the Summit. Call (415) 278-9410. position in all sectors. Sponsor a
performed in English and Tagalog “presidential candidate.”
(“Usaping Puki”). The Filipina Summit is convened Call (415) 278-9410
in October because the earliest
Sunday, February 26, 2006 documented proof of Filipino
Herbst Theatre presence in the Continental FILIPINA WOMEN’S
401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco United States was in October NETWORK MAGAZINE
Tickets: (415) 392-4400 1587 in Morro Bay, California. Annual publication about the
www.cityboxoffice.com nuances of Filipina culture,
Call: (415) 278-9410 for empowerment articles, career
sponsorships. “V-DIARIES”: strategies, and highlighting
ANTI-VIOLENCE RESOURCE the accomplishments of Filipina
GUIDE women in the U. S. Publication
COUNCIL OF REMARKABLE Annual publication designed date: October 2006. Call (415)
FILIPINA WOMEN to provide a voice for domestic 278-9410 to place an ad.
Mentoring Circles – creating a violence survivors and Filipina
community of Filipinas helping women and girls in abusive
each other succeed and cultivating situations including a resource KAPAMILYA COMMUNITY
future community leaders. list of domestic violence agencies, PARTNER FUND
Sponsor a mentoring circle. shelters, legal and counseling Endow research projects and
Call (415) 278-9410 services and law enforcement educational programs about the
offices. Publication date: March Filipina American Experience.
2006. Call (415) 278-9410 to Call (415) 278-9410 for
place an ad. naming opportunities and for
sponsorships.
How to reach the Filipina Women’s Network • P. O. Box 192143, San Francisco, CA 94119 • Phone: 415 / 278. 9410 • Fax: 415 / 840. 0655 • www.ffwn.org.
The views and opinions of advertisers and contributors expressed in this publication do not necessarily state or reflect those of Filipina Women’s Network.
© 2005 Filipina Women’s Network. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be published without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
| w w w. f f w n . o r g
 Pride2006 1/24/06 9:57 AM Page 1

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FILIPINA WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE 27

 Coming Together As a Community:
Managing our Future . . .
4 T H A N N UA L
• PAST: Milestones in society, self, and the Filipina community
Filipina Summit over three decades

“Shaping the PURPOSE: Experience similarities, share facts of each others’

worlds
Filipina Image” • PRESENT: External forces shaping our lives and our
A Future Search community right now
PURPOSE: Talk about same world, find common ground,
Conference confront chaos, take responsibility

Filipina Women’s Network • FUTURE: Ideal scenarios and common ground

October 27-29, 2006
Crowne Plaza Union Square, San Francisco
Questions? 415.278.9410
To register: http://fwnfuturesearch.mollyguard.com
For more info: www.ffwn.org/FutureSearch.htm
PURPOSE: Translates dialogue into aspirations, discover
common ground
• A C T I O N P L A N N I N G
PURPOSE: Increase probability of aligned actions