Media Advisory

AWARE

Los Angeles, CA

Dec. 8, 2008

Contact: Arturo P. Garcia

(213) 241-0995

WIDOWS AND RELATIVES OF FILIPINO VETERANS FORMED AWARE DEC 8 IN LA

Los Angeles—The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) together with the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) formed Association of Widow and Relatives of Veterans for Equality or AWARE last Monday, at 10:00 AM December 8, 2008 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) at Fountain St/Vermont, CA 90027.

This as they commemorate the formal entry of the United States into the Second World War with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, 67 years ago.

AWARE elected an interim board composed of six executive officers namely; Lulu Astilla as president; Mary Agbunag as Vice President; Arturo Garcia s Sectetary-Treasurer; Jovy Alejandrino as Press Relations Officer; Nick Gadia as Auditor and Pedro Morante as Sgt-at-Arms.

Errol Santos, Chairman of the AWARE Advisory Board facilitated the process of elections and the rudiments of that democratic process. The organizational meeting also tackled the problems in the veterans advocacy.

Next Steps; Membership Drive

The newly elected AWARE officers will tackle the membership drive, preparation of meetings as well the advocacy for the inclusion of the widows in the veterans benefits bills. This is their reaction to the news was that SB 3689 The Filipino Veterans Support Bill passed in the Senate Defense Committee hearings last November. 17.

Ms. Lulu Astilla. AWARE President said; “The widows and the relatives of the veterans are not happy that the SB 3869 maintained the quit claim of Filner’s HR 6897 Lump Sum bill.

We know for a fact that the House of Representative passed the SB 1315 last Sept.22 but they removed the section 4 that recognizes the Filipino veterans as American war veterans and give them benefits was taken out

With the formation of AWARE the widows and relatives of veterans will have a greater voice and participation in their advocacy for benefits and recognition from the US Congress next year.” Astilla said.