Philippines

Title

Philippines

Issue Date

Volume III (Issue No. 5) July 31, 1943

Publisher

Commonwealth of the Philippines

Year

1943

Language

English

Subject

Philippines--History--Periodicals.

Philippines--History--19th century--Periodicals.

Philippines—Foreign relations--United States--Periodicals.

Philippines--Politics and government--Periodicals.

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Place of publication

Washington, D. C.

extracted text

Philippines PUBLISHED BY THE COMMON WEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES 1617 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N. W., WASHINGTON 6, D. C. Volume III, Number 5 July 31, 1943 Fifth Annual Inter-Community Convention Pledges Cooperation With Philippine Government Post-War Reconstruction Program More effective participation of Filipinos in the United States in the war effort and in the building up of a new Philippines is the keynote of a four-day convention of the Fifth Filipino Inter-Communit}' Organization of the West ern States, held from July 1 to 4, in Stockton, California. About two hundred delegates and alternates from thirtyfive Filipino communities of the Pacific Coast attended the convention. The Commonwealth government at Washing ton was represented by Manuel A. Adeva, Nationals Divi sion Assistant to the Philippine Resident Commissioner and Field Representatives of the Western Division, Dr. Jose F. Imperial and Dr. Roman Ubaldo. Mr. Adeva attended the convention as the personal rep resentative of Commissioner J. M. Elizalde, who was un able to accept the invitation to be guest of honor because of the pressure of his official duties in Washington. The delegates pledged full cooperation with the Philip pine government’s post-war reconstruction program of the Philippines. The principal feature of the convention consisted of timely surveys on various Filipino problems. Problems of Filipino labor was discussed by Jose de los Reyes. The Rev. Casiano Coloma, Pastor of the Filipino Christian Church of Los Angeles read a paper on Filipino social prob lems while Rev. Geo. Garcia, Pastor of the Trinity Presby terian Church at Stockton, read a paper on religion and the Filipino. The editor of the Philippines Star Press, Amado E. Dino, spoke on the role of Filipino newspapers. Labor leader Pedro Algas gave a talk on Filipino labor movement. President Melecio Dellota of the Filipino Com munity of Los Angeles discussed Filipinos in war and in peace. In the course of the convention, various committees were organized to draw up practical plans on different aspects of the principal aim of the convention—more effective par ticipation of Filipinos in the United States in the war ef fort and in the building up of a new Philippines. The Com mittee on post-war reconstruction is composed of one delegate from each community. Other committees had to do with problems of Filipino labor, Filipinos in the war effort, social problems, and Filipino farming problems. CONGRATULATORY messages .uhl greetings from high ranking Philippine officials and community leaders were read during the convention. From his summer camp, President Quezon wired: T wish I could be with you, but I am temporarily confined in bed. Although I cannot be with you in person my heart and mind are with you. I wish you success.” One minute of silence was dedicated in prayer for the speedy recovery of the President. Vice-President Osmena sent a telegram which was also lead to the delegates. The telegram read: "My best wishes go to the delegates attending the Fifth Annual Convention of the Filipino Inter-Community Or ganization of the Western States in Stockron. Tn these crucial days, as the war enters its decisive phase, unity and cooperation among Filipinos everywhere is im perative if the nation is to emerge unshaken from the heavy ordeal that lies ahead. Thus, ever}’ Filipino is ex pected to contribute his utmost with a full heart, until final victory is achieved. "1 know that you, who represent thousands of our coun trymen in the United States, will never falter in your duty —that you will help to win real freedom and happiness for our own country. Your meeting is most opportune: your efforts to find ways and means of making your contri bution to the war effort more effective are commendable: and I have abiding faith that your patriotic labors will not be in vain. "To you, therefore, I send this message of encourage ment and appreciation: Continue your spirit of cooperation and sacrifice. Remain true to the ideals of democracy and freedom. Never faker in this struggle which, with God’s blessing, will bring genuine independence to our beloved Philippines." Resident Commissioner Elizalde, sounding the keynote of the convention, relayed this message: "Cordial greeting to you all, and sincere thanks to your President for his kind invitation to me to join you in Stockton as Guest of Honor at this, your Fifth Annual Conven tion. I would have gladly accepted his invitation were it

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