Samahang Pilipino is getting together with IDEAS @ UCLA to take a picture for publication for our recognition by UCSA for our efforts in working on the DREAM Act. Let's be part of this great event and celebrate the work we've done as Samahang Pilipino.

The picture will be taken at 5:30pm in Wilson Plaza, either in front of SAC or in front of Janss Steps. Come out and look pretty!

SENATE PASSES VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007: Comprehensive bill expands support for disabled veterans, job training, and provides historic Filipino veterans equity

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, elatedly applauded his colleagues in the Senate for passing S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 by a vote of 96 to 1. Prior to voting on final passage of the bill, the Senate debated an amendment to remove a provision providing a limited pension for Filipino World War II veterans residing in the Philippines. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 56 to 41, with Akaka leading the charge for the Filipino veterans' pension.

"The Filipino veterans of World War II fought bravely under U.S. military command, helping us win the war only to lose their veteran status by an Act of Congress. I commend my colleagues for supporting those veterans who stood with us," said Akaka.

Akaka continued, "I am also very pleased that the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 can finally move forward. This bill makes needed improvements to veterans' benefits by expanding and increasing support for veterans, their families, and their survivors. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly on this much needed bill."

This comprehensive, budget-neutral omnibus veterans' benefits bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs last June and reported to the full Senate last August.

The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 would provide a veterans' pension to Filipino veterans of World War II residing in the U.S. and in the Philippines. Under the proposed bill, veterans residing in the Philippines would receive a smaller pension than those residing in the U.S., to account for differences in cost-of-living in the two countries.

The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 also includes a multitude of improvements to veterans' benefits, including provisions to:

• Establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans;
  
• Expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance;
  
• Increase the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase;
  
• Provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits;
  
• Extend for two years the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.


Thank you to all of you who supported in presence, or phone calls and emails to the senate. Please continue to do the same and contact your county's House Representative to give benefits to our Veteranos!

The worklight for SPCN scheduled this evening at Royce Hall has been postponed to next Tuesday, April 29 from 5-9pm. We are sorry for the late notice and any inconvenience! Participants: for more information, please contact your suite coordinators.

Mark your calendars! Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night 2008 is coming!

Date: May 10, 2008
Location: Royce Hall at UCLA
Show times: 1:00pm and 7:00pm
Tickets: Free, availability TBA

What is culturally relevant education? What does it mean to you?

Samahang Pilipino will be introducing the Campaign for Pilipino Studies (CPS) at this Friday's General Meeting. Be prepared for an exciting time!

CPS is the struggle to secure culturally relevant curriculum in the education system. Here at UCLA, we want to secure a specialization in Filipino studies within the Asian-American Studies Department. The struggle to address Filipino studies is not merely a Samahang movement but a Pilipino movement which has been going on for decades. See what representatives from UCI and UCR have to say, as they too are in the very same effort to widen Filipino-American education. We need your support! We are making history!

Pre-sale ads and payment are due this Monday, April 14. We will accept any submitted ads as pre-sale until midnight (MONDAY at 11:59pm).

Remember, the last day for ALL ad submissions is this Friday, April 18, 11:59pm.

Place an advertisement in the Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night 2008 program for your dance suite, organization, business, friends or anyone who is important to you! Even if you're not in SPCN, show your support for participants!

DUE DATES:

Pre-sale: Monday of Week 3, April 14
Regular: Friday of Week 3, April 18
After Week 3: Talk to the Aesthetics Coordinators

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

- Cash or check (made out to "Samahang Pilipino")
- Payments will be accepted either 1) in person (contact Kristian or Abby), 2) at the Week 2 SPCN run-through on Saturday, April 12, or 3) during our office hours below.

For Pre-Sale: Drop off your money at the Samahang Pilipino office on Monday, April 14, between 12pm - 8pm.

For Regular: Drop off your money at the Samahang Pilipino office on Friday, April 18, between 2 - 4pm, or catch us at the Samahang Pilipino general meeting, 6 - 8pm.

SIZES/PRICES (Presale/Regular):

Full Spread (2 Pages): $280/$300
Full Page (8.5" x 11"): $150/$170
Half Page (8.5" x 5.5"): $80/$100
Quarter Page (4.25" x 5.5") $50/$70
Business Card (2" x 3.5"): $25/$45

OPTIONAL DESIGN SERVICES:

The Aesthetics Coordinators are also available to help you design your ad for an additional $25.

AD SUBMISSIONS:

Please e-mail your advertisement as a JPEG (with at least 300 dpi resolution) to spcn.aesthetics@gmail.com. Subject Line: SPCN 2008 Advertisement.


Thanks!

-Kristian Tumangan and Abigail Faelnar
SPCN 2008 Aesthetics Co-Coordinators

Come be involved in Samahang's two great projects, SPACE and SPEAR! The application due date has been extended to Monday of Week 3, April 14!

Download the SPEAR and SPACE staff application.

We will be holding information sessions on:

Tuesday, April 8 from 6-7 pm
Tuesday, April 8 from 7-8 pm
Thursday, April 10 from 6-7 pm
Thursday, April 10 from 7-8 pm

All the informational sessions will take place in the Student Activities Center Lounge, located near the CPO computer lab.

If you are interested in applying, your attendance at ONE of these informational sessions are mandatory as we will be distributing very important information regarding the SPEAR and SPACE projects, the hiring process, and much more.

To address the concerns regarding the letter of recommendation:
1. Aside it being short-notice, please do your best on getting the letters of recommendation.
2. You are allowed to submit the letters at your interview which will be held during 4th week.
3. The letter of rec can be from anyone who can best describe your work ethic, teamwork, or special skills/experiences you may have. Preferably a supervisor or teacher that you've worked with.
4. Lastly: Please do not let the lack of a recommendation letter be the reason you don't apply. If you cannot produce one, contact Mark Jimenez (outreach@samahang.org) or Emily Bautista (retention@samahang.org).

Also, if you were not able to attend the info sessions, please contact either Mark or Emily for a 1-on-1 or meet with a member of the Admin team of either project. For any other questions or concerns regarding the hiring process, please contact any SPEAR or SPACE staff member.