G A B R I E L A
N
E T W O R K U
S AA Philippine-US Women's Solidarity Mass Organization, est. 1989
CHAPTER NEWS
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GABNet Chicago Condemns Centennial Pageant
To: Philippine Consulate, Chicago, IL 60602
To: Philippine Government Centennial Movement, Malacañang Palace, Philippines
WE,
the undersigned concerned individuals, organizations and groups strongly
oppose the Bb, Philippines Centennial Pageant that the Philippine Centennial
Movement has coordinated with the Philippine Centennial Celebration
of the Ramos administration, for exploiting and degrading Filipino women.
It is dehumanizing that this Philippine government-sponsored beauty
pageant, which is supposed to be a part of the centennial celebration
of Philippine Independence, perpetuates an image of women, particularly
Filipinas, as sex objects. This beauty pageant has no relation to celebrating
100 years of Philippine Independence from the U.S. Rather, it is a tool
of the Ramos administration to continue the Marcos regime’s plan
of selling the Philippines as a sex tourist center in order to yield
high profits for the Philippine government. Perpetuating the image of
Filipino women as sex objects in this centennial beauty pageant helps
sell sex in the Philippines: it says that women are nothing but objects
to be used and exploited for sex and profits.
We denounce this anti-people, anti-women event that the Ramos administration has schemed. It continues the exploitative government practices of the past, for example, hosting the Ms. Universe pageants in 1974 and 1994. This purposeful exploitation of Filipino women through these beauty pageants in order to promote the Philippine sex industry destroys the lives of many Filipino women, girls and their families. It also promotes the exploitation of women as not only sex workers, but as entertainers, domestics and mail-order-brides, as it promotes the image of women as nothing more than mere property. Also, the fact that this pageant is being held in the U.S. supports the U.S. claim-to-fame as being a top exploiter of Third World women as it is one of the top importers of mail-order-brides in the world.
We demand that the Philippines/U.S. administration end the 100 years of deception and servitude against the Filipino people. To the Ramos administration: end 100 years of servitude to U.S. imperialist policies and international capitalist institutions that continue neo-colonial domination over the country. To the U.S. administration: end your deceptive socio-economic, political and cultural control over the Philippines.
To have a dignified commemoration of 100 years of Philippine independence and resistance means to stop the Centennial Pageant which makes a mockery of such a historic landmark in Philippine history. We must oppose the anti-people, anti-women scheme of Ramos and his Philippines 2000 plan. We must end the 100 years of Philippine servitude to and deception by the U.S. by exposing the hidden history of U.S. imperialist colonization and neo-colonization of the Philippines. We must unmask the role of international capitalist institutions in maintaining the neo-colonial and semi-feudal systems of the Philippines. We must fight and rectify exploitative and oppressive policies and practices that exploit and discriminate against all women. And we must recognize, respect and uphold the Filipino people’s struggle for freedom, justice and national democracy.
GABRIELA
Network – Chicago
12 Q Fernwood Drive
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
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A Reading for Solidarity
On November 24, GABRIELA Network New York sponsored a reading by Ninotchka Rosca to express the organization's support for the People's Conference Against Imperialist Globalization. The conference, spearheaded by the Network Opposed to Anti-People Control (No! to APEC), took place in Vancouver Canada from November 22 -25.
Unable to send delegates to Vancouver, GABNet NY asked Rosca to share her work with the public in solidarity of the hundreds who gathered to discuss and mobilize against the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation. In keeping with the theme of the Canadian conference, the event was entitled "Free Trade=Flesh Trade." Rosca read from a work in progress, The Situation of Marina S., 22 Years Old.
Held
at Biblios Bookstore Cafe in lower Manhattan, the reading drew a crowd
of over 30 people. Among them was Northwest chapter co-coordinator,
Melissa Ponder, and a student contingent from Sarah Lawrence College.
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GABNet Bay Area Joins International Women's Day March
In a celebration for ‘women who dare,’ GABNet Bay Area marched in a torchlight march for international women's day. Dedicated to women all over the world, from the women in Iraq to the women in Chiapas to the women in Algeria and the Philippines, the march celebrated women’s strength, determination and courage. Speakers included a member of the Zapatistas and Theresa Cruz - daughter of woman who is in jail for attacking her batterer husband - the husband is out and fine - she’s in jail for the rest of her life!
Spnsored
by Fireworx and IWD committee. Endorsed by GABRIELA Network, NLG, AIWA,
Out of Control, CISPES and others.
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GABNet
NY Retreat
On January 30-31, 1998, GABNet New York held its chapter retreat at the Jersey City, NJ home of one of its coordinators. The eight members who attended had a chance to bond, reflect, and look ahead to future events.
As we assessed the 1997 GABNet NY events and campaigns, we discussed the successes and evaluated the lessons learned from challenging endeavors. The most notable event was the summer Film Series held in July and August. Another important campaign was GABNet’s creation of a GABNet platform on prostitution, which will be submitted to GABNet chapters during the upcoming Regional Conference. As always, our accomplishments can be attributed to the commitment and collaborative efforts of members.
The second part of the retreat focused on planning for specific events. Among the upcoming events are the Purple Rose Campaign (encouraging men and women to oppose the sex trade); the Regional Conference which will mark the Centennial of the U.S. annexation of the Philippines and the continuing legacy of U.S. imperialism (now rescheduled for June 12-14, 1998); and the Women of Hope Gala (Ninotchka Rosca, founder and former National Chairperson, was bestowed the honor of being one of the chosen Asian American women.) Also, it was agreed that one of our most important goals this year is to obtain our 501-C3 nonprofit status which will help us apply for additional funding.
Finally, we formalized a New Jersey chapter and nominated several members to be on the National Board. Overall, the 1998 retreat was a relaxing and productive gathering. We’re looking forward to what we expect to be an eventful and exciting year.
KAWOMENAN SPRING 1998
Contents:
Bursting the Bubble: Financial Crisis hits East Asian "Miracle" Economies
Action Analysis: On the Intensifying Sex Trade in the Philippines
Community-Based Health Programs in the Philippines: 25 Years of Commitment and Service to the People
Growing Up Female and Filipina in America: Some Glimpses into Childhood
PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
speakers bureau | kana-pinay radyo