U.S. Representative Grace Meng administers the oath of office of the 2022 NaFFAA-NY leadership team | Contributed Photo
NEW YORK – Rachelle Ocampo, an Associate Director for Development at the Charles B.Wang Community Health Center, was recently sworn in 2022 chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations New York (NaFFAA-NY).
U.S. Representative Grace Meng of the 6th Congressional District of New York (Queens) administered Ocampo’s oath of office and her leadership team composed of Stevenson Van Derodar, vice-chair, Arianne Maliwanag, secretary, Michelle Amor, treasurer, Dr. Angie Cruz, Joseph Ramos, and Steven Raga, executive advisors, Marilyn Abalos, communications and Patrick Reyes, executive director.
Ocampo succeeds Laura Garcia, an associate professor of Nursing at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Garcia served her second term as State chair and the vice-chair of NaFFAA Northeast.
She is also an adjunct clinical instructor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing for almost ten years. She is an active member of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey (PNA-NJ) and PNA New York. This year, Garcia serves in the Manhattan Community Board District Five (DB5) for her second term, reappointed by the Manhattan Borough President, Gale Brewer, for 2020-2022.
Ocampo is a producer and lead co-host for Makilala TV, the first and longest-running Filipino American TV Talk Show in the NY metro area. Her other roles in the Filipino community include Raised Pinay as one of its co-founders, a board member of Roots of Health, a delegate of FYLPRO, and a board member of UniPro.
Unlike last year, when NaFFAA-NY had a virtual event to install its leaders, NaFFAA had its event this year in person at the Sheraton La Guardia East Hotel in Flushing, Queens, with Ambassador Claro Cristobal as its guest speaker. NaFFAA national chair and president Brendan Flores and Chris Rivera, NaFFAA NE region chair, delivered their video greetings. Carissa Villacorta, executive director of NaFFAA, introduced them.
At the same event, NaFFAA recognized fathers from around the United States for their role as outstanding fathers to their families and community.
NaFFAA-NY’s program, The Outstanding Fathers of the Year (TOFY), adjudged ten individuals who met the program’s selection criteria of the award. The 2022 honorees are Ambassador Santiago Sonny Busa, Jr. (from Virginia), Jose Mari Lee Clemente , Dr. Marvin Cadonigara, Ambassador Will C. Gaa (Posthumous), Justino “Corporal Tinio” Estilo de Lara (Posthumous), (from Washington, DC), Miguel “Derek Lucky” Gullermo (from California) Romeo Advincula “Romy” Ortaliz, and Arturo Romua.
Gaa’s son, Wendell, paid tribute to his father via a video feed from Turkey; de Lara’s family also honored their father. Justino.
According to NaFFAA, the TOFY honors outstanding fathers of Filipino American descent. The awardees’ families recognize their father as a magnificent Dad, a loving father, a devoted family man, a great provider, and a great teacher who emphasizes the importance of education.
In addition, the TOFY Award recognizes an individual of good moral character and someone highly respected by the community, has shown exceptional leadership qualifies, outstanding record of personal and professional accomplishments, contributions, and service in various fields of endeavor in society.
The awardees join a select group of achievers, movers, and community leaders. Previous awardees include Nonoy Rafael, Attorney Ferdinand Suba, and Rolan Gutierrez.
Meng presented the awards to the outstanding fathers. Attorney Lili Cueva headed the Awards Committee with Dr. Romulo Aromin, Jr., and Dr. Winston Umali, judges.
–With Jay Domingo/PDM
