The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) held its 2009 Golf Classic on October 19 at The Courses at Andrews Air Force Base. At the inaugural occasion were Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) members (from left): Kin F. Wong, Tony Fung, Congressman Mike Honda, Paul Reyes, and APAICS Chair Jim Park. Former Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta gave a pep talk at the Shotgun Start Breakfast. Ambassador and Mrs. Jason Yuan and Taiwan Senator Justin Chou also competed.

Top community leader Gloria T. Caoile receives the Distinguished Service Award on October 1 from the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) for her life-long work in the labor movement and for the cause of social justice. AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (left) and Filipino American comedian and actor Alec Mapa presented the award during ceremonies held at the National Press Club. Photo by Jon Melegrito

Subaru of America joined the San Francisco “Hepatitis B Free” campaign as official vehicle and partner by donating the use of a 2010 Subaru Legacy. In photo is Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, honorary chairperson. Photo by Henry Kee

National Federation of Filipino American Associations held a town hall on health care recently. A forum followed on immigration, the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill and the 2010 Census. The speakers were: Vellie Dietrich Hall of the Virginia Bureau of Census; Eric Lachica of the Maryland Bureau of Census; Ben de Guzman, national coordinator of the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE); Consul General Domingo Nolasco, and Warie Azarcon, Esq.

Participants Leadership Montgomery Class of 2010, a nine-month program for current and emerging leaders, from left: Kien Lee, Principal Associate at Community Science; Tony Nguy, Vice President and Branch Manager at HSBC; Sako Maki, President of Adventist HealthCare Behavioral Health Services; and John Kim, Preconstruction Manager and Employee Owner at Harkins Builders, participated in the This is the 21st Core Class. Leadership Montgomery has over 1,500 graduates from its Core, Youth, Senior and Executive programs.

Local artist Joan Lok, poses with Consul General Yamashita of Japan in Toronto, Canada. She won Best of Show in Sumi-e for Today, an international exhibition of ink painting and calligraphy that opened in the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center.

The 20th gala anniversary of the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership drew several APA leaders, among them NAVASA Executive Director Lan Le; FAPAC president Farook Sait (not in photo); Chau Le Williams; LEAP VP Rima K. Matsumoto; advocacy leader Hung Nguyen; and NAPAWF National Chair Vivian Kim.

Broadway star Lea Salonga (“Miss Saigon”), wearing a colorful shawl, lent her star power to help raise over $19,000 for typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines.