Page 5 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

January to June 5
2017

Tribute to the Late Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani Held in New York

The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York and
the Philippine Consulate General in New York together with friends and
former colleagues of the late Senator Leticia “Letty” Ramos Shahani held
a memorial in her honor at the Philippine Center on 11 April 2017.

Speaking at the tribute to the late Senator, who passed away on
20 March 2017 in Manila, were Philippine Permanent Representative to
the United Nations in New York Teodro L. Locsin, Jr., Margaret Snyder,
Michaela Walsh, Robin Morgan, Lilia Calderon Clemente, and Judy
Rogers.

A close friend and colleague of Senator Shahani, Financial Analyst Ms. Julie Grindon-Welch read a message from Ambassador
Lilia Calderon-Clemente delivers an emotional tribute. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, former Undersecretary General and High
Representative of the UN while Consul General Theresa De Vega read
excerpts from the eulogy of Senator Shahani’s daughter and currently Secretary General of the UNESCO National
Commission of the Philippines, Lila Ramos Shahani.

Mr. Francis Abaya shared a spiritual reflection and Soprano Katrina Saporsantos performed two of Senator
Shahani’s favorite songs “Ay, Kalisud” and “Mutya ng Pasig”. Ms. Mary Lou Walsh, a classmate of the Senator at Wellesley
College offered reminiscences of Mrs. Shahani as a undergraduate student in the US.

Among the special guests at the tribute was Atty. Lutgardo B. Barbo,
Secretary of the Senate of the Philippines. All those who took part in the event spoke
of the impact the late Senator Shahani had on the global advocacy for women’s
rights, combatting poverty, and creating empowerment platforms for marginalized
sectors.

Senator Shahani spent many years in the US Northeast in connection with
her schooling and her work at the United Nations where she served as Secretary-
General of the World Conference on the UN Decade of Women in Kenya and as UN L-R Ambassador Locsin, Consul General Dizon-De
Assistant Secretary-General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs. Vega and Senate Secretary Lutgardo B. Barbo.

Filipino Fans in New York Welcome NBA Star Jordan Clarkson
Consul Felipe F. Carino III led about 170 Filipino
basketball aficionados during a Meet and Greet event featuring
National Basketball Association (NBA) player from the Los
Angeles Laker, Jordan Clarkson, a Filipino-American, held at the
Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center on 05 February 2015. Then
Senator and now Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter
Cayetano, an avid LA Lakers fan, and Taguig City Mayor Maria
Laarni Lopez Cayetano, who attended the event, congratulated
Jordan Clarkson on his success in the NBA.

In his remarks, Consul Carino welcomed Team Jordan
Clarkson to the Philippine Center and introduced Jordan
Clarkson to the community while recognizing his contribution in
basketball and for inspiring people, including many Filipinos and
Filipino Americans, to reach their full potential. Jordan Clarkson Jordan Clarkson gave appreciation to his fans and well-wishers during the
hour-long event
belongs to a crop of Filipino Americans who have broken the
glass ceiling in the U.S. in fields such as arts, sports, fashion, The event was the first of its kind held at the
technology and business, he added. Consulate General organized by Team Jordan Clarkson

Secretary Cayetano, who was attending several with Mr. Tim Fuller and Filipino community organizers
meetings in the U.S., said that the sport of basketball and the LA Mr. Mark Anthony Agbuya, Janette Lachica, Ms. Bel
Lakers in the NBA have a huge following among Filipinos and Molina and Ms. Rachelle Ocampo, in cooperation with
referred to Jordan Clarkson as a Fil-American ambassador of the Consulate General.
basketball among younger Filipinos and Filipino Americans. He
also recognized Jordan’s father, Mike Clarkson, for his effort to
bring Jordan closer to the Filipino community.