1/18/24 to 1/25/24 – co-sponsored Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Ecumenical Reflection on Palestine.

3/29/24 – Attended Immigrant Stations of the Cross Multi Faith Prayer Service outside of Adelanto ICE Detention Center hosted by Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity

4/23/24 – Attended community reception for Dr. Robert K. Ross of the California
Endowment. Naida expressed NEFFCON-IE’s appreciation for the $50,000 grant from
The California Endowment (TCE) and presented a jeepney and sorbetes cast iron icons
representing the Philippines.

5/3/24 – 1st education/reflection series talk – The Place of the People in Church & Society; conducted in hybrid format at OLPH. Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter; 27 people were in attendance.

6/2/24 – participated/became a co-sponsor at the Fiesta Kalayaan (Philippine Independence Day) organized by National Alliance of Filipino Americans in Palm Desert.

6/22/24 – PAIS-IE Summer Immersion took place for the whole day at the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California in downtown Riverside, centered around the themes of “Placemaking and Belonging” and health and wellness. ​Topics and presenters included Building Resiliency Skills & Thriving with Dr. Ernelyn Navarro-Cheung, DM, LCSW, BCC, Cultural Competency AAI Liaison, Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH); “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free! ​The Quest for Justice & Peace | Modern Israel’s Betrayal of the Torah and the War of Western Imperialism” by Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; Asian American Riverside Walking Tours with Save Our Chinatown Committee to Chinese Pavilion with M. Rosalind Sagara & Kevin Akin, Harada House with Michiko Yoshimura, and Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial with Judy Lee; Taichi by Veronika Laketau, RN, BSN, PHN, CRRN; “Stop AAPI Hate, Allyship, & Bystander Intervention through videos & discussion” with​ Shirley Feng, SSG-Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Center, Abigail Pidazo, Perris Valley Fil-Am Association, and Dr. Ernelyn Navarro-Cheung; ​Performance Workshops: “Bharatanatyam as a Means of Resistance, Healing, & Cultivating Empathy” by Nandini Kannan, MPH; and “Hip Hop: A Story of Rhythm, Rhyme, & Belonging” by Nicole Dumaguindin, MS. In addition to the major sponsorship of The California Endowment, we secured additional funding from RUHS-BH. Around 50 participants overall ranging from age 17 to 80, predominately of Filipino descent but a diverse group including African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, other Asians, and European Americans. Participants were introduced to issues of resiliency, healing, belonging, allyship, and to the history and impact of Modern Israel, Zionism, and Christian Zionism on the lives and survival of Palestinians, as well as the overlooked history of Asian Americans in Riverside.

9/11/24 – Participated in and endorsed BAYAN USA Webinar entitled: Lumalaban ang
Bayan Ko! Martial Law at ang Dinastiyang Marcos. Father Ben shared his experience of
being detained during martial law in the Philippines.

9/13/24 to 9/15/24 – With a record 100 participants, the PAIS-IE Fall Immersion took place over a weekend focused on intercultural understanding, empowerment, and resilience within multicultural communities. “Breaking Barriers and Building Communities through Health and Wellness” was held at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs and locations on the Reservation of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (aka Palm Springs) in the Coachella Valley. With the aim to share national and social histories, to express native identities, and to achieve solidarity with each other’s aspirations, this Immersion took a deep dive into the diverse ethnic communities of the local desert including the histories and impact of western expansionism, segregation, displacement, and colonialism. Utilizing participant-centered learning, the presentations and activities recognized the search for identity, meaning, and direction. The first evening’s topics and presentations included “Racial Healing and Resiliency Skills” by Dr. Ernelyn Navarro-Cheung; “Storytelling Inspired by Land, Diaspora, & People Power” by Nicole Dumaguindin & Darby Osnaya and members of Solstice Theatre IE, which is a collaborative theater company formed by PAIS-IE instructors, community organizers, and activists. Saturday was jam-packed including community engagement led by Dr. Sean Milanovich of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Native American Cultural Competency Liaison for the Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health. In the morning, we were introduced to the sacred space of Andreas Canyon by Dr. Milanovich, and Cahuilla Bird Singers Eli Andreas (Painiktem Desert Cahuilla clan) and Jimmy Gilroy (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians) ​and the Indian Canyons Junior Ranger and Tribal Ranger Program. Then, we were introduced to the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and a program “Indigenous Peoples of Southern California in Conversation” with presentations on the Cahuilla Language by Michelle Morreo (Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians), “Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP)” presentation by Julie Andrews (Sicangu Band of Lakota), “Native American Tribes of Aiakiach, Riverside County and Southern California” by Dr. Milanovich; and an open discussion with the presenters, Bird Singers Eli Andreas and Jimmy Gilroy. In the evening, there were presentations on a book project on Filipinos of the Inland Counties by Isabel Chapman (National Alliance of Filipino Americans) ​and Edwin Ramoran (Bayanihan Desert). Our keynote speaker was Dr. Sean Milanovich. Sunday included the following: recognizing the innovation of Latina leadership with Maribel Nuñez (Inland Equity Partnership and Inland Equity Community Land Trust) and Shirley Guzman (Latinx Community Liaison, Cultural Competency, Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health); “Shining a Light on Suicide Prevention with Diverse Communities“ by Nicole Dumaguindin; and a panel “Displacement of Minorities, with Survivors and Descendants of Section 14, Palm Springs” with Tomeeka Grizzell, Dr. Robert Jiles, Deiter Crawford, and Margaret Godinez Genera; and “Never Again to Martial Law: Eco spirituality” by Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC.

9/19/24 – Edwin Ramoran, PAIS-IE Community Liaison, presented PAIS-IE within the context of Asian American Studies to Dr. Robert Jiles’ Introduction to Ethnic Studies class at Moreno Valley College. The goal of the presentation was to be a local representative from an Asian American community, being born and raised in the Inland Empire and in particular Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, provide a personal perspective on family history through migrant farm work and other service industries and my educational and cultural organizing background, and then introduce my work as community liaison for PAIS-IE using NEFFCON-IE’s quick organizational history slide deck. With about 20 students, the junior college level course included predominately African American and Latino students, a few Asian Americans including two Filipino students.

10/12/24 – co-sponsored forum – A Biblical and Theological Perspective on Conscience Formation for the Common Good with Office of Advocacy and Office of the Asian
Pacific Islander Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino. Presentations: “Raising Awarness” by Wilfredo Aguirre, Director, Office of Advocacy, Diocese of San Bernardino and “The Political and Social Landscape” by Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC. Conducted in hybrid format on Zoom and at OLPH; 25 were in attendance in person and 5 were on Zoom.

10/26/24 – commemorated Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC’s 45th Sacerdotal Anniversary at Riverside Convention Center to: promote the work/services of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), and the devotion to the Sacred Heart; bring together the many friends of Fr. Ben and the MSCs from all walks of life, faith, and cultures to celebrate his milestone in the priesthood; and joyfully introduce NEFFCON-IE and its cause of human rights, justice, peace, and integrity of creation and the Philippine American Intercultural School-Inland Empire (PAIS-IE), a project of NEFFCON-IE, with Fr. Ben as Education Coordinator. Raised over $40K in net proceeds to financially assist the MSC, including the San Luis Lumad Community High School and the many projects of NEFFCON-IE on justice, peace, human rights, and integrity of creation.

11/23/24 NAFCON (National Alliance for Filipino Concerns - USA) presented a hybrid event “Project 2025 and History of Christian Nationalism: A post-election educational discussion and analysis” with Adrian Bonifacio, Chairperson, BAYAN-USA and Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC on Zoom and in person at OLPH. Over 25 in attendance including two groups gathered for an Inland Empire Watch Party and an Our Lady of Peace Watch Party.

12/09/24 to 12/11/24 – As a member organization, NEFFCON-IE attended the International Coalition on Human Rights in the Philippines–United States (ICHRP-US)’s Lobby Day, Political Conference, and General Assembly titled “Unite & Fight Back Against Intensifying U.S. War & Counterinsurgency in the Philippines” in Washington DC. Highlights included: 1) work for the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA) by lobbying SoCal Congressmembers’ offices of Mark Takano, Judy Chu, Maxine Waters, Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin, Brad Sherman, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Lou Correa, and Norma J. Torres, including meeting Torres’ Chief of Staff Don Andres–notably the only Chief of Staff of Filipino descent who hails from Rancho Cucamonga; 2) keynote by Amirah Lidasan, Co-Chairperson, Sandugo - Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-determination; panel on counterinsurgency in the Philippines and U.S.; and participation in mass mobilization for the PHRA in front of the White House and the Philippine Embassy; and 3) vote during the General Assembly for the new Chairperson Brandon Lee.

1/18/23 to 3/14/23 – participated with the Inland Equity Partnership’s Brown & Black Redistricting Alliance in reviewing Ward Map for Riverside; was a signatory to the draft Map Ward for the City of Riverside.

1/27/23 – partnered with Pasion Performance Group in hosting Pacific Body Temple’s An Oceania Dance Meditation Open Dance Workshop to raise funds for the clean water project for Siargao Island, Mindanao, Philippines.

3/23 to 5/23 – supported Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ICIJ) and Shutdown Adelano Coalition’s “Free Ligaya and Free Jackie” campaign for the last two women detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and was a signatory to the petition submitted to Senator Alex Padilla seeking their release.

3/17/23 to 3/21/23 – supported the Native American Community Council of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in solidarity with Apache Stronghold and the Spiritual Convoy to the Ninth Circuit Court in Pasadena to protect the sacred site of Chi’chil Biłdagoteel (Oak Flat).

3/24/23 – participated in the survey conducted by UC Riverside to document the state of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander nonprofits in the communities they serve.

4/29/23 – sponsored film screening of “Tao Po” – a four-part monologue depicting extrajudicial killings conducted by Philippine President Duterte’s “Drug War” Campaign presented by Filipino social activist, actress, director and film producer Mae Paner who was present and answered questions from the audience; approximately 50 people in attendance.

5/20/23 – participated in the HOPE Festival to celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month with the Asian American Task Force of the Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health in Riverside.

6/8/23 – First education/reflection series for 2023 – Faith Community & Society, Theme – Salvation History and History of Salvation; conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter.

6/23/23 to 6/25/23 – PAIS-IE Summer Camp at Divine Word Retreat Center, Riverside; attended by approximately 40 participants. Topics and presenters included: “The American Experience: Colonization to the 20th Century” by Professor Ed Gomez, “The Asian Experience: Focus - The Philippines” and “Intercultural Encounter and Workshop” by Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; “The Hispanic Experience: Focus - Mexic” by Jose Luis Elias; “The Impact of Imperialism on Mental Health in an Occupied Nation: The Philippine Case” by Nicole Dumaguindin; “The Manobo of Northern Mindanao: Indigenous Spirituality & Healing Practices during the American Occupation” by Joey Edavane; “First People’s Spirituality and Healing Practices between Two World Wars”; “Development of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Before and During Chinese Communism under Mao Ze Dong”; “Power, Powerlessness and Mental Health of the People” by Dr. Ernelyn Navarro-Cheung; and ​”The European Experience: Focus - Germany” by Fr. Greg Elder. The themes reflected in this Summer Camp show a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing historical, cultural, and mental health issues through education, dialogue, and community support. Themes included: historical and cultural awareness, colonization and imperialism, exploitation of human resources and the destruction of indigenous identities and traditions and the impact on mental health; intercultural encounters and perspectives from Indigenous, Moro, and Christian communities; Indigenous and traditional practices and their role in community healing and the impact of historical trauma.

7/13/23 – held 2nd education/reflection series talk – Understanding the Situation of Our
Common Home – conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter.

7/13/23 to 7/14/23 – attended the Philippine Human Rights Act Lobby Days in Washington, D.C.

8/10/23 – held 3rd education/reflection series talk – Social Divisions and Classes in the IE - conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter.


9/14/23 – held 4th education/reflection series talk – Salvation History in the Bible and the People’s Quest for a New Humanity; conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter.

10/12/23 – Cohosted (along with Anakbayan-IE) the Kapit-Bisig Solidarity Tour with Ka
Bong Labog (chairperson of Kilusang Mayo). Event was held at the Civil Rights Institute
of Inland Southern California in Riverside and focused on the labor situation in the
Philippines and Inland Empire and how we can build international solidarity among
workers.

10/21/23 – commemorated 40th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Fr. Demetrio Aguilar, SVD, at the DoubleTree Hilton in Ontario to financially assist in providing services at the SVD Riverside Residence Community, the home of our confreres who have given their lifelong service as missionaries in various countries around the world and are now retired and/or medically unable to actively serve our worldwide mission; and financially assist the San Luis Lumad Community High School (SLLCHS) in Agusan del Sur to thrive by providing the much-needed secondary education for the indigenous children of the Manobo, Banwaon, Talaandig and Higaonon tribes who would not receive education otherwise. The school is designed to use an alternative indigenous curriculum that uses math and the sciences to preserve, develop and promote their cultural identity, customary laws and tradition, reclaim their ancestral land and domain and uphold their right to self-determination Over 480 people in attendance. Raised over $22K in net proceeds.

10/27/23 – held 5th education/reflection series talk – Faith & Ideology: Faith in the Bible-Ideology in History; conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter.

11/6/23 to 11/9/23 – attended the 4th General Assembly and Conference on US Counterinsurgency and its Impacts on Aspirations for Peace in the Philippines organized by the International Coalition on Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 120 human rights advocates from over 30 organizations across the globe attended. Labour, Peasant, Faith, Indigenous and Women’s and Human Rights defenders bore witness to the ongoing impacts of US counterinsurgency tactics in the Philippines and planned how to expand and advance the solidarity movement for a just and lasting peace and people’s rights in the Philippines under the new Marcos regime. The conference exposed the ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including indiscriminate aerial bombings, hamletting, extra-judicial killings, disappearances, intensifying suppression of civil liberties, slanderous designation of respected leaders as terrorists via the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and relentless red-tagging of activists, progressive organizations, and solidarity activists via the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

11/17/23 – held 6th education/reflection series talk – History of the Church and Development of Society; conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, was the presenter.

12/8/23 – held 7th education/reflection series talk – The Place of the People in Church and Society; conducted in hybrid format at OLPH; Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC. was the presenter.

12/10/23 – Cohosted (along with Anakbayan-IE) a gathering for December 10
International Human Rights Day. The event was held at OLPH and included reflections
on the human rights situation in the Philippines and Palestine, a vigil for martyrs, and
musical offerings; about 25 people in attendance.

• Held 5th General Assembly on April 23, with Rev. Fr. Danny Pilario, CM, PhD, STD (2021-22 Vincentian Chair of Social Justice), speaking on Faith, Truth and Politics and Mr. Jose Enrique "Sonny" A. Africa, Executive Director of IBON Foundation, sharing the Philippine Situation — providing updates on the current socio-economic and political situation in the Philippines, as well as the relevance of the upcoming Philippine Presidential elections in May 2022
•During the 2nd quarter of 2022, collaborated with other local affiliates of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) Southern California, planned, organized, and mobilized network of contacts to participate in the "Lakad 5K For Bayanihan" walkathon in Long Beach, to provide financial assistance to the Lumad
•Participated AB 1766 on August 5 at Press Conference held at Pasadena Job Center, hosted by California Immigrant Policy Center and Asian American Advancing Justice to allow issuance of CA ID to all Californians regardless of immigration status; AB1766 signed by Gov. Newome on September 27
•Welcomed interested individuals and new members to a Meet and Greet on October 29 at St. George, Ontario
•Shared the successes, challenges, and needs of the Filipino community in the Listening Session conducted by the CA Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander hosted by the Asian American Task Force (AATF) on November 15 at the Riverside University Health System -Behavioral Health Conference Center.
•On November 17, PAIS-IE Consultant Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC, and NEFFCON-IE Chairperson Naida Castro were interviewed by WordNet Productions Executive Director Rev. Fr. Sony Sebastian, SVD on the programs of PAIS-IE in strengthening the American identity as a multi-cultural and intercultural community rooted in the richness of the indigenous cultures and histories of its diverse peoples.
•On December 3, 2022, PAIS-IE Workgroup conducted Student and Instructor Orientations in preparation for the Transitional Phase of PAIS-IE — Fall 2022 Immersion funded by TCE from November 18 -20 at Divine Word Retreat Center; 45 participants representing the multicultural and intercultural communities in the IE, including but not limited to, Filipino, Indigenous, Native American, Latinix, Mexican, African/Black, European, Indian, Indonesian, as well as those with disabilities. As Keynote Speaker Catholic Diocese Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes, DD, shared his own exposure and personal experience in transforming the Diocesan Pastoral Center to be inclusive of all cultures and ethnicities — a message well-received and experienced by PAIS-IE learners.
•Collaborated and participated in NAFCON 2022 Conference and General Assembly in Los Angeles held during the first weekend in November, where over 200 young people from all over the United States gathered to the theme "Umahon at Magpunyagi: Together We Rise & Overcome Adversities." On December 3 commemorated the 74th Anniversary of the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights with speaker from the Philippines, Jigs Clamor (Deputy Secretary General of KARAPATAN, Philippines), speaker from Palm Springs, Edwin Ramoran (Human Rights Commissioner of Palm Springs, CA), and international speaker Rev. Fr. Benjamin "Ben" E. Alforque, MSC, (founding member of KARAPATAN, a human rights group).

• Issued a statement in solidarity with the Lumads (Indigenous people) when 26 community members comprising of minor students, teachers, and local leaders were violently taken by Philippine Police and military from the Indigenous/Lumad Bakwit/Evacuation School in the University of San Carlos, Cebu City in February
• March 27 - Inland Empire and in solidarity with STOP AAPI HATE, joined The Inland Empire STOP AAPI HATE RALLY held in downtown Riverside;
• April 22 - Congress passed an anti-Asian Hate Crimes Bill to Denounce discrimination against Asian Communities.
• June to October - We have been involved with the Brown & black Redistricting Alliance in writing, developing, and configuring Communities of Interest (COI) testimonies/maps, as well as participating in the development of VRA (Voting Rights Act) compliant maps in the Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, Supervisorial District and City wards for submission to the California Citizen Redistricting Commission and the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Board of Supervisors.
• September 14 - California Gubernatorial Recall Election, we conducted outreach (vote safe) campaigns to the Asian and Hispanic/Latinx communities in the inland empire urging voters to participate and vote.

• Organizationally committed to outreach to the Filipino community and other hard-to-count groups to promote participation in CENSUS 2020 count
• Initiated/attended over 40 small group meetings (prior to covid-19 restrictions) among Filipinos, Latinos, Indonesians, Samoans, Vietnamese, African-Americans, seniors, and people with disabilities
• Organized Trusted messenger Training sessions and recruited 50 Census Champions, collected Census pledge cards, posted Census 2020 educational videos on the Facebook page
• Submitted/published 3 op-ed articles to the Asian Journal detailing the importance of Census 2020 to the lives of Filipinos in the Inland Empire; and
• Collaborated with the Diocese of San Bernardino and other community-based organizations encouraging online completion of Census count

•Issued a Solidarity Statement condemning the arrest of Fr. Art Balagat (former Director of FILMIN-DSB) and peace consultant Renante Gamara by the Philippine military.
•Attended the National Summit of Human Rights and Democracy in the Philippines in Washington D.C. (attended by over 350 delegates) and met Alabama Congressional Representative Martha Roby.
•Organized thanksgiving dinner, and dance celebrating the 35th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, Ms, and the 40th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC.
•Attended the Parish Ambassadors Solidarity Training (sponsored by the Global Solidarity Committee, Diocese of San Bernardino, and Catholic Relief Services) at St. Catherine of Alexandria, in Riverside.
•Participated in the PSONA (People’s State of the Nation) mobilization in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.
•Attended the "Compassionate Not Cages” mobilization in front of the Adelanto Detention Center (organized by CHIRLA – Coalition for Human Rights).
•Joined Social Justice leaders in a meeting with Congressional Representatives Mark Takano (Riverside) and Tim Aguilar (San Bernardino) advocating support for anti-poverty programs of the Catholic Church
•Had Congressional Rep. visit with Pete Aguilar sharing human rights situation in the Philippines.

• Formal launching of NEFFCON-IE
• Issued statement condemning police brutality and aggression against the Lumads (Indigenous people of the Philippines) and Moro people
• Fund-raising Christmas celebration of Prayer
Food and Caroling for medical mission to Philippines for cholera victims

• Conducted presentation of Peace Talks in the Philippines (GRP and NDF)
• Collected and donated to Salugpongan International
• Participated in the Lakad 5K for Peace

• Held musical fundraising event “Asin ng Lupa” for Lumad “Save Our Schools Campaign”
Issued Solidarity Statement condemning brutal killings of 3 Catholic priest in the Philippines (Frs. Tito Paez, Mark Ventura and Richmond Nilo) and held Memorial Mass at St. George Catholic Church (Fontana)
• Held fundraising event and donated proceeds to Filipino Migrant Center (Long Beach)
• Held Memorial Mass for the 9 sugar farmers massacred in hacienda Nene, Barangay Bulanon, Negros Occidental on October 20
• Organized reflection/sharing commemorating Human Rights Day