Rommel Conclara, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

<figure class="op-social"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NRzyBMynaCk" width="510"></iframe></figure>SAN FRANCISCO – Members of different GABRIELA USA chapters across the country gathered in San Francisco for the organization’s third national congress.The theme of the congress was entitled &quot;Abante: Women Defend Democratic Rights for our Dignity and Self-Determination.&quot;The group celebrated four years of victories in advancing the struggle against U.S. militarization of the Philippines, violence against Filipino women, and the systematic trafficking of Filipinas.&quot;The fight for Filipino women&#x27;s issues and struggles is so deeply connected with the freedom of people in the Philippines and also the general uplift of our Filipino-American communities in the US. Filipino women are playing an essential role in leading that movement and leading our communities, our families for a better world,&quot; said Valerie Francisco, Chairperson for GABRIELA USA.Maria Isabel Lopez, 1982 Binibining Pilipinas and current activist/actress, added, &quot;It is time that women now deal with the social issues facing them. The abuses made on women and also the traditions and expectations of our role have been a setback to women&#x27;s progress.&quot;Bai Ali Indayla, Bangsamoro activist from the Maguindanaon region of Mindanao gave the keynote address which touched on the recent attacks on the Lumads who are defending their ancestral lands from mining corporations.&quot;This have been the issues of Moro women we are facing in our communities like the landlessness, the unemployment or joblessness and the basic social services that are not present in our communities,&quot; said Indayla.She added, &quot;This is why Moro women remain to be the poorest of the poor and the reason why until today we are still marginalized in these services.&quot;Indayla is also the third nominee for the GABRIELA Women&#x27;s Partylist, which gives representation to marginalized groups in the Philippines&#x27; House of Representatives.The Congress culminated in the election of new officers and the adoption of nine resolutions to support various campaigns such as defending the Lumad people, helping migrant workers, and extending solidarity to black liberation movements.<div>Read more on <a href="http://www.balitangamerica.tv">Balitang America</a>.</div>

SAN FRANCISCO – Members of different GABRIELA USA chapters across the country gathered in San Francisco for the organization’s third national congress.

Gabriela USA holds 3rd Nat'l Congress, calls for self-determination

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Global Filipino

Gabriela USA holds 3rd Nat'l Congress, calls for self-determination

Rommel Conclara,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

Published Mar 29, 2016 02:09 PM PHT

|

Updated Mar 29, 2016 02:19 PM PHT

Read More:

women's group

Gabriela USA

Gabriela

Fil-Ams

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.