THE Filipino United Network-USA (FUN-USA), a United States humanitarian foundation, is expanding its network from the East to Las Vegas as it continues to pursue its objective of saving the lives of countless disenfranchised Filipinos languishing in the gutter of poverty in the Philippines.
FUN-USA started on a bright and sunny morning on September 22, 2007, when a group of recognized Filipino American leaders from various medical, legal, business, socio-civic, and humanitarian organizations across the U.S. met at the Holiday Inn Koger South Conference Center in Richmond, Virginia.
The objective of the meeting was to organize an association dedicated to help in the reconstruction of the Philippines by supporting programs that are fundamental in nation rebuilding. The ultimate goal was the transformation of the Philippines and the Filipinos and restoring their pride and dignity as a nation and as a people.
The meeting in Richmond was the culmination of an initial one, The Summit of Leaders, that was initiated by Oscar M. Laserna, MD, then incumbent president of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America, during its 35th Gala Jubilee in Norfolk, Virginia on July 26-28, 2007.
At that summit, guests from the Philippines included Tony Meloto (Gawad Kalinga founder), his son-in-law Dylan Wilk (coordinator, Gawad Kalinga, International Partnerships), Bobby Rodrigo (a past president of Rotary-Makati, and General Director of South A Gawad Kalinga Resource), who all supported the endeavor.
The second Summit was hosted by the North Central Virginia Association of Philippine Physicians led by Rosario G. Laserna, M.D., of Fredericksburg, at its September 2007 convention in Richmond.
After opening statements and expression of support by all leaders present, a reaffirmation of the previous consensus at the July SPSA Summit was reached. Thus, the Filipino United Network-USA was born.
The leaders present elected cardiac surgeon Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a past president of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America (SPSA) and the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA), as Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Rosario G. Laserna, MD, FACOG, as Vice-chair.
After the resignation of Dr. Sarie Laserna on December 7, 2018 for personal reasons, noted PAAN president Daniel C. Fabito, MD, FACS, FPCS, past president of the APPA and SPSA, was appointed Vice-chair.
The FUN-USA satellite headquarters is located at 2920 Vista Butte Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89134. The election of new Board members is forthcoming, previously delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation aims to network with other Filipino-American associations in Nevada and other western States.
Since its inception, FUN-USA has donated more than $1 million for the ravaged and desolate victims of several natural disasters that have devastated regions in the Philippines. FUN-USA has been working in conjunction with the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) government agency in Quezon City.
The constitution and by-laws of FUN-USA were drafted on October 8, 2007 and ratified on November 8, 2007. The motto of the Filipino United Network-USA is “Serving the Needy with Love and Compassion is FUN.” Donations to this 501(c)3 tax-exempt United States Humanitarian Foundation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors are recognized and listed on its website for review and accountability. Its email address is [email protected], and its global website domain name is www.FUN8888.com.
