Fil-Am Republican delegates: Palin's values similar to Pinoys

By LENN ALMADIN-THORNBILL, ABS-CBN News North America Bureau | 09/04/2008 11:46 AM

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ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- As Republican delegates got ready to officially nominate John McCain and Sarah Palin as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates Wednesday night, Filipino-Americans who attended the convention were as excited and proud as everyone else.

"I can't tell you how excited I am being a Filipino, coming from a little village in Pangasinan. I am very, very excited rubbing elbows with all of these delegates from all over the country," said Fely Quitevis, delegate and chairman of the Nye County (Nevada) Republican Central Committee.

Quitevis is the only Filipino-American delegate from the state of Nevada. But her opinion about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's teenage daughter's pregnancy is as clear as the bright lights in Las Vegas.

"There's nothing wrong about that. That happens sometimes to some families. I'm really, really, really proud of her as a pro-life. She is not denying the fact. If it happened to some other people, probably they will have an abortion. But I'm so glad that she is a pro-life, and that's the right thing to do. I'm a pro-life myself," she said.

Thirty-three-year old Clare Climico Venegas is a guest delegate from California, and a registered Democrat-turned-Republican.

She says much of the Republican party's values really resonate with her as a Filipina. And having Palin in the ticket is a great bonus.

"I look at the Philippines and I look at how many women are in leadership and obviously at the head of government. To see this happens…and if she wins, it will be amazing for Americans and Republicans," said Venegas, who is also executive director of Lincoln Club of Orange County, California.

Guest delegates cannot nominate but are allowed to attend the convention.

Mel Alfarero is also a guest delegate from California. This is his fourth convention and says he never felt more inspired. Palin, he says, is the right running mate for McCain.

"Her nomination is historic. Very smart woman, strong character and she represents the women of this country," Alfarero said.

One exciting detail: Rachael Lampa, who performed Tuesday night at the convention, is a Filipino-American. Contemporary Christian music magazine named her as the number one new female artist.

And as expected, it was President George Bush and Democrat-turned-independent Senator Joe Lieberman who fired up this convention Tuesday night.

These delegates, including Filipino-Americans, got a boost from a night full of speakers who reminded them that it's their party that chose a female vice presidential candidate. And that energy came through, as expected, when Governor Palin went on the convention stage Wednesday evening.

as of 09/04/2008 3:37 PM