Yesterday evening, I met with one of the Executive Committees in the Filipino Business Alliance, Ms. Eliza Duerme. Prior to meeting her, I had the impression that the FBA is a well-organized group with large membership from key people in the valley.

It turned out that they are a small association of individuals (15 to 25) of various professions, and are more for contacts and social interactions beyond advocating particular issues.

I was talking to Mitra the other day and we talked about how active and united the Iranians in the Valley were. They are definitely a group that we can emulate.

I will be meeting one of the most (if not THE most) successful Filipino in the Valley, Diosdado Banatao, who runs a successful VC firm here, Tallwood Ventures, and hope to learn more about the challenges of uniting the Filipino diaspora here.