Hello, I am Carlo Butalid, a Filipino resident in the Netherlands since 1983. I am married to a Filipina - Maya, and we have two daughters - Ligaya and Elena.
I work at the Philippine-European Solidarity Centre (PESC-KSP) as its Executive Director and as editor of the quarterly publication, the Philippines International Review. I am also active in Overseas Filipino networks and campaigns here in Europe. From 1992 to 1997, I was the editor of "Tinig ng Pilipino", a newsletter of the Filipino community in the Netherlands.
Since 2000, I have been active in Pasali, a cooperative composed mainly of Filipino (ex) sea-based workers, based in Rotterdam.
In this site, I have put together some articles that I have written in my role as an Overseas Filipino
advocate and activist. I am also posting other articles or papers that are connected to my present activities.
Here are some articles that I have written on the topic of Overseas Filipinos:
Building the Overseas Filipino Sector
Overseas Filipinos Right to Vote
Overseas Filipinos: Asserting Human Rights in Two Societies
A Reaction to Conrado de Quiros'"Proud to be Filipino"
I am one of those campaigning to get the Philippine Congress to pass a law enabling Overseas Filipinos to vote in Philippine elections. House Bill 7243 , introduced by Rep. Loretta Anne Rosales (Party List, Akbayan) in 1999, passed the committee hearings late in 2000, but "died" as a result of the political turmoil that preceded People Power 2.
Now, the
EMPOWER campaign seeks to push for Overseas Voting Rights during the campaign towards
the May 2001 elections, by getting commitments from politicians to push for this bill as soon
as the new Congress convenes.
I also design and maintain a number of websites. I am interested to
relate with others who share the goals of empowering Overseas Filipinos and promoting
Philippine development.
