Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 6444

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Philippine citizenship may be acquired by a foreigner through the process of legislative naturalization
in the form of a law enacted by Congress. in 2015, an Australian, a Chinese and an American were
granted Philippine citizenship by virtue of RA10685, RA10672 and RA10636, respectively

By the same token, this representation seeks the same privilege for Arienne Louise Braga Calingo,
who has Filipino blood running in her veins. Both her parents are natural-born Filipinos who migrated
to the US for greener pastures. It goes without saying that the same process and concession should
be made to apply to Arienne.

Arienne Calingo is a young social justice advocate and education reform activist who lives in Quezon
City. Through her work, she aims to positively influence the youth, particularly Filipinos and Asian-
‘Americans. Her efforts as an advocate of social justice began when Arienne was just fifteen years old
when she founded the People Bringing Justice (PB&J) Club, the largest club at her high school. Since
then, her avid interest in promoting social justice has dramatically expanded from her humble
beginnings to now being the leader of several projects both in Southeast Asia and the United States.
Arienne has been recognized for her leadership skills by a number of renowned global leaders, such
as U.S. Secretary of Education Ame Duncan, U.S. Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey and Jackie
‘Speier, and the first Filipino-American California Assemblymember Rob Bonta.

During the 2012 United States presidential election, Arienne launched a civic engagement project in
order to encourage fellow Filipino Americans and other Asian Americans to register to vote. After
speaking with award-winning actress Rosario Dawson personally about her organization Voto Latino,
Arienne leamed ways to engage the youth in civic responsibility. Using Dawson's advice, Arienne was
able to reach out to Filipino Americans throughout Washington, D.C. and neighboring states Maryland
and Virginia. Arienne's work paid off, as she was a part of the MTV “Ask Obama’ special on
television, which took place after a rigorous screening and interview process with MTV producers.
‘She even had the chance to personally meet and speak with Hillary Clinton,

Inspired by engaging with the youth, Arienne is dedicated to help reform education for children. Last
year, she collaborated with a school in Bangkok, Thailand and founded a scholarship program, which
Tecently sponsored seven Thai students. Currently, Arienne teaches elementary Arabic language in
‘Angeles City, Pampanga to the children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). She is requesting for
fast-track, expedited dual citizenship, if possible, since her next plan is to establish a new education
initiative that would provide free education to the 1,500 registered street children in Angeles City,
Pampanga. Arienne has already been in contact with two potential partners in Pampanga.

Moreover, Arienne has won three prestigious awards, all with a Filipino connection. In 2013, she was
awarded the Certificate of Congressional Recognition by U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for
Outstanding Young Filipino-American Academic Achievement. Then, as a senior in college, her
presentation “The Reign of the Tiger Mother’ was recognized as the best among 75 presentations at
the Georgetown University Undergraduate Research Symposium. Her presentation served as a
culmination of her two-year long research project in which she interviewed numerous Filipino,
Chinese, and Korean mothers and students in order to find a link between Asian parenting and
educational attainment. More recently, she was awarded the best Knowledge Management (KM)


presentation by the Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education in Thailand.
Recognized for her public speaking skills, Arienne gave a presentation titled “The Truth of Survival:
Multicultural Awareness” and made a strong case about the importance of diversity education and
cultural diplomacy between the Philippines, Thailand, and United States. A few months later, Arienne
was invited as the first Filipina American panelist at the Fulbright Thailand Internationalization Forum,
where she discussed diversity and equity issues in the Philippines and United States.

Arienne’s passion for advancing social justice and education reform stems from her father Dr. Luis
Maria R. Calingo, who is the current President of Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga.
He brought pride and honor to the country by being the first natural-born Filipino to become a
university president in all of California. Hoping to serve his motherland for the rest of his life, Calingo
reacquired his Philippine citizenship on April 27, 2015,

To grant Philippine Citizenship to Arienne Calingo would be a fitting
accomplishments and deeds in helping Filipinos, especially the youth, botlyhere and abroad. Given


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House BittNo.__6444

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO ARIENNE LOUISE B. CALINGO

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Arienne Louise B. Calingo is hereby granted Philippine Citizenship with
all the rights, privileges, and prerogatives appurtenant thereto.

After the taking and registration of the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the
Philippines, Arienne Louise B. Calingo shall enter into the full enjoyment of Philippine
Citizenship.

SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect immediately following its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,