Comment

Comment by R Moore on October 13, 2011 at 6:48am

http://www.wekafusa.org/docs/WEKAF_USA_Membership_Letter_11-Oct-201...

October 11, 2011

 

To: WEKAF Members,

 

Over the past few years it has become apparent to many of us in the USA and around the globe that there is confusion being generated about which organization is the recognized entity representing WEKAF in the United States of America. In order to dispel the confusion we present the following information: This information can be verified at the following links by typing in: "WEKAF USA"

 

California Secretary of State: http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/

 

California Department of Justice: http://rct.doj.ca.gov/MyLicenseVerification/Search.aspx?facility=Y

 

Department of US Treasury (IRS)

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96136,00.html

 

WEKAF USA (World Eskrima Kali Arnis) is the legally registered WEKAF organization in the U.S.A. WEKAF USA (World Eskrima Kali Arnis) formerly referred to as WEKAF USA (non-profit) is now incorporated and as such, we believe we have the rights to any usage of that name and ownership of that name for all legal purposes. Our organization has continuously maintained its legal status as 501(c) (3) Non-profit Organization with the Federal Government since December 1997.

 

As per Supreme Grandmaster Diony Canete's own words, recorded in Sacramento, CA on May 28, 2011, whoever is the legal WEKAF USA organization will be recognized to represent WEKAF in the USA.

 

The ongoing question seems to be “Is the long standing and current member organization, WEKAF USA (non-profit) (also known as WEKAF USA World Eskrima Kali Arnis) legally registered, in compliance with all applicable laws and rules, and able to conduct lawful business in the United States, to fulfill its obligations as a member of WEKAF International?

                            The answer: Yes it is in full compliance of all USA laws.

 

The whole basis of Mr. Bandalan’s original stated complaint was that Our Organization wasn’t legally registered and able to conduct lawful business in the United States. That “Supreme Grandmaster Canete told former WEKAF USA Directors Sonny Napial and Tom Sipin to register in the U.S. and that they refused”. As “proof” of his assertion, he shows a copy of a temporary suspension order from 1998, due to some reports not being filed on time. Mr. Bandalan has spread this information across the world through his use of “email blasts”, to hundreds of people that never had any connection to or interest in WEKAF, and thanks to his attempts never will. He listed it in websites that have been followed by many, many more. He did all this purposely, when he knew that this information was false. When he copied the above suspension order in 2007 from old documents on file on the internet, the same website showed that the requirements had been met, the suspension lifted, and our organization in full compliance with U.S. Law in 1999- facts he knew because he was one of the people who took care of it.

 

Former WEKAF USA Director Richard Bustillo started registering WEKAF USA in 1994-95, but didn’t finish the process. In 1997 the next WEKAF USA Director Tom Sipin succeeded in getting non-profit status. In 1998 Tom was elected Executive President of WEKAF International. He was “advised” by Mr. Dong Cuesta and Mr. Bandalan that Mr. Max Pallen should be appointed to replace him as WEKAF USA Director. Mr. Bandalan remained as the WEKAF USA West Coast Director. It became their responsibility to finish the registration process. They had to decide whether to register as a “501(c)(3) non-profit”, or to Incorporate. Mr. Bandalan and Mr. Pallen made the decision to register as a 501(c)(3), because they believed it to be the proper choice and that it would fulfill all legal requirements in the United States. They were correct in believing so. We have copies of their registration application.  Thus his campaign to discredit WEKAF USA has been based on “false facts” for the sole purpose of displacing one of WEKAF’s founding and largest supporting organizations, with his own.

 

It is also interesting to note that Mr. Bandalan “forgot” our organization existed when he stated in his Incorporation papers that he had legal right to the name WEKAF USA, and forgot to finish his application resulting in the suspension of his organization (see attachment). As a matter of record, when Mr. Bandalan posted his “interview” video with S.G.M. Canete on May 28, 2011, his organization was listed as suspended with the California Secretary of State, and as of September 30, 2011 according to the U.S. Department of Treasury, (IRS), they have no records or pending registration for tax exemption under the name of WEKAF USA Inc. This alone, would make any business conducted by his organization unlawful.

 

Further, his use and registration of the name in May 09, 2008 constitutes unfair business practices under the California and Business Professions Code §17200 et seq. The unauthorized use of WEKAF USA by Mr. Bandalan clearly intends to create the false impression that WEKAF USA, Inc. was based upon, originated from or is associated with, WEKAF International and WEKAF USA. As such, Mr. Bandalan’s continuing unauthorized use of the name “WEKAF-USA, Inc.” constitutes an infringement of the rights held by WEKAF USA.

 

As of today, your USA Board of Directors has presented the verification of our status to the President of WEKAF International and SGM Canete. We are currently waiting for their response in regards to the future direction of WEKAF International and their recognition of our organization. This information will also be sent to the International Board of Directors.

 

We thank you in advance for your patience in this difficult but important process. We will continue to keep you informed of our status with WEKAF International. Please know that our commitment to moving forward with Regional and National tournaments has not changed. We greatly value your ongoing support of our organization and Filipino Martial Arts camaraderie.

 

Submitted with respect WEKAF USA (non-profit) Board of Directors:

 

Bong Jornales, President 2011/2012 (Sworn in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on July 2010)

Tom Sipin, Vice-President/Assistant Director

Cecille Denney, Secretary

Gabe Rafael, Treasurer

Mike Turk, Comptroller

Kelii Sipin, Midwest Regional Director

Steve del Castillo, Western Regional Director

Ron England, Pacific Regional Director

Peter Hetrick, Southwest Regional Director

Dale de los Reyes, Web Master

 

TO SEE THE COMPLETE LETTER with attachments included. http://wekafusa.org/docs/WEKAF_USA_Membership_Letter_11-Oct-2011.pdf

 

Comment by Patrick Lee on September 29, 2011 at 12:06am

Liking what I see in WEKAF... interested to see all it offers and is involved in.

Comment by Francis Serrano on June 4, 2011 at 11:08am

Sorry it's not wekafusa.com it's WEKAFUSA.org

Comment by Thomas Sipin on June 3, 2011 at 6:18pm

Joel, where do you live now? Check the website, wekafusa.com

 

Comment by Joel Morales on June 3, 2011 at 7:43am

I had become a member of WEKAF many years ago when Dioniso Canete gave a seminar in Dallas. How do I re-register or become a paying member?