Representatives from several southeastern states gathered in Tallahassee Saturday for the Filipino-American Association’s regional conference. The Big Bend Filipino American Association is hosting the conference.

Organizers say the two day conference opens a dialogue on issues such as immigration reform, dual citizenship and the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.

About 200 delegates are participating in this conference.

"It's brought together a lot of people both locally and nationally. We certainly have people from the Philippines, for example, flying over. We have an ambassador from the Philippines who represents the President Arroyo," says Dr. Kay Picart, the Big Bend Filipino-American Association Press Secretary.

Sunday morning the ambassador from the Philippines was scheduled to swear in dual citizens.