Silent Sacrifices

I have been looking for a documentary entitled Silent Sacrifices. Silent Sacrifices is a twenty-five minute documentary and accompanying informational/educational guide for use by both professionals and Filipino American families. The video introduces experiences of cultural conflict between Filipino immigrants and their American-born children, addressing issues of ethnic identity and opposing Filipino and American values.

At a previous Filipino American Youth Leadership Conference (FAYLC), we screened Silent Sacrifices and opened up a dialogue between students and parents. It was a fruitful discussion, one where my own relationship with my mother was enhanced as well.

The FAYLC theme that year was "Connecting the Real and the Ideal." The theme addressed the realities of the Filipino and American realities and the ideals of Filipino and American culture. It was appropriate then, and it is appropriate now.

A Brown White House Chef

Cristeta Comerford was named White House chef in August of 2005. I wonder if she might continue being the White House chef for President-elect Barack Obama. At this time, other cabinet members are still being chosen, and the White House chef is certainly not at the top of the list of the issues that need to be handled by the incoming leader.

I received a lesson from a Chi Rho Omicron, Inc. brother who worked on both the campaigns of the honorable Hillary Clinton and Obama this past election cycle. He mentioned that as the focus right now is filling the cabinet positions, the other staffers in the White House are typically not recruited and hired until six or more months into the Presidency. I am excited for him, as hopeful that he will be looked favorably upon.

Filipino American Academia

A college student and I had a conversation about creating a space and a venue where Filipino American college students can showcase their work, thereby reinforcing what they do and the paths that they have chosen.

I told them about an organization at the University of California, Davis called Filipino Cultural Reseearch Organization (FilCRO). It provided a space where students could share their research on Filipinos and Filipino Americans.

I also shared with them more about the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), which has produced the most commonly referenced materials in Asian American studies and ethnic studies classes. They are the premiere source of information.

As far as giving individuals reason to appreciate and be proud of the Filipino and Filipino American history and heritage, we need more organizations like these.

Pin@y Educational Partnerships

In my work in education, we are constantly looking for ways to engage students. For me, that especially means students of a Filipino heritage. Fortunately, I am not alone in this endeavor. There are several individuals and organizations that have been working on Filipino American curricula. One of the most local is that of Pin@y Educational Partnerships (PEP), based in the San Francisco bay area.

It has been implemented by San Francisco State University (SFSU) students in both the kindergarten through grade twelve educational setting and the community college educational setting. PEP has created two volumes of curriculum materials and continues to not only engage the youth, but recruit teachers as well.

Bayanihan Spirit

A beautiful part of the Philippine culture, and one that I enjoy syncretizing with American ideals, is bayanihan. Bayanihan is the idea of communal spirit, that communities and neighbors support one another to complete a common goal. The most common example is that when a family is moving, the entire community comes to assist the family to move their home. From providing food and support to Filipino World War II veterans, to donating funds to support communities in the Philippines, Filipinos are very supportive of one another. I myself have been a fortunate recipient of bayanihan on numerous occasions.