Happy Birthday!

On February 16, 1995, Chi Rho Omicron (XPO) was founded as the first Filipino American History Fraternity in the California University School system on the belief and ideals of creating educated Filipino men that would be great community leaders, responsible fathers, and role models within our brotherhood organization. Today, one of the founding fathers of the fraternity, Wenceslao Oscar Gonzales, dedicated this 18 year anniversary to all our fathers who first taught their children the meaning of brotherhood, honoring their families, and the loyalty of friendships.

On October 18, 2000, less than six months after becoming a brother of XPO on May 11, 2000, my mom died, underinsured. The brothers stepped up to raise money and assist me in giving her a proper and dignified service. If not for XPO, I would have been alone and devastated. Rather, I learned in a very touching, moving, and inspiring way that I have a family, hope, and opportunity. Nobody will ever convince me that fraternities are another form of a gang or that we just pay for our friends. Just like how Filipinos formed Filipino fraternal organizations like the Caballeros de Dimas Alang and the Legionarios del Trabajo to cope with the racism, poverty, and alienation they experienced in America in the 1920s and 1930s, XPO provided me a tight-knit sense of community reminiscent of the strong family tie I had just lost. One of the roles such organizations played was, for example, to provide full payment for members' funerals; this was particularly crucial for the large percentage of Filipinos who lived out the latter half of their lives as aging childless bachelors. In my case, XPO helped me with my mom's funeral. It's about mutual aid and I'm proud to be reminded of that today.

Episode 6—Gift Cards, Holiday-palooza, Counseling Masters, Mental Health

Kishaun, Ashley, and Bobby discuss the holidays and mental health.

Check out this episode!

Episode 5—It’s Not Easy, but It’s Worth It

Kishaun and Bobby talk about goals, goal-setting, and the effort it takes to achieve them.

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Episode 4—This One’s For the Veterans and Elected Officials and Some of the Election Results

Here are Kishaun and Bobby's shout outs to veterans of the United States Armed Forces and some commentary on the 2012 elections and election perceptions.

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How Cool Would it be to Drive Down Leo Giron Drive?

I respectfully request your support for the creation of Leo Giron Drive in Stockton, CA.

Reliable sources are hearing that the San Joaquin County officials feel that there may not be enough support to name the street leading to the new VA hospital in Stockton "Leo Giron Drive."

As many of us in the Filipino American community know, Leo Giron:

• was handpicked by General Douglas MacArthur to parachute behind enemy lines in the Philippines during World War II.
• was instrumental in providing tactical intelligence behind enemy lines that allowed for the US Armed Forces to defeat Japanese forces in the Philippines during World War II.
• received a Bronze Star for his service to the United States of America. • returned to his community of Stockton, California.
• was one of few Escrima masters who brought the fighting art to America, allowing others to learn and appreciate the art.
• created Bahala Na Martial Arts in Stockton which has spread throughout America and internationally.

Of course, that's just a few of his accomplishments.

Time is of the essence. The length of the letter is not as important as the amount of support the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors need to see. Even just a letter that says "I support the naming of Leo Giron Drive" would be sufficient.

Please send and fax your short letter to:
SJC Board of Supervisors
Attn: Supervisor Carlos Villapudua
44 N. San Joaquin St.
Sixth Floor, Suite 627
Stockton, CA 95202

Fax number: 209-468-3694

Thank you in advance for your support.