Today was the Pinay Symposium of Kappa Psi Epsilon Gamma Chapter at the University of California, Davis, a highly stimulating event. They put together an inspiring and genuine event that included not only their sisters, but the talents and abilities of several other individuals. They looked to the past and the present for empowered Filipina women and presented a collection of women that anyone could be proud of.
Their keynote speaker was Ruby Veridiano, raised in Sacramento, California, a celebrity in many facets and communities. She made herself available to the audience and they responded in an equally engaged fashion. Her speech connected with everyone, just like an experienced and seasoned presenter and performer like her would be. Seeing the quality of her delivery and her message was stirring, her words potently etching themselves in everyone's minds. There is no doubt that she can be and will be successful in whatever she pursues.
Likewise, with quality events like the Pinay Symposium, put on by strong leaders such as Kappa Psi Epsilon, I am confident that our community is in good hands.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
First Quarter Storm
A very often unspoken part of Philippine and Filipino American history is that of the era of martial law in the Philippines. Many people born in the United States understand little about the time period immediately before, during, and immediately following martial law.
One of the events immediately before martial law is the First Quarter Storm, an anti-U.S. and anti-Marcos movement that started in the Philippines on January 26, 1970. It involved a series of demonstrations, protests, and and marches against the government from January to March 1970, two years before the Philippines was placed under martial law.
On January 26, 1970, President Ferdinand Marcos gave his State of the Nation address. Tens of thousands protested, gathering to be symbols of what the nation was going really through, not to be defined in a single speech. On January 30 and 31, 1970, another protest occurred where four protestors were killed, hundreds injured, and hundreds arrested in what is now known as the Battle of Mendiola. Until March, violent confrontations continued to break out between protestors and state police.
One of the events immediately before martial law is the First Quarter Storm, an anti-U.S. and anti-Marcos movement that started in the Philippines on January 26, 1970. It involved a series of demonstrations, protests, and and marches against the government from January to March 1970, two years before the Philippines was placed under martial law.
On January 26, 1970, President Ferdinand Marcos gave his State of the Nation address. Tens of thousands protested, gathering to be symbols of what the nation was going really through, not to be defined in a single speech. On January 30 and 31, 1970, another protest occurred where four protestors were killed, hundreds injured, and hundreds arrested in what is now known as the Battle of Mendiola. Until March, violent confrontations continued to break out between protestors and state police.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Anti-Filipino Sentiment
Every now and then, an e-mail reaches me about a radio broadcaster that has written a tirade against Filipino Americans. More often than not, it is a version of a false chain mail that has been sent around for years.
There was an overwhelming amount of anti-Filipino sentiment in the 1930s. There was so much, in fact, that on January 29, 1930, the Filipino Federation building at 2049 South San Joaquin Street in Stockton, CA was bombed by rioters.
On that same day, the California State Boxing Commission barred Filipino boxers as a precautionary measure to stem anti-Filipino violence.
Despite the economic, social, and political barriers to their happiness, they survived and succeeded. When I think of the many privileges that I possess today, I remember and honor those individuals that struggled to obtain and maintain them for generations after them.
There was an overwhelming amount of anti-Filipino sentiment in the 1930s. There was so much, in fact, that on January 29, 1930, the Filipino Federation building at 2049 South San Joaquin Street in Stockton, CA was bombed by rioters.
On that same day, the California State Boxing Commission barred Filipino boxers as a precautionary measure to stem anti-Filipino violence.
Despite the economic, social, and political barriers to their happiness, they survived and succeeded. When I think of the many privileges that I possess today, I remember and honor those individuals that struggled to obtain and maintain them for generations after them.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Filipino American Heritage Night Hits Sacramento
After the successful Filipino Heritage Nights that the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland Athletics, and the Oakland Raiders has had, the popular events are hitting the Capital of California, Sacramento.
The Sacramento Kings have tentatively scheduled a Filipino Heritage Night for February 27, 2009, and the Sacramento Rivercats have tentatively scheduled a Filipino Heritage Night for May 4, 2009.
Similar events have included entertainment from local Filipino American talent, Filipino-themed memorabilia like shirts, and have also been used as fundraising opportunities for local community groups. The Manilatown Heritage Foundation partnered with local sporting teams to support the International Hotel.
The Sacramento Kings have tentatively scheduled a Filipino Heritage Night for February 27, 2009, and the Sacramento Rivercats have tentatively scheduled a Filipino Heritage Night for May 4, 2009.
Similar events have included entertainment from local Filipino American talent, Filipino-themed memorabilia like shirts, and have also been used as fundraising opportunities for local community groups. The Manilatown Heritage Foundation partnered with local sporting teams to support the International Hotel.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Eat to Make History
The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Sacramento-Delta Chapter (SDC) is hosting its first Crab Cioppino Feed Fundraiser.
FANHS is teaming up with the Auntie Ester and other community leaders to host a home made cioppino dinner on February 21, 2009, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at the:
Our menu will include:
Fight the cold with Auntie Ester's home made cioppino dinner...
Heat up the dance floor with music and dancing...
Warm people's hearts by supporting a good cause!
FANHS is teaming up with the Auntie Ester and other community leaders to host a home made cioppino dinner on February 21, 2009, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at the:
American Legion Magellan Post 604
8831 Gerber Road
Sacramento, CA 95829
Our menu will include:
- Appetizer: Chips with a Mango Salsa
- Salad: White Sauce Pasta Salad
- Main: Cioppino with Halibut, Crab, Shrimp, Mussels, and Clams; Rice and Dinner Rolls
- Drinks: Soda and Bottled Water for Sale
All of that great food for only $35 per person or $60 per couple.
The proceeds will benefit the FANHS SDC Oral History Project, where we will record the accounts and stories of various individuals in the Filipino American community and the history that they made.
For more information, please visit the FANHS SDC Calendar of Events Web page at http://fanhsac.tripod.com/id17.html.Fight the cold with Auntie Ester's home made cioppino dinner...
Heat up the dance floor with music and dancing...
Warm people's hearts by supporting a good cause!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)