New Look, New Blog, Same Column
Loyal readers will note that my column has a new look, thanks to my enterprising daughter, Jeanine Silverio. On the internet, she ran across WordPress that not only has many beautiful design features but also makes it much easier to enter copy. Although the blog has a new look, I will continue to feature news about the Filipino experience in America especially that of Bridge Generation Filipino Americans.
Miscellany (or should it be called pinakbet): It was beautiful to see a Filipino American, Robert Lopez, along with his wife Kristen, receive an Oscar for Best Original Song with their big hit “Let It Go” from the Movie “Frozen” at last month’s Motion Picture Academy’s Awards Show. This may be the first time a Filipino American has been so honored with an Oscar…….What about the attention that 16 year old Filipino American Justin Casquejo received after climbing up to the spire of New York City’s World Trade Center on March 23. For his illegal escapade Justin was arrested; NYC officials were red-faced…….My recent column on Filipino American Olympic athletes was incomplete. Pete Velasco of Hawaii captained the U.S. Olympic Volleyball team in 1964 and 1968. My oversight was brought to my attention by Bob San Jose of Seal Beach. Thanks Bob…….And who can forget how Doug Baldwin, wide receiver of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, proudly carried the Philippine flag in the aftermath of the devastating floods in his ancestral home island of Leyte…..Congratulations to Dawn Boholano Mabalon for her excellent book Little Manila Is In The Heart. It is probably the best written and comprehensive account of the making of the Filipino American Community in Stockton CA which continues to have the unofficial title of having the most residents of Filipino ancestry per capita in America……..The ranks of Bridge Generation Filipino Americans continues to decline. Dick Dagampat went home to the Lord on April 1. Dick, a proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was an exemplary athlete: captain of the 1958 Naval Academy football team, 1958 Boy’s Life Magazine College Football All-American, and selected to the Los Angeles High School Hall of Fame after being All-City in football, baseball and track during 1952 and 1953. Also passing away since my last report were the following BG individuals: Dave Almazon, Phil Arro, Gabina “Babe” Boiser, Jo Carlson, Melba Maghoney, Rio Maglinte, Willie Metante, and Fred Yurong.
Update on old issues: Earlier columns have expressed my concerns regarding issues affecting all Filipinos in America. Some things are looking up. For example, Voting Rights — I have railed against the proliferation of voter suppression laws in states — largely led by Republican governors and legislatures — that disproportionately impact minorities, the elderly, and the poor to exercise the right to vote. These state laws take various forms: requiring ID photos, curtailing the number of polling places, and eliminating Sunday voting. However, on April 29 a Federal judge ruled that a Wisconsin law requiring ID photos was unconstitutional. He found that there was no basis for the law’s expressed reason for being – alleged voter fraud. In the last four Wisconsin elections, only one case was found to be fraudulent. The ruling follows that of similar laws that were struck down during the past year in the states of North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania and is expected to result in similar decisions in the other nineteen states enacting such laws. Laws should make it easier for people to vote, not harder.
Not everything is positive. Racism continues to raise its ugly head. In the last few weeks we have witnessed the spectacles of Donald Sterling and Cliven Bundy. In a tape recording Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association, chastised his girlfriend for being photographed and being seen at Clipper games with African Americans. Never mind that African Americans comprise over 80% of the players in the NBA. Bundy drew immediate conservative support from across the country for refusing to pay taxes on Federal property he had been occupying for more than twenty years despite his racist statement that “Negroes” were better off when they were slaves.
