PETER’S PATTER — OCTOBER 2015
Bridge Generation News
Is this barong wearing cowboy familiar? Guess who? The ten gallon hat was a gift from the Filipino American Association of Oklahoma as an expression of thanks for my serving as dinner speaker at its Kultura Filipiniana and Coronation Celebration on September 12. The event was held at the Student Union Ballroom on the beautiful campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, about a half hour from Oklahoma City. At the request of Ernest Abrogan, FAAO President, my talk focused on the history of Filipinos in America. While I was aware of the community’s geographic isolation from other Filipinos, I was not quite prepared for their great thirst — from Philippine born senior citizens to American born young adults — to know about how other Filipinos in America have fared through the years . Perhaps most interested in F/A history were second generation young adults. For me, it was like traveling back in time. Interacting with these young Filipino Americans was like reliving my days as a young man. They expressed many of the same dreams, concerns, and frustrations that the Bridge Generation experienced 60-70 years earlier. Moreover, their descriptions of their first generation parents were similar to my generation’s parents in attitude and outlook. Surprised and relieved to learn that their experiences were in many ways similar to that of the BG, they are thinking of linking with other Filipino Americans, perhaps through affiliating with the Filipino American National Historical Society………….. Speaking of community celebrations, the Isleton Filipino community celebrated its 60th year as an organization on September 19. So many of the festive crowd were Bridge Generation members, it seemed like it was an old timer reunion. Local organizers Lourdes Duhaylongsod, Ligaya Apalit, Dee Briones, and Lynda Montano were so pleased at the turnout of people who traveled from far and near, they vowed to hold another celebration next year………… In yet another celebration, the bay area peninsula community of Millbrae celebrated its 45th annual Arts and Wine Festival on Labor Day weekend. Among the artists displaying their work was Don Velez of Rohnert Park. In addition to his beautiful woodturned bowls and vases, this year featured a small conga drum — so befitting of jazz aficionado Don. You may find his work, called WoodJammin, online on ETSY……. Bob and Janet San Jose of Seal Beach are still beaming over the softball exploits of their great granddaughter Alysssa Palomino. She batted 3 for 3, with 3 runs scored, and 6 runs batted in with a grand slam home run at the 2015 WBSC junior women’s World Championship in Oklahoma City on August 12. Alyssa topped her performance four days later with a triple and home run as her team emerged with the tournament championship…………… Meet Carleen Sobrino Bonnivier. Born in 1940 of Swedish Filipino parentage, she grew up in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown. Her Swedish father died shortly after her birth leaving her, her Filipina mother, and sister to fend for themselves. After one year with a maternal aunt, they were abruptly dropped off in Filipinotown with five dollars to their names. There, Carleen stayed and became, as she says, Filipinoized. Personable and often mistaken for puti, she continues to be active in the LA Filipino community. Carleen is co-author with Gerald Gubatan and Greg Villanueva of Filipinotown: Voices from Los Angeles. Inspiring and often humorous accounts of her growing up years may also be found in the Asian Journal, the internet’s Salamin, and on a number of videos………. Long suffering from dementia, Rizaline Raymundo was moved to a residential care home in Lake County on August 3, sadly reports her only daughter PatriciaAn Raymundo-Schmidt. Riz lovingly edited Tomorrow’s Memories: A Diary 1924-1928, written by her mother, Angeles Monrayo. The book depicts her mother’s early life working in the sugar plantations of Hawaii and later as a migrant farm worker in the Central Valley of California……….. It was good to see Larry and Albert Yadao on Facebook on a visit with their cousin Mel Lagasca in Stockton. The brothers, long time residents of Las Vegas, were regulars at the greatly missed old timer Grand Reunions………… Friends of Sonny Pomicpic of Livingston will be glad to hear that he is recuperating nicely at home from a fractured leg. Ironically, the former star basketball forward of the ’50s/’60s-era Livingston Youth Club Dragons injured his leg at the UC Davis Hospital while on a visit for another health condition………… August was a month of wedding anniversaries. Bobby and Irene (Plaza) Edralin of Elk Grove celebrated their Golden Anniversary while Dan and Rosemary (Quitiquit) Figueroa of nearby Auburn celebrated their 59th……….. Remember the legendary San Francisco Chinese nightclub, Forbidden City? Some of its supposed Chinese performers were Filipino. Among them were Stockton natives — dancer Tony Wing nee Lagrimas and his sister, Arlene Lagrimas Dark, also a dancer ……….. In a recent blog, I bemoaned not even seeing one pinoy naval officer of any rank during my years as a sailor in 1948-52. Bob Flor of Seattle brought to my attention that the current commanding officer of the USS Abraham Lincoln, among the largest aircraft carriers in the US Navy, is indeed a Filipino. He is Captain Ronald Ravelo, the son of a retired Chief Petty Officer. The USS Abraham Lincoln has a crew of 2,500 officers and men……….. Happy October Birthdays to: Jo (Tenio) Canion, Don Velez, Luna Jamero, Connie (Viernes) Pasquil, Delia Rapolla, Art Sugitan, Abe Amen, and Angie (Beltran) Gamido.
Pinakbet — News Across The Country
Smaller Filipino American communities in the vicinity of the more publicized San Francisco/Oakland bay area do not often get the attention they richly deserve. Kudos to the Sonoma County Chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society for the good things it does. The chapter has consistently provided quality community forums and activities since its inception. Perhaps its finest product was the marvelous historical DVD Remembering Our Manongs in 2009. Thanks to tireless president Karen (Mejia) Penrich and the chapter’s hardworking members for their dedication to Filipino American history. And let’s not forget the contributions of Dr. Leny (Mendoza) Strobel, Professor and Chair of American Multicultural Studies at Sonoma State University.………. The theme of June 22-25, 2016 FANHS national conference in New York City is “A Pinay/Pinoy State of Mind: Building With Our Roots”. More info to come…………….. On August 15 Mona Pasquil Rogers, the powerful Appointments Secretary to California Governor Jerry Brown, was named by the Sacramento periodical Capitol Weekly – the publication of the non-profit organization Open California – No. 36 among its “Top 100 in Government”. The function of Mona’s office is to review all persons applying for a top job in state government before their being considered by the Governor………… Did you know that Phillipe Nover, the mixed martial arts athlete known as the Filipino Assassin is a cardiac catheterization nurse by day? Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, he has been a registered nurse for ten years………… Long distance runner Gerald Tabios of New York City successfully finished the July Badwater Ultramarathon — a 135 mile run — in ultra-hot Death Valley CA. Weather there was reportedly over 120 degrees in the shade………… After a long delay, the naming of the former Alvarado Middle School to the Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School is now a reality, Union City CA Councilmember Pat Gacosos announced on August 19. Fund raising has resulted in more than enough to meet construction costs for the renaming…………… Ash Carter, Secretary of the Department of Defense, announced on September 18 that President Obama nominated Rear Admiral Raquel C. Bono for promotion to Vice Admiral in the U.S. Navy and simultaneously to the position of Health Agency Director of the Department of Defense. Upon her expected confirmation by the U.S. Senate, she will become the highest ranking Filipino American naval officer…………… Vallejo born Natalie Coughlin is on the cover of ESPN’s annual Body Issue. She is the winner of twelve Olympic swimming medals, including three golds………….. The Philippines Daniel “Chino” Roque will become the first Filipino astronaut when he flies into outer space early next year. Roque was among eight astronauts selected in a worldwide competition with 20,000 applicants. Before going into space, he will undergo four months of rigorous training at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The eight astronauts consist of two Russians, three Americans, and one each from Britain, Israel, and the Philippines………… Emil Guillermo, the articulate author of the long running blog Amok, came away with six achievement awards at the Asian American Journalists Association annual dinner on August 15. He followed this up by winning his second Plaridel Award in September from the Philippine American Press Club for his commentary on France’s Charley Hebdo massacre last year……….. Sheila Lirio Marcelo is the founder and CEO of Care. Com – the world’s largest online marketplace for finding and managing family care — with 16.5 million members spanning 16 countries. Care.com was launched in the U.S. in 2007 ……….. Answers to History Trivia Quiz: (1) Inventor of the yo-yo — Pedro Flores. (2) First U.S. battle involving Filipinos — the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. (3) Author of the novel Dogeaters — Jessica Hagedorn.