PETER’S PINOY PATTER — MARCH 2016
Bridge Generation News
Reunions revisited: As they approached their retirement years, whenever Bridge Generation folks got together, the question would inevitably be asked, “Why can’t we all get together more often?” As the years went by, the urge to see old friends grew. In Stockton CA on October 6-8, 1989, the “Filipino American Historical Reunion”, provided the opportunity many had been hoping for. The three-day event drew over 400 persons — overwhelmingly Bridge Generation. The reunion showed that their camaraderie, particularly among participants of the old youth clubs, was alive and well. Under the inspired leadership of the former Terri Romero (Isleton LVM ((Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao)) Club) and Dixon Campos (Filipino Mango Athletic Club of San Francisco), the “Grand Reunion of Filipino American Athletic Clubs of the 1940s-50s” was held on November 1-2 1991 at the Marriott Hotel in San Ramon CA. Both days featured athletic competitions and exhibits featuring memorabilia of the old youth clubs. A dinner banquet and awards dance with music by a nine-piece band playing nostalgic swing and jazz music, concluded the festivities. The informal after-hours session in the spacious hospitality room proved to be equally popular. Singers and musicians took turns entertaining the crowd. There were so many talented pinoy/pinay entertainers that hardly a minute passed by without someone performing at the microphone and piano. A steady din of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and an occasional burst of laughter provided a nightclub-like atmosphere. Whenever an old romantic ballad was sung, the room suddenly turned quiet as the crowd reminisced of the bygone days of their youth. The Grand Reunion was a resounding success. Attendance at the dinner banquet attracted a turn away crowd of more than 700 persons. A special effort was made during the Second Grand Reunion at the San Ramon Marriott on September 26-27 1997 to include the next generation so that they could experience first-hand the long lasting friendships of their parents. The response was gratifying, drawing more than 600 to the reunion. The basic format of the two San Ramon Grand Reunions — featuring athletic events, memorabilia, and a dinner/dance — were featured in subsequent reunions in San Jose (1994, 1998, 2001), Santa Maria (1996, 1998, 2003), Stockton (2002, 2005), Sacramento (2007, 2010), and the Southern California communities of City of Industry (1993, 2004), Buena Park (1996), and Lakewood (2006, 2008). In addition Vallejo, San Francisco, Livingston, and Salinas celebrated their own youth club reunions. Attendance steadily decreased from highs of 600-700 persons during the early years to 250-400 of more recent years — not unexpected given the aging population of the Bridge Generation. The reunions have been precious opportunities for the Bridge Generation — now in their 70s, 80s, and 90s — to enjoy the lasting friendships forged from their youth, to relive the days of youth clubs, and to reconfirm the unique contributions of their generation to multi-cultural America……….. An excited Lynda (Maghanoy) Montano of Stockton couldn’t wait to tell me about her first trip to Siquijor — the Philippine ancestral home of her father. Siquijor is one of the tiniest islands of the Central Visayas. It also is one of the most beautiful, ringed by sandy beaches with acres and acres of coconut trees. Her father’s hometown of Maria is also tiny — so small it doesn’t have a store. However, it had friendly residents, especially her relatives who made sure she was wined, dined, and saw the sights. I was curious about the legendary mannambal (sorcerers) and faith healers since Siquijor is believed to be where they reside. Alas, Lynda didn’t meet any of them………….. Oops! In last month’s blog on the birth of ethnic studies programs, I neglected to note Mike Castillano as the Assistant to the Vice President of Minority Affairs at the University of Washington………… Derek Jeter, my favorite New York Yankee, dated many beautiful women over the years; but I didn’t realize one was a pinay. Vanessa Lachey (nee Minnillo), now regularly appearing on television in the sitcom “Truth Be Told”, dated him during the early 2000s……………Our thoughts and prayers for the family of Henry Palicte who passed away in Carson CA……….It was good to see Frank Ladaga of Modesto CA beaming as he celebrated his birthday with his doting family after several recent hospitalizations………….. Speaking of birthdays, Donna (Blanco) Machado of Livingston CA and her family celebrated the 100th birthday of her father, Pete Blanco, at Disneyland…………. Happy March Birthdays also to: Ellie (Engkabo) Paular, Michael Flor, Corinne (Artiaga) Fontanilla, Joe Jamero, Dolores (Ladaga) Abasolo, Tim Maghoney, Bob Balandra, and Rich Tenaza.
Pinakbet — News Across the Country
On January 18, two Filipino Americans — Rex Navarette and Jo Koy — were named by entertainment writer David Fung in his column to be among the ten best Asian American comedians. Following are excerpts from the column: “Rex Navarette started his career in 1989 and was the first Asian comedian to ever sustain a career doing shows for a predominantly non-white audience. Rex has become a legend in the Filipino community for his hilarious parodies of working-class citizens which are intended to educate as much as they were supposed to make you laugh. He often touches on race, stereotypes, growing up with a Filipino mother and does various accents. Armed with a frenetic physical style, Jo Koy’s ethnic jokes are definitely surface level (i.e. Asians can’t drive, Mexicans don’t have insurance) but are often based on solid observation. The most notable thing about Koy’s act is its universal appeal – he makes fun of every single group and manages to do it without being offensive.”…………….. Residents in and around Washington, D.C., had an opportunity to see Filipina American ballet dancer Stella Abrera perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The first pinay to be named Principal Dancer by the prestigious American Ballet Theater in New York, she performed in the ABT’s production of “The Sleeping Beauty”……………….. Teofilo Mesina, 82, from Virginia Beach VA won a million dollars at the January 13 Powerball lottery drawing correctly picking five numbers but only missing the Powerball number…………. The Rice Bar, a 275-square foot counter restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, was featured in the February 6 issue of the Los Angeles Times — LA’s largest daily newspaper. Chef and owner Charles Olalia cooks with only four pots on a jigsaw system made up of three rice cookers, two hot plates, a griddle and a warmer. Olalia opened the Rice Bar, his first restaurant, only six months ago — business is good…………. Meet Vice Admiral Raquel Bono, the most senior Filipino American flag officer in the U.S. Navy. As the Director, Defense Health Agency she administers worldwide medical, dental and pharmacy programs to more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. A few years ago, Bono and her brother, now retired Rear Admiral Anatolio B. Cruz III, made history when they became the first and only siblings of Filipino descent to hold flag-officer ranks simultaneously…………….Did you notice Cynthia Dias sitting in the First Lady’s box during the President’s State of the Union speech on January 12? Dias, once a homeless Navy veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder found living in a veteran’s village in Las Vegas, is back working as a registered nurse and doing well…………. Good news! Joe Galiste of Vallejo is rehabilitating at home after undergoing successful brain surgery for the removal of a blood clot…………… Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara on February 7 not only starred Denver Bronco wide receiver Jordan Norwood and Carolina Panther head coach Ron Rivera on the football field but also featured former New England Patriot linebacker Tedy Bruschi on ESPN television, Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach reporting for TVs Inside Edition, and singer/dancer Bruno Mars sharing the stage with megastar Beyonce on the halftime show…………… And how about Bruno winning three Grammys a week later!………….. Cedrick Argueta, a 17 year old senior at Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, received a perfect score on the Advanced Placement Calculus examination, one of only 12 test takers (out of 302,531) in the world to do so………….. Remember the Pussycat Dolls, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time? The lead singer was Filipina American Elikolani Valiente, described as the group’s “driving force”……………. Filipinos are a rarity among practicing psychoanalysts in America. Meet Dr. Jamieson Webster of New York City where she works with children, adolescents, and adults. Psychoanalysis is a field in psychology that specializes in the treatment of emotional and mental disorders through examining the unconscious elements of the mind………… Did you know the late movie star Steve McQueen‘s first wife Neile Adams was a Filipina? A movie actress, Neile had three children with Steve and wrote about their tumultuous fifteen years of marriage in her book, “My Husband, My Friend: A Memoir” in 2006 ………….. The WestBay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, a San Francisco non-profit agency, is considering a class action suit against American Apparel and its former CEO/founder Dov Charney for making derogatory remarks about Filipinos. In the company’s internal investigation of Charney, he allegedly told Filipino workers they were “Filipino pigs…with your faces in the trough” and that he “would be their Ferdinand Marcos and will tell them what to do.”