PETER’S PINOY PATTER — APRIL 2019
Bridge Generation
(Today’s Bridge Generation — now in their 70s, 80s, and 90s — are a rapidly declining population. Over the years, most members of these American born children of the first wave of Filipino immigrants have passed away. In order to remember their contributions to the history of Filipinos in America, a deceased BG individual will be a recurring feature.) Alfred Mendoza — civil rights activist, human service organization advocate, and mentor for countless Los Angeles youth — fought the good fight on behalf of Filipino Americans during the 1960-80s. I first met Al in the fall of 1971 at the National Conference of the Council of Social Work Education in Seattle. He was among a small but vocal contingent of West Coast Asian American delegates that successfully protested the conference’s total absence of issues of importance to Asian Americans. Our protest resulted in subsequent federal financial support for a mental health center in Los Angeles and a training center in San Diego. Al was a visible and vocal presence at civil rights protests and presentations mounted by SoCal Asian/Filipino American community activists. He became a key member of a promising West Coast Asian American movement during the 1970s. Together with his long time friend and collaborator, icon Royal Morales (RIP), he founded SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans) in 1972, the respected youth-serving agency that continues to provide quality services. His activism helped in the subsequent development of SoCal human service agencies such as the Pacific Asian Alcohol and Drug Program and the Asian American Community Mental Health Training Center. Al went on to serve as the longtime Director of the Los Angeles County Refugee Center. Following his retirement he served on the Asian Pacific Planning Council. Affectionately known as “Uncle Al”, he was a mentor for countless youth, including former City of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Kevin Acebo. Kevin beautifully memorialized him with the following passage: “…..one of Mendoza’s enduring legacies will be his sage counsel as mentor to a generation of new leaders who now have taken up the torch on behalf of and with the communities he so proudly served.” Al will also be remembered for his musical talent on the ukulele, for his wry sense of humor, and for his sharp wit — talents that I was privileged to personally enjoy. He was born on August 10, 1936, grew up in L.A.’s Historic Filipinotown, graduated from UCLA, and inspired by his father and others of the first wave Manong Generation. Al passed away on August 21, 2014 and is survived by his wife Candy Mendoza, three children, and six grandchildren…………. Hearing from Marg (Fernandez) Aguila recently brought back nice memories of Marg and her sisters. In their youth during the 1950s, the four Fernandez sisters — Cho, Nita, Marg, and Virge — were arguably the most enthusiastic rooters for the San Francisco Mangos, which then dominated the Filipino American youth club basketball circuit in California. Years later, during the 1990s at Bridge Generation Grand Reunions, the sisters were still as enthusiastic as ever. Today, at a young 90, 87, 84, and 81, respectively — they continue to be just as enthusiastic………….. For the first 22 years of my life, the only cousins I knew in America were the Galanida’s. So it was great to again spend quality time with Helen Agraviador, Dave Galanida, and Nancy Baltonado at the February 16 Apola (Jamero) Burila Scholarship fundraiser at the Black Oaks Casino in Sonora CA…………. On March 6, Filipino American Congressman Bobby Scott, Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor, announced passage of a bill raising the Federal minimum wage to $15/hour that has been stuck at $7.25/hour for more than ten years. Previous efforts to raise the minimum level have been largely thwarted by the Republican House majority. With House Democrats now in the majority, progressive legislation such as the minimum wage bill, are moving forward. The bill is scheduled to go to a full vote of the House of Representatives and is expected to pass. However, its fate in the Republican majority Senate is uncertain………… Honors continue for Barbara Posadas, Professor Emeritus of Northern Illinois University. On April 5 she will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Immigration and Ethnic History Society at the society’s annual dinner during the Organization of American Historians Meeting in Philadelphia………… Did you know? Helen (Agcaoili) Summers Brown (RIP) was the first Filipina American to graduate from UCLA. She received a BA in 1935 and a Masters in Education in 1937. A dedicated educator, she founded the Filipino American Library in Los Angeles and was the recipient of countless honors during her lifetime. Reportedly the second UCLA F/A grad — your faithful blogger in 1957……….. Happy April Birthdays: Mel LaGasca, Patti (Monares) Greathouse, Esther (Navarro) Romero, Ray Paular, Dolores (Rosales) Supat, Art Villarruz.
Pinakbet — News Across America
Rising Stars: (1) On December 11 Vallejo CA recording artist H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) Gabi Wilson, 21, won Grammy’s for best R&B performance for her song “Best Part” and best R&B album. She recently appeared on James Corden‘s “Late, Late Show” where she revealed the meaning of her stage name. (2) On December 30 the San Francisco Chronicle reported 17 year old Luca Padua of Half Moon Bay making surfing history. Surfing from the age of 13, he has drawn praise from decorated world big-wave surfers from Hawaii Jamie Mitchell and Aaron Gold as well as Matt Warshaw, the sport’s leading historian. (3) In college basketball, Arizona State University Sun Devil’s Remy Martin fooled sports experts by starting at guard as a freshman. His aggressive style is much like that of his coach Bobby Hurley, who earned All American honors at Duke University…………. The Filipino Community of Seattle and the Filipino Youth Activities were awarded $5 million by King County on February 22. Presenting the check were King County Council members Rod Dembowski and Larry Gossett. The award will go to building the Filipino Community Village that will provide 95 units of affordable low income housing to seniors and for an expanded STEAM (science-technlogy-engineering-arts-math) Program for youth. In addition, a surplus van was donated to the FYA Drill team……….. Cheryl Baun and Paolo Garcia Mendoza, owners of the Karenderya Filipino restaurant in the small town of Nyack, New York are ecstatic. Late last year Esquire Magazine ranked Karenderya among the 20 best new restaurants in America. Among the delicacies glowingly reviewed by Esquire were adobo pork belly, shrimp in coconut broth, and cassava jackfruit cake…………. Catriona Gray, became the fourth Miss Universe representing the Philippines, following Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wirtzbach (2015). A major contributor to Catriona’s win was attributed to her “lava walk” — a slow motion walk capped by a twirl……….. At this year’s Academy Awards, cinematographer Matthew Libatique and animators Bobby Pontillas and Trevor Jimenez were nominated but failed to win coveted Oscars. To help offset the Oscar disappointments, winning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild honors was Darren Criss for his role as real-life serial killer and fellow mestizo Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”……….. Jessica Caloza was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to Commissioner of Public Works on February 15. She replaces fellow Filipino American Joel Jacinto…………. On January 31 in San Francisco, the Filipino American Victory Celebration honored 24 California Filipino Americans who emerged victorious in their races for elected office. Heading the honorees, were T.J. Cox, U.S. Congressman from the Central Valley’s 19th Congressional District and CA Assemblyman Rob Bonta of Alameda………… Meet Yolanda (Ortega) Stern: Founder and President Emeritus of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, the largest business organization of Filipino Americans in the U.S. with 42 chapters. She also is the current Board Chair of West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center and President and CEO of One World Institute, both in San Francisco…………. Sheila (Lirio) Marcelo is one of only three percent of women CEOs in public traded companies. Five years ago, the company she founded — Care.com — became listed in the New York Stock Exchange.
Musings
Countdown — Now 11 months and growing: For the Board of Trustees, Filipino American National Historical Society — who have program and fiduciary responsibility — to provide critically needed financing to assure keeping open the Filipino American Museum in Stockton, the historic center of Filipino immigration…………….. According to the respected Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of hate groups operating across America rose to a record high – 1,020 – in 2018 as Donald Trump continued to fan the flames of white resentment over immigration and America’s changing demographics. Hate crimes have followed the same escalating pattern after three straight years of decline during the Obama Administration. The latest incident of U.S. hate crime came in February 17 with the arrest of Coast Guard Lieutenant Christopher Hasson after the FBI found a stockpile of weapons and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition in his Maryland home. With Lt. Hasson’s long record of pushing for a “White Homeland”, the self-identified White Nationalist had compiled a hit list targeting prominent Democratic and media figures.
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