PETER’S PATTER — SEPT. 2016
Bridge Generation News
The Passing of a Bridge Generation Filipino American Icon: RIP 1 — I am personally saddened to report the August 27 death of Bob Santos, 82. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Tomiko Santos, a Washington State Representative since 1998; six children — Danny, Simone, Robin, Tom, John, and Nancy; 19 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren……… “Uncle Bob”, as he was affectionately known, is widely credited with saving the predominantly Asian neighborhood of Seattle’s International District from runaway redevelopment and the invasive construction of the Kingdome stadium during the early 1970s. His leadership came at a time when many Asian neighborhoods, such as San Francisco’s Manilatown and Stockton’s Little Manila, were disappearing due to redevelopment being out of touch with the character of ethnic neighborhoods. As executive director of Inter*Im (International District Improvement Association), he led the fight to preserve and strengthen the International District, for the rights of its most vulnerable members, and for advancing social justice for the largely Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese community that comprised the ID. As a result of his vision, forward thinking, and tireless energy, hotels were rescued from demolition — thus preserving housing for elderly and low income residents; a health clinic, a community garden, and the Village Square were subsequently established; and ethnically relevant social service agencies were brought into the district. Bob’s efforts could also be uniquely innovative (such as the annual pig roast (lechon) for residents to celebrate their community garden). The ID grew to be the vibrant neighborhood it is today. When asked by the International District newspaper what he believed was his greatest ID accomplishment, Bob said, “……it is still a residential neighborhood with low income elderly.” Today, the ID is believed to be the only place in America where early Asian settlers and recent Vietnamese immigrants combined to build a thriving community out of what once was a dying neighborhood. Bob’s work on behalf of the International District was not by happenstance. He was born and raised there as the son of Sammy Santos — a Filipino immigrant who gained fame as a crowd pleasing boxer during the 30s and 40s — and Virginia Nicol, of Filipina/Native American/French Canadian ancestry. The International District was where he lived among pan-Asian residents, where he personally experienced the challenges and perils facing these early immigrants, and where he devoted his life’s work…………. The leadership of the fiery yet affable “Uncle Bob” helped to forge unity among Seattle’s minority groups as well. As the executive director of a non-profit agency, he collaborated with three counterpart executive directors of Latino, African American, and Native American community based agencies. The work of this “Gang of Four” brought critically needed services and mainstream recognition to their communities………. I first met Bob and other similarly minded young activists soon after my family moved to Seattle in 1970. They would go on to comprise the core members of the Filipino American Young Turks of Seattle (FAYTS), the politically savvy group that helped bring the Seattle Filipino Community into the American mainstream. Their earliest efforts resulted in the funding of congregate meal and social service programs for Filipino elderly. Subsequently, thanks in large part to the activism of Bob and the Young Turks, no longer was the Filipino community one where politicians came with their barong tagalogs to eat lumpia and mumble “may-boo-hi” (mabuhay) to seek votes. Now politicians had to be prepared to discuss issues with a far more enlightened community. The Young Turks became heavily involved in politics, were sought after by both political parties, and actively participated in local, state, and national campaigns — including several in which Bob was a candidate. For the next eighteen years, the Young Turks (present day Old Turkeys) were influential in bringing access, recognition, and resources to the Filipino community…………… As busy as Bob was with the community, he still made time to author his life story “Hum Bows, Not Hot Dogs” in 2002; to co-author “Gang of Four” in 2015; and to sing every Tuesday evening at his favorite karaoke bar in the ID…………….. Bob credits his uncle, Joe Adriatico, who came from a well-connected family in the Philippines, for first shaping his political awareness. Other early influences were Filipino labor leaders Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong who he met in 1965. Vera Cruz was an uncle of Bob’s late wife, Anita, who often visited the Santos home with Itliong. Bob listened, learned, and developed his own approach to activism. He was an activist but also learned the art of building bridges. And while he was a fiery protester in advocating for minority causes, he was also an effective behind-the-scenes negotiator who could influence government and business power elite. …………. Bob’s achievements brought highly-deserved recognition. He and other members of the “Gang of Four” were recipients of the prestigious Bridge Builders Award in Washington D.C.; he received the Overseas Filipino Banaag Award from Philippine President Benigno Aquino in Manila; Santos Place, a transitional housing complex for the homeless at the former Sand Point Naval Air Station, was named in his honor; he was appointed Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; many referred to him as the “Unofficial Mayor of the International District”; he may be the only Filipino American whose death made front page news in a major metropolitan American newspaper when the Monday, August 29 issue of the Seattle Times boldly headlined: “BOB SANTOS, A SON OF SEATTLE WHO HELPED MOLD ITS SOUL”……………. Bob’s legacy is huge. Without him, the International District would not have survived as a living, working-class, pan-Asian neighborhood with an intact culture and history. Seattle’s Filipino community would not be as enlightened. The Filipino American Young Turks of Seattle would not have been as effective in its socio-political activism. Bob Santos may be gone from us, but his spirit and contributions live on.
Other Bridge Generation News: RIP 2 — Long time Isleton CA resident Tim Maghoney passed away at the age of 83. A Korean War veteran, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955. While his favorite hobby was playing golf, he was better known to his friends as an accomplished sabongero (trainer of fighting roosters)…………….. Thanks to the efforts of Karen Pennrich and other community residents, the Santa Rosa CA City Council proclaimed May as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and recognized the Filipino American Association of Sonoma State University for its spirit of inclusion and contributions to the community. FAASSU began in 1995 as a club addressing issues affecting Filipino Americans. Today, it is one of the University’s most diverse student clubs………….. I highly recommend checking out the FANHS Greater Seattle Chapter’s website to view the oral history interview of Cecilia Suyat Marshall, 88, widow of the late, great Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Born in Hawaii to Filipino immigrant parents, she married the 46 year old African American Justice Marshall in 1955 in Washington D.C. when she was 26. At first she was apprehensive about an interracial marriage. But Justice Marshall declared, “I don’t care what people think. I’m marrying you.” ………….. Happy September Birthdays to: Peter Bacho, Ernie Cabreana, Pastor Engkabo, Jerry Salac.
Pinakbet — News Across the Country
It seems there was only one Filipino American on the U.S. Olympic team at the recently completed Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil– fencer Lee Kiefer who did not medal — a fry cry from the 2012 Olympics which featured gold medal winners, gymnast Kyla Ross and swimmer Natalie Coughlin…………. Now that U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia is the Democratic nominee for Vice President, a vacancy will exist in the Senate, should he be elected. African/Filipino American Bobby Scott, U.S. Congressman from Virginia, is a strong candidate to fill the void. If he becomes Senator, it will be the first time that a person of Filipino ancestry will serve in that august body…………. RIP 3 — Joe Montano, 47, a close aide to Senator Tim Kaine and a prominent activist in the Washington D.C. area’s Filipino American community, died of an apparent heart attack on July 25. He also had close ties to the Filipino community nationally. I first met Joe when he was a high school student and interested in Filipino American history. He subsequently volunteered in several FANHS National Conferences. Possessed of a dimpled smile and a friendly disposition, Joe was comfortable in the public arena. His last position as Regional Director for Senator Kaine and his name familiarity in the wider Filipino community augured well for a bright future in politics. I last saw Joe in 2015 at the White House Initiative for Asians and Pacific Islanders when he spoke excitedly about what he hoped would be a Democratic victory in November…………. Did you know? The highest ranking Filipino American in U.S. law enforcement is Sean Reyes, Attorney General for the State of Utah……….. “Bad Saint”, a new Washington, D.C. restaurant, took the city by storm, receiving overwhelmingly rave reviews and earning the #7 spot on Washingtonian Magazine’s ranking of D.C.’s top tables in 2015. Bon Apetite magazine named it #2 best new restaurant in the U.S. “Bad Saint”, the brainchild of owners Nick Pimentel and Genevieve Villamora, is named after St. Malo, Louisiana — the first Filipino settlement in America.
(Photographs from “Hum Bows: Not Hot Dogs” by Bob Santos, “Gang of Four” by Bob Santos, and personal collection)