PETER’S PATTER — SEPTEMBER 2015
Bridge Generation News
Young Filipino Americans grew up listening to jazz during the halcyon days of bebop during the 1950-60s. So it is not surprising to learn some became jazz musicians themselves. Pianist, singer, and composer Joseph “Flip” Nunez (left) worked with such stars as Dexter Gordon and Wes Montgomery; he also led the house band at Bop City in San Francisco in 1962. Affectionately known as the Filipino Bill Evans, Corney Pasquil, honed his piano playing skills in Junction City KS before settling in Sacramento CA. Gabe Baltazar from Hilo HI, received national attention as lead alto saxophonist for the exciting Stan Kenton big band in 1960, a position he held for three years. His younger brother, trumpeter Norman Baltazar, was also a member of the band. Danny Barcelona, also from Hawaii, was the drummer in the Louis Armstrong band for 15 years. Stand-up bassist Vince Gomez continues to perform in the San Francisco Bay Area. Philadelphian Richie Kamuca, played tenor sax in the Woody Herman and Stan Kenton bands. Pianist Tony Kitong led his trio in numerous BG dances in the East Bay and Central Valley during the 1950s. Leader of his own musical group as a Stockton teenager, pianist Mike Montano has been entertaining jazz aficionados in Las Vegas for decades. Primo (nee Villaruz) Kim continues to sing and accompany himself on piano at the Snoqualmie Casino in Washington. Classically trained pianist George Muribus recorded three albums on the Catalyst label and played with the Latin rock/jazz fusion group Azteca. BG members of the Tenio Family of Stockton performed in various personnel configurations. Jimmy, a World War II veteran with the Army’s First Filipino Regiment, played tenor and alto saxophone. Joe was on drums when not playing basketball for the local youth club. The two youngest, Josie Canion and Rudy, vocalists and pianists, performed as a duo and as solo acts………. Before working in the health/human services sector, I fancied myself being a civil rights attorney. I was reminded of that interest recently when I renewed my friendship with Bill Tamayo, Regional Attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, San Francisco District. I first met Bill in the early 1990s when he was Managing Attorney for the respected Asian Law Caucus of San Francisco. He has the unique distinction of working under three Presidential administrations. First appointed in 1995 as Regional Attorney during the Clinton administration, he has served continuously for 20 years directing the Commission’s litigation and legal program in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. During his tenure, Bill was involved in a number of high profile cases in which EEOC prevailed. He also appeared in the acclaimed PBS documentary “Rape in the Fields” which revealed atrocities committed against female farm workers by their field bosses…………… Anita (Navalta) Bautista of Stockton received the first ever Community Spirit Award from the Central Valley Asian American Chamber of Commerce for her work on behalf of the Stockton Chapter, Filipino American National Historical Society. A three term president of the chapter, she previously served as president of the Sacramento-Delta Chapter. Anita dropped out of school in the seventh grade, went on to complete high school at age 35 and graduated from the University of California Berkeley School of Social Work five years later………… My May blog featuring Bridge Generation boxers mentioned the 1994 award winning documentary The Great Pinoy Boxing Era. For those of you asking where copies may be purchased, please go to its website —www.MyBarong.com………. Just heard from Jim Galanida from faraway Clearwater FL who happily reports he is “enjoying time to pursue personal interests and family”. Humm!…………. Great Grandparents Alex and Wilma Aguinid of Sacramento welcomed the fifth “Alexander” into their family in July. The children are named after Alex — the modest, decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War……… Al Acena of San Mateo identified yet another Filipino American sports personality — Chris Haft, the San Francisco Giants beat reporter for MLB.com……….. Happy September birthdays to: Ernie Cabreana, Peter Bacho, Pastor Engkabo, and Jerry Salac.
Pinakbet — News Across The Country
“Filipinos are the 12th largest population of foreign nationals who have obtained legal permanent residence in the U.S. from 1820 to 2013.” So concludes the husband and wife team of Ray and Kira Del Rosario in a study published in the June 17 issue of Positively Filipino. The total of 2,232,719 Filipino permanent legal residents over two centuries is more than that of the Asian countries of China, India, Korea, Japan, Vietnam; more than Central America; and more than that of the European countries of Poland, Greece, France, and Portugal. When learning of the study, a cynic friend chortled, “the Philippines would probably be No. 1 if TnT’s (tago ng tago) were counted.”…………..On August 11 the Los Angeles City Council confirmed Joel Jacinto‘s nomination by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to Public Works Commissioner. Born in San Francisco, Joel is the long time Executive Director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), the largest community based, non-profit agency primarily serving Filipino Americans in the United States. He was instrumental in getting the City of Los Angeles to officially designate the area known as Historic Filipinotown and to subsequently install directional signs and banners. He also helped give birth to the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture and with building affordable housing for the community. The multi-talented Joel has regularly performed in SIPA presentations of Philippine music and dance throughout his years as executive director. While he serves as Commissioner, however, he will be taking a leave of absence………… The bay area city of Vallejo CA has the distinction of having five Filipino American residents who currently hold elected office. On the City Council are Jesus Malgapo, Bob Sampayan, and Rozzanna Verder-Aliga while serving on the Unified School District are Ruscal Cayangyang and veteran activist Tony Ubalde. Thanks to Steve Arevalo of San Jose for passing on the info…………. For obvious reasons I have a special liking for athletes who are vertically challenged. Nate Robinson — at 5’6” one of the shortest players in National Basketball Association history — is the only three time winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, winning in 2006, 2009, and 2010. His great, great, grandfather on his mother’s side was Filipino which makes Nate one-sixteenth Filipino. To naysayers who may want to quibble: my old friend, the late Fred Cordova always said, “If you have one drop of Filipino blood, you’re Filipino”…………. I highly recommend reading Becoming Mexipino: Multiethnic Identities and Communities in San Diego by Rudy Guevarra. The book details how the convergent paths of Filipinos and Mexicans led them to settle in San Diego, how their historical ties and cultural bonds led to inter-ethnic relationships, and how Mexipinos identify with both ethnic groups at the same time. A fourth generation Mexipino native of San Diego, Rudy is an assistant professor at Arizona State University…………. History buffs know about about the countless Filipino sailors who jumped ship during the Spanish galleon years between 1570 and 1815. However, little is available in the literature as to how they fared since then. Ricardo Pinzon, an English teacher from an Acapulco college, claims that Filipinos have been very visible in Mexico’s history. According to Pinzon, more than 200,000 descendants of Filipinos currently live in Southern Mexico, mostly in Guerrero State, where Acapulco is located. Three former governors of Guerrero State are believed to be Filipino, including Juan Alvarez who went on to become President of Mexico. These and other fascinating bits of information will be appearing in a book that Pinzon is writing on the contributions of Filipinos to Mexican history……….. Shane Victorino, the veteran major league outfielder, was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Angels on July 28. The native of Hawaii played on two World Series baseball champions — the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008 and the Red Sox in 2013………… Phillipe Nover, The Filipino Assassin of mixed martial arts fame is also a cardiac catheterization registered nurse……….. Hats off to the husband and wife co-authors of Filipinos in Carson and the South Bay Florente and Roselyn (Estepa) Ibanez for continuing to educate the public on the history of Filipinos in SoCal……….. Julian De Guzman, 28 year old Alameda CA native, is now a dancer in the role of Finch in the touring Broadway show Newsies, a Disney musical based on the 1992 film. He overcame a tumor in his hip that was first diagnosed as inoperable. Not only did Julian become a successful dancer, he went back to his studies to graduate from UC Irvine………… The first ever Filipino school in the United States recently opened its doors in San Diego. According to The Filipino School co-founder Tony Olaes, the school will be using a team of teachers from the Philippines via a high definition screen to communicate with students about Filipino language, history, and culture……….. History Trivia: (1) Name the Filipino who invented the yo-yo. (2) In what battle waged on United States soil did Filipinos first fight? (3) Who is the author of the award winning novel Dogeaters?