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The centennial celebration

This is indeed, a busy year for us, the Filipinos and the Filipino Americans here in the United States of America. A special and significant event is happening and in case some of you have not heard of it yet, this year, 2006, commemorates the 100th year of the first immigration of Filipinos in the U.S. It was only last year that I became aware of this piece of history. I am quite certain that not too many of us fully understand the significance of the story and what our link is to this history.
What and why should we know about it? This awareness has given me the urge to know more about it and now the inspiration to be a part of the celebration because it is the Filipino American story, it is our story and I am a part of the story.
We are lucky to have our very own Maurese Oteyza Owens playing an important role in this major milestone. An active community leader, she was appointed as the Filipino American Centennial Commemoration Coordinator of the Asian Pacific American Program. The Smithsonian Instituton established the APAP in 1997 to create a program that would improve the public’s appreciation of the roles of these minority groups in American history.
On January 13, the Smithsonian Institution formally launched the the commemoration of 100 years of Filipino immigration to the United States. I was invited to this event and of course, I went.
The preview was an opportunity for me to see how I can be a part of the success of this once-in-a-lifetime event. It was held at the Smithsonian Castle where the press briefing and community reception took place. Dr. Franklin Odo, Director of APAP, announced that “all the public events throughout the year will cost $200,000 and that contributions and donations from generous persons and organizations are most welcome." Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Evan Garcia cited the fact that the resolution to commemorate the centennial of Filipino migration to the United States was sponsored by Representative Ed Case of Hawaii and added that the public programs will benefit from Smithsonian’s stature. Maurese presented a power point launching of the centennial with its theme, “A Century of Challenge and Change:
The Filipino American Story." A sumptuous Philippine dishes were enjoyed by all before the program started. It was an appropriate time for me to move around and socialize with friends and acquiantances - Tito Tolentino, Consul Joy Quintana, Lito Serrano (the videographer), Jon and Elvie Melegrito, Bing Branigin, Jennie IIustre, Atty. Warie Azarcon, Mary Anne Fadul, Consul General Jocelyn Garcia, Juliet and Joey Manasala, Julian Oteyza, Linda Pirrone, Nick Tongson, Mitzi Picard and Eric Lachica among others.
Maurese has requested me to disseminate the information and so, I am announcing here that the public is invited to the attend the first public program on February 10 to be held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. I encourage you and your friends to attend this first of a series of events which I am sure you will find very educational and inspiring.
Watch for a detailed announcement by APAP flyer or visit www.apa.si.edu/filamcentennial or call 202-786-2409.
The 2006 celebration will focus on the stories of the unique roles of the migrants - their struggles, contributions, challenges and achievements. In 1906, the first significant number of our countrymen arrived in Hawaii to work on the islands’ sugar plantations. The next wave of migrants came as laborers to West Coast farms and Alaskan canneries in 1935. Then, after the World War II some 7,000 Filipino soldiers received U.S. citizenship and, in 1945, the War brides Act permitted Filipino wives of U.S. military to immigrate. The 1965 Immigration Act paved the way for Filipino professionals to enter the United States, many of them in the medical field. Statistics shows that the prevailing number of Filipino Americans in the country is now 2.36 million. They constitute the second largest Asian Pacific American group over-all, second to Chinese American, according to 2000 Census.
The 2006 Philippine Festival Celebration<W0>
The community is now warming up preparing for the June Philippine Independence festivities.
The Philippine Medical Association was chosen to be the lead association headed by Dr. Victor Lorica, its president and the over-all chair for 2006 PFC. In the recent meeting at the SunTrust Hall in Vienna, committee assignments were distributed to the doctors and the community leaders who will work together and make plans to tackle their areas of responsibility. The PFC had two meetings in December last year and resumed the meeting in January. I will constantly update you as new things develop.
The Power of the Laptop
I do not own one. Each of my four children has a laptop. My youngest daughter, Chela, who lives in Florida, brought hers during the last Christmas vacation and I observed her to be constantly checking something from it. I never considered buying one for myself because it is expensive.
Very recently, I found its practicality and usefulness. My husband and I were invited to a dinner at a restaurant in Georgetown and we were trying to locate the street. It was a mistake relying on my memory, thinking that I’ve seen that street not too long ago. At that moment, I have confirmed that the lifespan of many things in our collective memory was very short. He was driving and I was navigating, giving him the instructions until my good sense told me that we were getting lost. I should have used my cell phone to call our friend, right? But, no, I forgot that important piece of technology. Another confirmation - one is less likely to remember things when in a hurry and that’s exactly what happened to me. I linked it to time management. Well, that is another issue to discuss. Going back to my dilemma, we’ve made a “U” turn, stopped at a store and I offered to inquire. I asked three clerks, but not one could tell me where that street was. Frustrated, I was headed back to my husband waiting in the car when a young guy offered to help me because he overheard my plight. He got something out of his backpack - it turned out be a laptop, real small and slim. I heard just two questions from this cool guy - name of the street and the main thoroughfare close to it and he started to navigate the little machine. To appear “cool” and sound “computer savvy,” I’ve made little comments while he surfed. Lo and behold, he found it in about two minutes, showed me the map covering the area where we were and the street I was looking for. Most importantly, he also showed me the detailed and highlighted streets to follow.
Hurriedly, I expressed my sincere thanks and in a jiffy we were on our way. Ahh, the wonders of the new technology. In retrospect, the good hearted guy didn’t probably think I was cyberspace savvy. I did not even carry a nowadays-ordinary piece of technology - the cell phone. In his mind, this not-so-young lady was helpless! Aww ... never mind, I won’t see him again, anyway. And now, I would like to own a laptop. I am not sure what my children will say, though. “Cool.”
Birhday Parties for January Celebrants
*Our friend, Fred Soriano, recently celebrated his birthday at the CiTi Restaurant in the Tyson’s Corner area. Wife Florence has arranged the reservation and invited a few close friends - Bong and Chelo David, Celso and Vilma Mataac, Efren and Carmelita Sangalang, my husband, Pat, and me. The restaurant was very unassuming outside, a warehouse, but actually a nice eating place inside with French posters. We all enjoyed the food which was moderately priced.
I ordered grilled seafood combination of scallops, shimp and tuna which I will again order given the chance to be back. Crispy calamari was our favorite appetizer. They all enjoyed the drinks, I didn’t because I don’t drink. I am allergic to anything with alcohol. The minus part, though - next time, we should plan to have an early dinner because as it became late the music in the next room became louder. It turned out the place also offered dancing with a DJ at 9:00 O’clock. By then, we’ve decided to have our coffee and dessert at the honoree’s home in Oakton. We were happy with this arrangement because it gave us the chance to catch up and chit-chat which ended till the wee hours in the morning. We all considered this as an easy and relaxing moment among busy friends. Like what I said before - “mababaw na kaligayahan.” <D>We talked about ourselves, made fun of our quirks and uniqueness and updated each other on the activities of our children. I truly consider this kind of friendship a lasting one, not suffocating, not stressing. With so much respect and consideration, we don’t waste our time on the phone everyday with unnecessary calls. But when help is needed, everyone is available. For me, this kind of friendship is a quality, healthy and a lasting one, not suffocating, not stressing. And, all of us share the same sentiments.
Fred has retired from work at the Senate last year and is now “a man of the world” enjoying the bliss of playing golf and constant travelling in and out of the country. Of course, it is easy and convenient for Fred and Florence to travel because they own and manage Travelshare Inc., a travel agency located in Fairfax. Bong David is actually working in Turkey for three years now, but will be back to his home office at the IFC in Washington, DC. this spring. His colleagues at the World Bank and IMF will see him more often soon.
* Two more January born friends recently celebrated their birthdays. Honorees Biboy Naldo and Dr. Marilou Jimenez, and their spouses Dr. Juliet Naldo and Dan Jimenez gathered their families and friends at the Fortune Restaurant in Gaithersburg, MD. Everyone agreed that the mini Laureat Chinese dishes were real yummy. It was, in fact, my 4th time there already but, I wouldn’t mind returning back. The guests were mostly from the two PMA groups - the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Military Association. Biboy, Juliet and Marilou invited the medical group while Dan invited his military colleagues. The celebrants were “roasted” by some friends like Dr. Alvin Madarang, Dr. Ted Gancayco and wife, Bettina Gancayco. Dan Jimenez “roasted” Biboy Naldo, but it was wife Juliet who felt the “hot coal.” Alvin and Dan turned out to be natural “stand-up comedians” in front of the delighted audience. Romantic Dan also delivered a poem that he wrote for his wife, Marilou. A small band owned and led by the brother of Biboy provided the music for dancing. A Flamenco dancer was invited to perform but, what the audience enjoyed most was the energetic rap dance by the group of Jake and Joe Naldo, sons of the Naldos.
Almost all of the performers in the recent New Year’s Eve Medical Ball dance presentation that I choreographed were present - Jovy Eusebio, Ellen & Ric Carag, Annie & Alex Fangonil, Myrna Lopez, Marilyn Madarang, Marilou Jimenez, Juliet & Biboy Naldo, Bettina Gancayco, Bambi & Vic Lorica, Jun Quion and Pat Pagsibigan.
February Birthday Celebrants
* Vilma Mataac <D>of Gaithersburg, Maryland on February 2nd. I heard husband Celso will give her a “Big O” party.
* Dr. Evelyn Co of Vienna, VA on February 12.
* Josephine Masanque of Ashburn, VA on February 16. She is the current president of the Filipino Staff Association of the World Bank/IMF.
* Conrinthia Mirasol of Fairfax, VA on Februray 16. She is currently a student at Columbia University in NY. Her parents are Jessie and Miriam Mirasol.
* Nenita Joaquin Rasmussen of Maryland, on February 18.
* Norma Azarcon, of Herndon, VA, Becky Ramos from the World Bank, and Becky Pagsibigan, this columnist - all on February 21..
* Jojo Joaquin de la Rosa of Falls Church, VA on February 26. She is Manila Mail’s Advertising Manager.
* Danny Perico of Herndon, VA on February 28.
* Francis Masanque of Ashburn, VA on February 28. He is son of Buddy and Jojo Masanque.
Email: pagsibiganr@aol.com