*** President Bush has once again issued a proclamation declaring May as the Asian Pacific American Heritage month and calling on all Americans “to honor the achievements and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans” to America He said that not only have Asian American helped strengthen the US economy, they have also “enrich(ed) our nation with their strong values of love, of family and of community.”

*** And for once, the Democratic National Committee joined in the observance by paying tribute to the contributions of Asian Americans Howard Dean, chair of the DNC, cited Asian American contributions “to our nation’s social, economic and cultural identity.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) also issued a statement in observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

*** Individual states and counties where there are big Asian and Filipino American populations have similarly issued their own proclamations and scheduled programs to mark the occasion.

*** National Asian groups such as the Organization of Chinese Americans, the Japanese and Korean American associations have scheduled their own individual activities in observance of this month. Their programs showcased their own contribution to the cultural fabric of America. One local Filipino American civic group is actively participating in the Washington D.C. celebration by sending its own dance group to perform in “Fiesta Asia.”

*** It is therefore fitting that the Philippine Festival Committee has decided to make “Celebrating America’s Many Cultures” as the theme for the June celebration of Philippine independence. As a PFC chair puts it, “the Filipino culture contributes immensely to this mix...” Indeed, the month-long festival will give Americans a chance to savor and view Filipino culture at its best.

*** Let’s make the Philippine festival a part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.