Among the speakers at the Smithsonian Public Program of Filipino Americans in the Labor Movement and Activism are, from left, Franklin Odo, director of Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Program; panelists  Prof. Augusto Espiritu, Ms. Cindy Domingo, Bill Sorro, Tony Sarmiento and Gloria T. Caoile (moderator).

WASHINGTON D.C. – In a sweeping two hours, four experts on the history of Filipino Americans in Labor provided a panoramic glimpse of the struggles of a people who have toiled the fields of America and worked in the canneries of Alaska, and who have been involved in activism.  The public program held last April 14, was the second of six that is being presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program in conjunction with the Filipino American Centennial Commemoration this year and was a successful program providing the Mixed audience, information that is fresh and inspiring.

Speakers included Prof. Augusto Espiritu of the University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign.  He talked about luminaries in the struggle including Philip Vera Cruz, Larry Itliong and many others who paved the way to Better pay and living conditions. Cindy Domingo, a co-founder of the Bulosan Historical Project in Seattle focused on the Alaska salmon canning industry.
 Bill Sorro, an activist since his younger days fought to save the International Hotel and spoke about the long struggle to restore the building. Tony Sarmiento, president and executive director of Senior Service America is also a consumate labor leader. Washington, DC’s very own GloriaT. Caoile, served as emcee,  while Agos provided some musical entertainment.
The next centennial public program will be “A Salute to Filipino American Men and Women in the U.S. Military Services. “ It will be held on Friday, June 9, 2006 at 6:30 at the Lecture Hall of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
For information, please call Maurese Oteyza Owens, Centennial Coordinator, 703.606.8796 or e-mail: owensm@si.edu.
Earlier, the Smithsonian hamed ABS-CBN International National Media Sponsor for Filipino American Centennial Commemoration 2006-2010 ABS-CBN International is America’s number one source for Filipino entertainment and services. The Washington Post is also a media sponsor of the centennial celebration.
The Smithsonian said. ABS-CBN International’s generosity made it possible for the Smithsonian to conduct this country’s first major nationwide educational program to inform and educate the American public about the Filipino American experience, culture and contributions.