I am a lover of history and I learned some tips for doing research on Filipino American history at the National Archives in Washington D.C. At the National Archives, one can find a number of files about Filipino immigration to the U.S. and Hawaii, especially repatriation and exclusion, including some lists of folks who decided to return. These are located in Record Group 85, the files of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

There is a shuttle bus that goes between the National Archives in D.Cc and the satellite archives in Maryland on the hour, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. There, one can find the records of the Bureau of Insular Affairs, which are the papers of the American colonial administration. There are a number of files there, especially on pensionados and a box on Filipino immigration to the United States.

If anyone has relatives who served with the First and Second Filipino Infantry Regiments during World War II, one can find their enlistment records online by clicking on the Access to Archival Database Web page at  http://aad.archives.gov/aad/. Then click on World War II under "Wars/International Relations." Search under their last name. This is for your ancestor who joined the military here in the United States.

Now, if your ancestor served with the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) (joined in the Philippines) or in the Philippine Scouts, at College Park, they have the complete records of the USAFFE and USAFIP and the Philippine Scouts in the Philippines during World War II! Almost every USAFFE unit (which then became a guerrilla unit after US surrender) has some kind of record in their collection, which they call the Philippine Archive. With information from a bio one can find the records of their military unit. Most surprising is that these are not just bureaucratic lists typed by someone in Washington, DC after the war was over. The guerilla units kept rosters and payroll lists, complete with information about next of kin and pay, while hiding in the jungle. They kept their Underwood typewriters and paper with them and kept detailed records. In some cases, they wrote on any piece of paper they could find. These are typewritten, rapidly disintegrating, ORIGINAL rosters complete with signatures. They are records they kept while in the field, as they were engaged in combat. I am sure that if anyone had an ancestor who served in World War II in the Philippines, their name, signature, and possibly more information is available there. It can be very moving to find a relative's name, pay (probably 20 pesos), and youthful signatures (many guerilla fighters were only 18), and the name of their next of kin, in the brown, tattered pages contained in this file. It is tangible evidence of wartime stories made real. Please go and look before the paper falls apart and you have to do it via microfilm. There is something very emotional and poignant about physically touching the original document that an ancestor touched 65 years ago.

Eric Van Slander, researcher, and Rita Cacas, one of the only Filipinas at the National Archives, are great resources.

If you are interested in going to do research in the National Archives, try to find out everything you can about where your ancestor served (time, date, place, unit name, etc). It will pay off when you are there.

All that I am, and all that I ever will be, I owe to my mother.

As my first teacher, my mom taught me about patience, perseverance, and possibilities. A teacher in the Philippines, she worked here in America as a teller, a bilingual aide, and a preschool teacher. She managed to raise me on $14,000 annually. Either she hid her troubles well from me or I was too dense to notice.

She was my ultimate teacher, guide, and support. I still do not know how she did so much with so little. My own troubles seem small compared to the challenges she faced. It humbles me.

On The West Wing, President Bartlet said, "Decisions are made by those who show up." Although the show is fiction, the concept is not. Our entire system of government is based on this principle. If one does not go to vote, they are not involved in the decision-making process. Furthermore, individuals give up their right to influence reality by not showing up. Filipinos and Filipino Americans are often not present at the decision-making table. I am confident that nobody sensitive to Filipino and Filipino American perspectives were present in the creative process when on Desperate Housewives, Susan Mayer stated, "Before we go any further, can I check those diplomas? 'Cause I just want to make sure they're not from some med schools in the Philippines." Why refer the issue to the Philippines?

Although ABC producers already apologized for the "unfounded and disrespectful remark," the Filipino community's anger has not ebbed, knowing for a fact that many Filipinos have outstanding accomplishments when it comes to medical field practices across the United States. From what I understand, some Americans still view other races simply as idiots, whose mental faculties are not capable of rationalizing things, better than tamed dogs. Often times, the detection of an accent can spark this stereotypical opinion to surface. It is sad to note that racial discrimination often is wantonly mishandled and allowed to persist in the guise of free expression to hurt other cultures and those who have lesser in life, but whose brains are much better than those who take the courage of discriminating them.

So we must advocate for ourselves. I am driven by a Filipino proverb, "Walang tutulong Pilipino kundi kapwa Pilipino." Loosely translated, it means that nobody will help Filipinos except our fellow Filipinos. Before people attack me for having separatist views, I realize that we have allies that are not Filipino. This ultimately leads to the question of what is Filipino? This is a whole different entry on identity, which I may take on tomorrow. In a nutshell, one chooses their own identity and nobody has the authority to dictate otherwise.

Getting back on topic, one way that we advocate for ourselves is getting ourselves properly exposed in various media outlets. There are seven billion people on earth and over 500 million of them live in the United States. The media reaches out to and influences practically everyone. In a previous entry, I talked about how current media practices contribute to the "date-ability" of Asian Americans. One can take that a step further and look at the lack of exposure to Filipino Americans. We know Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, but many do not know Danny Inosanto. When Tia Carrere began her career, she was marketed as Hawaiian, and there was no mention of her Filipino heritage. Her managers specifically chose to hide that part of her identity. She ultimately decided to reclaim that heritage and we now see her working in and for our community as well as other worthy causes. Some people describe this lack of exposure as Filipinos being invisible. I think that Filipinos are not invisible, but hidden. We are covered up with a veil. There are many successful Filipinos in the world, but try to get them to take some public praise and they shy away from the idea. That's fine. Be humble, but take one for the team every now and then. Like Suze Orman, says, "You are not on sale." Demand and get exactly what you are really worth.  

Director Noel Izon is spearheading a project called Sandaan: The Filipino American Story, which will highlight the contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. It will lift that veil and reveal everything we have done, from contributing to California's agriculture industry to being personal caretakers of Christopher Reeve, President Bill Clinton, and President George Bush. Of course, Filipinos high participation in the military as well as nursing is something to be highlighted as well.

Sandaan will be produced with the intention of broadcasting it on Public Broadcasting Service stations across the country and hopefully it can be marketed for educational consumption as well. Be on the lookout, and if you would like to assist, we can use all the help we can obtain.

I can not explain the well of emotions that streamed from my eyes when I read this. It has been far, far too long and the work is not over yet.

Today history was made.

 

Burr's amendment was struck down (41 for / 56 against). Senate Bill 1325, which contains the Filipino Veterans Equity Act was passed 96 affirmative, 1 against (Vitter ­ R. LA) !!!!

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HELPING RESTORE TO FILIPINO WWII VETERANS THE U.S. VETERANS STATUS THEY HAVE SOUGHT FOR THE PAST 62 ­ YEARS.

 

We are so close to correcting the injustice for our Filipino veterans. We now turn our attention to Chairman Filner, Speaker Pelosi, and Congressmembers Honda and Issa to repeat this historic moment in the House of Representatives.

 

To the Veterans, this is your day! You fought for us so we continue to fight for you. You give us reason to do the right thing. Today, your cause was brought to light and we are on our way to correcting the injustice of the past. You have taught us that in the military, we leave no soldier behind.

 

So now at home, we continue that call and leave no veteran behind. Ito po ay para sa inyo, Mabuhay ang mga Fil Vets!

 

Thank you Senators Akaka, Inouye, and Reed--you are our heroes! Thanks also to the Senate staff members who worked so hard on this issue. It will not be forgotten. Thanks to our team on the hill that guided us to this point.

 

Thank you also to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and our many allies who fought by our side.

 

Equity for Filipino WWII Veterans! Mabuhay!

Friends,

The bill will move forward and debate will begin.  We expect contentious discussion about the bill.  Closer to the end of the week, the Senate will introduce another procedural vote to close the floor debate.  Given the controversy, this will be an even bigger vote. WE NEED EVERYONE'S EFFORT FOR THIS ENTIRE WEEK!

Q&A: WHY IT IS URGENT TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS NOW!!!

A Call to Action to All Those Who Believe in Justice & Equity for Veterans

The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 (S. 57) sponsored by Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka was incorporated in a bigger comprehensive bill entitled Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act  (S.1315). After 62 years of injustice, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 will give full recognition and corresponding benefits to all Filipino World War II if enacted into law. The omnibus/comprehensive bill S. 1315 is placed on Senate calendar for debate by full chamber beginning April 22, 2008.

2. What will happen on April 22, 2008?

Before the bill becomes a law, both the House of Representatives and Senate must vote in favor of the bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled S. 1315 for debate by full chamber on April 22, 2008 at 12:00 noon (EST).

3. What happens during a scheduled debate on the S. 1315?

If there are enough supporters for the bill, Senators attending the session may vote to close debate by invoking "cloture" which requires that the debate be ended by 60 Senators vote.

4. What happens if there is a cloture?

If there is a cloture, the debate will end and the bill will be voted upon and be approved by majority of the Senators (60) who attended the scheduled session for debate or vote.

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224.3121 or check the online directory at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt or log on to http://www.veteransequitycenter.org/legislative.htm to find list of Senators and their corresponding fax number and contact information.

6. What will we say to our Senators when we contact their office?

The message should be simple and clear: "I urge you to support  our Filipino World War II veterans and to vote in favor of S. 1315 Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act"

National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity

I came home and prepared dinner for my lola. As she ate, I cleaned up the vomit mess that was all over my lola's beddings. As soon as she was done, she went over to the restroom and proceeded to vomit on the floor. I am not sure what is wrong with her, but I hope that she gets better.

It is hard waking up each morning and wondering if she is still alive. To leave for work wondering if she dies without me by her side weakens me. To open the door after work and wonder if she is still breathing terrifies me. I do this every day, and I do not wish this situation on anyone.

I often wonder if I had been a nurse or a doctor, if I would have been better prepared for this and would be able to take better care of lola. In the end, that is all that we can do-our best. If we are honest with ourselves and truly give our very best effort to what we do, then we should be able to raise our heads with pride. In doing my best, I hope that it is enough.

The noise made by Lola's fall was loud enough to wake me from my sleep this morning at 4:00 a.m. She is now at the hospital and I feel powerless. I prayed, repeating a question that I have asked more and more often-why she was suffering the pain that has come along with her eighty-nine years. I prayed for her health and her recovery. My uncle never fails to remind me and has constantly told me since 2000 when my mom died, "All people will die." Maybe he thinks that it makes mortality easier, in some cathartic sort of way. 

What I want for my lola is that she have a painless death, like when a person dies in their sleep. One last breathe, and off into a better reality. Sadly, I hear of many elderly individuals dying after complications from a fall. This is actually the second time in two weeks and once again I am worried about my capability as a caretaker. It hurts me to see her uncomfortable and scared.

Some people believe that the world is getting worse and worse. Others believe that there is constant balance in the world at any given moment and across time. Yet others believe that the world improves as time goes on, some noting that armageddon must arrive before Love prevails. My faith tells me that this is true and right now, that is all that I have.