I put together a list of activities and accomplishments that I have completed over the past ten years. It is by no means comprehensive, but it really helped to boost myconfidence. I do not feel that I have done a whole lot, but to actually compile them on paper provided me a new perspective.

Another part of perspective is being able to expose yourself to different cultures. I went to see Phantom of the Opera tonight, for the second time ever. It was a really good show and I am glad that I was able to see it again.

Somehow I fit it into a day of work, school, a memorial service for a deceased veterano, getting dinner ready for lola, and then headed to the theatre. While certainly not my typical day, I can not help but feel like every day is busy for me. I consider myself pretty adept at time management, and this skill allows me to take care of a lot. Like people say, work smarter, not harder.

Yet something that I always keep in mind is that when I am on my deathbed, I am not going to wish that I had spent more time in the office. I am certain that I will wish that I spent more time with family. When I got home, I spoke to lola for a little bit. It was a good night for her and we conversed about my uncle and his upcoming retirement from work after years of dedicated service to Pride Industries. She seemed to be very proud of him, and she said that he was really excited about retiring. Although he can cause me frustration sometimes, he means well and I wish him the best and hope that everything falls into place for him.

Certain events can turn one's reality upside-down and inside-out. For me, one event was when I found out that my biological father was still alive, and not deceased as my family had told me for my entire life prior to that day. Another was when my mother passed away.

The break-in has had a similar effect on me, although not to the same degree. I do not feel as comfortable at home and I am wary to venture far away from it, for fear of the perpetrators coming back. My hope is that whoever took part in this event realizes the error of their ways and stops.

I took photos of the damage done to the home and did some research. It turns out that two other burglaries took place on the street behind mine within the last two months. I filed a police report, and while there are few leads to catch anyone, I requested additional patrol in the area. With any luck, my request will be fulfilled.

It is important to know one's rights and resources. While there are many reasons to be critical of law enforcement, a partnership with them can become an effective relationship. I personally plan to share my police report with my neighbors so that they can take any additional precautions with their homes and families. This is the world that we live in.

I have been pondering recently what the biggest issue facing the Filipino American community is. While highly complicated, I believe that our national voices, politically, socially, and economically, are not loud enough. We have not asserted ourselves in these areas to the degree that we can. One voice complements and supports another. However, I believe that our social voice is the natural place to start.

In the 1920s, the Filipino American voice of Seattle, Washington was grounded in its writing and journalism. One name in particular stands out: Victorio Velasco. The articles and papers that he wrote and published were useful in analyzing current events and politics. A hero, he deserves to be recognized more prominently.

Living by my rules can be quite hard. I have what some have called unreasonable expectations, of others, but especially of myself. I do not know if I am an alpha male, an A personality, a shark, a dolphin, an urchin, or a whale, but I do know that I am in a constant state of productivity. That includes down time that I take to rejuvenate and replenish my soul.

I am also a strong believer in karma, that what goes around comes around, and that we get in life exactly what we are. When things are good, it is easy to have those sort of values. However, when something goes wrong it is not as easy to swallow.

I received a call at 3:00 p.m. today from my uncle who said that someone had gotten into the home. They had broken the window above our kitchen sink and gotten in the house. I went home right away and checked on lola and our possessions, especially the ones with sentimental value. Fortunately, lola is fine and I have not noticed anything missing yet.

My calendar is cleared for the weekend now, because of the paranoia that I have about the safety of my home. When one does not feel safe in their own home, where can they feel safe? Maybe it is time that I take more precautions because they seem more necessary than ever.

I am currently watching America's Invisible Children: The Homeless Education Crisis in America, about homeless children. It highlights the situation of 1.3 million homeless children America. Even one homeless child is one too many, especially in a nation as rich as ours. When there are individuals that are worth billions, it just does not make a whole lot of sense. You can learn more about the issue on the America's Invisible Children Web site at http://www.americasinvisiblechildren.com/.

My lola received a Mother's Day card today from her youngest daughter, Marina. My lola was so happy. She opened the card, read it aloud, made the comment, "She is very good to me," closed the card, and put the card back in its envelope. Tears of joy came from her eyes and she wiped them. Then she opened the card again, read it aloud, and smiled. It was touching to see her so happy and it felt good to witness the event. Lola kept on telling me, "She is very good to me."

It makes me think about how much my lola must have missed her, coming to America to take care of me. My mom and Marina were half-sisters, and so far apart in age that they did not live together very long. My mom came to America in the 70s and petitioned my lola in the late 70s. My mom also petitioned my Uncle Dominador and my auntie Marina, her husband, and their three kids in 1993. They lived with us for a little while and then moved to Guam where they currently reside.

My lola and I saw my Auntie Marina in 2006 when we were all back in the Philippines, in a bitter-sweet reunion of sorts. My lola was still in pain from the compression fracture in her spine, and Auntie Marina and I were both worried about what the best course of action would be as far as her health and well-being were concerned. She flew from Guam and lola and I from San Francisco so that we could discuss what to do. We also worked worked on some estate planning with lola so that everything would be accounted for.

Despite our limited interactions with one another, there is no doubt that we are connected. We come from a small family and we have to stick together. That is what families do. They stick together, through the good and the bad. Family includes those you go to when you are in trouble, the first people you call to give good news, and the group that cares about you sometimes more than yourself.

At the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Sacramento-Delta Chapter Meeting, I met and spoke with the first Filipino American teacher in Sacramento, Josie Paular. She worked in the Sacramento City Unified School District, initially teaching grade four and transitioning to special education. Her career lasted thirty-two years and she was still inspiring and teaching me with her words. It must be true that once you are a teacher, you are always a teacher. I hope to keep in touch with her and write some memoirs of her to inspire future generations of teachers of Filipino descent.

Statewide, 4,178, or 1.4 percent, of public school teachers identified themselves as Filipino in the 2006-07 school year. 3,083 were female and 1,095 were male. In Sacramento County, there were 100, or 0.8 percent (72 female, 28 male). In Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD), 47 (33 female, 14 male), or 1.5 percent. At my alma mater, Valley High School (VHS), there was one female teacher (1.2 percent).

Compared to students, 165,480, or 2.6 percent, identify themselves as Filipino statewide. In Sacramento County, that number is 6,436, or 2.7 percent. At EGUSD and VHS, the numbers are 3,283 (5.3 percent) and 75 (4.3 percent), respectively.

I do believe that our teachers should be as diverse or more diverse than the community it serves. However, I am not saying that only Filipino teachers can effectively teach Filipino students, as some people have accused me of doing. Students do need to see role models, and having them in a school setting can be very empowering.

We lost Manong Nicholas on May 1, 2008. He was a Veterano that had gone back to the Philippines in 1998. He had come back to California from the Philippines five days prior, April 25, in hopes of finally getting full equity. Yet there is an investigation because of a suspicious head injury that he had suffered. After serving in the war, fighting for American ideals, then for more than sixty years for recognition for that effort, he was possibly felled by an attacker in the home where he was staying. At least he has a granddaughter in San Diego. Many veteranos do not have family in America.

The veteranos that told me about Manong Nicholas said that only two students went to their Veterano meeting on May 3, 2008. I tried to explain that there was a big conflicting event, but I could tell that they were troubled. They said that attendance was low because the veteranos had no rides. Students usually provide them rides to these meetings. I really take it to heart when they make a plea to me. For all that they have done, I owe them at least my best effort.

A few tidbits I learned about the name Roy:

1. English (of Norman origin): variant of Ray 1, cognate of.

2. French: from Old French rey, roy 'king' (from Latin rex, genitive regis), a nickname for someone who lived in a regal fashion or who had earned this title in some contest of skill or by presiding over festivities.

3. Indian (Bengal) and Bangladeshi: variant of Ral.

4. Scottish: nickname for a person with red hear, from Gaelic ruadh 'red'.

In 1920, two Filipinos reported in the U.S. Census with the surname Roy.

I am often asked, "Are Filipinos Asian or Pacific Islander?" Recently, I discovered a group that says the Philippines is part of southeast Asia. Ultimately, my personal use of the terms are for specific circumstances.

In recognizing that the Philippines is part of the Asian continent, I can use Asian. Historically, many Chinese and Japanese individuals traded, and settled in the Philippines. Asian Indians also share in the trading patterns. Our ancient script of the Baybayin has much in common with the script of India as well. Many of our customs are blends of this rich exchange.

If one thinks about the Philippines being an archipelago of islands in the Pacific Ocean, I can use Pacific Islander. Our textiles and trival tattoos have much in common with Polynesian patterns. Our music, like our brass gongs, including the gangsa and the kulintang, are very similar to ones used in Indonesia. Our traditional clothing also has much in common with the islands of Java. We look and speak like Indonesians and Malaysians. 

Politically, the terms Asian Pacific Islander (API), Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA), or Asian Pacific American (APA) have been used to unite the two groups into one political bloc here in America. However, in some very unique instances, like for the sake of allocating affirmative action resources, Filipinos asked to be excluded from the Asian, Pacific Islander, API/APIA/APA groups.

The Philippines, as a uniquely Christian Asian nation, and conquered by Spain for hundreds of years, also has a strong mix of Spanish influence, which causes some people to also exclude Filipinos from Asian or Pacific Islander groups.

The argument that the Philippines is a part of Southeast Asia is one of not only geography, but of a similar colonial history that is, arguably, not shared with China and Japan.

Much more needs to be discovered and analyzed to come to a definitive conclusion. I also acknowledge the existence of the likely possibility that there is no one answer. Filipinos are what they are, for better or for worse. It is important to recognize what those variable and unique origins are and to use that knowledge of those origins to springboard our community into a better future.

While we discuss among our own peers where Filipinos should be classified, the rest of the country is unaware of the differing opinions and place us in a position, for better or worse. To that end, I quote Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who mentioned Filipino World War II veterans in her acknowledgement of APA Heritage Month.

Speaker Pelosi released the following statement in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:

“As May begins, we again celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions, reflecting upon the history, and embracing the diverse cultures of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the nation. 

“The theme for this year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, ‘Building Today for Tomorrow,’ is fitting because what we do today will affect our nation tomorrow.  I am proud to represent the 8th district of California, home to a diverse AAPI constituency that knows what it takes to build a better tomorrow.

“Building a foundation for tomorrow requires a vibrant and strong economy.  And with our economy in the midst of a slowdown, the AAPI community and their small business leaders have a crucial role to play in our efforts to create new jobs and strengthen the middle class.  AAPI small businesses are growing rapidly, representing a wide range of industries across our country.  Democrats recognize that more needs to be done to improve services to minority-owned businesses and are committed to ensuring that the American dream is accessible to all. 

“As this Congress continues to honor our veterans who have sacrificed their lives and families for the freedoms our nation is built upon, we are reminded of the Filipino World War II veterans who proudly wore our nation’s uniform on the battle field.  For many years have been fighting bravely for the recognition they deserve, and this month, as we should every day, we honor their sacrifice.

“While the month of May is dedicated to celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islanders, we must extend the recognition of their accomplishments to the entire year and beyond.  And as we build today for a brighter tomorrow, the relentless spirit and resolve of the AAPI community will be at the forefront of these efforts.”

The veterano issue has been one that has galvanized our community and that I encourage others to be involved in. Despite our various Pilipino origins, we share so much in common.

Of course, let me take this opportunity to share an analogy. It will involve some algebra, and the use of acronyms and Greek letters. Let x be a variable. X also can represent "chi" in the Greek alphabet. Also, thinking in the terms of acronyms, an appropriate letter to represent Philippine/Pilipino/Pinoy is the letter P, which also looks like the Greek letter "rho". Finally, we can repeat the same logic on the term origin and come up with  the letter O, which looks like the Greek letter "omicron". Putting it together, we have created Chi Rho Omicron, or XPO.

Those letters, and the fraternity that they symbolize, encompass more than what the media portrays about fraternities. I fight this stigma even with my close friends. It is an honorable fight that I do not regret. In fact, to be able to confidently say that we are not that stereotype is my badge of honor, and my claim to righteousness.

XPO does not claim to be perfect, but we do have an ideal for which we aspire, and goals that we achieve. The beauty is that we achieve them together, and are never alone.

I was talking to someone who mentioned that they wanted to gain a leadership position. However, they doubted themselves and asked for my opinion. I asked them why they needed my endorsement and they could not explain why. People need affirmation, but it can be dangerous if that is all that a person's worth is based from. We need to feel good about our own skills and abilities. We do not have to be certain, just optimistic and confident. That alone can put us on the path to success.

They mentioned that they did not feel that they had charisma. Maybe I do not know what charisma is, because I truly do not feel I have it. I have met others who I felt had it, and they would command a room with their presence. Their actions and words were captivating. When I would talk to others about what we had just witnessed, they felt the same sort of excitement. No, I do not feel like I have that, though I have tried to replicate it.

I still am not sure if it can be learned, or if it something that a person is born with. I sure hope that it is the former.