The Filipino Association for Health Careers (FAHC) from the University of California, Davis is having its annual Veterano Luncheon to honor Filipino World War II Veterans. They have rallied the support of several on-campus and off-campus organizations, including: Bayanihan Clinic; Chi Rho Omicron, Inc.; Mga Kapatid; Kappa Psi Epsilon; Filipinos in Liberal Arts and Humanities (FILAH); Bridge; Pilipino Americans in Science and Engineering (PASE); Golden State Lions Club; Maharlika Lions Club; and Rizal Lions Club.

All World War II Veterans and their family are invited to this post-Veterans Day and pre-Christmas celebration on December 6, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Greenfair Towers and Garden Apartments, Tower II, 702 Fairgrounds Drive, Sacramento, CA 95817. There will be food, games, gifts, and entertainment, as well as complimentary health screenings by the Bayanihan Clinic.

If you have any questions, or would like to donate food, care packages, or gifts, please contact Charlene Lumanlan, Community Service Chair, FAHC, at 925-640-8837 or by e-mail at cjlumanlan@ucdavis.edu; Ester Carrasco at 916-386-2716; Alberto Arcaya at 916-452-4294; or Bobby G. Roy, at 916-224-8244 or by e-mail at bobby.g.roy@gmail.com.

A familiar name and face appeared in an article by The San Francisco Chronicle at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/22/BANK140G28.DTL&type=education: Linda Darling-Hammond. She spoke at the Achievement Gap Summit that I worked last year. Her topic was opportunity gaps in education, and it made complete sense.

About her presentation, she wrote, "Gaps in academic achievement between low-income and minority students and their White and Asian counterparts persist in California and nationwide. Behind this evident gap are a multitude of less conspicuous gaps that must be addressed in order to improve learning for these students: gaps in teacher salaries, in the experience and qualifications of teachers and in other resources provided to schools. In addition, there are gaps in the extent to which engaging and culturally-connected learning opportunities are provided to students and in how schools are personalized in their design and supports. This presentation discusses these gaps and how student achievement can be improved by addressing them. It also presents data from a newly-released study of California high schools that succeed in graduating low-income students of color and sending nearly all of them to college."

There is a petition that she be chosen by President-elect Barack Obama on the Petition Online Web site at http://www.petitiononline.com/DHammond/petition.html.

Early in its young life, Max Restaurant was an upscale Cal-Asian fusion restaurant. It was with this persona that the restaurant in Sherman Oaks, CA was introduced to me. “We need a Filipino fine dining restaurant,” she said. That was it for me. I was intrigued.

When I had the chance to go to southern California, I made it a point to go to Max Restaurant, at 13355 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. It was an hour away, but the way the restaurant was described to me, I HAD to go. I made reservations for one (Yes, I was on my own) using OpenTable.com (I absolutely recommend it). My first choice of time was not available, so I settled on the only time available—5:30 p.m. It was a good sign; if the restaurant was booked for the entire evening, it must be good.

When I arrived for dinner, the host immediately seated me. I was expecting linen tablecloths and really expensive menu items. Apparently, Max had gone through a transformation this past summer. That was fine by me. I felt comfortable in the warm colors and the more casual setting. I do not dine out often, so I have a really skewed idea of what is inexpensive. Basically, I think everything is expensive.

I thought to myself, however, that if my friend said it was a good place, and I am never in southern California to dine, I should really make it a point to savor the experience. I felt like a food tourist. I even had my camera with me.

I began with a specialty cocktail: a Cosmopolitan Blush—Ketel One Vodka, Triple Sec, Guava Juice, Cranberry Juice, and Lime Juice. Great start. I then asked for a water, to which Laura responded that they only had the .75L bottles of San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water. Under normal circumstances, I would not get that water. Like the food tourist I was emulating, I went for it, and learned the beauty of the water—it serves to clean your palate so that you can savor each bite of your food. It was a good lesson to learn.

For starters, I planned to order the House Smoked Salmon Tartare, described as House Smoked Salmon, Ikura, Yuzu Cream Cheese, Chopped Egg, Herb Salad, and Croustades. Well, when my server, Laura, came out, she mentioned a dish of Shrimp with Mango Glaze. She said mango—I said yes. I was so impressed by the description of the food that I did not have a chance to write it down. Yet as impressed as I was with the description, the taste was so much better!

I had finished the Cosmopolitan Blush so I ordered a Yuzu Saketini. Did he just say “Sake-tini”? I sure did. It was chilled Shoju Sake, Yuzu Lime Juice, and a Dash of Simple Syrup. Just the right mix of Asian fusion.
I moved on to my entrée, which was the Applewood Smoked Baby Back Ribs Glazed in Tamarind-Guava Sauce, served with Sweet Corn, Squash, Edamame, and Succotash. I chose a side of asparagus and, of course, I had to get sticky rice, for the win. It sure was a winner.

I had gotten another saketini halfway through the entrée and was ready for dessert. It was an easy choice—Pear and Candied Squash Halo Halo, which the chef describes as “Filipino sundae with vanilla bean ice cream, caramel flan, coconut milk, classic halo halo jellies, and sweet nuts.” This was the best halo halo I had ever had—EVER. They did not skimp either. It was a good size. It was fulfilling.

By the time I had finished it was 8:30 p.m. The entire time I had great conversation with the people who sat at the adjacent table. The first individual was a retired teacher. He was in a hurry so we did not talk that much, although it was easy for me to compliment an individual that had devoted their whole career toward educating youth. Then a pair of women sat at the table, Monica and Tamara. The former was a reference librarian and the latter a financial advisor. They were so nice they even shared some of their pickled vegetables with me. We talked about education, government, finances, and relationships. I even got an investment tip. I took pictures of my food—they chuckled at my delight.

Another cool part was that the host, Toby, was from northern California. He graduated from Nevada Union High School and had worked for the Paragary Restaurant Group before relocating to southern California five years ago.
All the great company still was not enough to outshine the masterpieces of Owner and Chef Andre Guerrero. Born in the Philippines, he is the one behind all the Filipino-fusion foods. I have been talking about Max Restaurant for three weeks now and describe the selection as a mixture of Filipino foods with European flair (Pear and Candied Squash Halo Halo) and European foods with Filipino flair (Applewood Smoked Baby Back Ribs Glazed in Tamarind-Guava Sauce). It was so good that I even had to write about it. It is THAT good.

More than that however, is what Chef Guerrero represents. We all know how good Filipino food is. Great food is made by great chefs. Chef Guerrero is succeeding in a field where not enough Filipinos get the credit they deserve. In and through this article, I declare and offer well-deserved kudos to Chef Guerrero.

The next time I am in southern California, I plan to go to The Oinkster, another restaurant owned by Chef Guerrero, where the concept is slow fast food. If you have not heard of the slow food movement, look it up.
The next time you are in southern California, check out Max Restaurant. You will not be disappointed. You can find more information on the Max Restaurant Web site at http://maxrestaurant.com/Home.html.

On November 8, 2008, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Sacramento-Delta Chapter and the Sacramento Public Library hosted an author and artist showcase at the Sacramento Central Library. Entitled “Different Dreamers: An Afternoon with Filipino American Authors and Artists”, special guests included:

• Anita Bautista, freelance contributor to Filipinas Magazine and Asian Pacific American News and Review Newspaper
• Evangeline Canonizado Buell, author of Twenty-five Chickens and a Pig For a Bride and co-author of Filipinos in the East Bay
• Pamula Bulahan, photographer
• Stephanie Cruz, author of Delta and Dawn: Mother and Baby Whales’ Journey
• Peter Jamero, author of Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino American
• Oscar Penaranda, author of Seasons by the Bay and Full Deck (Joker’s Playing)
• Rizaline Raymundo, author of Tomorrow’s Memories

Each presenter talked about their works and read from their pieces to the standing-room only audience. Many shared their experiences growing up in America, as first generation individuals in Hawaii, or children of interracial marriages. Others focused on more universal themes of mother and child relationships or the beauty of the environment. Altogether, it was a great way to look at the multifaceted experiences of Filipino Americans.

The mission of FANHS is to promote understanding, education, enlightenment, appreciation, and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation, and dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States. Be on the lookout for other upcoming FANHS events.

Happy Veterans Day! As we honor those who have served, I encourage everyone to support full equity for the Filipino American World War II Veterans.

Even the joy associated with the election of Senator Barack Obama could not make up for the disappointment I felt when Proposition 8 passed. A friend pointed out how conservative all the Propositions were and how conservative California is. Keeping in mind the results of the last vote attempt to ban gay marriage, I knew that one side was working from a great disadvantage. As I wrote before, the discussion would not end. Social justice does not die from one electoral loss. In fact, social justice thrives on it. Losses like this one mobilizes people, as evidenced by the daily protests since the election.

I want to share with you a commentary by Keith Olbermann that is much more eloquent than anything that I could have said on the issue.

You can check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21xdFUp-vVU.

I acknowledge that this election was a historic one. Even those that claim that Thomas Jefferson and William Jefferson Clinton were the first Presidents with Black blood in them can not deny that while Presidents Jefferson and Clinton may have been part Black, they could pass for a White male. As much as I argue that race should not be used as a cultural determinant, more often than not, it is. I still stick to my guns though, that the election of a female would symbolize more equality than the election of a Black male. History indicates this as well. Blacks won the right to vote in 1870; females in 1920. Let us give ourselves no more than 50 years to get our first female president. I do not mean to take away any of the greatness of the election. The election of Barack Obama tells people that they can be whatever they want to be. I recall a few years ago saying that I did not think a Black president would be elected in my lifetime. It is with much exuberance that proclaim that I am so happy to be wrong.

A colleague of mine reminded me that tax-exempt organizations, including churches, are not allowed to campaign. However, many took the tithes of their members and supported a particular legislation. I wonder how this will play out.

In Colorado, voters reaffirmed affirmative action in their state, being the first state to do so. At the same tme, Nebraska banned affirmative action. California passed Proposition 209 in 1996, which had the same effect.

The political spectrum is all but smooth. We shall see how our elected officials handle all of the issues thrown their way. I certainly do not envy them for having all the responsibilities that they face. My only request is that they do a good job.

I am hearing of crucial conversations taking place all over the world about the definition of marriage, about the best candidate, about abortion, about energy, about resources, and about the future. In some instances, they end up perfectly. In other instances, they are destructive. In most cases, they are abandoned before understanding can be reached. They are not destructive, yet they are not fruitful. These abandoned conversations may result in a snag in the fabric of our relationships with one another.

I am a strong believer in crucial conversations, and the benefits of them when they are handled well. Crucial conversations can be events where we transcend the flaws of our reality and experience the greatness of our ideology. I realize that tomorrow's election, no matter the outcome of any of the races or ballot initiatives, will not end the debates we will have on the most appropriate action and how to proceed. What we will have are many more opportunities for other crucial conversations to handle well, poorly, or not at all.

I began the month after Filipino American History Month with a strong reminder that October is not the only month that one can teach and learn about Filipino American history. I attended the premier of the documentary Remembering Our Manongs, a documentary on early Filipino immigrants to California. The documentary was produced by The Filipino American National Historicl Society of Sonoma County with funding from the California Council for the Humanities.

It was an hourlong documentary film that told the stories of the earliest pioneer Filipino immigrants in Sonoma County. Filipino American immigrant history is vastly underrepresented in our educational curriculum and historical archives. It is essential that recent Filipino immigrants recognize the important path that was cleared for them by their predecessors.

The film featured interviews with manongs (Filipino community elders) and other key figures and explored the rich history of Filipino immigrants in Sonoma County in the first half of the twentieth century.

Most of the Filipinos who came to California in the early 1900s were farmworkers, including those who came as wards of the state when the United States took possession of the Philippines following the Philippine-American War. By the 1920s, about 100 of the early pioneers, most of them men, stayed because of Sonoma County’s abundance of year-round farm work. It was not an easy life.

Early pioneers were denied citizenship and the right to own property or set up businesses. They lived in labor camps on the various ranches and in rooming houses. Anti-miscegenation laws and the shortage of Filipino women caused many of the early manongs to stay single their entire lives.

Even after serving their country in World War I and World War II, they were never rewarded with citizenship. The few surviving Filipino Americans who served in those wars still await veterans’ benefits for their service.

With all these hardships, Sonoma’s Filipinos thrived, yet their history and contributions are largely forgotten.

This must-see documentary will be shown at two more events this month:

1. Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 1 to 4 p.m. - Sonoma County Office of Education, 5340 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
2. Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 1 to 4 p.m. - Finley Community Center, 2060 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.

Happy Halloween! I hope everyone received all the treats they wanted. A treat for me was that more than 900 middle and high schools participated in a mock election yesterday, and the results were posted today at http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/student_mock_election/student-mock-election-nov-2008/studentmockelection-nov-08-results.htm. The results were fairly telling. The mock election covered the presidential election and the 12 ballot measures in this upcoming election.

As expected, the Barack Obama and Joe Biden ticket  won in a landslide with 73.52% of the vote. I do not expect that margin to be as large in the real election, and in some demographics, I think the results will even be flipped.

Propositions 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12 passed, while 1A, 4, 6, 8, and 11 failed. Propositions 4 and 8 only failed with a 6.5% margin and 13.04% margin respectively. This tells me that morality and sexual identity is still very strongly influenced by caring adults and the home.

I think the exciting part of it is that these are all future voters and my hope is that they all come out strong when they vote in their first election.

Let me share with you my voter guide, which did not really align with how the mock election went:

• President and Vice President = Barack Obama and Joe Biden
• United States Representative - Congressional District 5 = Doris Matsui
• Member of the State Assembly - Assembly District 9 = Dave Jones
• Judge of the Superior Court Office No. 6 = Peter J. McBrien
• Judge of the Superior Court Office No. 13 = Marjorie Koller
• Judge of the Superior Court Office No. 16 = Kevin Culhane
• Elk Grove Unified School District - Governing Board Member Area 1 = Wiliam H. Lugg, Jr.
• City of Sacramento Mayor = Heather Fargo
• Florin Resource Conservation District = Elliot Mulberg and Bob Gray
• Proposition 1A = Yes
• Proposition 2 = Yes
• Proposition 3 = Yes
• Proposition 4 = No
• Proposition 5 = Yes
• Proposition 6 = No
• Proposition 7 = No
• Proposition 8 = No
• Proposition 9 = No
• Proposition 10 = No
• Proposition 11 = No
• Proposition 12 = Yes
• Measure M = Yes
• Measure O = Yes

I know that more people than ever are going to vote this election. I hope everyone does the necessary research on each race and votes responsibly.