FilAm History Month: Remembering a heroic woman serving her country

By Allison Russell

National Park Service

Florence Eberling Smith Finch was a Filipino American woman who stood up for her convictions in the face of overwhelming odds. 

She aided United States military intelligence and the Philippine resistance movement during World War II. She provided supplies to prisoners of war (POWs) in Manila when the Japanese occupied the island, and she survived arrest and interrogation. Upon her release in October 1944, she joined the US Coast Guard. Her efforts broke barriers for Asian American women in the armed forces.

“She displayed outstanding courage and marked resourcefulness in providing vitally needed food, medicine and supplies for American Prisoners of War and internees, and in sabotaging Japanese stocks of critical items … constantly [risking] her life in secretly furnishing money and clothing to American Prisoners of War and carrying communications for them.” said Lt. Col. Edward C. Engelhart in his commendation for Florence Finch to receive the Medal of Freedom. [1]

Early Life in the Philippines

Finch was born Loring May Ebersole in Santiago, in the Isabela Province of the Philippines in 1915. Her mother was Filipina. Her father was a white US Army veteran who had fought in the American takeover of the island during the Spanish-American War. She attended a boarding school for mixed-race girls and the school gave her the name Florence.

Her first job was as the assistant business manager at the Army/Navy YMCA, where she met her first husband, Chief Electrician’s Mate Charles Smith. The couple married in August 1941, before the US entered World War II. When the war started, Smith deployed on a patrol torpedo (PT) boat to defend the Philippines from Japanese invasion.

FYI: Leaern more about Filipino Americans, their history, the heroes and accomplishments and how they fought for dignity, equality and justice.

Shortly after meeting Smith, Finch transferred to a new job in US Army Intelligence. Finch assisted Major (later Lt. Colonel) Edward C. Engelhart, the second in command at G-2, or Intelligence, branch of US Army Headquarters in the Philippines. When the US government evacuated Army Intelligence staff from Manila to protect them from Japanese invaders, Finch stayed behind to care for her 16-year-old sister. Manila fell to the Japanese in January 1942. The Japanese rounded up American and British residents and put them in internment camps [2]. Finch used her Filipino citizenship to avoid arrest.

Her husband, Charles Smith, died in combat in February of 1942 during the Japanese invasion of the Bataan Peninsula.

Resistance and Capture

During the Japanese occupation, Finch resisted in two important ways. She worked for the Japanese-controlled Philippine Liquid Fuel Distribution Union. Because of her secretarial skills, she oversaw writing names on fuel ration cards. During this time, she wrote fake names for the Filipino resistance on the cards. Members of the resistance could use the cards to get necessary food and other supplies without revealing their identities to Japanese officials. Historians now estimate that she sent as much as 250 gallons of fuel a week to the Filipino resistance [3].

Finch also helped American and British POWs. When the Japanese captured her former supervisor, Lt. Col. Engelhart, he got word to her about the conditions of the prisoners in Bilibid Prison and Santo Tomas camps. Finch helped smuggle food and medicine to the prisoners, often using proceeds from the stolen fuel. She also did other things to help make their lives more comfortable, like providing clean laundry.

The Japanese arrested Florence Finch in October of 1944. They interrogated and tortured her. Finch was imprisoned first in Bilibid and then in Mandaluyong Women's Prison. When American forces liberated the prison in February 1945, Finch weighed under 85 pounds. She did not give up any information to the Japanese military.

Florence Finch rarely spoke about her time in World War II. Her friends and neighbors in Ithaca, NY never knew about her heroism until the Coast Guard named a building in Hawaii in her honor in 1995.

Becoming a SPAR

Finch traveled to the US mainland on a Coast Guard transport. She moved to her father’s hometown of Buffalo, New York. Still hoping to help the war effort, she enlisted in the US Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS) program in July 1945. Later, Finch said she had never heard of the Coast Guard before but wanted to “avenge the death of her husband.” [4] She was one of the first Asian American women to enlist as a Spar. World War II ended shortly after she joined the Coast Guard.

Legacy

Florence Finch was the first woman to earn the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon. In 1947, based on reports from former US POWs, President Harry S. Truman awarded her the Medal of Freedom.

“I feel very humble because my activities in the war effort were trivial compared with those of people who gave their lives for their country.” –Florence Ebersole Smith Finch [5]

When the war ended, she stayed in New York City as part of the SPARS. There she met her second husband, Robert Finch. They moved to Ithaca, New York, where Finch was an administrative secretary at Cornell University. She had two children.

In 1995, the Coast Guard named the administration building at the Coast Guard Base in Honolulu after her and a Fast Response Cutter in her honor in 2022.

Finch died in Ithaca, New York in 2016 at age 101.

About thte Author: his article was written by Alison Russell, a Consulting Historian with the Cultural Resource Office of Interpretation and Education and funded by the National Council on Public History's cooperative agreement with the National Park Service.

Filipino American quarterback makes history in the NFL

 

BROWNS

The Cleveland Browns gave Dillon Gabriel his first NFL start Sunday.

Dillon Gabriel finished his first professional football game completing 19 of 33 passing attempts for 190 yards and two Cleveland Browns' touchdowns, with his longest completion of the day for 22 yards.

Despite a respectable performance for the highly touted rookie out of Hawaii via the University of Oregon, the Browns lost to the tough defense of the Minnesota Vikings in London, 21-17.

"A lot of positives," said head coach Kevin Stefanski of Gabriel's performance. 
"Obviously, he can always better, and certainly we as an offense have to get better and score more to help this football team." 

Gabriel, 24, made his first pro-start during Filipino American History Month as he became only the second Filiipino American starting quarterback in the National Football League. The late Roman Gabriel, no relation, of the Los Angeles Rams and who was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1969.

Dillon Gabriel, whose mixed racial heritage includes Native Hawaiian and Filipino, was starting because of the declining performance of Joe Flacco, the Brown's starting quarterback, who led the team to a disappointing 1-3 record before the Brown's gave the ball to Gabriel.

Despite the loss, Gabriel's first game in his position highlighted positives in which they can build on moving forward.

What impressed the coaches and onlookers was his composure and he didn't turn the ball over despite the Vikings blitz-heavy defense.

"For a young player in that environment versus that defense to take care of the ball, make the plays he made, I thought was a lot of positives with plenty to clean up," said Stefanski. "And that's what he will do. And that's the mentality he has, certainly to be a player that continues to get better week in and week out."

As he prepares the Pittsburgh Steelers next week on the road, Gabriel is taking the lessons he learned from his first start with him.

"I think there's always something to build on," Gabriel said. "No moral victories whatsoever, but I think regardless of result, week to week, there's a process. And the more time you spend around anyone, you're going to get more continuity. That's key with your receiver, that's key with your running back, that's key as a whole unit coming together really and getting comfortable with our unit."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

• 
  

Filipino American History 101 being offered via Zoom, Oct. 7-8

For those interested in the history of Filipino Americans, this 2-day event is a good introduction to the  history of the third largest Asian community in the United States.

The online Zoom offering by the Filipino American History National Society this coming weekend, Oct. 7 and 8, is is being hosted by FAHNS co-founder Dorothy Cordova and journalist Emil Guillermo.

        FYI: 1898 is the theme of this year's Filipino American History Month.

There's no better time for anyone interested in knowing more about the complex relationship between the United States and the Philippines and the often overlooked  events that continue to affect Filipino Americans.

2023 marks the 125th Anniversary of the end of the Spanish American War and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898. The latter event made the Philippine Islands an American colony and Filipinos became American “nationals” who could come here without passports – if their boat passage was paid. 

Participants can learn Filipino American history by the makers of this history with story tellers sharing family stories of why and when they came and interesting vignettes of parents or themselves.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.

Filipino American History Month: 1898 was a wathershed year for the Philippines and Filipino America

Filipinos were excluded from the Treaty of Paris that which Spain ceded the Philippines to he US.

Filipino American history did not begin well 125 years ago. It began with an act of betrayal.

The significance of 1898 is the theme of this year's Filipino American History Month. That year the US and Spain schemed behind the Philippines began with an act of betrayal and blatant racism by excluding the Filipinos in the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

The year of 1898 is a "watershed year for both the Philippines and the United States," states the Filipino American National History Society, which lobbied for making October Filipino American History Month since it was the month in 1587 when the first Filipinos set foot in the US as crew of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza.

Careful not to use the words "celebrate" or "commemorate, in their statement, the FANHS, recognizes that "this history was integral to our trajectories as Filipino Americans, and we encourage critical thinking about the impact of 1898 specifically, and American colonialism generally, in our lives," as Filipino Americans.

For a measly $20 million, the agreement between Spain and the United States ended the Spanish American War and led to the US annexation of the Philippines as part of the American empire along with Puerto Rico and Guam. Cuba was also granted independence from Spain.

The year 1898 also marks an important year in Philippine history. After centuries of Filipinos fighting against Spanish colonizers – with the most successful uprising being the Philippine Revolution (1896-1898) – the people of the Philippines declared their independence on June 12, 1898. 

Filipinos were militariily successful against Spanish forces and were on the verge of capturing Manila, the last Spanish stronghold, when the US declared war against Spain. The Spanish colonial government preferred to surrender to the American naval forces that had just decimated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. To accomplish this, the US an Spain stagd a mock battle in which Spain was "defeated" by US Marines, even as Filipino revolutionaries were kept on the sidelines outside the city.

However, both Spain and the US ignored the Filipinos' declaration of independence  and signed the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 – without including any representation from the Philippines in the negotiation. In fact, Filipino diplomat Felipe Agoncillo traveled to Paris but was not allowed into the negotiating room.

Because the Treaty of Paris meant transferring control of the archipelago from one colonial power to another – completely ignoring the efforts of the Philippine Revolution – Philippine insurrectionists continued to fight the US, unsuccessfully, in what would later be referred to as the Philippine American War. This uprising is historically documented as transpiring from 1899-1902, though regional efforts (like the Battle of Bud Bagsak) endured until 1913. The Philippines did not become a fully independent nation until the end of World War II in 1946.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

American media actively encouraged American imperialism as an act of "benvolenct assimilation" as this cartoon from "Puck" Magazine depicted.

US President William McKinley justified the colonization of the Philippines as an exercise in “benevolent assimilation” – or the notion that the nation was in need of civilization and that it was the American government’s responsibility to colonize its people. William Taft (who served as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1901-1904 and later as President of the U.S. from 1909-1913) referred to the Philippines as their “little brown brothers”, and American propaganda portrayed the Philippines and other colonized nations as children in need of being saved.

Birth of Filipino America

As a result of the Treaty of Paris, Filipino people gained access to the US during an era when other Asian countries were prohibited from doing so, said FANHS in a statement.

First, while federal immigration laws severely restricted the immigration of people from Asian countries from 1882 to 1965, Filipino migrants were considered US Nationals – allowing them to migrate to the US (and its territories) without restrictions. This made them an attractive (and cheap) labor force to American agricultural corporations in Hawai’i and the west coast of the United States.

Second, the Pensionado Act of 1903 also allowed for many pensionados (or Filipino students) to attend prestigious American universities between 1903 and 1943; while many students returned to the Philippines to apply their degrees in the new infrastructures created by the US government, some pensionados settled in the US.

Third, American curricula and educational systems were introduced to the Philippines, resulting in English proficiency among its citizens and the recruitment of Filipino nurses, teachers, and other professionals to the US. Finally,

Additionally, Filipinos were also encouraged to enlist in the US military – especially the US Navy – creating pathways to citizenship for thousands of Filipino families.

FYI: You can click here, or visit on Instagram for more information.

How to mark 1898

Focusing on this year's theme on the significance of 1898 in Philippine and US history, FAHNS suggests possible activities to consider for Filipino American History Month:

Engage in “Filipina/x/o American imaginations” regarding 1898. Speculate what life would be like if US colonialism never occurred in the Philippines, in Hawai`i, and in the United States. Would your family have migrated to the US? What would the Philippines be like without this history? What would the Filipino American community be like today without this history?

Conduct and share oral histories that highlight how 1898 affected people’s life trajectories. For instance, how did immigrants make the decision to come to the US and how might their motives have been influenced by American colonialism and capitalism? How were specific regions influenced differently by 1898?

Have a critical discussion of what the Philippines and Filipinos have gained and lost since 1898. Given the American influence on the Philippine government, education system, language, business practices, military, food, sports, visual arts, performing arts, and others, were there any benefits of benevolent assimilation?

Curate panels that analyze how other ethnic groups (e.g., Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Chamorros, Native Hawaiians) were affected by 1898. Critically discuss the similarities and differences between the historical influences and ramifications on the groups.

Read and analyze the text of the 1898 Treaty of Paris, as well as President McKinley’s Benevolent Assimilation proclamation. Describe how these documents influenced the American government – particularly related to systemic racism and other foreign policies.

Host screenings of Nurse Unseen, Delano Manongs, Lingua Franca, or other films that depict the diverse reasons for migration from the Philippines, and how American colonialism influenced these motivations.

Watch Here Lies Love on Broadway (the first Broadway show with an all-Filipino cast) or other media depicting anti-martial law movements. Discuss how American colonialism influenced political corruption in the Philippines and beyond.

Read U.S. propaganda from 1898 and beyond. For example, consider political cartoons from Harper’s Weekly or Rudyard Kipling’s “White Man’s Burden” and anti-imperial works like Mark Twain’s “The War Prayer.” 

Discuss the influence of this media on people’s justification of colonialism and stereotypes of Filipino people. Explore how such depictions may have influenced colonial mentality for Filipino Americans – back then and even today.

With the recent public threats to ban Ethnic Studies and to challenge Critical Race Theory, the month could be used to advocate for more accurate inclusion of Philippine and Filipino American history into higher education and K-12 schools. Both educators and students can question why Philippine-American relations are often erased when they are so integral to US History. Relatedly, advocates can reflect on ways to advocate for an increased formalized Filipino American curriculum. For example, the state of Hawai’i and the city of Seattle have recently passed legislation that includes Filipino American Studies classes as required courses in high schools. Perhaps other cities and states can follow suit as a way to promote and preserve Filipino American history.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.

#FAHM2022 Jessica Hagedorn: Focusing on cultural representation can limit your humanity

Filipino American writer Jessica Hagedorn

By IVAN NATIVIDAD

BERKELEY NEWS

REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

In mainstream media, art and literature, there is a lack of Filipinx American representation and recognition. But Filipina American writer Jessica Hagedorn says that artists who make their work solely about their own culture and history are placing themselves into institutional “niches” that “limit your humanity.”

Hagedorn’s literature, which spans nearly 50 years, is featured in an online Bancroft Library exhibit released Wednesday, and centers on Philippine and Filipinx American histories. Her archives include drafts and notes from her work as a novelist, poet and playwright, public relations material and correspondence dating back to 1976.

Berkeley’s Ethnic Studies Library also has an in-person exhibit — “An Unfinished Revolution: Transnational Filipinx Activism in the 1970s” — that will be displayed at the library through the end of October to honor Filipinx American History Month.

Born in Manila, Hagedorn moved to San Francisco in 1963 when she was 14. Her writing examines the influence of American imperialism and pop culture on the development of Asian American and Filipinx American identity. Hagedorn’s many honors include the 2021 Rome Prize for Literature, a Guggenheim Fiction Fellowship and a Philippine National Book Award.

Her award-winning book, Dogeaters, was published in 1990 and captured life in the Philippines during the Ferdinand Marcos era of martial law. The novel won the American Book Award and has been adapted for the stage and performed at venues across the country.

Berkeley News spoke with Hagedorn recently about the time she spent as a “young activist writer” in the Bay Area, and how writers can break through the identity niches that institutions have placed them in.

Berkeley News: The Berkeley campus will celebrate and acknowledge Filipinx American History Month this year. Are these “identity month” recognitions important to acknowledge?

Jessica Hagedorn: Yes, I think they are for students of color. But why has it taken so long for UC Berkeley to celebrate and acknowledge Filipino Americans? Kinda ironic.

I’m friends with many distinguished Filipino scholars and artists who came out of Berkeley, and it’s very discouraging to me to hear that this recognition is just happening now after all this time. I don’t even think many people at Berkeley know that my archives are in their library and have been for years.

Do you think the accomplishments and influence of Philippine literature and Filipinx American writers often get ignored by institutions?

Yes. I think that’s why I try to be vocal and public about this situation, because I feel like I’ve had the privilege of having a bigger platform.

Charlie Chan Is Dead, an anthology of contemporary Asian American fiction, which I edited and was first published by Penguin in 1990, featured pioneering Filipino writers like Bienvenido Santos and N.V.M. Gonzalez, alongside young writers like Gina Apostol and R. Zamora Linmark.

We’ve been around a long time!

There are a lot of literary institutions that have awarded funding to writers, including yourself, to help them continue to produce literature. Would it also help if writers from the Filipinx American community got more of that financial pie?

Having support is crucial. We all need money to live and continue to make our art. And sometimes these prizes and awards can be a sort of validation.

But money and prizes don’t mean that the work you produce is going to be any good. Sometimes those accolades actually get in the way. The lean times are often when the good stuff happens. So, let’s not get fixated on fame and money.

Dogeaters was adapted for the stage in 1998. This swag shows the face of former first lady of the Philippines, Imedla Marcos, whom a character was loosely based. (Courtesy of UC Berkeley Bancroft Library)

Write like you’re on fire, be fearless, dream and explore.

Some of your writing reflects on specific moments in Philippine history. Is it important for Filipinx/Filpinx American storytellers to focus on Philippine culture and history in their work?

No. You should feel free to write whatever you want to write.

We don’t make art to represent. That has to happen organically. Filipinos are not a monolith. Humans aren’t a monolith. We all have different experiences and need to write across the different identities we hold. As artists, we should be free to write about a wide range of complicated characters and subjects.

Don’t limit yourself to only what you know. But definitely do your homework! Being a writer is hard work.

So, in a sense, are you saying that focusing solely on your identity and/or cultural history can limit your imagination and creativity?

That depends. It can limit not just those things, but it can limit your humanity. And that’s something Gina Apostol and I hope to talk about at this event on Wednesday.

How are history and memory and literature connected? How do different writers deal with these complicated topics? Is everything political? What is our role in the world?

Hagedorn was featured in this Kearny Street Workshop/Balay virtual histories series that explores the cultural impact of the Filipinx and Asian American arts activism community in San Francisco.

Those are questions that many students at Berkeley may be asking themselves at this point in their lives, as well. What is your advice to them?

When I was a young activist writer in the Bay Area, I thought I had all the answers. Sometimes I was right, and a lot of times I was just plain ignorant and wrong. There were a few positive things that came from my impatience, energy and anger: I dared to do things with my artistic comrades that hadn’t been done before.

We came together in writing collectives to make books because most writers of color were not being published at the time. We didn’t know how to publish, but we learned how to do it guerrilla-style. We organized readings, performances and concerts, made posters and came out to support each other big-time.

We brought the noise. And got it done.

It all boils down to that old cliche: believe in yourself. Trust in your creative vision and the power of your distinct writer’s voice.

Originally published by Berkeley News.

Alaska recognizes contributions of J-1 visa teachers from the Philippines

Benedict Cabasal, one of the teachers recruited from the Philippines, is a special education teacher at West Valley High School in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Besides providing the world thousands of nurses, the Philippines is also helping address the teacher shortage in the United States.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy is the first American governor to acknowledge the contributions of teachers brought into the U.S. to teach in the nation's classrooms

The Republican governor met with local Filipino teachers from different Alaska school districts in honor of Filipino History Month. Alaska is home to more than 30,000 Filipino Americans – who are the largest Asian American groups in the state, according to the 2020 Census.

When Alaska was faced with the national teacher shortage due to the pandemic, many school districts in Alaska were scrambling to fill the gaps in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 100 Filipino teachers arrived in Alaska to fill those roles in our state’s school district.

“We appreciate you all coming over here to teach,” Dunleavy to the group. “Teaching has its challenges, even in the Philippines, but then you come to America and there’s a new set of challenges with some different cultural aspects. For some of you who are teaching in rural Alaska, you are faced with an entirely different culture from your own. We recognize that this was not an easy decision to make, but we thank you for coming here and teaching Alaska’s youth.”

The meet and greet took place at the Atwood Building in Anchorage where Governor Dunleavy thanked the teachers for their dedication and sacrifice in leaving their hometowns to teach in Alaska. There were teachers from Tudor Elementary, Ptarmigan Elementary School, Willard L Bowman Elementary, Lower Yukon School District, Lake Otis Elementary School and the Kake City school district. Also in attendance was the Philippine Honorary Consul Rebecca Carrillo and Deputy Commissioner Nelson San Juan from the Department of Labor.

Before being elected, Dunleavy spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities working as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

After commending the group for their work, he posed a question to the group about why they wanted to teach in Alaska.

Cely Labadan, a teacher from the Kake City School District in Southeast Alaska, said that “teaching is a matter of passion and something that you do in your heart. No matter where you go, it’s a passion.”

The practice of importing foreign teachers have been happening for years as fewer  college students choose teaching as a career. It has becoming more difficult fo school districts in rural areas and poor communities to hire teachers, especially io teach science and math. The Philippines has proven to be a rich source of experienced instructors.

Those teachers would have served some of America’s most vulnerable kids, administrators say. “Eighty-eight of the teachers that we had offered jobs to are special education teachers, which is a critical shortage, not only in Nevada, but nationally,” said Jesus Jara, superintendent of the Nevada's Clark County School District.

The Trump administration immigration policies and the pandemic have blocked the issuance of J-1 visas issued to workers with special skills needed in the U.S. The Biden administration and loosening health restrictions have reinstated the J-1 visas and school districts have found been able to restart their teacher recruiting in the Philippines.

Like other waves of Filipino workers, -- farm workers and nurses, for example -- the teachers see the American jobs a chance to help their families. Their U.S. salaries are much higher than what they can earn in the Philippines and even with the higher cost of living, they are able to send a large portion of their earning back to their relatives in the Philippines.

The dark side of bringing in teachers from the Philippines makes them vulnerable to exploitation by recruitment agencies, their school districts or greedy landlords taking advantage of the teachers' unfamiliarity with U.S. laws and practices. As the teachers become more familiar with their rights, lawsuits have been filed in several states charging discrimination or abuse.

In one of the largest class action suits, a Los Angeles teacher placement company was ordered to pay $4.5 million to 350 Filipino teachers it lured to the U.S. and forced into exploitive contracts after arriving to teach in Louisiana.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles on behalf of the teachers by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Covington and Burling law firm.

“This ground-breaking verdict affirms the principle that all teachers working in our public schools must be treated fairly, regardless of what country they may come from,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “The outrageous abuses provide dramatic examples of the extreme exploitation that can occur when there is no proper oversight of the professional recruitment industry. The practices involved in this cases - labour contracts signed under duress and other arrangements reminiscent of indentured servitude - are things that should have no place in 21st-century America.”

Mary Bauer, legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said, “The jury sent a clear message that exploitive and abusive business practices involving federal guest workers will not be tolerated. This decision puts unscrupulous recruitment agencies on notice that human beings—regardless of citizenship status—cannot be forced into contracts that require them to pay illegal fees.”

Dennis Auerbach, lead attorney on the case from Covington and Burling, praised the perseverance of the Filipino teachers. “We are very pleased with the verdict in this case and proud to have stood by these brave teachers as they finally obtained justice,” he said.

Despite the pitfalls of hiring foreign teachers, the practice of recruiting experienced teachers from the Philippines continues in order to bolster America'sunderpaid  teaching ranks.

Out of 82 new teachers LKSD hired this year, 10 are from the Philippines. This is the first time that LKSD has recruited and hired teachers from outside the U.S. LKSD Human Resources Director Andrea Engbretsen said that the district has historically had trouble hiring enough teachers. But in recent years, she said that there has been a severe shortage of math and science teachers nationwide.

“It is really at a crisis point,” Engbretsen said. “Everywhere we go, I mean, just not even applicants. We can’t even find them.”

And then, she said, a pandemic made a bad recruiting environment even worse for potential hires.

“Many, many said, ‘I need to stay closer to home for family reasons,’ or just a fear of COVID, not wanting to leave their home areas,” Engbretsen said. “Which put us at another challenge of ‘Okay, now, how are we going to fill these positions?’”

That’s when Engbretsen heard about another rural Alaska school district, the Bering Strait School District, that filled its staffing shortage with teachers from the Philippines. She got on the phone right away.

“But the process is fairly lengthy,” Engbretsen said.

She said that there are embassy interviews and visa applications, and lots of paperwork, which is why the first teachers from the Philippines arrived in Bethel in September, after LKSD’s school year had already begun.

When they arrived, they were greeted by several Filipinos already living in town, including Glenda Swope, an LKSD preschool teacher in Bethel who immigrated from the Philippines in 2004. She said that she wanted to provide the new teachers a sense of familiarity. She knows the feeling of arriving in a foreign place.

“It’s like going in a ship and you don’t know who is the captain or, like, you don’t know where you go,” Swope said.

Swope said that at least 20 Filipinos live in Bethel. She said that some work as teachers like her, some are at the Bethel Youth Facility, but the largest number are nurses. She said that many Filipinos came for jobs. Others, like her, came to the U.S. after marrying an American. Swope said that moving from the Philippines to Western Alaska is not as drastic a change as it may appear.

“All of them, they said, ‘I feel like I’m home.’ Yeah, like, me too. Like, I feel like I’m home because we grew up in a simple life in a simple way. And we grew up with close knit families,” Swope said.

FilAm History Month: New Itliong mural unveiled in Delano

 

Besides honoring Larry Itliong, the mural emphasizes the labor leader's love of reading.

A new mural honoring the life of Filipino American labor activist Larry Itliong was unveiled in Delano, Calif. on his birthday, Oct. 25, which the State of California has declared as Larry Itliong Day.

In attendance were a host of local dignitaries, school officials and Rob Bonta, California's first Filipino American attorney general, whose parents were labor organizers for the United Farm Workers, cofounded by Itliong and Cesar Chavez. When he was a member of the California Assembly, Bonta authored and passed the bill making Oct. 25 Larry Itliong Day.

The mural, designed by artist Eliseo Art Silva with the help of the students of Morningside Elementary School in Delano, featured a speech by Patty Serda, who has been the school librarian for 21 years.

Silva said the children helped him narrow down the narrative and eventually assisted him with painting the wall.

“They see it differently without bias, without what do you call it -- an agenda. Their only agenda is to tell a story,” said Silva.

Following is her Serda's speech.

By Patty Itliong Serda 

Morningside School Librarian

I am the youngest daughter of Larry Dulay Itliong. Today is an emotional day for me seeing the first Larry Itliong mural in Delano at my school, Morningside.

And realizing this is a symbol of my dad’s life’s work. I wanted to first thank Blue Shield of California, Rick Bond and Debbie Chang for being an instrumental part in this mural without them sponsoring this mural this would still be a distant dream of mine. So thank you to Blue Shield and everyone involved in bringing light unto this project/dream of mine.

Secondly, I would like to acknowledge and thank the students and staff at my school, Mr. Chavez, principal, Mrs. Gibbs, vice-principal, the board of trustees, and superintendent’s cabinet and our Superintendent Rosalina Rivera for want to help bring awareness to my dad’s fight for justice and equality, and to the willingness to each our younger generation about Filipino American history because after all it is American history.

I am so honored that we can share this moment with state Attorney General Rob Bonta and his family. For he is key in passing the bill AB7 that proclaims Oct. 25 as Larry Itliong Day and designate that public schools and educational institutions observe that date by conducting exercises remembering the life of Larry Itliong and the contributions he made to our sate.

With that being said, today is the perfect day to unveil this amazing mural created and painted by Eliseo Art Silva, a world renowned artist. As I look through each state of the mural I can’t help but imagine my dad’s journey and legacy. For having such amazing dreams and passion at such a young age. It reminds me so much of the dreams and passions of my own children as well as students here at Morningside.

My dad’s story has taught so many people that dreams and passions are not easy but always possible. This is true when in comes to the story about my dad. When he got to America he realized that his dream would be a long journey ahead. He decided he needed to work in the fields to make a living and that is when he realized that people of color were treated unfairly, so he decided to become a Farm Labor Activist.

I call him a HERO.

SCREEN CAPTURE

Larry Itliong's daughter Patty Serda in front of the mural honoring her father.

He knew he had to do something to help the people. So he became the voice of the people. In the field, there were no restrooms, no clean drinking water, no shade from the hot sun and no breaks.

I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for them. And on top of all that, they would receive very little pay for such long hard work!

My dad knew something had to be done. So he took a bold step and decided to stand up for the rights of the people. My dad was passionate about organizing groups of people to stand up for their rights. He was a great organizer.

He soon partnered with Cesar Chavez and together they formed a union. On Sept. 7, 1965, they decided together that Mexicans and Filipinos would go on strike. The Delano Grape Strike is a very historic event that happened in this small town of Delano. The strike was successful because it caused change for the better. All these historic events are depicted on this beautiful meaningful mural.

The last panel on this mural is significant to me because it is a picture of my dad and I together with him reading to me and other children. This is such and important part of the mural to me since my dad learned so much by reading himself. I fell that is whey I’m passionate about educating our children about reading. I guess being a librarian is a perfect job for me. It reminds me of my dad every time I see children interested in books.

I was so close to my father even though, when he passed, I was only 7. He used to take me to work with him in his office in Chinatown. There are so many amazing memories about my dad like when I used to climb on his bed every night before bed and he would brush my hair. This great memory is also in the mural, with a hidden hair brush as a symbol of our father/daughter relationship. We shared so many great memories, but the most important thing my dad taught me was to believe in my dreams, fight for what is right and never give up!

The mural is entitled: The Larry Itliong Story: The Road to Equality and Justice. We picked this name because each one us has a story to tell and I want everyone to know the story about my dad. They say a legacy is an individual that makes a mark on the world and represents an impact they have made on people or places. My dad’s legacy will live on forever and will continue to do so if we take that same passion and drive that my dad had and also pursue our dreams and goals and when things seem tough or impossible you NEVER GIVE UP!

Thank you for letting me share with you today about this amazing man, I call my dad. On this date, Oct. 25, as we celebrate Larry Itliong Day, it is my hope that you will feel inspired to stand up for justice and equality just like my dad did. Thank you!

Mural honoring Larry Itliong to be unveiled Oct. 25

 

Volunteers are seen working on a portion of a mural honoring labor leader Larry Itlion.

The finishing touches on a mural remembering Larry Itliong, the Filipino American labor leader, is being done at Morningside Elementary School in Delano.

"Larry Itliong: Road to Equality and Justice," the new mural wrapping around the exterior of the school library will depict scenes from Larry Itliong’s lifetime.

“That picture is significant, because it reminds me of my childhood, and what my dad taught me, to never give up,” said Patty Serda, Larry Itliong’s daughter, who has been the school's librarian for 21 years. 

RELATED: Why all Americans should know about Larry Itliong

“He came to America and found out people were not being treated fairly in the fields. He was the type of person who wanted to fight for the rights of humans,” she told KERO-TV, an ABC affiliate.

The artist behind the mural is Eliseo Art Silva, best known for the giant mural in Los Angeles Historic Filipinotown depicting Filipino American history.

The formal unveiling of the mural will occur on Oct. 25, Larry Itliong Day in California.

FilAm History Month: Far West Conventions remembered as a period of awakening and activism

A critical period of Filipino American activism and social awakening is being remembered in October as the theme for Filipino American History Month.

The theme chosen by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is "50 Years Since the First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention."

The late 60s and the decade of 1970 was an era activism among the Filipino American community that were swept up in  several concurrent social, academic, political and economic movements. 

It has been 50 years since the first  Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention, a meeting that took place at Seattle University in 1971 and brought over 300 young Filipino American participants from the West Coast. The convention is hailed as the beginning of the Filipino American Movement.

In 1971 the theme was “A Quest for Emergence” and was hosted primarily by the Filipino Youth Activities, Inc. (FYA) under the leadership of then-FYA Youth Director, Dorothy Laigo Cordova and convention chair, Anthony Ogilvie. Cordova with her husband, the late Fred Cordova, would later become the founders of the FANHS.

This initial meeting would launch a series of conferences that would later become known as the Filipino (or Pilipino) People’s Far West Conventions (FWCs), which were held annually between 1971 and 1982, in places like Seattle, Los Angeles, Stockton, and Berkeley.

The gatherings of hundreds of young Filipino Americans coming from as far away as Canada, Hawaii and the Philippines became incubators for community and youth activists that helped bring issues like Filipino Farmworkers rights, housing rights via the International Hotel struggle, the long fight for the rights and recognition of the Filipino WWII veterans and anti-martial law movement to the forefront of the Filipino American Movement. The FWC also served as the impetus for annual student-led conferences now held across the country. Many scholar-activists consider the FWCs to be the impetus of Filipino American Studies.

2021 also marks the 25th anniversary of PinoyTeach and the 20th anniversary of Pin@y Educational Partnerships (PEP) – both educational programs that teach Filipino American history and curriculum to Filipina/x/o American students from elementary school to graduate school. 

"We recognize the Philippine Studies Department at City College of San Francisco – the only department of its kind in the nation – which was advocated for, established by, and sustained through the support of Filipino American students and community over 50 years ago," said a FANHS press release.

"We also acknowledge the many youth organizers who formed scores of Filipino American student and youth-led organizations all over the country."

This theme honors the earlier pioneers in the Filipino American Movement, as well as the subsequent groups of young people across the country who have advocated for social justice issues affecting Filipino Americans (and other historically marginalized groups) for the past 50 years.

Possible activities related to “50 Years Since First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention” might include:

• Organize teach-in’s about the Far West Conventions. Invite FWC participants to speak and share their oral histories.

• Teach about the histories of Filipino American college student organizations (SFSU PACE, UCLA Samahang, Columbia Liga Filipina, UIUC Philippine Student Association, UMich FASA), regional umbrella student groups (FIND, SCPASA, MAFA), or youth organizations (FYA, PEP, PinoyTeach).

• Highlight the history and development of Filipino American Studies/ Filipino American curriculum in your region/state.

• Interview Filipino American community leaders of various generations to talk about their experiences with youth organizing.

• Learn about the pensionados, or government-sponsored students who attended U.S. universities in the early 1900s.

• Curate a panel of Filipino American artists to describe their contributions to the arts (e.g., music, dance, theater, hip hop).

• Conduct oral histories with Filipino American elders who can share perspectives about the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s in your city or state.

• Organize a children’s book reading for "Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong" by Dawn Bohulano Mabalon & Gayle Romasanta.

• Host a panel or workshop on the anti-martial law movement and the KDP (many who attended the FWCs).

• Begin dialogues on how to advocate for Filipino American Studies in your K-12 systems or colleges/universities, and more

Recognizing the early activism in that era is appropriate for the Filipino young people and community activists of this present era when Asians and Filipino Americans are being attacks, harassed and bullied.

"We are also still combating anti-Asian violence that resembles the anti-Asian and anti-Filipino violence that occurred a century ago in places like Watsonville, CA and Yakima Valley, WA. We must educate others – as well as our own families and communities – about our history, so that historical violence does not repeat itself over and over again.

Filipino American History Month: Celebrating Larry Itliong Day!

Maybe the reason Larry Itliong didn't get the glowing media attention as Cesar Chavez is because he was a bit blunter with his words. He didn't fit the stereotype of the quiet, unassertive Asian.

Where Chavez was media smart, Itliong was street smart. The labor leader was -- say we say, a little rough around the edges. His manner made White reporters a little uncomfortable.

RELATED: Why all Americans should know about Larry Itliong

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed today (Oct. 25) Larry Itliong Day. The governor's  official Proclamation reads:

On this day in 1913, Larry Itliong was born in San Nicolas, Pangasinan – a province of the Philippines. At the age of 15, he left his homeland and arrived in the United States in 1929. While working as a migrant laborer in the fisheries and canneries of Alaska, Itliong helped found the Alaska Cannery Workers Union. Within a year of founding the union, Itliong fought for a contract that gave workers an eight-hour workday with overtime. 

Through this work, Itliong emerged as a leader in the Filipino-American community of “Manongs” – respected elder workers who were instrumental in shaping the farm labor movement. 

After serving his country in World War II, Itliong settled in Stockton, California and continued his work in the labor movement. He was involved in organizing the asparagus strike of 1948 – the first major agricultural strike after World War II and in 1956, Itliong founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union in Stockton. Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and the Manong leaders helped create the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC). 

In Spring, 1965, Itliong fought alongside grape workers in the Coachella Valley for increased pay. After that victory, the Manongs voted in September 1965 to organize against grape growers in Delano who were exploiting workers toiling in their fields. A few days later, the Manongs joined forces with Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and the National Farmworkers Association, beginning a nationwide boycott of grapes that lasted five years and led to the first farmworker union contracts. 

Itliong and the Manongs continued to serve the Filipino-American community in the Central Valley by creating plans for the Paolo Agbayani Village, where retired Manongs could live out their lives in comfort and dignity. 

During the grape strike, Itliong negotiated with growers that a percentage of each grape box picked would support the retirement village. 

During Filipino American History month, we remember the Manongs’ message of “Isang Bagsak!” – That we are connected together in our fight for justice, we rise and fall together. We recognize the power of working across language and cultural barriers to fight for better working conditions for all. 

Today, on this 107th anniversary of his birth, we recognize the great contributions of Larry Itliong and the Manongs whose hard-fought battles helped advance farmworkers’ rights and social justice. The lasting relevance of their cause is underscored by the outsized burden borne by our farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic, whose essential role in securing our food supply puts them at greater risk. In redoubling our efforts to protect these workers, we honor an indelible legacy which continues to inspire the next generation of leaders across our state and nation. 

NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim October 25, 2020, as “Larry Itliong Day.”

(Signed) Gavin Newsom

Governor of California

Larry Itliong, front left, and Cesar Chavez, front right, formed the United Farmworkers Union,
the first time Filipinos and Mexicans joined to fight for better working conditions.

The 1965 Grape Strike was overshadowed by Martin Luther King's crusade for Civil Rights happening in the South at the same time, but they were both part of the same movement fighting for equal rights, equal opportunities and recognition that these black and brown men and women were human beings and deserved to treated as human beings.

This legacy of fighting for human rights, for civil rights, for the downtrodden, the forgotten, the overlooked, the voiceless, is another reason why October is recognized as Filipino American History Month.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A word of caution, this is news sprinkled with opinion. Readers are encouraged to seek multiple news sources to formulate their own positions.

 

Congress members hail Filipino American History Month

Some of the members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus gathered last year.

UPDATED OCT. 3

October 1st marks the beginning of Filipino American History Month, which is celebrated throughout October to commemorate the 16th century arrival of the first Filipinos to what is now the United States.

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements to mark the occasion:

CAPAC Leadership

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“As we kick off Filipino American History Month, I am thrilled to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Filipino American community. For centuries, before America was even America, Filipinos have been a part of the fabric of this nation and continue to contribute to our society in a multitude of important ways. From serving in everything from our military, to healthcare and education systems, to essential workers who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic today, our country is a better place thanks to Filipino Americans who demonstrate that diversity has always been at the core of America’s strength. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am proud to join with my colleagues to honor and celebrate the Filipino American community and ensure that we continue to fight for Filipino American veterans, workers, and families across the nation.”

Senator Kamala Harris (CA):

“Whether it’s breaking ground in the legal profession, art, sports, politics, service to our country, or countless other contributions to our communities – Filipino Americans are celebrated across California and our country for their courage, strength, and conviction. I’m proud to join my Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus colleagues as we not only lift up the stories of current and past visionaries, but also forge a path for the next generation to pursue their dreams. I hope everyone takes time to learn about the great contributions of Filipino Americans in communities across the country.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-6), CAPAC First Vice Chair

“In honor of Filipino American History Month in October, we pay tribute to the heritage of activism and sacrifice Filipino Americans have made to our nation. This year’s celebration focuses on the immense contributions Filipino Americans have made in the fight for equality and social justice. From movements such as the Women’s Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the United Farmworkers Movement, and many more, Filipino Americans have sacrificed for the next generation to have a brighter future. I applaud their service and will continue to lead efforts in the House to bring awareness of the vital role that Filipino Americans have played and will continue to play throughout our history.”

CAPAC Executive Board Members

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):

“This month, we celebrate the rich culture and history of Filipino communities in Hawaii and across the country. Filipino Americans have made countless contributions to our culture and society—from serving our country in uniform and elected office, to running successful businesses, teaching our children in schools, and selflessly working at the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic as nurses, doctors, and essential workers. While we celebrate Filipino American heritage, we must also renew our commitment to recognizing Filipino World War II veterans for their service to our country, and continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform that would reunite many Filipino American families.”

Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-39):

"This month, we celebrate the countless contributions and achievements of the Filipino American community in the 39th District and across the country. We recognize all the Filipino Americans working on the frontlines of this crisis to keep our communities safe and running. As a Navy Veteran, I'm proud to honor the courageous Filipino American veterans who selflessly fought for our country, including the many who I had the privilege to serve with. I'll continue to fight for the needs and priorities of the Filipino American community in the district and in Congress.”

Congressman TJ Cox (CA-21):

“As the first Filipino-American member of Congress from California, I am so proud to celebrate this year’s Filipino American Heritage Month. The first Filipinos landed in California over 400 years ago, and since that time have contributed so much to our history, culture, and cuisine. From labor leaders to doctors, nurses, engineers, and entrepreneurs, Filipino-Americans work hard, humbly, and with humor. Filipino-Americans are the fastest-growing Asian-American Pacific Islander group in America. We are a vibrant thread in the rich diversity of our nation. In the years ahead, we will continue to share our creativity, our labor, our leadership, and our love of life, with all of our brothers and sisters here in the Central Valley and United States.”

Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34):

“As the Representative of Historic Filipinotown, I’m honored to fight for Filipino Americans in Congress. When I’m out in our community, I see firsthand the impact of Filipino history, culture and tradition on our city’s heritage. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, I’ll continue to ensure Filipino Americans’ voices are uplifted, and their efforts – as educators, frontline workers, public servants, community organizers, and more – are fully recognized.

Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):

“Proud to celebrate Filipino American History Month and recognize the extraordinary contributions of Filipino Americans across our nation. From the heroic frontline workers to the many inventors, organizers, and local leaders, the Filipino community is an essential component toward building a better America.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):

“This month, we celebrate the tremendous contributions that the Filipino-American community brings to our country. I’m proud to join my Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus colleagues to celebrate Filipino American History Month and the strength of our diverse communities in California and across our nation.”

Congressman Michael San Nicolas (GU):

“Filipino Americans across the country have made priceless contributions to the strength and resiliency of the nation. On Guam we are a testament to this, with 30% of our population comprised of Filipino Americans from all walks of life, showcasing to all of Asia the strength of Filipino American Heritage in this month and throughout the year as exceptional professionals and pillars of the community.”

Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03):

“Every October we observe Filipino American Heritage Month to celebrate the rich contributions made to this country by Filipino Americans. I am proud to be one of only two Members of Congress with Filipino ancestry currently serving. This year has been difficult for everyone, but particularly for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders due to prejudice and misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the alarming death rates among Filipino Americans. Despite these headwinds, Filipino Americans continue to play a vital role on the frontlines of the pandemic and in communities across the country. I honor their service and I am proud to celebrate this month with my colleagues in CAPAC.”

CAPAC Associate Members

Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01):

"This Filipino American History Month, I’m honored to recognize the incredible culture, history, and service of the Filipino American community to our nation. In our military, our government, and our communities, the Filipino community inspires and represents America at its best. As we reflect on the sacrifices of Filipino and Filipino American veterans in World War II and beyond, I’m humbled by their selfless courage and committed to providing our veterans with the support and care that they deserve.”

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14):

“This Filipino American History Month, we celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Filipino-Americans to our culture, economy, and military. As the Representative of one of the largest Filipino American communities in the country, it is my honor to fight for Filipino Americans in Congress, including through the introduction of H.R. 2823, the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act, to fulfill our commitment to the 250,000 Filipino veterans that served during World War II with valor and honor. This October, we look to the past in recognition of the momentous role of Filipino-Americans in our national history and to the future in anticipation of the exciting contributions of generations to come.”