History repeats itself; judge's son appointed to California bench

TALK ABOUT the nut not falling far from the tree; a son following in his father's footsteps; like father, like son. Pick any number of cliche's that apply.

When Julian Recana was appointed by California Gov. Jerry Brown to a judgeship in Los Angeles Superior Court, history was made.

Thirty-four years ago, his father, Mel Red Recana made history when he became the first Filipino/American judge in the United States. Last July 1t, Julian Recana was appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court by the same Jerry Brown, who at the time had just won re-election as governor. 

Judge Julian Recana

Julian Recana "is an exemplary public servant, and Los Angeles County, one of the most diverse counties in the country, is fortunate to have him as a judge,” stated Christine Gonong, president of the Philippine American Bar Association in a press release.

A veteran prosecutor, Judge Recana has served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1999. He was previously assigned to the Long Beach Courthouse for 11 years prosecuting murders that occur in Long Beach and parts of Los Angeles. He was awarded Deputy District Attorney of the Month in 2014. 

He is currently with the Hardcore Gang Division in Downtown Los Angeles, prosecuting serious, violent, gang-related offenses. Judge Recana was promoted to Deputy District Attorney Grade IV in February of 2015. He received his B.A. degree in Economics in 1992 at the University of California, Berkeley and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1998. Judge Recana began his career as a contract attorney at Early, Maslach, Price & Baukol.

Julian Recana, a Lifetime Member of PABA, was a founding officer of the PABA Foundation and has served as its Assistant Secretary for several years before joining the PABA Board of Governors in 2013. 

Mel Avanzado, the founding president of the PABA Foundation, said, “During his first term as governor, Governor Brown 34 years ago appointed Julian’s father, Mel Red Recana, as the first Filipino American judge in the United States. The Governor’s appointment of Julian to join his father on the Los Angeles Superior Court bench is historic and fitting. Julian will be a tremendous asset to our bench.”

I was still working for the Philippine News, a Filipino American newspaper based in San Francisco, during Gov. Brown's campaign for reelection in 1980. I'm not sure if he is aware of it, but Brown played an important role in Filipino American history. He was the first major candidate for statewide office who paid any attention to the fledgling Filipino political movement. The Filipino American Political Association was about a decade old at that point, but Brown's campaign was the first major campaign no note the changing demographics of California.

As one of the newspaper's editors, the PN editorial staff had occasion to have a luncheon with the youthful governor during a campaign swing through the San Francisco Bay Area. PN publisher Alex Esclamado was also one of the leaders of the Filipino American Political Association and as he often did, he blurred the lines between publisher and community activist. 

After shaking the governor's hand,  I remember standing next to Esclamado and noted all the Filipinos crowding around Brown. I flippantly mentioned to him, "Look at all the browns for Brown." I saw a spark in Esclamado's eyes as he repeated the phrase, Browns for Brown. I wasn't sure if I had offended him or not. All I know that a week later, he began handing out these dark brown campaign buttons with "Browns for Brown" written on it in a lighter shade of brown. 

California's Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye

Not coincidentally, one of the first acts Governor Brown did after he won his reelection, was to appoint the first Filipino judge in the U.S. in 1981. A couple years later, Ron Quidachay was selected to become the first Filipino/ American judge  in Northern California.

Since then, a number of Filipino/Americans have since been named to the bench. Among the most notable of is Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, the 28th chief justice of the State of California. She was sworn into office on January 3, 2011, and is the first Asian-Filipina American and the second woman to serve as the state’s chief justice. Once again, Gov. Brown made history.

Like it or not, that is how politics works. Filipinos have a saying: utang na loob (loosely translated it implies that debts or favors have to be paid back). Some might say it is catering to special interests. Others call it progress.

###

TGIF FEATURE: "Better Together" - Us The Duo

Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado

US THE DUO is to Vine, what Justin Beiber is to Youtube. 

The southern California couple is just back from a tour of Southeast Asian including the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, the singing duo is back home composing more music and arranging for future appearances.

Husband-and-wife, Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado, recently signed with Republic Records, and hopefully doing through Vine, what the Beib did for YouTube.

The attractive pair breaks new ground for a platform that - up to now - was better known as a launching pad for comedy performers. Where YouTube-rs like Justin Bieber (Island Def Jam) and Karmin (Epic Records) paved the way several years ago for the likes of other acts who didn't have the entertainment industry connections, Us has the potential to do the same for other musicians who may turn to Vine.

"There's a universality to what they're doing, and I don't think there's a glass ceiling to it," says Nate Albert, Republic's senior VP of A&R, who first met with the duo in early January. "Their songs are like walking through the birth of their relationship, and it's really rare that you see something that has that level of earnestness to it. These are songs that everybody can relate to, but there's an elegance to how they do it." 

You've heard of Republic Records, right? Think Taylor Swift.

Part of their attraction for young people living in this cynical world is the couple's loving relationship and the genuine likability that comes through in their Internet performances. Their songs are a reflection of their relationship and viewers were able to watch their working and personal relationship grow online, culminating in their marriage.   Watch Michael's proposal to Carissa. Too impossibly cute! It's been Us the Duo ever since.

One of their Vine trademarks is that they only show half their faces as they sing.  "I wasn't wearing makeup one night, and Michael wanted to film a video and I was like, 'No I'm tired and I'm in my pajamas,'" she recalls. 

"We'd had a Vine account, but we never really too active on it," the Filipino/American told Billboard Magazine. "We tried to post funny Vines, but we're not comedians, so it didn't go over too well. But the six-second cover thing seemed to really take off and people seemed to like it."

Their online success is an example how new talent, with no previous experience, business connections, or relatives in the entertainment industry, are breaking into the music business -- which is the case for most people of color. As more people clicked on their videos (over 3 million on Vine) it led to press and media attention from Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Business Insider, Buzzfeed, iHeartRadio, an appearance on Good Morning America and then the record contract last year. Since then it has been tours and performances around the world. The Internet knows no boundaries.

Check out their website to find out if they are coming to your area. If you like the video below, you can hear and watch more of their music videos on YouTube.

Have a great weekend!

President Obama opens the door for WWII Filipino veterans' families

Atomazul

The long fight for justice for the Filipino veterans became a cause celebre' that spanned generations.

THOUSANDS of Filipino WWII veterans who could not reunite with their families still in the Philippines, may get soon see their dreams come true. The White House report on immigration reforms released yesterday (July 15) has a recommendation that references the veterans' plight.

The interagency report was the result of President Barack Obama's executive action in 2014 that called for the United States to reform its immigration system. The better known, and more controversial parts of the action such as a path for citizenship for undocumented immigrants, are being challenged in the courts but the White House decided to move forward on other recommendations.

“My first reaction was happiness. But I am also saddened remembering our veterans like Manong Emong Guillermo and Jack Tejada and community champions like Alex Esclamado, who walked the halls of Congress, fighting for recognition and family reunification. They are gone now but their legacy lives on,” Marites Branigin, capitol region chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), told the Los Angeles Times.

Here is the portion of the report, "Modernizing & Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century," that specifically deals with the plight of the WWII veterans,

Although, there is not a set timetable for implementation of the "parole granted by the initiative, it shouldn't be a long drawn-out process. The majority of the veterans are in their 80s and 90s and for them to reunited with their families will be critical as they need relatives to care for their needs.

OPED: Commentary by Jason Tengco, Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Asian  Americans and Pacific Islanders

Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon used parole power expansively to destabilize the Cuban regime and grant status to most of the 621,403 applications received by Cuban asylum seekers fleeing the revolution in Cuba. President Kennedy and President Johnson also employed the parole power to parole over 15,000 Chinese nationals who fled Hong Kong in 1962, according to an Asian American Advancing Justice press release. 

AAAJ also said that following the Vietnam War, Presidents Ford and Carter also used executive parole to bring over 360,000 Indo-Chinese individuals from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to the United States when the number of available conditional entries was vastly exceeded.34 From 1972 until 1980, Soviet refugees also received parole when enough conditional entries were not available.35

Other Asian American communities joined the Filipino issue, as well as a score of lawmakers, rallying to this nonpartisan cause to fulfill the promise that was made by President Franklin Roosevelt to the 260,000 Filipinos who fought for the United States during WWII. Congress took that promise taken away in 1946 by the Rescission Acts.

              RELATED: WWII Filipino veterans still fighting for their rights

Alex Esclamado

Scores of congressmen sponsored bills to fulfill those promises for the Filipinos but found the legislative process an uphill battle. The late publisher of the  Philippine News, Alex Esclamado, made the issue a rallying cry in his attempts to unify the Filipino American communities divided by the partisan politics of the Philippines. It was a struggle all the way; dying in committee or not being able to gain enough support.

The Filipino veterans finally were granted citizenship in 1990 and benefits compensation  in 2009, but the bills did not include the veterans' families. The relatives had to go through the normal immigration channels. With an annual quota of 20,000 immigrants, the backlog for the Philippines was more than 20 years. 

As one of the editors of the San Francisco-based Philippine News, I rarely saw an issue go to print without an editorial, a column or a news story about the injustice meted out to the veterans. Esclamado's faith in America's legislative process and justice was unwavering and his staff was swept up in his belief.

Sometimes, it seemed like a hopeless cause but Esclamado never gave up. Appropriately, his favorite song was "To Dream The Impossible Dream," from the musical Man of La Mancha. 

The final dream of the aged veterans of spending the twilight of their lives surrounded by their families is finally in the realm of possibility, and it couldn't happen a moment too soon for the few thousand veterans still alive.  For hundreds of thousands of the Filipino veterans' compatriots, the delivery of President Roosevelt's promise have come too late.

###

Long live the "King;" 2 "kings" take over Broadway role

Filipino American Jose Llana will star in The King and I Broadway musical.

ONE KING exits, two will take his place.

As Ken Watanabe leaves the Broadway productionl of "The King and I"  to fulfill a motion picture commitment, two more Asian/American actors will take over the role, originally  made famous by Yul Brynner.

Last night, Broadway vet Jose Llana joined Tony winners Kelli O’Hara and Ruthie Ann Miles (his Imelda from Here Lies Love) to play the role of the King of Siam for a limited 11-week engagement through Sept. 27, in Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony Award-winning revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, based on the book "Anna and the King of Siam."

After Llana's summer stint, Hoon Lee from the television series Banshee will star as the king of Siam.

Jose Llana starred as Philippines' President Marcos in the musical Here Lies Love at the Public Theater, for which he received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination. This production is currently on world tour after closing in New York last January.

Jose Llana, left, reunites with Ruthie Ann Miles and Conrad Ricamora,
all three of whom were in the Here Lies Love musical.

Joining the King production  he will be reunited with Here Lies Love castmates Ruthie Ann Miles, who played Imelda Marcos and Conrad Ricamora, who played Ninoy Aquino, Marcos' rival in love and politics.

Llana's other notable Broadway credits include Wonderland, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Flower Drum Song, Rent, Streetcorner Symphony, and the 1996 production of The King and I, in which he made his Broadway debut in the role of Lun Tha at the age of 19. 

His film and television credits include Hitch and “Sex and the City.” He is an advocate for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Impact for Marriage Equality, and several other charities.

RELATED: Imelda's story is made for theater

Llana's parents immigrated to the U.S. to flee the Philippines dictatorship of strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

"Playing Marcos has been nothing short of life-changing and life-affirming as a Filipino-American," Llana told an interviewer. "I never realized how much I took for granted how my parents educated my sister and me about martial law in the Philippines. The truth is not all Filipino-American kids grow up with any knowledge of it, let alone any Americans do. I’m most proud that our show inspires people to go home and Google or Wikipedia the Philippines or martial law and that they learn a little something more about our history and culture than those damn shoes Imelda hoarded with stolen money."

Hoon Lee will join the cast after he finishes up taping the latest season of the television hit series Banshee, in which he plays the bad-ass Job, a cross-dressing computer hacker. His previous Broadway credits include Urinetown The Musical, Flower Drum Song and Pacific Overtures.

###

Geena Rocero, trans community embrace Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner, model Geena Rocero and actress Candis Cayne had dinner with other transgender notables.

CAITLYN JENNER'S long journey to become who she is, from Olympian Bruce Jenner to transgender role model and activist Caitlyn Jenner, was not a lonely one. With a supportive family, she entered a new world with her every step scrutinized and analyzed. 

She was not the first, nor will she be the last, and when finally she made her intention  public and after a two-hour one-on-one interview with Diane Sawyer, she found a community waiting to welcome her with open arms.

After enjoying New York City's Pride Parade last month, Caitlyn had a not-so-private dinner with some of the country's best known trans activists, including Candis Cayne, Chandi Moore, Geena Rocero, Allie Hoffman, Trace Lysette, Barbara Carrellas, Kate Bornstein, and Sam Feder. 

Among the first to come to Caitlyn's side was international fashion model Filipino/American Geena Rocero, who came out as a transgender person in a TED talk in March of 2014.

Rocero's own "coming out" was a "healing moment." Now the 30-year-old fashion model, who returned to modeling in 2010, has launched Gender Proud, an organization dedicated to empowerment and raising awareness of transgender issues. "I knew I had a bigger purpose," she says. "It was a disservice to my own community if I didn't do anything."

"I freed myself," she said. "The moment you completely show your true authentic self, your world has changed. We all have our own little version of truth, so the more we live in our truth, it's a much healthier world."

"I come from that part of the world (the Philippines) where the ... transgender fluidity exists and is actually celebrated," said Rocero in an interview with the Huffington Post.

RELATED: Killing of transgender Filipina turns into an international incident 

Jenner's journey is a watershed moment in the trans community. "So far, I think it's amazing how much visibility it's bringing, and will continue to bring," Rocero told the "Paper," a publication for the LGBTQ community. "I think the media is getting better and better, every month, every year, at having a stronger and more empowered conversation about the transgender experience.

"My great hope is that globally, every country around the world recognizes a transgender person's right to self-determine ... After that, my hope for my country is that trans people are allowed to serve openly in the military, that no trans child feels shame or fear around living their truth, and that people are no longer discriminated in the workplace for being trans."

Geena Rocero gained international fame as a high-fashion model before revealing her secret in 2014.

Miss USA hosts walk out on Trump, Asian/Americans refuse to do the show

Cheryl Burke

FIRST, Filipina American Cheryl Burke decided not to host the Miss USA Pageant. She was joined by cohost Robert Thomas. 

A few days later, her other co-host, Jeannie Mai, made a similar decision.

Burke, who shot to fame as a professional dancer in Dancing With The Stars, issued this statement:

"In light of the recent statements made by Donald Trump and the subsequent decision by NBC to cut ties with Mr. Trump, I cannot in good conscience move forward with participating in this year’s Miss USA Pageant as its co-host. Effective today I have withdrawn from my duties with Miss USA. Although I will not be there in person, I wish all of the contestants much luck as I know how hard they’ve all been working over the last year to try and realize their dreams."

Since declaring his candidacy for president, Trump has been making the headlines with outlandish statements attacking immigrants, Mexicans and Mexican/Americans.

Burke's departure comes on the same day that NBC said it would air an "American Ninja Warrior" special on the night it was originally scheduled to air Miss USA, tonight (June 12).

Mai, who is a cohost of the television show The Real, decided to drop out after originally stating she would stay with the Miss USA show.

"Last week I announced my heart-felt decision to support the women of Miss USA by remaining on board as a co-host," Mai wrote. "My focus was strictly on the women involved, who share the same ethics of hard work, commitment and passion for their careers and causes that I do. I have co-hosted for the last five years various Miss Universe events, and I'm grateful for the many women I've met and friends I've made along the way. I feel terrible that the women competing this year have fallen victim to current events. 

Jeannie Mai

"Let me be clear, I condemn the recent words of Mr. Trump, and find them immensely offensive. At the time I made my decision to remain part of the Miss USA pageant, I was under the impression that Mr. Trump would no longer be involved in the production of the show in any capacity whatsoever. In addition, given Mr. Trump's ongoing antics, including his most recent episode today with the current Miss Universe, it is clear that Mr. Trump's actions have and will continue to distract focus away from the real stars of the show -- the women involved in the pageant. 

"Therefore, I am respectfully withdrawing from my responsibilities and commitment as co-host of Miss USA. From the beginning, I announced publicly that I was donating my compensation to a worthy charity. Although I will no longer be participating as a co-host, I still want to support the women competing in the pageant. I feel the best way to show that is to lend my support to this year's winner of Miss USA and to make the donation I promised to her platform and charity.

Last Monday night, Mai announced on Instagram, "I am respectfully withdrawing from my responsibilities and commitment as co-host of Miss USA." Mai also stated, "I feel terrible that the women competing this year have fallen victim to current events."

Trump has been under fire for comments made during his presidential announcement speech. 

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," he said. "They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." 

Following the speech, Univision, NBCUniversal and Macy's decided to cut business ties with Trump. Univision and NBCUniversal announced that they will not air the Miss USA pageants. NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC, NBC News and Telemundo were part of a joint venture with Trump. Macy's also followed suit and said it will discontinue its relationship with Trump and discontinue his men's clothing line at the store. 

Donald Trump in last year's finale of "Celebrity Apprentice."

Trump is holding fast to his original statements. He fired back by stating, "Clearly, NBC and Macy's support illegal immigration, which is totally detrimental to the fabric of our once great country."

Trump, who inherited his wealth, enlarged his real estate fortune by building apartments, condominiums, golf courses and buying some casinos. He became a personality as the host of the TV reality show Celebrity Apprentice, also on NBC. 

Immediately after Trump announced his candidacy, all we got from NBC was this wish-washy statement: “We will re-evaluate Trump’s role as host of Celebrity Apprentice should it become necessary, as we are committed to this franchise.”

After a couple of weeks, NBC and Trump apparently came to a mutual agreement that Celebrity Apprentice would not air this coming season ... or at least, until Trump drops out of the presidential race.

###

TGIF FEATURE: I'm Asian, but I'm not ...

AHHH, stereotypes! How they haunt us.

We do our best to break through the stereotypical impressions have of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We all want to be seen as individuals, to stand out, to be ... unique.

So, whenever I can, I deliberately go out of the way to go against the Asian stereotype. If you're Asian, no further explanation is necessary for the following:

I'm a good driver (but, that's a matter of opinion. and I'm not overly cautious.

I almost always give the maximum tip to waiters, valets and cabbies.

I deliberately make mistakes in math.

I actually appreciate and like art of all kinds.

I shave my head rather than display my bad Asian hair.

I cook a lot so I air out my house frequently.

I studied martial arts, but - shhh- it's not something I talk about.

I will not settle for a bad table in a restaurant.

I prefer quiet, understated humor.

I don't play violin or classical piano.

I'd rather be a writer than a doctor or a business owner.

I will not put up being ignored.

I will not remain quiet if I see an injustice. 

Thanks to Buzzfeed for another of their video series on Asian Americans trying hard - sometimes awkwardly - to fit in, but at the same time, be individuals.

Have a great weekend!

Jeremy Lin signs with the Charlotte Hornets

Jeremy Lin was reportedly not happy on the Los Angeles Lakers.

ONE-HALF of the NBA's first all-Asian American backcourt is leaving. Jeremy Lin used his Facebook page to announce last night that he was going to the Charlotte Hornets, departing the Los Angeles Lakers after a disappointing season. 

Today (June 9), the Hornets made the signing official, signing the point guard on the first day the league allowed free agent signings.

"Going into my first true free agency as an NBA player this off-season, the one thing that mattered to me the most was finding a team that would be a good fit for me," Lin wrote on his official site. "I wanted to be on a team where I would be able to play freely and truly play the game I love with joy again. That has always been the most important thing to me. After a LOT of prayer and long discussions with family and friends, I wanted to personally let you guys know I'll be joining the Charlotte Hornets."
________________________________________________________________________________         Related: Jeremy Lin on Linsanity, the Lakers, and that Kobe Bryant Vine

               Jeremy Lin opens up about race

               Lin and Clarkson form first Asian American guard tandem
________________________________________________________________________________

"My journey has never looked the way I (or anyone else) thought it would, but God has always worked things out for my good and I am confident that he will continue to do so," Lin continued. "I want to thank Coach Clifford and the Hornets organization for this opportunity - for taking the time to talk to me, understanding my game, and most importantly, making it clear they believe in me. For those of you who have been patiently waiting for news, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for joining me on this journey. To the Lakers organization and the city of Los Angeles, thank you for your support this past season."

Lin never met the high expectations that comes with his $14-million salary. With the Lakers, Lin started as the backup guard behind superstar Kobe Bryant. When Bryant got injured midseason, Lin became the primary point guard. But that didn't relieve him of the pressure of L.A.'s spotlight because of - well, - because the team was the high profile Lakers in a city that loves its superstars. It was clear that Lin was not comfortable with the L.A. team. He was often the target of derision from Bryant on and off the court.

When Lin played with rookie shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, a Filipino/American, they formed the first Asian American backcourt in professional basketball.

Signing with the Hornets takes the burden of high expectations off his shoulder. He will be the sixth man, the first man off the bench. Charlotte Hornets general manager Rich Cho says signing Lin offers his team a “different dimension” at point guard.

“One thing he can really do is get into the paint,” Cho said in a conference call with Charlotte media. “With our second unit, that’s important. We have several players in our second unit who can benefit from that. All of them will benefit from his ability to get shots for others.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article26864698.html#storylink=cpy

"The team's needs should also benefit Lin, who has also looked his best when he can dominate the ball," wrote Yahoo Sports' Eric Freeman. "Unlike many role players, he thrives when more is asked of him."

Dear White America: Jose Antonio Vargas will make you squirm

YOU HAVE to hand it to Jose Antonio Vargas. The Filipino/American journalist knows how to get your attention. He isn't afraid to make people uncomfortable - very uncomfortable - especially when it comes to racial issues.

Race is an issue many people are uncomfortable talking about especially across cultural lines.

He has two projects coming up that will make a lot of people of all races confront some of the racial issues facing contemporary America: one with the youth-oriented MTV and one for a broader audience with the  Los Angeles Times. .

The Times' #EmergingUS campaign that will be launched this fall may be the forum that Starbucks tried to be in its failed attempt to start conversations about race earlier this year. Reading about these issues over a morning cup of coffee in the privacy of your own home will give people a chance to soak in these issues and maybe give it a second thought.

Jose Antonio Vargas

Social media will give readers a chance to engage with others on these topics.

Of course, none of this matters if no one reads the articles or bothers to engage. EmergingUS will be a new digital magazine.

In a July 3 oped that he wrote for the Los Angeles Times, he explained why the newspaper is embarking on the EmergingUS project. 

As we celebrate our country's birthday, let us also acknowledge that the country that declared independence in 1776 does not look like the country we live in today.

In fact, America today is not even the 1960s version of America that we study in history books, when the country was 85 percent white and 10% black. Today, Asian and Pacific Islander are the fastest growing racial and immigrant groups, according to the Pew Research Center. (Almost three-quarters of all Asian American adults are foreign-born.) In the last few decades, the growth of the Latino population has been so robust that 51 percent of all Californians under age 25 are Latino, according to the U.S. census.

America’s demographics are shifting to resemble the minority-majority reality in California, with Los Angeles as the country’s most diverse metropolis. Almost 200 languages and dialects are spoken daily in L.A., which is home to the largest communities of 25 nationalities (including Mexican, Filipino, Persian, Korean, Guatemalan, Armenian and Vietnamese) outside of their native countries. Forty percent of Angelenos are foreign-born, including me.

For MTV, Vargas will speak with white teenagers and young adults about their experience with topics such as affirmative action, white privilege, frustration, guilt and racial identity.

The documentary White People focuses on five main characters, "All with the goal of starting some real and honest conversations in a thoughtful, judgment-free environment," according to MTV.com.

When some young people walked out of a roundtable discussion, Vargas exhorts them, "This is good! Let's all get uncomfortable together."

The film is part of the network's Look Different campaign. Viewers can log onto the initiative's site to further explore racial bias and whitness. "Whiteness often remains unexamined in conversations about race in this country, even as it acts as the implicit norm against which other racial identities are judged. By shining a spotlight on whiteness, we hope White People will serve as a powerful conversation starter that encourages our audience to address racial bias through honest, judgment-free dialogue," says MTV's president Stephen Friedman.

RELATED: Define American urges undocumented to come out

America's challege is learning to live with itself

The discussions in White People are bound to make some viewers uncomfortable. The tension involved in racial dialogues is apparent even in the trailer. The documentary promises to change the way you think about white history, white privilege, and white frustration. 

These young people had to grapple with the role race plays in their lives — something that can be difficult when it’s something you don’t have to think about it a lot. Vargas said that speaking with young Native American students in one segment helped provide a bit more perspective on what being white represents from the outside.

“That was really overwhelming to experience, when you talk to the young people, the young Native Americans, of that high school, they don’t necessarily think the European settlers are settlers who saved this country,” Vargas said. “They are the ones who invaded. They are the ones who took.”

Be sure to check out White People when it airs on Wednesday, July 22 at 8/7 c. on MTV. OR you can also check it out on MTV.com, the MTV App, MTV’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. And , if you miss that, you can still get it Thursday (July 23) morning on iTunes, Amazon and MTV’s Video On Demand services. It’s a must-see, y’all.

As one of our country's most outspoken advocates for immigration reform in regards to undocumented Americans, Vargas revealed his own undocumented status in 2011 after he won a Pulitzer Prize-winning as a Washington Post reporter. The Filipino/American also launched another campaign last month called Define American, in which he encouraged undocumented Americans to "come out" online to humanize the plight of undocumented immigrants, many of whom - like Vargas - did not know of their immigration status until they were adults.

###

Minority groups push Gov. Brown to return $331M to struggling homeowners

FILIPINO/AMERICANS are among those pushing California Gov. Jerry Brown to repay more than $331 million in funds intended to help homeowners struggling with foreclosures that the state siphoned off to help deal with its budget crisis.

A Sacramento County judge ruled that Brown and the state Legislature illegally diverted most of a fund that was part of a $25 billion settlement between five major banks and nearly every state in 2012. 

Three minority housing groups – the National Asian American Coalition, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and COR Community Development  Corp., an African-American community group – filed the lawsuit in March 2014.

Brown's attorneys argued the state had the discretion to use that money in the state budget. But the judge sided with the community assistance groups in ruling the money should be used to help California homeowners affected by the mortgage crisis. The ruling by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley was issued last month, but it has not been finalized.

Gov. Brown hasn't decided if he will appeal, his finance department spokesman, H.D. Palmer, said July 6. Brown's administration did not to respond to questions about whether he would agree to return the money.

"Governor Brown, do the right thing," said Faith Bautista, chief executive and president of the National Asian American Coalition, a nonprofit housing counseling group based in Daly City, Calif., that was the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. "This is long overdue because we should have helped the homeowners since 2012. And now it's 2015."

The groups say the money should have been distributed to an estimated 800,000 homeowners affected by the foreclosure crisis. The homeowners would have used the money for things such as helping get loan modifications, restoring credit scores, buying new homes or paying for moving. 

“Governor Brown and the legislators have to figure out a way to return that money back. Money that was borrowed should be returned, ” said Bautista.

Bob Gnaizda, general counsel of NAAC said, “The governor is being advised by his legal counsel to avoid responsibility for the court order specifically they’re telling the governor to wait it out two more years by appealing and maybe it will last three plus years and he won’t even be governor then.”

Part of the $25 billion settlement from major banks intended to help distressed homeowners was used to balance the state’s budget.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney Neil Barofsky, former inspector general for the federal bank bailout. The lawsuit said the state should now repay the money because it is projecting budget surpluses in coming years.

Harris, the state's attorney, recused herself in the case because she helped negotiate the national settlement with banks, securing extra funding for California. Her spokeswoman, Kristin Ford, said Monday that the attorney general continues to object to the money being used for other purposes than for which it was intended.

"While the state is undeniably facing a difficult budget gap, these funds should be used to help Californians stay in their homes," Harris said of the governor's spending proposal back in May 2012.

Filipino American joins Copeland as lead dancers for American Ballet Theater

Stella Aberra's dancing has been described as "ethereal."

WHILE most of the mainstream media's attention has been on Misty Copeland, the first African American ballerina to be named principal dancer for the New York-based American Ballet Theater, equally noteworthy but virtually unnoticed is the promotion of the first Filipina/American to principal dancer for the same ballet troupe.

Filipina American Stella Abrera, raised in Southern California, joins fellow Californian Copeland last week to become the prima ballerinas for one of the premiere dance companies in America. That both dancers are of color is indicative of what is broadly happening in America, a slow but steady acknowledgement of the demographic shifts happening in our country.

Abrera is the first Filipino American to reach the rank of principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Past international Filipino principal dancers include Maniya Barredo and Nicolas Pacaña with Atlanta Ballet, Anna Villadolid with Munich Ballet, and Ballet Philippines alumni Rey Dizon with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Toni Lopez Gonzalez and Brando Miranda, who danced with Washington Ballet, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, respectively.

Stella Abrera

“I feel extremely lucky and blessed that I’ve been granted this recognition,” said Abrera, who joined ABT in 1996 at the age of 17. “I always had a hope, but it was never my ultimate goal at this point in my career. My ultimate goal was to present the best art that I could every time . ... I’m completely over the moon.”

Her parents, Aurora and Jack Abrera, are ecstatic and someohat nonplussed about their youngest daughter's success.

“We are not ballet dancers. She’s the first edition. Nobody in the family dances!” her mother laughed. Since the family moved frequently to follow Jack Abrera's job as an engineer, dance was a constant for young Stella.

“She loved dancing, so she was always at home at any of the studios,” Aurora Abrera said.

Her father said they don't think of Stella as someone famous. “We really don’t realize how famous she is; we just think of her as just our daughter."

Last year, Abrera performed with Ballet Philippines at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as the title role in “Giselle.” While in the country of her birth, she took time to visit a school devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in Guiuan, Samar. She decided to help and created the Steps Forward for the Philippines fundraiser to help complete the school that was being rebuilt. "I hope to do more of that work," she said.

"It was a deeply affecting experience," said Abrera. "Everywhere I looked in Guiuan, I saw evidence of catastrophic loss. And yet the students exhibited only determination and optimism. They greeted me warmly and excitedly led me on a tour of the nearly-completed structures of their new school. They were thrilled even to receive the pencils, paints, and notebooks I had brought with me from Manila. I left Guiuan wishing I could do more for these kids."

Abrera hopes to raise $20,000 to rebuild the school. As of this writing, she is just short of its goal. If you would like to help Abrera and Steps Forward, watch the video and link here.

Frankly speaking: Asian Americans excel at eating hot dogs; Matt Stonie upsets legendary Joey Chestnut

Watch the entire men's hot dog eating competition

ASIAN AMERICANS did their doggone best to win the men's and women's contests of the annual hot-dog eating contest in New York City on the most American of holidays - July Fourth.

Matt Stonie upset defending champion Joey Chestnut by downing 62 Nathan's hot dogs (with buns); two more than fellow San Jose resident Chestnut.

"We don't just go up there and eat hot dogs. We practice for this. We prepare our bodies," Stonie said. "It was a tough contest. Joey brings it all. I had to push really hard to beat him. But I feel great."

Chestnut had won eight straight years before this year's defeat. Last year, Stonie finished second to Chestnut.

On the women's side, defending champion Miki Sudo of Las Vegas won the women's contest by devouring 38 wieners and buns in 10 minutes. She downed four more hot dogs than last year and for the second year in a row bested former champ Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas of Alexandria, Virginia, who ate a distant 31 sausages.

For the second year in a row, Miki Sudo, right, bested rival Sonya Thomas.

California governor signs Assemblyman Bonta's bill for Larry Itliong Day

Larry Itliong

ON OCT. 25, California's school children will hear about Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong.

California's Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB7 into law July 1. AB7, introduced by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland). The bill requires the governor to proclaim Oct. 25 as "Larry Itliong Day," and would encouraged public schools to teach about Itliong's historic role in organizing farm workers.

“Larry Itliong is a hero not only to Filipino Americans and Filipinos in the diaspora, not only to all Californians and Americans who fight for socioeconomic and racial justice, but also to his surviving family,” said Johnny Itliong, one of Larry Itliong’s children and director of the Larry Itliong Foundation for Education, in a statement. 

“I’ve spent many years asking when people would recognize what the manongs have done….This means a lot to the countless immigrant youth who know first-hand the meaning not only of struggle but also the value of self-advocacy.”

Itliong was one of the leaders of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), a union fighting for the rights of farmworkers. Led by Itliong, AWOC, primarily composed of Filipino field workers, was the first union to strike for improved wages and working conditions in Delano in 1965, launching the California farm labor movement. 

AWOC's strike pushed the larger and Mexican-dominated National Farm Workers Association into action. Led by Cesar Chávez and Dolores Huerta, the NFW and the Itliong-led AWOC to form the United Farm Workers of America. The UFW launched boycotts against grapes and lettuce that were successful in forcing growers to negotiate a contract for better wages and working conditions.

RELATED: California Assembly unanimously passes bill for Larry Itliong Day

“While the farm labor movement is often seen predominantly as a Latino movement, the movement encompassed much more than just one ethnic group. Filipino American and Latino labor leaders built a beautiful collaborative relationship to create the farm worker movement in California, and Larry Itliong played a critical leadership role in that movement. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to recognize his contributions to California and am thrilled that Governor Brown understands the important role Itliong played in California history,” said Bonta.

The recent fmotion picture Cesar, about Cesar Chavez and the UFW, omitted, or downplayed, any mention of the part played by Filipino Americans in the labor movement. That glaring omission was roundly criticized by historians and the Filipino American community. In the credits, you could see Filipinos playing the role of real Filipino individuals but their names or their contributions were not mentioned in the movie. Mainly, they stood in the background.

As the first and only Filipino American ever elected to the California State Assembly in the history of the state, Bonta is committed to ensuring that the Filipino American experience is accurately reflected in California history. Bonta's parents were farm workers and were active in union organizing.

One of his first acts after winning election to the Assembly was to introduce AB123 to provide students with a more complete account of California's farm labor movement and ensure that Filipino American leaders are remembered by future generations of Californians. 

"I was thrilled that Governor Brown signed my AB123 during my first year in the Assembly. The incredible and transformative contributions of Filipino Americans to our state have been missing from our history books for too long, and it's encouraging that this more complete story will now be told in our classrooms," said Bonta. "Now, with the addition of AB7, I am confident that within the next few years, these contributions will be more commonly known as a critical part of the rich and vibrant collective history of our state." 

Larry Itliong (in sunglasses) and Cesar Chavez (right of Itliong) led the California farm laborer's unions. 

###