Last Saturday, August 31, at the San Francisco Public Library, Positively Filipino hosted an event to honor 12 community heroes -- our manongs and manangs -- whose life stories and achievements serve as lighted paths for succeeding generations of FilAms. [https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/they-blazed-a-path-for-us]

It was a rare gathering of pioneers and "bridge generation" (children of the first wave of Filipino immigrants, who were born before 1945) offspring. Most were in their 80s or 90s (except for two) and have lived through economic hardships, discrimination and miscegenation. All have overcome social and professional barriers to excel in their respective fields.

An audience of about 200 cheered the seven honorees who were able to make it to the event. The rest who couldn't, just sent video messages.

Some of the post-event reactions:

"We thoroughly enjoyed your tribute to our incredibly gifted Manongs and Manangs at yesterday’s event. I learned so much.

Their stories are priceless contributions to our identity as beneficiaries of the Filipino immigration to America, “the land of opportunity.” Each individual’s story was unique and compelling!" - Eva Monroe

"We had a great time celebrating our Filipino American leaders and heroes. May we all learn from their sacrifices and contributions to the community, the USA, and the Filipino people." - Mario Santos

"It is humbling and gratifying to hear from the awardees their inspiring life journeys. And it is appropo that we come together and celebrate them while they are still vibrant and living." - Ben Olivas

"What a heart warming ancestral honoring event. I was so moved and proud. Thank you for including us!" - France Viana

"So effective in bringing community together. Wonderful. An honor to be a part of it. Grateful to be with awardees and participants—all pioneers forging the future for the next generations of Filipino-American compassionate changemakers and joyful determined leaders!!" - Alisa Mallari Tu

"I left inspired and proud and even choked up a few times during the program." - Kathleen Gutierrez

NOTE: We will be posting the full coverage of the event soon in Positively Filipino. Watch out for it.

[Video of the Week] One-Armed Mamba

In The Know

Calif. Filipino Americans store histories in digital archives
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/27/pajaro-valley-california-state-filipino-american-historical-preservation/

WATCH: BINI, SB19 receive award at ‘Billboard K POWER 100' in South Korea
https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/8/28/watch-bini-sb19-receive-award-at-billboard-k-power-100-in-south-korea-822

Give my regards to Ho-land
https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2024/08/29/616630/give-my-regards-to-ho-land/

Filipino American officer killed during police pursuit
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/29/police-chase-san-diego-2-dead-one-seriously-injured/

Cruise Ship Worker Sentenced to 30 years for Hiding Cameras in the Bathroom
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/29/us/royal-caribbean-employee-hidden-camera-sentence.html

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Alameda Co. fire chief condemns firefighter seen in viral video making racial slurs
https://abc7news.com/post/alameda-county-fire-chief-speaks-after-firefighter-shown-video-making-racial-slurs/15232286/

All charges dismissed against suspect in Oakland officer’s shooting death
https://asamnews.com/2024/09/02/officer-tuan-le-killing-marquise-cooper-murder-charge-dropped/

Report and Recommendations of the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate
https://nysba.org/app/uploads/2022/03/EC-AND-HOD-AMENDED-Task-Force-on-Antisemitism-and-Anti-Asian-Hate-FINAL-1.22.24.pdf

Man punched in suspected anti-Asian attack in Brooklyn: NYPD
https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/man-punched-in-suspected-anti-asian-attack-in-brooklyn-nypd/

Funding provided by the State of California.

An effective way of getting kids interested in reading is to offer them the yucky or the scary as subject matter. In his illustrated book Bunso Meets the Mumu, artist Rev Valdez uses the mumu, a Filipino sobriquet for “ghost,” as a come-on to make children realize it’s really nothing to be scared of. It’s also a way of introducing a broader audience to Filipino mythology and culture. Contributor Claire Mercado-Obias explores how Valdez does it (The Mumu Goes Mainstream).

Speaking of books, Frankfurt, Germany hosts the world’s largest book fair. In 2025, the Philippine book industry will be the holding a P200 million-peso exhibition. Contributor Criselda Yabes hopes Filipino book lovers from all over the diaspora will come to show their support. Frankfurt, she writes, is also worthy of exploration (All Booked Up in Frankfurt).

In this issue, we also feature the third-place winning entry at the 2022 Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award. Alfonso Delgado of Victoria City, Negros Occidental writes about breadfruit, a “super fruit” that also rekindles his memory of his grandmother and her cooking (The Breadfruit, a Super Fruit and So Much More).

Meanwhile, New York writer-editor Cristina DC Pastor gives an update on Vilma Kari, a victim of a hate assault in Times Square. Vilma is recovering from serious physical injuries she received from the unprovoked anti-Asian hate attack. But her daughter says recuperation from emotional damage is more challenging (Hate Survivor Vilma Kari: Doing Well Physically, But Emotional Healing Takes Time).

Finally, contributor Corin Ramos tells us that a tireless community leader in Las Vegas, Rozita Lee shows no sign of slowing down (Meet Unstoppable Community Advocate Rozita Lee). Originally from Lahaina, Maui, the 89-year-old, has gone back several times to her fire-devastated hometown to help survivors recover and cope with the aftermath. Manang Rozita is among the treasures of our community.

Video of the Week: Sinulog Festival 2024