The Many Faces of the Fil-Am

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Our stories for this second issue of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) 2024 reflect the many facets of being Fil-Am in this day and age. Our four million-strong community in the US has gone beyond its farmworker beginnings and expanded into a variety of professions, affiliations and locations.

But of course, no matter how far we've evolved, we begin a FAHM issue with our manongs, they who sowed this American earth so we can strive and thrive. PF contributor Alex S. Fabros, Jr., whose biography can fill several volumes, regales us with stories from his young life among the manongs of California's Salinas Valley. These are stories told orally, although Fabros, the historian, meticulously checked newspaper sources to confirm some of the incidents he writes about. "The Ilocano Gang of Salinas Valley" is a rare and valuable attestation to the hard but also fun-filled lives in California farms in the mid-20th century.

Fil-Ams have accomplished much in various fields previously unknown or unreachable to our manongs. Later this week, the Philippine Development Foundation (Phildev) will honor some to them, and we feature them here.

In this crazy election season, Fil-Ams are participating in record numbers. But one Filipino Republican pauses to reflect on his disappointments and dilemma. 

Fil-Ams are now all over the US, not just on the West Coast, and so, some of them have not been spared nature's wrath. The poet Tony Robles who moved from California to North Carolina years ago writes about how the recent Typhoon Helene has devastated his home and family. Read his lyrical account here.

And finally, a young Fil-Am megawatt celebrity visited and performed in her grandparents' homeland and wowed the country with her generosity. Read the story in our In The Know section below of Olivia Rodrigo's love gift.

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We can't help but repost this heartwarming Facebook post of Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David when he first heard that Pope Francis announced him as the newest Cardinal-designate of the Philippines. Get to know Bishop Ambo as he is fondly called in our In The Know section below.  

FROM A WHIRLWIND TO A SOFT BREEZE 

Cardinal-designate Pablo Virgilio David

I was enjoying a quiet Sunday morning at the Collegio Filippino after a heavy Synod schedule. I slept a bit longer because my Sunday Mass was not going to be until 4pm at the Chaplaincy for Filipino Migrants in Rome. For the first time in many days I had 8 full hours of sleep. After my late “Coffee with Jesus” my phone started ringing. I ignored it because I was also preparing my Sunday homily for my 4 pm Mass at the Sta Pudenziana Church. Besides, the call registered as an international call so I restrained myself from answering it because I’m using a Philippine SIM card and the call would have had to pass through the Philippines and would have been very expensive. Haha, now I realize it must have been someone from the Vatican trying to reach me to inform me about the announcement that was going to be made by the Pope at 12 noon after the Angelus.

Later at noon, the procurator at the Collegio sent me a congratulatory message on WhatsApp. I texted back and said, “For what?” He texted again and said, “Na-announce po na Cardinal kayo.” I texted back and said: “Joke?!” That’s when he called me up to say it could not be a joke because the Pope himself had announced it after the 12noon Angelus. And he sent me the video cut-out from the newsfeed of Vatican news. Then i began to receive a deluge of messages. It felt like being caught in a whirlwind. I put down the phone and did a five minute breathing exercise, which instantly calmed me down. Now it felt like Elijah standing by the mouth of a cave and feeling a soft breeze that penetrated my soul and prepared me for this new chapter of my life and ministry as a bishop, as a servant of God’s people. I said, “Ok, Lord. My life is in your hands.”

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Staff

Land of the Brave

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"How can you still live in the United States," someone asked as the almost daily news of mass shootings continue to horrify the world. How can we indeed when for the past seven years there has been a steady stream of abominations (think January 6, George Floyd, Asian hate, rightwing and racist rants -- you get the drift) that has become the daily dose of life in America.

First-generation Filipino immigrants with continuing strong ties to the Philippines have the option to stay or go, but most opt to stay. After all, most had to brave hell and high water to be able to legally live here, and that's not something one can easily give up on.

All things considered, the pros still outweigh the cons. As our stories this week show, Fil-Ams have made use of the opportunities offered by this country to fulfill their dreams and carve out their niches in American society.

Check out those who made it in today's list of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous. They represent a variety of fields and are stand-outs in their respective ones.

Read about Ruby Silvious who's unique art medium has been noticed in New York's competitive art scene.

And await the forthcoming book of community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis where she tells her remarkable story of playing it big in America.

Yes, we ourselves sometimes ponder the question of why, despite everything, we still choose to live in the US. Because we can. 

Stories This Week

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 42 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

The Tea Bag Artistry Of Ruby Silvious By Claire Mercado-Obias

Why It’s Fun To Read Loida Nicolas Lewis’ ‘Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?’ By Fr. Joe Constantino, SJ

Read Again

Leonor Rivera, A Hero’s Sweetheart By Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Adobo By Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Ginataang Langka (Young Jackfruit In Coconut Milk) By Chef Richgail Enriquez

[Video of the Week] Manila 1931

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Staff