Reflections on Filipino American History Month

 

Mel Orpilla , FANHS National President writes:

"It has been a great Filipino American History Month with meaningful activities commemorating our rich history from Hawaii, to Alaska to New York and everywhere in between. I am so proud to be the FANHS National President and bearing witness to the efforts of Fred and Dorothy Cordova and their incredible vision and foresight. I dedicate my work with the Filipino American Historical Society to my parents, who without their support and inspiration, I wouldn't be here today."  (See video on Mel Orpilla's Facebook page.)

 

 

ALASKA: "Filipino Stories Exhibit Opens in Kodiak"

http://www.alaskapublic.org/2012/10/02/filipino-stories-exhibit-opens-in-kodiak/

Photo: Property of the University of Washington Libraries via Alaska website 

 Christine R Marasigan , FANHS National Treasurer posted news on this exhibit in Kodiak, Alaska. She says: "Super proud of the people in Kodiak for making this happen. Especially proud of the students who helped document the community. October is Filipino American History Month, making history for 425 years!"

Christine's first FANHS national conference was Virginia Beach (2000), as a guest of the late Thelma Buchholdt,  former FANHS National President and the first Filipina woman in U.S. history to be elected to a state legislature.  http://thelmabuchholdt.com 

 

 Drexel Alum and former member of FISDU, Ben Silverio wrote a blog for the Philadelphia Film Society with the headline:
"Celebrate Filipino American History Month at the Philadelphia Film Festival"

http://filmadelphia.org/blog/celebrate-filipino-american-history-month-pff21

Visual Communications http://www.vconline.org/alpha/cms/ in Los Angeles, CA, closed Filipino American History Month with their blog focused on youth.  Beside historical images of Filipino American children from VC's vault, Visual Communications states: "It is our belief that our history lives within and continues with our youth and that we look forward to them to make their own histories."  (Thanks to Michelle Magalong and her My HiFi for references to Visual Communications and many more resources.  Michelle dilligently met FANHS NY President Kevin Nadal's challenge to tweet about Filipino American History Month #fahm2012 every day in October :-)   

 

Cheers to FANHS founders Dr. Dorothy and Dr. Fred Cordova http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/cordovas.htm 

second generation Filipino Americans (now 80!) who not only envisioned Filipino American History Month more than 20 years ago, but founded the Filipino American National Historical Society / FANHS (1982) and co-founded Filipino Youth Activities (FYA) in 1957!  Both organizations mentored generations of youth who continue as leaders of communities throughout the USA.  So many of us are forever grateful for their inspiring work.  The work they began will continue with the dynamic leadership team of FANHS National Officers and Trustees.   FANHS emeriti and old friends will continue to be supportive as well. 

 

Elected at the FANHS national conference in New Mexico (2012), current FANHS National Officers are:

President Mel Orpilla of Vallejo, California

Vice President Dr. Judy Patacsil of San Diego, California

Secretary Dr. Patricia Espiritu Halagao of Honolulu, Hawai'i

Treasurer Christine Marasigan of Kodiak, Alaska

 

Other national trustees represent New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Mexico