OCA Greater Houston has partnered with the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS-HTX) and UNIPRO Texas to bring an iconic showcase of speakers, authors, and films to the OCA National Convention, right here in Houston, Texas!

Here is a reference for you to clear your calendar to make sure you catch these must-see films, panels, and book talks to meet an amazing representation of today’s Filipino American national icons!

ALL EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE OLD ADAM’S MARK HOTEL
Houston Marriott Westchase
2900 Briarpark Drive Westchase 34, Houston, Texas 77042

Consolidated Schedule

Saturday, June 22, 2019
Location: Briarpark Room

12:00pm
Film Screening:  Nothing on Us: Pinays Rising

1:30pm
Film Screening: Nightcrawler (Dir. Alexander Humilde)

In the urban jungle of Manila, the call center capital of the world, anonymous call center agents spill the beans on the Philippines’ most in-demand job, revealing the country’s rapid westernization and cultural suppression

Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 6:30 PM Location:  Briarpark Room
Film:  Call Her Ganda  | 93 Min | Directed by PJ Raval

When a 26-year old Filipina transgender woman and sex worker, Jennifer Laude, is found dead, the perpetrator is quickly identified as 19-year-old U.S. marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. Three women pursue justice, activist attorney Virgie Suarez, transgender investigative Meredith Talusan, and Jennifer’s mother Julita.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 6:30 PM Location:  Briarpark Room
Film:  ULAM | 80 Min | Directed by Alexandra Cuerdo

ULAM: Main Dish is the first food documentary following the rise of the Filipino food movement via the chefs crossing over to the center of the American table

Friday, June 28, 2019 – 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Location: WESTCHASE 12
Book Talk:  “Filipinos in Houston” by Christy Poisot and Jenah Maravilla
MODERATOR:  Lieszl Compas

Join us in a discussion with authors Christy Panis Poisot and Jenah Maravilla and hear how they selected the best images of the first families, their descendants, and community leaders who were organized to recall how their stories contribute to the history of Filipinos in Houston.

Friday, June 28, 2019 – 1:45 – 3:15 PM Location: WESTCHASE 12
PANEL:  Data Privacy: A Right or Obstacle to Innovation?
MODERATOR: Mark Sampelo

In this day and age, consumers want to protect their privacy and assurance that companies are protecting their data. Companies are subject to a wide range of national and international data privacy laws that protect the personal data and privacy of individuals while maintaining the ability of organizations to use personal data for legitimate business purposes. How can we be sure our data is being protected and what are companies using our data for? How can we access the data that companies have on us? And as a community with language and cultural barriers, is our data equally being protected? In this panel, you will learn about the history of Data Privacy and why it has become so important in the recent media. The discussion will explore the history of Data Privacy, why the subject is a hot topic, what data privacy means to you and our AAPI community.

Saturday, June 29, 2019, at 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Location:  WESTCHASE 34
Book Talk: “Brown Skin, White Minds” by E.J.R. David

He has published theoretical and empirical works on Internalized Oppression or Colonial Mentality. His first book “Brown Skin, White Minds: Filipino-American Postcolonial Psychology” focuses on colonial mentality and its psychological implications among Filipino Americans. He was the recipient of the APA Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues Distinguished Student Research Award, among many other distinguished awards.

Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM Location: RICHMOND 23
Panel: How to Care for Your Elders MODERATOR:  TINA TRAN, AARP TEXAS
SPEAKERS:  GENERAL TAGUBA, RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL OF THE U.S. ARMY, DR. STEPHEN K.W. CHAO, UT COMMUNITY CLINICS, KERWIN HIGASHI, VICE PRESIDENT, SODEXO SENIORS, CHI MEI LIN, DIRECTOR, CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER

AAPIs are the fastest-growing population in the United State, but that does not mean that we have not contributed to the building of this country. Our elders have given a lot towards creating the fabric of this country, and despite this elderly AAPI populations experience the most social isolation and poverty. Join our panel as we hear from experts on the current problems facing aging AAPI populations and what we can do to take better care of our elders.

Saturday, June 29, 2019 – 1:30pm Location:  Briarpark Room
Film Screening:  Nothing on Us: Pinays Rising screening

In NOTHING ON US: PINAYS RISING, Pinay Rapper Ruby Ibarra makes her directorial debut showing how she orchestrated an ambitious vision for her music video of “Us,” working through logistical nightmares and corralling a crowdsourced all-Pinay cast of 200 to create a multi-dimensional narrative. This documentary showcases the song’s global tropes of resistance and solidarity, serving as a Pinay anthem for women to continue rising.

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUfNeCozJBw

Saturday, June 29, 2019, at 2:00 AM – 3:30 PM Location: BALLROOM F
Panel: Congressional Gold Medals MODERATOR:  CHRISTY POISOT, Co-director, National Federation of Filipino American Associations  SPEAKERS:  GENERAL TAGUBA, RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL OF THE U.S. ARMY, DONNA COLE, CEO & PRESIDENT, COLE CHEMICAL & DISTRIBUTING, ED GOR, PRESIDENT, CHINESE AMERICAN CITIZEN’S ALLIANCE

Asian American leaders from Houston played a key role in getting legislation passed for the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award a US civilian can receive. The WWII Filipino Veterans Act and the Chinese American WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act were passed and finally acknowledged Asian American soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives for this country. Join us in hearing from leaders who were a part of working together as a coalition as they share what the process and political strategy was like in getting such critical legislation passed.

Saturday, June 29, 2019, at 2:00 AM – 3:15 PM Location: Grand Foyer
Panel: The Power of We: AAPI Womxn for Social Change

MODERATOR:
DAPHNE KWOK, VICE PRESIDENT, MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP, AARP
SPEAKERS:
SUNG YEON CHOIMORROW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NAPAWF
SUE ANN HONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAPAW
RACHNA KARE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DAYA
EVELYN OBAMOS, INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER, PINTEREST

If you have ever tried to work alone towards broad social change, you know how difficult it can be. However, our potential to affect change can expand exponentially when we put our hearts and minds together. Learn from this panel of AAPI women community leaders, who will speak on their experiences of working toward social change as well as the power of coming together as AAPI women.

Families can make their way to the Cultural Corner in the Children’s area and listen to FANHSxUNIPRO members read storybooks every half hour about growing up with the Asian American and Filipino American experience from children’s books such as Cora Loves Pancit, The Ugly Vegetables, and Salamat Po.

Sing Karaoke, get your face painted, play Filipino American History trivia games, and have your caricature drawn at 5p.m. by local artist Jessicatures.

Make your way to the main festival grounds and watch traditional dancing on stage, grab another bite to eat from local Filipino Food trucks like Flip ‘n Patties.

Take a break from the outdoors and walk to Four Points by Sheraton just across the parking lot and visit the Filipino Film Festival hosted by OCA Greater Houston Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPIFEST), a proud partner with the Filipino American National Historical Society and UNIPRO as part of the FYP Filipino Street Fest.

The HAAPIFEST Filipino Film Festival will feature untold stories of Filipino American history that are not found in current history books.  Learn about the California Grape Strike in the film Delano Manongs, the contributions of the Philippine Scouts in Forgotten Soldiers.  Also featuring other films created by up and coming Filipino directors such as Flip the Record and Bicultural.  SHOWTIMES

The after-party will conclude at the Smash Brothers Anniversary event at Capitol Bar.

The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) has been observing October as Filipino American History Month for the past 21 years, since 1991. The month was established to commemorate the first documented landing of Filipinos in what is now known as the continental United States over 425 years ago.  The FANHS Houston Chapter was established April 1, 2015.  It is the 32^nd chapter out of 34 in the United States.

Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc. (UniPro) educates, empowers, and connects the Pilipino American community by providing a platform for dialogue and growth. UNIPRO unites Pilipino Americans through collaborative action, leadership development, and advocacy.

The United States Congress passed subsequent Resolutions to Recognize October as Filipino American History Month nationally in 2009, 2010, and in 2011.

Enjoy our segment on Pinoy TV – we talk about the Filipino Veteran Recognition and Education Project and the Bataan Memorial Death March.

Join us!!!! 20min mark. Directed, Produced, and Narrarated by Christy Poisot – FANHS President, Houston Chapter.

Arrangements for President Obama’s signature for  historic legislation to be announced 

Washington, D.C. Today, the U.S. Congress finally granted national recognition to the 260,000 Filipino and American soldiers who served under the United States Army Forces of the Far East (USAFFE). They have waited for more than 72 years.

The House of Representatives approved S.1555, the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, passed by the Senate via unanimous consent in July. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.

“Today is truly a great day, a significant seminal period in American history – second only to the liberation of the Philippines and surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces on August 15, 1945,” says Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP). “Now we can tell our veterans with pride in our hearts that this grateful nation has, at last, granted them recognition for the selfless sacrifice they endured in war, and restored their dignity and honor in service to their nation.”

Seventy years ago this past February, the Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, a bill that stripped Filipino soldiers the benefits promised them by President Roosevelt.

In hailing the bill’s passage, Taguba recalls the many conversations he’s had with veterans who endured “a lifetime of injustice and indignation” inflicted by the Rescission Act. “Yet, they remained steadfast and resolute, hoping our country they willingly defended would right the wrong brought upon them. Their courage and strength were their salvation. They placed their trust and expectations on their sons and daughters, on members of Congress, and the American people who believe in them.”

Long overdue

“I’m very happy because this recognition is long overdue,” says 99-year old Filipino World War II veteran Celestino Almeda of Gaithersburg, MD, one of the less than 7,000 surviving veterans residing in the U.S. today. “We responded to President Roosevelt’s call to serve and risked our lives fighting under the American flag. But after the war was over, we were treated unjustly, which was painful and humiliating.”

Rudy Panaglima, 86, of Arlington, VA. has also harbored the same disappointment and frustration over the years, but is nonetheless “thrilled that the U.S. has now recognized us. It’s better late than never.” Panaglima was only 13 when he served with guerilla forces near his home in Cagayan, as a courier and scout. In 1995, he availed of the naturalization benefits granted to Filipino World War II veterans and immigrated with his wife Pura to the U.S.

“If Alberto Bacani were here today, you would see him beaming with joy,” says Marla Miranda Mooney of Stafford, Va. “On behalf of my grandfather and all our family, we are grateful for this timely recognition bestowed on World War II Filipino veterans and for all who worked diligently on their behalf for this day to become a reality.  For my grandfather and all the veterans we honor with this award, the price to ensure democracy and restoration of peace worldwide meant risking personal safety. Though some were not professional soldiers, all of these extraordinary individuals answered President Roosevelt’s call to service.  To them, we were not two separate people — we were One; united against anyone and anything which threatened our lives, liberty, and our pursuit of happiness.” Bacani, who fought in Corregidor as a Major in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, died in November 2013.

Paving the way

The Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 garnered bipartisan support from 312 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 71 in the Senate, paving the way for Congress to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal, which – along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – are the highest civilian awards in the United States.

The CGM bill was introduced in June last year in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), with U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) as lead co-sponsor, and in the House by U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI-2), with U.S. Rep. Joseph Heck (R-NV-3) as lead co-sponsor.

“We did our due diligence by securing more than the two-thirds majority required in both chambers, to ensure its passage,” says Marie Blanco, FilVetREP’s legislative director. “We know how much it means to our veterans and their families.”

She adds: “We are extremely grateful to Sen. Hirono and Sen. Heller, and to Rep. Gabbard and Rep. Heck for their leadership in pushing this bill through to the finish line. We are appreciative as well of the senior leadership in both the House and Senate, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and, of course, to all the cosponsors and their staffers for championing this very important legislation.”

Historic step

In a statement released earlier, Sen. Mazie Hirono paid tribute to Filipino World War II veteran Domingo Los Banos of Kaua’i, who joined the Senator last week aboard the USS Missouri “to recount how these veterans were instrumental to our victory in the Pacific, but had to fight for decades to receive the benefits they earned. The unanimous support this bill earned in the Senate and the overwhelming backing it has in the House honors the sacrifice so many of these veterans made for our country.”

“For months, we have said that time is running out to recognize Filipino World War II veterans for their brave service,” adds Hirono. “Today’s House passage is the culmination of decades of work by these veterans and their families to recognize their key role in the Allied victory, and their decades-long fight for benefits.”

“Today, the United States Congress took an historic step forward in honoring the more than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers that served our country during World War II. With unanimous support from the United State Congress, our bill now heads to the President’s desk,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “Our Filipino WWII veterans have waited decades for this recognition alongside units like the Tuskegee Airmen and Hawaii’s own 442nd/100th Infantry Battalion with the Congressional Gold Medal—our nation’s highest civilian honor. With just 18,000 of these Filipino World War II veterans still alive today, we cannot afford to wait any longer. I urge the President to sign this bill into law before the year’s end, and honor our veterans with this long-overdue recognition.”

U.S. Rep. Coleen Hanabusa (D-HI-lst), in her remarks during the House proceedings, acknowledged former Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, for championing the cause of Filipino World War II veterans during their many years of service in the Senate. “They fought to repeal the Rescission Act,” Hanabusa said, “and they did everything they can to restore their rightful benefits. They would be proud to know that Congress finally did the right thing.”

Grassroots support

Ben de Guzman, FilVetREP’s Outreach Director, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support for the national effort to raise awareness about the critical role Filipino World War II veterans played in the Pacific Theatre. “A coalition of national advocacy groups serving Filipino Americans, Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders, veterans service organizations, and countless local organizations and advocates at the local level took part in this national campaign. Their engagement with their senators and representatives in the last 17 months was instrumental in moving the CGM legislation forward,” de Guzman said. “Without grassroots support, it would have been difficult to mount the kind of campaign needed to bring us to this historic moment, which we celebrate with pride today.”

Among the advocacy groups that assisted in the nationwide effort is the San Francisco Veterans Equity Center (SVEC), which has helped hundreds of Filipino World War II veterans over the years. “They are so delighted to finally receive the recognition they have been waiting for a long time,” says SVEC Exec. Director Luisa Antonio, who is also a FilVetREP Board Member. “Leo Ansis, an 89-year-old New Philippine Scout, felt that his service has been forgotten, but very excited to hear of the bill’s passage. Mrs. Lourdes Poblete, a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and a recognized guerrilla who served from 1942 to 1944 is also overjoyed to receive the honor while she is still alive. She is 92 years old.”

Preserving an American story

The stories of veterans Almeda, Ansis, Los Banos, Panaglima and Poblete have inspired the work of the Bataan Legacy History Society (BLHS), which has been educating the American public since 2012 about the role of Filipinos in World War II. In 2014, it started working with the California Department of Education to have their stories taught in public classrooms, a program that was finally approved in July.

“The recognition of their sacrifices and valor comes at an auspicious time when we are about to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines,” points out BLHS Exec. Director Cecilia Gaerlan. “The Filipinos formed the majority of the USAFFE and they forged an unbreakable bond with their American brothers in the trenches of Bataan and Corregidor. Their forces were able to delay the timetable of the Imperial Japanese Army despite suffering from massive disease and starvation and fighting without any air support.  These facts are now included in the U.S. history curriculum framework for Grade 11 in California.”

“Indeed, our heroes accomplished their mission and we are deeply and eternally grateful to them for defending our country, for preserving our freedom, and granting us to live free for generations to come,” Taguba said. “Now, we have to accomplish ours by ensuring that this American story is preserved for posterity.”

The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, community-based, an all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to obtain national recognition of Filipino and American WW11 soldiers across the United States and the Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines from July 26, 1941, to December 31, 1946. For more information about Filipino WWII veterans and how to get involved, visit our website at www.filvetrep.org or find

PHOTOS

Sen. Mazie Hirono (center), who sponsored the Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 in the Senate, pose with leaders and members of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), shortly after Congress approved the bill granting recognition to Filipino World War II veterans. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Hirono’s office).

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who sponsored the Congressional Gold Medal Award legislation in the House, congratulates Filipino World War II veteran Rudy Panaglima following the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal bill. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Gabbard’s Office).

The Filipino American National Historical Society will kick off October as Filipino American History Month with a toast to the story of the Filipino American DJs of Houston. Watch the Texans game at Lincoln Bar and then help us toast our Filipino DJ History in Houston!

Background
East Coast and West Coast have recognized the contributions of Filipino American DJs’ influence on community and culture building. It is time we do this in the South.

We will share the profiles and stories of a few of the DJs we have identified as contributing to the story of Filipino American Houston DJs. We hope to further discover more stories.

You can listen to interviews here: Houston Filipino American DJ interviews.