Update on "No to Hate!" Campaign

UniPro’s Official Statement Regarding Recent Hate Mail in American Canyon, California

In early January, the Pilipino population in American Canyon became the target of hate when several residents received an anonymous letter referring to members of the Pilipino community as “filthy” "unwanted" “scum.” We in UniPro released a petition to take a stand against racism, to stand in solidarity with the Pilipino community in Napa County, and to demand that local authorities and government officials ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Similarly, NaFFAA Region 8 (National Federation of Filipino American Associations) has called for authorities to investigate the origins of the hate mail. We are grateful to those who have signed the petition, and especially to the City Council of American Canyon for their acknowledgement of our initiative and for their swift response to the incident. This response includes a rally and march on January 9th among city leaders and residents, including members of the Filipino American Association of American Canyon, in appreciation of diversity. Furthermore, the City Council adopted Resolution 2013-05 on January 15th, affirming the city as one of racial and religious equity. Lastly, the City Council has directed the Police Chief to investigate all possible leads regarding the author of the letter. While we laud these efforts, there is still a long way to go towards eradicating the deep-seated and ongoing racism that Americans face every day. UniPro strongly urges that Pilipino organizations work together - locally, regionally, and nationally - to show support for all victims of hate, and to create a national culture that accepts and celebrates diversity.

Modern Filipino Cuisine Highlighted on Bravo's Top Chef

A few weeks ago, the contestants on Top Chef: Seattle entered into Restaurant Wars. The challenge allows each contestant on the Emmy-Award winning reality competition to present their idea for a restaurant. Two winners' concepts are chosen, and with only 48 hours and the help of their teammates, they have to transform an empty space and kitchen into the restaurant in their vision. The challenge is notorious for sending home promising chefs who can't handle leadership roles, or for getting other chefs in trouble when their front-of-house service is less than stellar. But this season we perked up more than usual when chef Sheldon Simeon was selected to execute his "Modern Filipino" menu at restaurant entitled Urbano.

Simeon is a Hawaiian native whose laid-back demeanor has made him a fan favorite all season. Despite his apparent lackadaisical attitude, Simeon turns out to be a confident and smart Executive Chef throughout the episode, delegating tasks calmly and assertively. It's no surprise, either. The young chef has been on the radar of some of the biggest names in the culinary world. In 2011, he received two James Beard Award nominations and won Food & Wine's "Best New Chef People's Choice" award.

As Urbano develops on-screen, we watch Simeon instruct his teammates on the flavor profiles in Filipino cuisine, noting the characteristic sour notes, favorite proteins and the many hearty Pilipino stews. Simeon then takes classic Pilipino dishes and gives them a modern spin, including a play on balut, made of a poached egg and duck confit atop fois gras mousse, and a deconstructed halo-halo, in which he lined up coconut sorbet, avocado mousse, caramelized banana and shaved coconut on a long, thin plate. The menu was inspired by Simeon's ancestry, specifically his grandfather's homestyle Pilipino cooking. As is the trend for many restauranteurs right now, Simeon took the opportunity to showcase his heritage alongside his culinary training and finesse.

The result ended up being a win for Simeon and his team, but it was also exciting to see Pilipino cuisine showcased in this way on such a huge stage. As the judges asked about each dish, it was clear that  they were mostly unfamiliar with Pilipino flavors and dishes, but as they tasted, course-by-course, their oohs and aahs brought the cuisine's appeal and versatility to  the forefront.

Postcard from the UniPro Eboard

As January comes to a close, the UniPro Eboard couldn’t be more thrilled with the recent successes of our organization. Since November, we finally obtained 501(c)3 status and we welcomed new Program Directors to our board. We launched our new blog, a fantastic source for personal and thought-provoking pieces about the issues that affect Pilipinos locally and globally. On January 9th, we started a petition as a display of our solidarity with the Fil-Am community in American Canyon, CA. On the 17th, we networked with more than a dozen community figures and organizations at our first Meet & Greet of the year at Max’s of Manila in Jersey City. That was only the beginning. On February 1st, we will be hosting Speak & Be Heard!, a spoken word competition and showcase of the many talented poets in our community. (Let us know if you're interested in competing!) February 25th, the 27th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, is fast approaching - and so is our panel featuring guest speakers who will share stories about their involvement in the Revolution. This anniversary event is the first in a series of three events, all under the umbrella program called State of Filipino American Advocacy (SoFAA), an initiative headed by Kirklyn Escondo, our Director of Community Building.

We have so much more in store, with Lester Bosea, our Director of USAPAN, scheduling USAPAN workshops at various colleges, and more events and publications in the works thanks to Ivan Gonzales, our Director of Public Policy and Foreign Relations. While our Eboard, Program Directors and staff are hard at work putting together all of our engaging and exciting events, much of what UniPro does would not be possible without our interns! UniPro internship positions are currently open for Spring 2013 and college credit is available.

Lastly, save the date for Summit 2013! Our third annual Summit will be on Saturday, June 1st, the day before the annual Philippine Independence Day Parade.

We're looking forward to getting to know you in the coming months, whether you're a prospective intern, an individual curious about the People Power Revolution, a spoken word poet or a member of a fellow community organization!

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RH Bill) is Passed

I had been following the progress (and stagnation) of the Reproductive Health Bill since 2011, when I wrote part of my college senior thesis about the proposed law. My paper covered the main points of the bill - that it would provide access in the Philippines to maternal care, sex education and contraception, but it would not legalize abortion. I also discussed the controversy surrounding the issue. The majority of the population, along with President Aquino who endorsed the bill were long at odds with the Catholic Church, itself a potent political force within the country. That May, having completed my thesis and received my diploma, I went to the Philippines with my family. The three-week trip was a graduation gift from my parents, and I couldn't wait to explore the country again, this time with a good friend who joined us for the first ten days. While visiting Bohol and Quezon City, we noticed a certain trend: there are so many kids here, we thought. It wasn't an observation I can remember having on any other family vacation. There were small children literally everywhere. They approached us with wonder on the beach, they hung onto their parents at the malls - and they languished on the streets, begging for money. Our thoughts turned often to the RH bill.

I read an article from the Los Angeles Times this past summer that delved into the RH Bill and its implications, while also painting a portrait of a woman named Yolanda Naz. At the age of 36, “she had more children than teeth, common for poor women after repeated pregnancies and breast-feeding.” This mother of eight recounted sermons she had heard at Mass, when priests emphasized the sinfulness of taking birth control pills. But she explains, "What is more sinful is to have more children than I can afford to feed." The RH Bill is for women like Yolanda, who struggle every single day to feed their many sick children.

On December 19, 2012, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 enacted by the 15th Congress of the Philippines. The law guarantees Pilipino citizens access to various contraceptives and fertility control. The public will have access to sex education and methods of family planning. Women are guaranteed maternal care and will have more control over their own bodies. This is a major milestone in the Philippines, where the median age is 23.1 years and the birth rate is 24.98 births/1,000 population (compared to 37.1 years and 13.7/1,000 in the United States).

Human life is precious, and that is exactly why I am glad the bill was passed into law. We should value the lives of children by allowing them to have as much opportunity as possible. Too often they are forced to work instead of going to school; tey become ill or they face death because their parents can't afford the luxuries of education, clean shelter and food. Because of this new law, children in the Philippines - this is the hope, and it will take time - will have a better shot at living healthier and happier lives.

Sign UniPro's Petition Against Hate Crime in American Canyon, CA

I was called a "filthy Filipino" once.

It was in middle school. A classmate and I had gotten into a little tiff - I can't recall what it was about - but when she said those words, they stabbed me like a million little knives. I was shocked, then mad, and then disheartened, especially when, during dinner that evening, I told my mother about the incident and we were both unable to hold back tears.

A few days ago, Derek Valencia, a resident of American Canyon, CA, posted a photo of a hateful letter on Facebook. The letter, supposedly from the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Barbering & Cosmetology, is addressed to fellow American Canyon resident Maria Aida Ignacio Brandes. At first, it discusses Ms. Brandes' alleged unlawful practice of cosmetology, but later it veers into a tirade against the "Filipino scum" in American Canyon:

"In addition, the American Canyon Filipino community as filthy as it is. [Illegible] unwanted as it is...... doesn't need to bring additional unwarranted/unlicensed practices which assists in bringing down the already downward spiraling property values in our area.

"We are attempting to have our community a law abiding one, without having yet another gang of Filipino scum such as yourself and married daughters who have attempted to assimilate into this once clean non-Filipino dominated area in American Canyon (Napa Junction) which includes those of your female offspring who have aligned themselves with CAUCASION husbands to assist in ensuring their half-breed children have "straight noses" in order to be accepted in non-Filipino society."

When I read  about this incident last night, I was just plain confused. I thought, "Is this real?" My astonishment was not regarding the authenticity of the letter as it is clearly not an official letter from the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Barbering & Cosmetology, but I wondered again, as I did in middle school, why someone would go out of his or her way to target an entire community with such vile and hurtful words. I again pondered how I was at all "filthy."

Sadly, this letter is real in that it is full of real hate.

We must not let the Filipino American community of American Canyon stand alone. As Filipino Americans, Asian Americans and, simply, Americans, we must not be idle and complacent. We cannot allow this blatant act of racism to go unnoticed and unpunished. We must "work together, locally and nationally, to help bring justice to this issue."

Take a stand against hate.  Sign UniPro's petition against the recent hate crime in American Canyon, a small step against the deep-seated racism in this country that many Americans face every day.

Photo credit: The Huffington Post