SAN FRANCISCO, California. The leader of one of America’s biggest and key cities has reiterated his support to Filipino World War II veterans fighting to win back benefits deprived them over half a century ago.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared October 31 as “Filipino World War II Veterans Day” in this city of over 740,000. He’s been leading a campaign to raise awareness to the plight of about 18,000 surviving Filipino veterans (out of the original 200,000) who fought under the US Armed Forces in World War II.
He said October 31 would henceforth be “a special day of remembrance, admiration and respect to our Filipino-American veterans”. Mayor Newsom made the announcement at the culmination of the Filipino-American Heritage Month Celebration last Oct. 31, hosted by The Filipino Channel (ABS-CBN International). He opted to spend the evening with Filipinos from the Bay Area who gathered at the City Hall rotunda to honor everyday Filipino heroes, in preparation for the 2007 Geny Lopez Jr. Bayanihang Pilipino (Filipino Heroes) Awards in the Bay Area.
Awarding ceremonies were later held under the auspices of ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi, the US-based subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.)
Six US-based non-profit organizations – one each from Colorado and Wisconsin, two from California and three from Virginia – were finalists for this year’s award, perhaps best demonstrating the reach of the Filipino-American community across the nation.
“This year’s finalists represent a breed of extraordinary individuals who have made public service their personal mission,” explained ABS-CBNi Chief Operating Officer, Raffy Lopez.
The new Galing Bayanihang Pilipino Award category was created to recognize non-profit organizations run by US-based Filipinos or American citizens of Filipino descent, for programs that have had measurable impact in the Philippines or in overseas Filipino communities. This year’s nominees were chosen by the Ugnayan at Tulong para sa Maralitang Pilipino or UGAT Foundation run by Jesuit priest, Fr. Nilo Tanalega.
“These unsung heroes of the Filipino-American community embody all that is good about humanity and inspire Americans of all types,” Lopez added.
This year’s winner was the Virginia Beach-based San Lorenzo Spiritual Center, which was chosen to go to Manila to represent the US in the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Galing Bayanihang Pilipino 2007 global awards in early December. Despite the selection of the religious center, the limelight also gravitated towards the veterans.
A special citation was awarded to the Virginia-based American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, for its advocacy work towards restoring recognition and benefits to the aging veterans.
The veterans’ equity bill, which aims to reverse the effects of the 1946 Rescission Act, has hurdled both the House and Senate veterans’ affairs committees, and is now awaiting a final floor vote as S-1315 in the Senate, and HR-760 in the Lower House.
“We keep raising consciousness on this issue,” Mayor Newsom declared, “I think it’s just fundamentally wrong and shame on us not to recognize their contributions and sacrifices for freedom.”
Now mostly in their 80s, the veterans’ ranks are being depleted by about 10 a day, adding urgency to the passage of the equity bill this year.
In a county where nearly 40% of the population is foreign-born, San Francisco has flourished behind its richly diverse population. It is the 14th most populous city in the US, a veritable financial hub in the West Coast and cog to nearby industrial centers like Silicon Valley to the south.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco chief executive echoed the importance of the Filipino-American community in American politics, business and cultural growth, being one of the community’s most enthusiastic advocates.
While helping celebrate Filipino-American Heritage Month, Mayor Newsom reiterated his commitment to help empower the Filipino-American community. “Their issues are associated with affordability in housing, maintaining the quality of services for our seniors and our aging adults, giving people the tools to succeed as newcomers,” he averred.
Mayor Newsom described the Filipino-American community in California as well-organized and politically active. This could be significant because many of the nation’s top leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, hail from the area.
The California State Assembly has also recognized ABS-CBN International for its contributions to promoting the Filipino-American Heritage celebrations.
Filipino-American Heritage Month is set every October and is officially recognized by the California Department of Education. It was established in 1988 to mark the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the US.
About TFC
The Filipino Channel (TFC) is the number one Filipino network in the world and is operated by ABS-CBN International. TFC is viewed by nearly two million Filipinos around the globe every day. In North America, TFC continues to be the most watched source for Filipino-American programming on cable and satellite. Six unique channels - TFC, Cinema One Global, ANC, Pinoy Central, DZMM and DZRR - are distributed worldwide and are currently available on satellite.
About ABS-CBN Global
ABS-CBN Global was created 15 years ago to be of service to all Filipinos. With the launch of The Filipino Channel, the company became the first and most successful Filipino broadcaster in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, money remittance and cargo services, online audio and video streaming along with philanthropic support for Filipinos and the communities they now call home. Based in Redwood Shores, Calif., ABS-CBN Global is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest entertainment and broadcasting company. For more information, visit
www.abs-cbnglobal.com.
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