Filipino Veterans Education Center re-opens in San Francisco
World War II veterans salute the U.S. flag at re-opening of the the Filipino Veterans Education Center in San Francisco. PHOTOS BY JUN NUCUM
SAN FRANCISCO–Filipino veterans of World War II received a well-deserved recognition with the re-opening of the Filipino Veterans Education Center (FVEC) January 16 at the War Memorial Performing Arts Veterans Building.
A handful of surviving veterans and a roomful of devoted Filipino and non-Filipino supporters attended the ceremony.
American Legion Bataan Post 600 Commander Rudy Asercion, who is also the National Federation of Filipino-Americans Association Region VIII Chair, called attention the fast-dwindling ranks of surviving veterans, to underscore the urgency of giving them due recognition.
WATCH: Re-0pening of Filipino Veterans Education Center in San Francisco
“In 2002, I hosted an event with over 600 veterans. Then in celebration 60th anniversary of the Leyte landing in 2004, 384 veterans were present and just last year in the 2015 Fall of Bataan commemoration, there were only 17 veterans who were with us,” rued Asercion.
Repository
The FVEC was opened as a repository of resources for the soon-to-be fully implemented state law AB199, which aims to include the contributions of WWII Filipino veterans in curriculum of social science instruction in grades 7-12 “to ensure that our children and future generations learn of the contributions and sacrifice of these brave Filipino soldiers before we lose them to history.”
“They were never really recognized in our history books for all their bravery, their sacrifice, their patriotism to the U.S. and fighting side by side the American troops,” expressed State Assembly Member Fiona Ma, AB199’s main author. Ma also felt it was important to pass a resolution supporting the Veterans’ Equity Fairness Act in Congress. Her bill was vetoed twice by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and was signed only after the successor, Governor Jerry Brown, took over.
California education czar Tom Torlakson being greeted by Lowell High School students.
“Now that we have Superintendent (Tom) Torlakson as a strong advocate and Assembly Member Rob Bonta who is also making sure that this is happening, as quickly as possible, we are very satisfied that this bill is finally coming to fruition and the dignity and respect that we owe WWII veterans will finally be documented for everybody to learn,” Ma said confidently.
New textbook
California Public Instruction Superintendent Torlakson, the keynote speaker, said that his curriculum commission has just released the draft history framework of the new textbook, which is being coordinated with the Bataan Legacy Historical Society led by executive director Cecilia Gaerlan. Public comments will be taken until May 1 before it goes to the Board of Education for adoption.
“I am 100 percent confident that it will be passed and adopted to be a framework to tell the story of the gallant efforts and greatest deeds of the Filipino WWII veterans. The good news is that draft history framework is out will be voted on by May this year and it will be official and would be implemented as soon as next year. The top lesson learned as we review this history is that a partnership was forged between the people of the Philippines and the people of the United States,” Torlakson said in an interview later
Assembly Member Fiona Ma (center) a key supporter of Filipino WWII veterans in the California legislature.
San Francisco 6th District Supervisor and FVEC founding sponsor Jane Kim charged that “lack of recognition and acknowledgment are the greatest injustices in the U.S., and I thank the veterans for their services and the activists for continuing to fight for veterans’ recognition and equal benefits and pay.”
Certificate of honor
Kim also presented a resolution from Board of Supervisors giving a certificate of honor to the Veterans Education Center for its dedicated work for students, researchers and members of the community.
“Having a veterans education center is good for veterans like me,” said Aquilino Delen. “First, because those that may have otherwise been forgotten will be remembered in events like these. I am very glad that this is being pushed forward. That is very good.”
Veteran Regino Nacua was happy to see his fellow veterans and their supporters. “I am already 87-years-old. We are happy whenever we are invited to events that show the WWII veterans are not forgotten by many Filipinos. The center is also a big help for us to be remembered and we are happy that we are still remembered.”
Lowell junior high school student David de la Cruz, whose parents come from Tarlac and Pangasinan, said first and second generation Filipino Americans should learn about their history in places like the FVEC.
San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim (extreme right) presented the veterans a certificate of honor from the Board of Supervisors
“My parents talk this sort of thing a lot, but I actually never went to it. So seeing this and all the people here is very inspiring. Something that will help us develop our world view. And how we need to participate and encourage in knowing our history,” dela Cruz stated.
Looking into roots
“I really feel that I need to look into my roots because until recently I’ve always considered myself to be just a Filipino American or just an American. But I haven’t looked at the true history where my parents came from,” he added.
For Dr. James Sobredo, an associate professor of Ethnic Studies-Asian American Studies Program California State University in Sacramento, FVEC is a very valuable resource and asset.
“It is very important for Filipinos students to take Filipino history classes and find out more about themselves. If you have a strong identity, your chances of success in the world is so much higher. And sometimes in America, we get so caught up in TV and advertisements that we forget our roots,” Sobredo explained.
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