The Filipino American studies program at the University of Maryland celebrated its community’s history with its fifth biennial gala, held Feb. 28. Over 100 people attended the event at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in Orem Hall — the same place the first gala was held in 2007.
“Our legacies of yesterday could evolve into the legacies of today,” said keynote speaker Kriselda Valderrama, Maryland’s state delegate for District 26, which includes Prince George’s County. “My story, your story — our story.”
Her father, David Valderrama, was the first Filipino American elected to a state legislature in the U.S., she said.
“So that was a great feat and something that I find him to be a trailblazer on,” she said. “My father inspired me to follow in his footsteps.”
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State delegate Kriselda Valderrama delivers the keynote address. (Joey Trull/PublicAsian)[/caption]
Valderrama said her family’s story reflected the Filipino migrant experience in their fight for equality.
“Statistics show that we as Filipinos have excelled at academics, business, sports and medicine,” she said. “So to protect our advances and preserve our gains, what I feel we all need to do is to be politically involved.”
“Our past is prologue, and I feel like we should continue to the fight for recognition and inclusion in the American mainstream,” said Valderrama.
FCA president Jonathan Reyes said the latest chapter of Filipino American history is being written now.
“Filipino history is our grandparents’ story,” said Reyes. “It’s our parents’ story and it’s our story, and by coming here this afternoon, it became your story.”
The gala also raised funds for the Filipino studies program’s scholarships.
Rita Cacas, who directs a local non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving the history of Filipino Americans, spoke about her research into the experience of Filipino immigrants to the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.
Cacas, author of “Filipinos in Washington, D.C.” and a UMD alumna, showed a tribute video she created, depicting 20th century people of various backgrounds and their jobs after arriving in the U.S., including women first arriving after World War II.
Cacas’ foundation partnered with the University of Maryland Libraries to establish a community archive of Filipino American history. Cacas’ research focused on immigrations from 1900 to 1947, based on her father’s life story.
Cacas will show her research at Hornbake Library April 25.
Cacas was followed by cultural dance performance, directed by FCA cultural chair Christian Flores.
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Flores said the dances were from four different cultures, brought together to form “one story.”
The FCA’s MezzoPinoys also performed a capella renditions of the national and Filipino anthems.
Christine Bersabal, an FCA executive board member, called the event a success.
“This event is a reminder of why I joined this organization,” said Bersabal.
Featured photo: Rita Cacas discusses Filipino heritage and her research findings at the FCA gala.
