Pride, Joy, Sorrow and Confusion

As Filipino American History Month 2016 draws to a close, we focus on Stockton, California, home once upon a time to the largest Filipino American community in the early- to mid-20th century. The city in California's Central Valley celebrates the opening of the National Museum of Filipino American History, a project of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). Read all about this seminal community achievement in our Partner post here. 

Another Stockton jewel is 22-year old singer/songwriter Kylle Thomasson, whose Filipino-African American- and Fijian roots define his music. First-time contributor Mariel Toni Jimenez profiles this adventurous performer in "Stockton's Pride and Joy."

While this month brings pride, it also brought sorrow with the passing of a beloved icon of the San Francisco Bay Area's FilAm community, Alice Bulos. Mrs. Bulos was the first FilAm to be appointed by a sitting American president (Bill Clinton) to a federal advisory panel. Cherie Querol-Moreno, one of the many who benefited from the late great lady's mentoring writes a loving farewell to "the most powerful Filipino American never elected."

Switching to our homeland, how do you explain a problem like [President] Duterte? Prof. Patricio Abinales attempts with "Kanto Boy Politics, the China Pivot and the Fil-Am."

And if you're visiting Chicago, be sure to visit the Mariegold Bake Shop and Fast Food where Millet de la Fuente Bagcus displays her entrepreneurial and culinary skills. Rey de la Cruz writes about this amazing lady who is often tagged "the Filipino mayor of Chicago." From Mariegold, enjoy a simple, everyday recipe for the Happy Home Cook: Garlic Butter Shrimp.

For Video of the Week, we feature the last segment of Filipino Americans: Discovering Their Past For The Future.