"Filipinos in San Diego" Book Launch on Saturday, August 21, 2010

Book Launch of

"Filipinos in San Diego"

(article courtesy of The Asian Journal, August 13, 2010)

(image courtesy of Amazon.com)

Images of America: Filipinos in San Diego, a book focusing on the lives of Filipinos in San Diego from the turn of the 20th century to the present through historical narratives and archival photographs, will be launched on August 21, 2010 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the House of the Philippines in Balboa Park in San Diego.

The release of this book is timely as there is a growing interest on the increasingly visible Filipinos, the largest Asian American group in San Diego, numbering nearly 1 million according to the 2000 US Census.

The book is authored by Dr. Judy Patacsil, Dr. Rudy Guevarra Jr., and Professor Felix Tuyay of the San Diego chapter of the Filipino American Historical Society and published by Arcadia Publishing.

Filipinos have been a part of the history of the United States and San Diego for over 400 years. The Manila-Acapulco galleon trade ships included Filipinos on sailing expeditions to California, including the port of San Diego. After the Philippines became a territory of the United States in 1898, many Filipinos began immigrating to San Diego. The community grew rapidly, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s. After World War II, Filipino veterans returned with their war brides and the community began to build further. The Immigration Act of 1965 increased Filipino immigration into San Diego to include military personnel, especially those enlisted in the U.S. Navy, as well as professionals.

All three authors are native born San Diegans. Dr. Patacsil is a second-generation Filipina American born in San Diego to pioneering immigrant parents. Dr. Guevarra is a fourth-generation Filipino American, born and raised in San Diego, and is a descendant of pioneering Filipino great-grandparents. Prof. Tuyay is a second-generation Filipino American who has taught Asian American Studies and Filipino American History in San Diego for over 30 years.

Dr. Patacsil, who is also the president of FANHS San Diego chapter, notes that, “It is our hope that the book contributes to the literature on Filipino Americans so that we are more accurately situated in history. We hope that it contributes to a better understanding of the lives of Filipino Americans, especially in San Diego.”

The San Diego chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is an active community organization composed of community members and leaders, scholars, researchers, professionals, and students. The mission of FANHS is to promote the understanding, appreciation, and enrichment of Filipino history and culture through the identification, gathering, preservation, and dissemination of information on Filipino Americans in the United States.

The August 21 book launch event is free and open to the public and is hosted and co-sponsored by the House of the Philippines. To RSVP and for more information, please contact fanhs18@yahoo.com.

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On a personal note, I know all three authors and know that they have worked so very hard to put this book together these past few years. You may have seen other Arcadia volumes at your local bookstores; those books focus on local history.  FANHS Chapters all over the U.S. have been releasing their books over the years and it is now San Diego's turn in the spotlight.

I was proud to have helped in some small way in contributing a few photos from my parents' collection. I just got my copy of the book today and it's a great addition to my collection of Filipino American History books, more so because it is local history...my history.  As a second generation Filipina American, daughter of a former Navy Man and elementary school teacher (who immigrated to the US in the early and late 60's respectively), it brings me great pride as I hold my book and leaf through the pages. "Filipinos in San Diego" depicts the story and faces of immigrants who have been contributors to the history and culture of America's Finest City. From the sombre faces of the early immigrants such as the pensionados (government sponsored students), the manongs who toiled in the agricultural fields, to the military men (US Navy and US Army)and their War Brides, to the establishment of vibrant pockets of Filipino American communities after WWII as well as the increase of the Filipino population after the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act, Filipinos make up a visible minority in San Diego.

In addition to the book launch next weekend, FANHS San Diego will also host more book signings in Southwestern College in September (date to be announced) and at Miramar College in October (date TBA) in honor of Filipino American History Month.

Here's some more info about the authors: Dr. Judy Patacsil, co-author of the book is also a Counselor and Professor at Miramar College. Her father, a family funded pensionado immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920's, worked as a manong in the fields served uder the US Navy during WWII and brought home his War Bride before settling in Southeast San Diego, one of the few communities that did not discriminate or have covenenants barring the entrance of minorities.Her family is one of the pioneer Filipino families who came after WWII. 

Felix Tuyay is a History Professor at Southwestern College and one of the first to begin teaching Filipno American Studies and Ethnic Studies in the South Bay. His parents were also like Dr. Patacsil's. His father was a WWII vet and brought home his War Bride settling down in Southeast San Diego. Lastly Dr. Rudy Guevarra,(a self proclaimed "Mexipino") is currently an Assistant Professor in the Asian Pacific American Studies Program at Arizona State University. His great-grandfather was Filipino and their family is one the San Diego's pioneering Filipino families as well. Rudy's research is especially valuable as it pertains to multi-ethnic studies such as the Filipino/Mexican experience.

Please join FANHS San Diego in celebrating the release of the book, "Filipinos in San Diego" and own a piece of history. Books will be $20 at the event; $25 if you order it by mail.