VIA Times – May 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Veronica Leighton
Asian Americans have contributed so much in the progress of this country not only in terms of their excellence in the professional fields of medicine, science and enginerring, but also as manual workers–as farmers, fishermen, carpenters, etc. Please read the brief description of how the celebration of Asian Americans started in the 1970’s through the initiation of some active Asian leaders in the U.S. Congress in Veronica’s Vibes on page 5. But have you realized that the first Asian ever recorded to come to America are the Filipinos? Let me share with you a PBS documentary series, proclaiming that the Filipino sailors were the first to settle in the U.S. around 1750 in what would later be Louisiana. Later around 1840, to make up for the shortage of slaves from Africa, the British and Spanish brought over slaves or “coolies” from China, India, and the Philippines to islands in the Caribbean, Peru, Ecuador, and other countries in South America. These days, you can visit the Manila Village in Louisiana and learn something about the early Filipino settlers who paved the way for the rest of us, who hoped and dreamed, and worked hard just like us.. Asian Americans have come a long way in this country. For the last four decades, we have noticed that the recognitions (that have been past due) are increasing as we have climbed up the ladder politically and economically. The month of May has been getting quite busy for us, the Asian American media, in receiving all kinds of invitations from the government officials as well as business conglomerates in recognizing the visible Asian Americans in their midst. Due to space constraints, I can just cite a couple of these recognitions as an example. The Secretary of State Jesse White’s award for the “Youth Who Excel” on its 14th annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month has included an outstanding Filipina youth who has appeared on CPRTV a few times and has her first VT writing/ interview assignment, interviewing the Mayor of Gurnee Kaptain about the impact of Asian Americans in that part of northern suburb in this issue. Michaella Aloba passed with flying colors in her first assignment and you can read her article on page 22, plus a pictorial of her awards event on page 10. Michaella is ranked within the top 5% of her class with a 4.4 GPA. She is active and excels not only in the classroom, but also on the basketball court, stage, and in community projects. She belongs to the Business Club and National Honors Society at South Elgin High School. She was a point guard who led different basketball teams to successful wins and championships. She is also a performer who sings for different occasions. She has sung for different charity events that raised thousands of dollars for various causes. A media conference of great importance for the many ethnic groups of Illinois, not only Asians, was held by Attorney General Lisa Madigan with the Asian American leaders headed by Mr. Chris Sola representing the North Side Consults on the topic of the millions of dollars grant money from the government to help people with foreclosure problems. Before we sign off, this is a reminder that May is also the National Mental Month, meaning that we must always be consciously taking care of ourselves not only physically, but also mentally. Easy to do by just reading every exciting page of VT.##
Chicago’s Asian American leaders representing various organizations at a
media conference with Attorney General Lisa Madigan held at the Korean
Community Center.
Michaella Aloba receiving her
“Youth Who Excel” plaque from
SOS Jesse White for the celebration
of Asian American Heritage
Month.
