Growing Influences of Asian Pacific Islander Americans

By: Veronica Leighton

 

It’s interesting to note the growing influences of Asian Americans in this country as we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. According to a report by Nielsen’s 2018 on Asian American Consumers Digital Lives and Growing Influence, “Asian-American consumers are growing faster than the general population and maintaining income and education rates higher than any other racial or ethnic group. As the fastest growing ethnic group, Asian-Americans’ consumer buying power has grown exponentially to $986 billion, up 257% since 2000, versus 97% for the total U.S.,” highlighting Asian-American consumers and showing incredible growth in mainstream influence as social influencers, food bloggers and talented U.S. athletes. “Data in this report show the star power of these Asian-Americans and their ability to build audiences that are more representative of the American public.

Asian Americans are leaders when it comes to technology consumption, purchasing and usage. They over index non-Hispanic Whites at 66% for owning smartwatches, 39% for streaming media players, 18% for game consoles and 17% for smart TVs.

With a population of 21.8 million, Asian-Americans currently represent 7% of the total U.S. population. Much of the growth has come from immigration. In 2017, California had the largest Asian-American consumer spending with $323 billion. The next highest spend state was New York at $88 billion, followed by Texas at $78 billion.”

Here’s the latest update on our humanitarian and medical missionaries friends who made headlines last January when they met a fatal van accident in Cebu on their way to their medical mission destination, leaving seven people dead. Seriously injured Nora and Dr. Elenita Rubio are now doing better after undergoing multiple surgeries and are now on the fast road to recovery, diligently and working hard on their daily rehab schedules. Fred Tsai, who suffered an eye injury and positively recovering fast, emailed us and his friends this good news…

“My last update had Nora checking out of Makati Med Mar 21, and moving to our condo to await the start of her knee and hip rehab 2nd week of April. My, how time flies when one is having rehab fun! She checked back in at Makati Med on April 17. For the 1st 2 weeks of her rehab, she would have her knee brace put back after rehab as it had become her security blanket since it was attached to her for more than three months. She finally parted with it two weeks ago and now has become a lot more mobile.

In fact, I know she is now well on her way to recovery as she has already put together a “thanksgiving” mass and dinner reception (with the help of Sis Olive, of course) for over 100 guests at the function room of our condo May 12, 2 days after checking out of Makati Med for the final time, hopefully. She even had a surprise number — her dancing to the Uptown Funk music with the help of her cane!

Her rehab Doc told me at the reception that the recovery progress is very dependent on the patient’s willpower. She sees in Nora the mental strength and positive attitude when she saw Nora dancing already and therefore said that Nora should recover faster than others with similar injuries. I have to temper the euphoria with a bit of reality and, that is, it will still take many months before she can walk, first with the help of a cane, and then without a cane. Getting in and out of bed, wheelchair, commode, etc., still takes quite a bit of effort and also requires assistance. We will have a better idea, based on her mobility in the coming weeks, to be able to decide the schedule for our return to the US. My previous estimate of June in Irvine and July in Chicago will probably slip by a month or two.

As for me, the silicon tube the doctor put in my eye to ensure the tear/lubricant passageway remains open was finally removed this week, after being inside my eye since Jan 21. Other than eye drops, the only issue left is for the lubricant to start flowing again and let TIME heal the inflammation of the retina so that my vision will not be blurry anymore.

Thanks again to all your prayers, well wishes, visits, food, phone calls, flowers, mass cards, healing cards, etc. You helped us, especially Nora, overcome a most heart-wrenching period of her life and now she is well on her road to recovery!” (Fred Tsai)

Congratulations to the officers and members of the Filipino Musicians of Chicago (FMOC) headed by Rudy Campos, recipient of the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame award in 2016. The FMOC’s Spring Jam 2018 held at Hyatt Regency Schaumburg featuring noted community bands and entertainers was a big success.

The Sarah Geronimo’s concert, “This 15 Me,” a wonderful salute to her 15 years in showbiz, held at Copernicus Theatre last May 4th was a full-packed, well-attended show that left many Chicagoans wanting for more. Professionally produced (with state-of-the-art tech lighting and sound system, good choreography and well-written and well-followed scripts) by International Concert Management, Inc., with Chicago line producers Gerry Rebello and Tom Padua handling the nitty-gritties of the production aspects locally, it easily commands congratulations and salute. It also featured great entertainers Mark Bautista and Sam Concepcion. Wait for Tom and Gerry’s upcoming Chicago show in July at the Rivers Casino (see advertisement in this issue).

A private brunch in celebration of the 2018 James Beard Foundation Awards on Sunday, May 6, 2018 held at Kendall College! Mitchell Davis, Executive Vice President of The James Beard Foundation moderated an all-female panel discussion of Beard Winners and Nominees. Panelists included Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy; Asha Gomez of Spice to Table; Beverly Kim of Parachute; Sarah Rinkavage of Marisol; and Mindy Segal of Hotchocolate. Top chefs were featured and good eats all over!

Veronica and Mrs. Philippines PIWC 2018, Angie Francisco, in attendance at “Jump into Ireland” reception and presentation at the Four Seasons Chicago on April 25th by the Ireland Tourism. An interesting and inviting evening to visit Ireland. Photo taken inside the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel lobby on Magnificent Mile.

Girlie Pascual, Vic Perez of ICM, producer from LA, and Veronica inside the Copernicus Theatre during the Sarah Geronimo concert.

Don and Flor Kramer’s welcome party for visiting relatives at their Northbrook home: Cousins Alou Venegas from PH & Marissa Nicolas from California, Marc and Tita Virata from Las Vegas, brod Medo & wife Mina Sanchez, brod Nick & wife Njoy Sanchez, sis Nina & husband Bobby Castaneda, friends Girlie Pascual & James dela Cruz, Dan Gawat, Veronica & Joe Mauricio.