Dec 1, 2009 Book Launch!

Book Launch and Discussion
December 1, 2009 (Tuesday) 6:30 to 8:30 pm
The George Washington University (GWU) Marvin Center Amphitheatre 800 21st Street, NW Washington DC 20052

 This event was graciously hosted by the Philippine Cultural Society (PCS) of The George Washington University in cooperation with the Philippine Arts, Letters & Media (PALM) Council.  Supporting Organizations National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA) Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC).












Some pictures from the event:

The authors Juanita Tamayo Lott (left) and Rita Cacas

The talk featured a small exhibit with a copy of the Washington Post article by Washington chronicler, Sarah Booth Conroy "Footsteps of the Filipino Pioneers," that appeared on page 3 of the Style Section, July 25, 1994.  Also shown, were two panoramic photographs of large groups parties hosted by Filipino organizations.

The Book signing begins!

 The authors with (l-r): Jun Pedery, Maria Bello Cacas, and Emilie Dearing

...and with the Alzona family (l-r): Eddie, Esperanza, and Gus.  On page 81 of the book,  Esperanza is the baby in the top photo being baptized, and on page 107, her brother, Gus plays guitar with his band, Trademark.  The Alzona family is pictured on page 82 in the bottom photo, taken in the early 1960s.

With the Toribios (l-r): Joe Straka with son, Kyle, his wife, Nila Toribio Straka, and her father, Leo Toribio.  See page 111;  They are pictured in a 1996 photo with their ancestor, great-aunt Fermina Peji Santos at age 86 (see p. 14, when she came to the U.S in 1915 at the age of 5.

Oct 27, 2009 Received pre-release copies!

Received 5 copies of the book - it's so great to see it in print! You can go to Amazon, Borders, or Barnes and Noble to pre-order books - just search "Filipinos in Washington DC" and you'll find it on the listing.

October 23, 2009

This site will provide additional references about early pioneer Filipinos who worked, played, and settled their families in the Washington DC area between 1900 (after the Philippine-American war), through 1945 -- shortly after being granted independence from the U.S.).

Stories continue to the mid-1960 and beyond -- when Immigration laws changed to allow for a new group of Filipinos to come to the U.S. to a permanent settlement of families. Learn about new leaders who are paving the way for success and continued appreciation for their Filipino-American heritage into the future.