White House Celebration of Filipino American History Month

This is my 10th article on my series about the Philippines and Filipino Americans in connection with Filipino American History Month Celebration here in the US 

Some of Filipino Americans Serving the Biden Harris Administration with VP Kamala- Look who is the one with purple hair in the 4th row? A very, very proud Papa, Tatay, Itay, Father or Padre, Indeed!   

💗💗Ditas Katague, my youngest Daughter attending Filipino American History Month White House Celebration, Monday, October 21, 2024, Washington DC  

Ditas and Major General Antonio Taguba at the  Filipino American  History Month Celebration in the White House

Antonio Mario Taguba (born October 31, 1950) is a retired major general in the United States Army. He was the second American citizen of Philippine birth to be promoted to general officer rank in the United States Army.

Taguba is best known for authoring the Taguba Report, an internal United States Army report on abuse of detainees held at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The report was leaked, then published, in 2004. Taguba again made national headlines in June 2008 when he accused the Bush administration of committing war crimes in a preface to a report by Physicians for Human Rights on prisoner abuse and torture in American military prisons.

Ditas Katague with Retired White House Chef Cristeta Comerford, 2024 at the White House

Cristeta Pasia Comerford (née Gomez Pasia; born October 27, 1962) is a Filipino-American chef who served as the White House executive chef from 2005 until her retirement in 2024. She is the first woman and first person of Asian origin to hold the post.

After Scheib resigned in February 2005, Comerford was appointed White House executive chef by First Lady Laura Bush on August 14, 2005. Comerford is the first woman to hold this position. She reportedly was appointed to this position due to her handling of a large dinner that was held in honor of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh.

White House executive chef Cris Comerford and children make White House honey tea stirrers, Nov 28, 2012

On January 9, 2009, the Obama transition team announced that Comerford would be retained as the administration's head chef.^[Michelle Obama stated, "She is also the mom of a young daughter, and I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families."

Comerford appeared on a special two-hour episode of Iron Chef America, originally broadcast on January 2, 2010. She was teamed up with Bobby Flayand competed against a team of Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali.

As chef to a head of state, Comerford is a member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs. Comerford retired from the White House in July 2024.

The Program Featuring Fireside Chat with Chef Cristeta Comerford

Ditas with Irene Natividad at the White Filipino American History Month Celebration

Irene Natividad (born 14 September 1948 in Manila, Philippines) is an American feminist, women's rights activist, corporate director, international advocate for women in leadership positions, President of the GlobeWomen Research and Education Institute, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC whose lead programs include the annual Global Summit of Women and Corporate Women Directors International (CWDI). She previously served as Chair of the National Women's Political Caucus, Chair of the National Commission on Working Women, Executive Director of the Philippine American Foundation, Founder and President of Asian American Professional Women, and Founding Director of the National Network of Asian-Pacific American Women.

Bobby (Robert Cortez) Scott (born April 30, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 3rd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the dean of Virginia's congressional delegation and the first Filipino American voting member of Congress. The district serves most of the majority-black precincts of Hampton Roads, including all of the independent cities of Norfolk, Newport News (where he resides), Hampton and Portsmouth, and parts of the independent city of Chesapeake. From 2019 to 2023, Scott was chair of the House Education and Labor Committee. He has been ranking member on that committee since 2023.

Scott is the first African American Representative from Virginia since Reconstruction. Also, having a maternal grandfather of Filipino ancestry makes Scott the first American of Filipino descent to serve as a voting member of Congress. His congressional district is the only one with a majority black population in Virginia. It was created in 1992 and has remained the state's most Democratic district.

Here are other photos of the well attended event featuring Filipino-Americans serving in the Biden-Harris Administration.  

Ditas with Irene Bueno ( API leader, lobbyist) and Chef/Owner Patrice Cleary of Purple Patch💚 Restaurant, Washington, DC

Jollibee at the White House- In case you have not heard of Jollibee-The McDonald of the Philippines

Jollibee is a Filipino chain of fast food restaurants owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) which serves as its flagship brand. Established in 1978 by Tony Tan Caktiong, it is the Philippines' top fast food restaurant and is among the world's fastest growing restaurants, expanding its international presence from 2014 to 2024 almost sixfold. As of January 2024, there were over 1,668 Jollibee fast-food branches across 17 countries, with restaurants in Southeast Asia, East Asia (Hong Kong and Macau), the Middle East, North America, and Europe (including Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom). Jollibee is best known for its bestselling item, the Chickenjoy.

Ditas with Paulo Pontemayor- one of my loyal blog readers and Fan in Washington DC

Ditas with Mayor Ron Nuremberg of San Antonio, TX

Ditas with Ambassador Chantale Wong ( Asian Development Bank) and Genevieve Jopanda

Ditas with Cameron Sassi, Vice Mayor of Pinole Valley, CA

💚https://www.purplepatchdc.com/

Purple Patch opened in 2015, one of the first Filipino Restaurants in Washington, D.C., and has since become a destination for travelers near and far. Through the years, Purple Patch has consistently been listed in the Washington Post’s Dining Guides, including top critic Tom Sietsema’s Favorite Restaurant in 2023. Other accolades include being named one of the top 9 Filipino restaurants in America by TableLog, named #4 in Best Big 7’s Top 25 Best Filipino Restaurants in the United States in 2020, and voted Best Filipino Restaurant in Washington City Paper’s Best of DC in 2023 and 2024.

Personal Note: Ditas ( my youngest daughter) is currently the Associate Director for Communications. Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce, Washington. DC

💗💗https://www.census.gov/about/leadership/communications.html

The Angono Petroglyphs, Rizal, Philippines

This is 11th article on my blog series about the Philippines and Filipino Americans in connection with the Filipino-American History Month Celebration here in the US.

The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, located in Rizal, Philippines, are considered the oldest known work of art in the country, dating back to the late Neolithic period, before 2000 BC. They are a series of 127 human and animal figures engraved on a rock wall in a shallow rock shelter, with 51 distinct types, suggesting that the engravings were done by many individuals.

The Significance of the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs

The site's significance lies in its historical, cultural, and scientific value. The petroglyphs represent the oldest known rock art in the Philippines, showcasing a unique deep engraving technique. They provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the people who created them, offering a glimpse into the prehistory of the Philippines.

The Discovery and Excavation

The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs were discovered in March 1965 by National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco during a field trip with Boy Scouts. Archaeological excavations, led by Alfredo Evangelista, were conducted from October to November 1965, uncovering artifacts that confirmed the site's Neolithic age. These artifacts included fragmented earthenware, obsidian flakes, chert flakes, stone tools, and a polished stone adze.

Interpretation and Theories

The petroglyphs depict a variety of figures, including stylized human figures, frogs, lizards, and other designs that may have been eroded over time. The engravings are mostly symbolic representations, believed to be associated with healing and sympathetic magic. Researchers have argued that the figures were medicinal and religious in function, made by ancestors to transfer the sickness of a child onto the limestone wall, thus curing the child from ailments.

In 2018, Jalandoni and Taçon proposed that the petroglyphs consist of two different phases created by different cultures. The older Phase 1, believed to be created by Austrolo-Melanesian (Negrito) hunter-gatherers, is composed of geometric shapes, including vulva forms, small holes (cupules), and a human figure with bent elbows and knees. Phase 2, with sharper edges and lines, is believed to be much more recent and may have been carved by Austronesian hunter-gatherers, adding limbs, heads, and torsos to previous stick human figures.

Preservation and Management

The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs have been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973. They are also included in the World Inventory of Rock Art and are part of the Philippines' tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site is managed by the National Museum of the Philippines, with support from the Department of Tourism, World Monuments Fund, American Express, and a Philippine real estate company.

Conclusion: A Window into the Past

The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs are a testament to the artistic and cultural heritage of the Philippines. They offer a unique and valuable glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the people who lived in the region thousands of years ago. Their preservation and study are crucial for understanding the rich and complex history of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, THD did recognized Filipino-American History Month with the following poster in our Elevators. There is no plan to have a special Filipino Dinner. Instead Filipino snacks/appetizers is plan for next Friday Cocktail Hour.  

Lastly:

Did you know that Filipinos are the second-largest immigrant group in the United States?

However, unlike many other ethnic communities, they don’t typically form distinct enclaves like Chinatown or Koreatown in cities across the U.S. Filipino immigrants tend to integrate into mainstream society, making them less visible compared to other groups.

Despite their significant population, there aren’t as many Filipino restaurants or cultural hubs in the U.S., allowing them to blend more seamlessly into American life.

Bull and Cock Fighting in the Philippines

his is the 9th article on my blog series about the Philippines in connection with the Filipino-American History Month Celebration here in the US.

Bullfighting in the Philippines has a fascinating history that stretches back over 400 years, blending Iberian influences with local traditions. This practice emerged during the Spanish period and has undergone various changes throughout its existence.

In the 1890s, bullfighting events were held in Manila, specifically in the Paco district, where a bullring was situated. American writer Joseph L. Stickney, who was in the Philippines from 1898 to 1899, observed that "neither Spanish bull-fighters nor Spanish bulls are brought to the island." Consequently, local talent was utilized for both roles in the spectacle. Stickney described the bulls as "timid and lazy," and noted that the bullfighters were not much better, suggesting that the experience differed significantly from traditional bullfighting in Spain, Cuba, or Mexico.

A brief revival of bullfighting occurred during the 1953 Manila International Fair at the sunken gardens outside Intramuros, featuring Spanish bulls and matadors. Despite its popularity at the time, a push to reintroduce bullfighting in 1999 faced strong opposition from groups against blood sports, preventing its return.

Bullfighting was noted in the Philippines as early as 1619, when it was among the festivities in celebration of Pope Urban III's authorisation of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Today, it has been replaced with 💚Cock Fighting- A popular Gambling Activity of Most Filipino Men.  Why is cockfighting very popular in the Philippines?

People train their roosters for months to prepare them for the fight. There are people who say that battles are so popular in the country because they align very well with the typical Filipino mentality of pride and courage but at the same time their success is associated with the money involved in betting.

💚 https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2020/02/cock-and-bull-fighting-in-philippines.html

It is official. Filipino Cocktail Hour this Coming Friday, October 25, 3:45PM at the Liberty Pavilion. I was lobbying for a Special Dinner, but very happy with this Cocktail Hour on the Schedule. Thank You, THD! 

  

Sterling Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting, Calistoga

Ten adventurous souls from THD chaffered by Nancy C. and chaperoned by Kellie S.  had a fun time during the wine-tasting tour of the Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga, yesterday.  We had a grand time in spite of the little bit of walking.  The Gondola ride was fantastic. I was able to purchase a Sterling Vineyards Cap souvenir for my collection.💚 We intended to have lunch at Gott's Roadside but the line was too long we decided to have lunch at the Mexican Taqueria near by. I had the Chile Relleno Platter and it was delicious. I took some photos and here they are for your viewing pleasure.  

From Left to Right: Dean Elias,  Mary Sorensen, Nancy Kleiber, Peggy Yamada, Anne Stackhouse, Hisako Tanaka, Eileen Breismeister, Farna Sewell, Sue Hoyt and Me-at the Start of the Gondola Ride 
     

Kellie also took some pictures and she promised to share with me some of her photos. I will repost it in this blog once I received it.

Thank You Nancy and Kellie for a wonderful Saturday trip out of our Gilded Cage here at THD.

💚

My $35 Sterling Vineyards Souvenir Cap

Sterling Vineyards was founded in 1964 by Peter Newton and Michael Stone. Newton and Stone were early pioneers of crafting Bordeaux-inspired red wines in California, transforming Napa Valley into the premier winemaking appellation we know today. Sterling Vineyards quickly put the region on the map for creating top quality wines. The winery is an architectural icon and the only winery in the world with an aerial gondola. Today, Sterling Vineyards continues to delight consumers through commitment to consistency and quality. For more information, visit sterlingvineyards.com or cs_sterling@sterlingvineyards.com.

Here are the photos that Kellie took during the tour. Thank you, Kellie for Sharing your Photos