Category: Immigration
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Are We Empowered Yet?
That Filipino Americans are frequently labeled as “invisible Asians,” has been a topic widely written about — notably by Filipino writers themselves. It’s a well-intentioned reflective approach into understanding the reasons behind Filipino Americans’ invisible classification — according to the usual metrics by which races and ethnicities are observed and processed. Asian immigrant communities assume…
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PILIPINO KA BA? (02/26)
by Almira Astudillo Gilles This month, I’m in the Philippines to visit family and for cultural projects. Since I’m here for only four weeks, I’ve limited my out-of-Manila trips to the really necessary ones (for a weaving project) and to places I had not visited before. This trip, I’ve already been to South (Cotabato), will…
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND CAST
Garet: Pinoys in Chicago — A Play About Migration, Morality & Compassion In honor of Filipino American History Month this October, Rizal Center presents Garet: Pinoys in Chicago at the Little Theater of Rizal Center. Garet is a powerful, character-driven play that explores the emotional, moral, and cultural realities of Filipino life abroad. Set in…
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Joseph, Salve and Eliana Amarise Kierulf: One immigrant family’s warm and inspiring story
The perfect life for typical US immigrants is multifaceted, encompassing a blend of personal achievements, cultural integration, and a raw boldness to chase and pursue their dreams. Joseph Brian Kierulf and his wife Salve, both Filipino educators now teaching in Chicago’s public schools are one such couple of immigrants. The couple plowed over vicissitudes of life, struggling but committed to spending their professional years mentoring Filipino children in Cebu…
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Taking On Flesh
by Gabriel J. Catanus Across the world, Christian communities are in the period of the liturgical calendar called Christmastide, the twelve days after December 25 that end with the Epiphany on January 6. Though significantly shorter than Advent or Lent, Christmastide is marked by feasting and celebrating because the Savior has come. Whether through Simbang…
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Raising the Stakes
by Gabriel J. Catanus On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, I had the privilege of attending a meeting for the Rizal Center’s stakeholders. During this full-day gathering, invited participants from different sectors of the community filled the room and heard organizational and financial reports from the center’s leadership. Participants also asked questions and contributed their perspectives…
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Making Filipino American History
by: Gabriel “Jay” Catanus In October of 1587, Filipinos landed in what we now call Morro Bay, CA. They were either sailors or slaves on board a Spanish trading ship Nuestra Seniora de Buena Esperanza that sailed between Manila and Acapulco. A similar arrival is recorded in 1595. Many years later, in 1763, Filipino sailors…
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PILIPINO KA BA?
by Almira Astudillo Gilles I have been in a strange place lately. I’m not referring to my home on the shore of Lake Michigan—which is my default place for contemplation and rest—but in my mind. The activity on the streets, dictated in large part by instructions from somebody else’s (temporary) place of residence (a large…
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Fighting for the Future
by: Gabriel “Jay” Catanus On September 21, the Rizal Center was packed with grapplers for the grand opening of Rizal Center Jiu-Jitsu. The event was crowded and high-energy— with food, prizes, and live DJ’s, of course— as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners came from all over Chicagoland to support the new initiative, led by black belt…