In January 2011, I visited the former US military bases in the Philippines: Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base. In 1992, the United States military left the Philippines. I thought they took everything with them. But they left behind 50,000 Amerasian children whose fathers were American sailors and their mothers were assumed to be prostitutes. These Amerasians are America’s forgotten children.
Mark Gilbore (standing on the right) gives Dale Asis (on the left) a tour of Angeles City's red light district with the infamous bar girls standing outside the bars
Meet Mark Gilbore. He’s 6’4”. He’s black and he would not be out-of-place in Chicago. However, Mark has never been in Chicago. In fact, he’s never been in the US. He doesn’t even know his father. He grew up with his mother in Angeles City, near Clark Air Force Base. He speaks fluent Tagalog and the local dialect, Kapampangan. I never heard him speak English.
I had dinner with Mark. Before we ate, he rolled up his pant leg and put his leg up in the wooden stool. He ate with his hands, Filipino style. He likes to eat rice, a lot of rice. At that moment, I knew Mark was more Filipino than I was. However, Mark does not ‘look’ Filipino. He looks like he belongs in Chicago.
The children of African-American soldiers are especially singled out and ridiculed. Mark confided in me that he suffered a lot of discrimination growing up. They called him names. But most of all, he grew up with the social stigma of being an illegitimate child and unable to elude prejudice because it shows in his physical features.
Many Amerasian children are labeled Iniwan ng Barko (left by the ship). I met some of them during my visit there. They were eagerly planning a celebration for ‘Amerasian Day’ , one of the rare occasions where Amerasians are acknowledged officially. A local organization, WeDpro, Inc. is giving them support in their upcoming plans. Each one of them shared with me their tragic stories of discrimination and prejudice.
Dale (second from left) with Amerasians in Angeles city, Pampanga
In 1982, the United States Congress voted to grant U.S. citizenship to Amerasians from Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, and other Asian countries, in what was known as the Amerasian Homecoming Act. Although the Philippines has been a United States ally for more than a century, Filipino (and Japanese) offspring of soldiers were not included: they must be claimed by their former American G.I. fathers if they wish to claim their U.S. citizenship.
I asked Mark if he was also looking for his father in the US. He said no; he’s at peace not finding him. I asked him what made him such a strong person despite growing up in the midst of discrimination and prejudice. “My mother. He raised up me to be proud of who I am,” Mark said.
What does the future hold for these forgotten children of the post-war world? What moral obligation does the US have to America’s forgotten children? Do they have to find their fathers in the US to find peace? Will their fathers and their families accept their Amerasian offspring? Will these Amerasians even adjust to life in the US after living in the Philippines all their lives? Or does the local Filipino society have to accept these forgotten children and not discriminate against them?
You can also watch the trailer of the upcoming documentary, “Left by The Ship” to be shown in PBS soon: LEFT BY THE SHIP trailer English from visitorq on Vimeo.
We must continue to support the Amerasians.
Although majority of them have developed into respectable citizens, yet, those who did not know their father, continued to hope, that, their father will come for them.
The attempt to amend Public Law, 97-359, aka the Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982 failed as a stand alone Bill. The only hope that the Amerasians who are now over 18 years old, is the Comprehensive Immigration Refoarm for America’s Safety and Progress, H.R. 432. WE look forward to see that the injustice to the Amerasian children is rectified. We must continue to encourage each other.
Hello Ernesto,
Thank you for reading my blog and your encouraging comments supporting the cause of the Amerasian children, America’s forgotten children. Thank you for sharing about the upcoming bill H.R. 432 in US Congress that might provide relief to the Amerasians. I hope that I’ll contact you separately and find out more about this.
Sincerely,
Dale
hello good day
I’m natalie rose tablate.also a Filipino Amerisian, Im looking for my father his name is Romeo Smith from USA according to my mom he was assigned before in clark airforce
he was also a US navy. I never saw him since birth,I hope that your foundation can help me to look my biological father.
Thank you!
God Bless. . .
Hello Natalie Rose,
Thank you for reading my blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information. You can also contact this website for additional information or assistance: http://www.amerasianregistry.yolasite.com/ They might be able to help. Please note that is for referral purposes only; this website is not officially affiliated with the Bayanihan Foundation.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
I have already found father just last year after 39 year of hopelessly looking for him..finally! Thanks God that there is internet…
Hello Luisito,
I’m glad that you found your father; you are one of the lucky few. Thank you for reading my blog!
Take care,
Dale
I am deeply honored that there exist platforms such as this site that
embrace a vision of reuniting estranged families. Like thousands of
other Americans, my father served during WWII and was stationed
in the Philippines. My father enlisted at Ft. Bragg, NC on June 17,
1943, and honorably discharged from the US Army April 8, 1946.
Records (national Personnel Records Center) display service with
the Fifth Army Replacement Depot. A fire at the center on July 12,
1973 damaged or destroyed many military records resulting in
fragmented data. My father’s resident during deployment is shown
as Hobgood, NC. He was enlisted under the name Woodrow Camp.
On July 8, 1991, my father passed while a patient at the Veterans
Medical Center in East Orange, NJ. He was born May 25, 1925 and
therefore was in his teens during service. He is of African American
ethnicity, and like many others share an ethnic connection with other
ethnicities (African, Asian, Caucasian and Native American), Although
my family was aware that there was possibly an offspring left in the
Philippines (letters sent by the mother to my grandmothers address
in NC), there was never an effort to reach out to them. Again, thank you
for your noble efforts.
Best regards,
Ali Khan
Are there legitimate ways of finding possible children? I was one of the sailors that may have left behind a child and I am interesting in finding out how I may find him/her. I was there in 1984 and mostly stayed out in Barrio Baretto which is were my girlfried stayed. What would be a wise first step?
Hello Jimmy,
Unfortunately, there is no central database where you could find Amerasian children and for them to find their fathers in the US. Several organizations and websites purport to fill in that need but I have not verified their credibility. I could connect you with the local nonprofit organizations in the Philippines that the Bayanihan Foundation has worked with; I could vouch for their reputation and credibility. They might be able to provide some leading information. Please email me at dale@fdnbayanihan.org or call me at (773) 273-9793 if you have any additional questions. THANK YOU for reading my blog!
Sir Jimmy,
I am an Amerisian child from Olongapo City. May I know what is the name of your girlfriend if you could still remember her name. I was born 1985 and my mother is from Barrio Baretto. My mom died last 2004 and she never mentioned the name of my father that is why I am having a difficult time looking for him. I was intrigued when you mentioned Barrio Baretto and the year 1984, you never know
What was your mothers first name?
Belinda was my mother’s first name
I think this website could be helpful in your search for your child http://amerasianfamilyfinder.org/index.html
Hello Christine,
Unfortunately the Bayanihan Foundation does not have direct services to help Filipino Amerasians find their lost loved ones. Please direct your attention to the foundation’s Philippine based partners, Wedpro and Buklod. I’m also glad that you found other resources on the web to help you in you in your search. Thank you for reading my blog.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
my mom is an americas forgotten daughter! she longed for her father and suffers life in our country philippines she dont deserve,
hi there!!I was looking for a site that will help me to find my stepfather long lost dad.And I came in to this site.I really want to help my stepfather to find his dad.His mother left him when he was a baby in the care of his grandmother.In his story when he was 1-7 years old he receives money from his father.But because of greed of his relatives they kept the truth from him,that his father is still sending money to him.And finally when his grandmother died all his relatives left him at the streets.He grow up as an street child,but thanks to the help of other people and also because he’s a hard-working child,many people helped him in change of food and shelter.Until now he’s still longing for his lost dad.He doesn’t care about wealth or something he just want to know if his father is still alive.Can you advise us what to do?Thank you and I’m looking forward to your reply!God bless!
Hello Jomaira,
Maraming salamat! Thank you for reading my blog. I could forward your comment to someone who might be able to help your friend locate his father. The Bayanihan Foundation does not provide that service at this time. However, the foundation supports leadership development and training of the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA), group created and organized by Filipino Amerasians. The foundation partners with Wedpro and Buklod in this project.
Please keep in touch and please keep reading my blog entries!
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
My father was in WW2 and left a son behind. I was told of this after my father had passed in 1988 but the important thing was that my father did send support money for years until the letters started coming back. We would like to find our brother left behind what would be our first step? My fathers name was Richard Leslie Nolind.
Sincerely,
Melissa Nolind-Martinson
Hello Melissa,
How are you? Thank you for reading my blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information. You can also contact this website for additional information or assistance: http://www.amerasianregistry.yolasite.com/ They might be able to help. Please note that is for referral purposes only; this website is not officially affiliated with the Bayanihan Foundation.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
My name is Hazel A. Bynum and I was born Aug 3, 1990, in Olongapo City, PI, my mother’s name is FARIDA I. ASMAD/BRENDA ASMAD We live in manila now i was a daughter of a US NAVY,My mother said that my father was in the Navy and possibly from maryland, U.S.A his name is JAMES A. BYNUM my mother and my father got married and i have their marriage contract they didn’t get divorce. I really want to see him but my mother did not keep any picture of my father but i look like him..here’s my facebook hazel_bynum@yahoo.com if anyone has any information please email me at sweet.nicole18@yahoo.com contact # +639263799997
Hello Hazel,
Kumusta na? The Bayanihan Foundation does not help directly finding lost relatives for Filipino Amerasians at this time. It works through in partnership with its local Filipino organizational partners, WedPro and Buklod. Please reach out to them and they might provide reliable information on how to to help your current situation. Please also look up the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) in Facebook and join this Amerasian led group that we sponsored to create. Maraming salamat!
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
thats why i find a site who can help me to find my father is been 21 years now that i can’t see him when abandoned us..i dont know the real story..but i was able want to find him if he was still alive or not..i dont know..
Hi Dale,
I’m trying to help an Amerasian friend from Angeles City locate her American father. He was an Airman stationed at Clark. She told me her father is on her baptismal certificate, so I know he at least acknowledged her as his child once before. He was evacuated before Pinatubo erupted and has had no contact since. I have his name but it is fairly common here is the US.
Can you recommend any websites for fathers seeking their Amerasian children, particularly in Philippines? Perhaps he is looking for her also. One can hope.
Thanks for creating this blog.
-Bill Humphrey
Hello Bill,
Thank you for your interest in reading this blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct assistance in locating or reuniting Filipino Amerasians with their families. The foundation helps Filipino Amerasians in their leadership development by supporting the group, United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) through its partners, Wedpro and Buklod. Please contact Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/?page_id=67 for more information about reuniting with your loved ones. Thank you again for reading this blog!
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
@Bill Humphrey, here:
http://amerasians.blogspot.com/p/solved-cases.html
Hello Kris,
Thank you for posting this. Thank you for reading my blog.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
hi i just want to find my father his name is stanley stewart! my mother name is elsa cabalhin. thank you
Hello Jayson,
Thank you for reading my blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
Hi,My name is Racel,
I have a bf before,a black American for US. .I got pregnant and now she was 2yrs old.he supported me but not enough.until when our baby was 5moths old he wants to be her with him without me.of course i not agree coz first our baby was crying she not recognize him coz they not always meet i think only twice a moth.then she still a baby,yes i nervous how if he not return back to me.then no more support came from him .and i dont have any information about where he is.
Can I ask what will i do?Of coarse i want my daughter have a good future and finish study .
Sincerely,
Racel
Hello Racel,
Thank you for reading my blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
hello there,
Thanks for response my letter,Yes I know the father of my daughter and im not here to find him.I just want to ask help support needs of my daughter .However the original birth certificate of my daughter was been get by her father.George Edward Jones.But i get copy through NSO , also want to know how can i get support from the US by DNA test.
Racel
Hello Racel,
Thank you for your reply. Please contact this website for additional information or assistance: http://www.amerasianregistry.yolasite.com/ They might be able to help. Please note that is for referral purposes only; this website is not officially affiliated with the Bayanihan Foundation.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
hello good day
I’m Dean Mike Macaambac.also a Filipino Amerisian, Im looking for my father his name is Michael Stauffer from Baltimore Maryland he was assigned before in Olongapo City he was also a US navy. I never saw him since birth,I hope that your foundation can help me to look my biological father.
Thank you!
God Bless. . .
Hello Mike,
How are you? Thank you for reading my blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
My father, Thomas Guntrum, a Vietnam Veteran, did two tours of duty in Vietnam, 1966-1968. He met my mother, Oanh Le, in Vietnam, married her in 1967. (She was not a “prostitute”) Their first child was born, Oct. 28, 1968. He was discharged from the U.S. Army after his tour was over, Oct. 30, 1968. He told my Mom, he would be back….he kept his promise….he came back. He left the U.S. w/only $15 in his pocket and was back in Vietnam with his wife and child. He was arrested by the Vietnamese Gov’t when he went back, he was an illegal alien. Somehow, he got out of that. He stayed in Vietnam and worked as a civilian to be w/his family. I was born Dec. 1969. He would go back to the U.S. periodically, but he always went back to his wife and children. He spent almost 5 more years of his life in Vietnam working as a civilian and trying to keep his wife near her family as long as he could. They had two more children, born Nov. 1971, and March 1973. He never left us, he brought his wife and 4 children back to the U.S. with him on May 3, 1973. You never here of the men who did not leave their family behind. He had Mental problems since Vietnam, spent many years in and out of mental facilities, endured shock therapy, heavily medicated. Developed Tardive Dyskinesia in his early 40′s. Through it all, my parents remained together, they loved eachother deeply. Dad, our true hero, a true man, passed away May 4, 2012, from a 4 year battle with Colon Cancer. Our hearts will always be broken. I wish people could know of what a wonderful man he was, by not leaving his children behind, but no one seems to want to know about someone that actually did such a thing, all they care about is the ones that left their children behind. He was a true legacy. I wished his story could be told for all to know. I love you Dad. Please see my video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whh9Wl6akIg Would you know of anyone that would like to tell his story?
Sincerely,
His daughter, Lynda Philips
Hello Lynda,
Thank you for sharing the touching story of your Dad; he is indeed a hero. Unfortunately, many Filipino Amerasians are not as fortunate as you are. You have a wonderful father that recognized you and your siblings and your father came back for his family. Thank you so much for reading my blog.
Sincerely,
Dale
Hi sir/mam!im kip edwin barnachea,27 yrs old lives at lipay sta cruz zambales,my contact # is 09387667891,im requesting for help to get in touch to my dad,bec.since i was born i could not see him in person,my fathers name is kip edwin kirby,he lives at 6234 menger ave.dallas texas usa,his wifes name is chata lee kirby,their contact # is 2143880397,email ad kip.chata@yahoo.com,pls help me to kip in touch to my dad,i want to see him in person,thank you very much,godbless you all
Hello Kip Edwin,
Thank you for reading my blog. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information. You can also contact this website for additional information or assistance: http://www.amerasianregistry.yolasite.com/ They might be able to help. Please note that is for referral purposes only; this website is not officially affiliated with the Bayanihan Foundation.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
hi sir dale!tnx for the info,godbless & more power!
Are there any sites set up for former service members or former girlfriends of service members that are searching for one another to post ? are there any investigative service providers in Olongapo that can search for someone? if anyone knows of either please email me at
user857712@aol.com
Hello!
Thank you for reading my blog. The Bayanihan Foundation does not provide direct services to help Amerasian children find their parents. Please refer to the foundation’s partners Wedpro http://wedprophils.org/ for further information. You can also contact this website for additional information or assistance: http://www.amerasianregistry.yolasite.com/ They might be able to help. Please note that is for referral purposes only; this website is not officially affiliated with the Bayanihan Foundation.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis