Members of the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) celebrate 4th of July 2014 at SM City Clark Mall Angeles City, Philippines
Members of the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) celebrate 4th of July 2014
Members of the United Philippine Amerasians dancing and performing at SM City Clark Mall, Angeles City, Philippines
Mark Gilbore, member of the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA)
On July 4, 2014, the Bayanihan Foundation sponsored the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) 4th of July celebration at SM City Clark Mall in Angeles City, Philippines. In 2012, the Bayanihan Foundation co-sponsored with WedPro, the formation of the United Philippine Amerasians (UPA), a group of young Filipino Amerasians that recognized their contributions to Filipino and American societies. The UPA hopes to increase the public’s awareness of Filipino Amerasian issues, challenges, ideals and successes. There are more than 50,000 Amerasians left behind; they are America’s forgotten children. Three years ago, the Bayanihan Foundation partnered with WeDpro and Buklod, nongovernmental organizations (NGO)s in the Philippines to support the Filipino Amerasian community leaders and the creation of the UPA. In 2014, I am proud to share that the Bayanihan Foundation continues to support these young Amerasian women and men in supporting their Fourth of July activities and celebration, as they are Americans as well. I have included below a personal excerpt from Ms. Tin Jackson, United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) Event Organizer. She shares her personal insights into organizing the 4th of July 2014 event:
Organizer Ms. Tin Jackson (standing far right) interviews presenters at 4th of July celebration 2014
“I started at United Philippine Amerasians (UPA) last July 2012. We formed the group together with my fellow Amerasians and with the support of WEDPRO and the Bayanihan Foundation. The group just celebrated its third anniversary this year. I’m glad that the members are still active; we even have new Amerasian members. It’s important that we are celebrate the Fourth of July, the US Independence Day. This is an opportunity to tell everyone that we are not just souvenir babies or G.I babies. We are also Americans. At the same time, we are productive citizens of the Philippines. We are moving forward.
I implore everyone that participated in our Fourth of July activity to join us in our advocacy that we as Filipino Amerasians should be recognized by the US government like all the Amerasians from other countries. The world should know who we really are. We should not be cast aside. Many of us feel lonely; many are searching for their American fathers. Thousands of other Filipino Amerasians visit our Facebook page and are curious on how to become part of the UPA group. Many Filipino Amerasians are inquiring on how to they could file an US citizenship or a visa to travel to the US. However, we all know that we Filipino Amerasians were cast aside and were not given that legal recognition like other Amerasians around the world.”
It’s a shame that FIlipino Ameriasians were not given automatic U.S. Citizenship at all by the U.S.
Government, but yet those who left Viet-Nam were given automatic U.S. Citizenship. I sponsored my oldest son that I adopted who is FIlipino Ameriasian, is now serving in the U.S. Air Force, speaks 3 languages very fluently, he is CMSGT(E-9) with almost 28 years in the U.S. Air Force.
I have told my former Senators in California where I spent half of my life about that, my late
Parents told their former Senators in Delaware about that, about how unfair that is why the
Viet Namese Ameriasians were given instant, auto magic U.S. Citizenship, while the FIlipino
Ameriasains not given U.S. Citizenship automatically.
I’m an ex U.S.Navy sailor that was married 31 years to a wonderful Filipina woman, we had a
Total of 3 children altogether. With FIlipino Ameriasians left in the Philippines, I’m wondering
If I just might be the father of one or two, I would like to know for sure. I’m more than willing
To take several DNA tests, I have photos of myself ranging from my infancy to my paying
My cell phone bill several months ago.
Hello Mr. Christopher O’Rourke,
Thank you for contacting your US Senators and telling them about this forgotten issue of Filipino Amerasians left behind in Clark and Olongapo, Philippines. Your voice and continued advocacy on this issue means a lot, as a US voter and citizen. However, the Bayanihan Foundation does not have the resources to match potential parents and their Amerasian children nor navigate the complicated US immigration laws. 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. I hope that this is helpful. Maraming salamat. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
I’m looking for a few kids of my own. I was there when mt pinatubo blew off, the collapse of the Soviet union and our base renewal was up. That time frame. It was a bad idea to have the government kick us out. But they did and that was that. I have mixed feelings about that. Now granted, I could tell you that many US servicemen where idiots. But not all of us where. On the flip side, the %, of prostitution at that time. 86.23. Out of a population of 130,000 people. All that doesn’t matter, not when a kid is involved. I want to correct a mistake. So, I ask for your help.
Hello James, I’m so sorry but The Bayanihan Foundation does not the resources to find long lost potential family members; it does not have the capacity to do so. You might want to contact the following website for 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. I hope this is helpful. Thank you again for reading this blog. Maraming salamat.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
Thanks for your help and I will look into what you gave. Thanks
My son found me through Facebook and with the help of other ameraisans. Now we are talking on a day to day basis! Communications established. He forgave me, which was a huge relief! Right now we are working on getting him approved for travel and for getting him over here. Stateside. Now is my chance to permanently correct a major wrong. We are both happy. The cost however is staggering. It will be slow going, but in the end; will be worth it.
Hello James,
Congratulations in reuniting with your son. What you have achieved is rare. Would you be willing to share details about your story? Would you be willing to share a photo or two? Unfortunately, tens of thousands of Filipino Amerasians have not reunited with their fathers. They continue to face abject poverty and confront racial discrimination everyday. I think we should highlight your wonderful story and uplift the hope for change. The US Amerasian Act of 1988 needs to be changed and include Filipino Amerasians. Please let me know if you’re willing to share your story.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis
Bayanihan Foundation
Yes I’m willing to share my story, I don’t know about my son though? I can’t upload a picture or pictures. I have many. I’ve tried. You might want to delete this send. I know about many ameraisans in your country. You should check out father founded.com. Which is another syte that allows people to search for there fathers and fathers searching for there kids. These kids are in there 20-30 range and are asking who is my dad? They have all the rite to know. That’s a given. I will try to upload a picture and delete this send. I fully support your efforts in doing this .
Hello James,
Thank you so much for being amenable to share your personal story reuniting with your Amerasian son. Thank you in advance for sharing your story in reconnecting with your son.Your story will bring light to the thousands of other Filipino Amerasians left behind who are forgotten and trying to reconnect with their parents. Please share your pics and your story by email at dale@fdnbayanihan.org. You can also reach me at (773) 273-9793 if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis