‘Padala’ (Remittances): Top Seven Facts You Need To Know

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Dale Asis

The following blog entry is an excerpt from the World Economic Forum “How Migrants Who Send Money Home Have Become a Global Economic Force” (June 2018)

‘Padala’ (remittance) is a transfer of money by a foreign worker to an individual in their home country. These remittances have been recognized as an important developmental vehicle associated with migration. Since the 1990s, these financial remittance flows have steadily increased in volume. In 2017, migrants sent an estimated $466 billion to families in developing countries. Here’s the top seven facts you need to know:

  1. The Philippines shot to the no. 3 spot sending $29.9 billion, surpassing Mexico for remittances sent back home.

Top remittance receivers in 2016
Image: IMF and World Bank

2. Remittances from Filipinos in the diaspora saved the Philippines from economic malaise during the last great economic recession (CIA Factbook, 2018). “The economy has been relatively resilient to global economic shocks due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, and the large remittances from about 10 million overseas Filipino workers and migrants.”

An immigrant’s mother in San Francisco Bay Area fills out the shipment invoice for the boxes she is sending to her loved ones in the Philippines (Philippine Inquirer July 2018)

3. Remittance flows for migrant families can be economic lifelines at the individual and community levels. These remittances not only include ‘padala’ (financial remittances) but also these balikbayan boxes full of goodies sent to families back home. An estimated 800 million people worldwide are directly supported by remittances from relatives and loved ones abroad, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Remittances lift families out of poverty, improve health and nutrition conditions, increase education opportunities for children, improve housing and sanitation, promote entrepreneurship and reduce inequality.

4. Money sent home from abroad is shown to be more stable than both private debt and portfolio equity flows, and several times larger than any international development aid.

5. ‘Social remittances’, apart from financial remittances, contributed to the flow and positive exchange from migrants living abroad. Transnational communities also contribute by way of ‘social remittances’ – the flow of skills, knowledge, ideas and values that migrants send home. For example, the impact of social remittances was most strongly felt in areas such as education, health, employment, business and aspects of governance, found a study conducted by IOM in Tanzania in 2014. There is also a broader development effect, as the recipients of social remittances extend beyond the migrants’ immediate circle of relatives and friends to the wider community beyond.

6. Immigrants abroad bring positive effects and should address the overwhelmingly negative narrative about migration. We need to look at migrants as agents of change in their home countries who can contribute directly to human development at a grassroots level. The need to engage Diasporas effectively is becoming more and more expedient.

7. Financial and social remittances have an important role to play in the achievement of individual family goals, community and national development priorities. There is still work to be done but donations from the diaspora like the Bayanihan Foundation play a role in moving the needle for equity and sustainability locally and globally.

Posted in Diaspora Donors, Diaspora Giving, Overseas workers, Philippines, Remittances | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Awarding A Scholarship in Honor of Jolynne’s Spirit of Helping Others

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Dale Asis

the late Dr. Jolynne Andal, PhD – a social justice fighter for children’s rights, a mother of two children, and a friend

In 2017, my friend Jolynne Andal Biljetina PhD passed away peacefully at her home after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. The Bayanihan Foundation honors her indefatigable spirit by assisting in awarding a community scholarship award in her honor. On April 2018, her friends and family set up the Jolynne Andal Biljetina Community Leadership Award and Scholarship  The scholarship award honors Jolynne’s commitment to children and her community. On July 2018, the scholarship committee selected a scholarship recipient honoring Jolynne’s spirit by making this world a better place and her indefatigable spirit to help.

(left to right); Dale Asis, Bayanihan Foundation; Jocelyn Azada, Scholarship Committee Co-Chair: and Kristy Liu, recipient of the 2017 Jolynne Andal Biljetina Community Scholarship Award (July 2018)

On July 14, 2018, the selection committee awarded the Jolynne Andal Biljetina Community Award Scholarship to Kristy Liu. She was selected from a competitive list of applicants. Kristy embodied the community spirit of Jolynne and her dedication to help others. Kristy Liu recently graduated from Whitney Young High School in Chicago; she will be an incoming freshman and will be studying nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

(left to right): Dale Asis, Bayanihan Foundation; Jocelyn Azada, scholarship committee Co-Chair; Pastor Glenn Aguiree; and Pastor David Kokiong of Hinsdale Fil-Am Seventh Day Adventist Church (July 2018)

The scholarship awards ceremony was held at the Hinsdale Fil-Am Seventh Day Adventist Church where Jolynne was an active member of this vibrant faith community. Jocelyn Azada (pictured above second from left) heads as Co-Chair of the Jolynne Andal Biljetina Awards Committee. Other members of the committee include Ellen Wu; Jen Beach Zielinski; Celina Chatman- Nelsen, PhD; and Bayanihan Foundation board member Maria Ferrera, PhD. The Bayanihan Foundation is honored to play a small and critical role to make this scholarship award come true.

(left to right): Linda Andal, mother of the late Jolynne Andal Biljetina; Kristy Liu, recipient of the scholarship award; and Shirley Pintado looking on (July 2018)

Jolynne’s mother, Linda Andal (pictured right) also attended the ceremonies. Eric Biljetina, Jolynne’s husband and her two children also were at hand during the scholarship award ceremonies. The Jolynne Andal Biljetina Scholarship Award embodies the Bayanihan Foundation spirit of giving and the spirit of helping others.

I miss my friend Jolynne Andal Biljetina. In awarding this scholarship her spirit lives on. The Bayanihan Foundation hopes to continue supporting this scholarship award so it could continue helping young people pursuing their dreams of higher education in psychology, community health,  or a related field. It will also continue Jolynne’s spirit of helping others.

To learn more about the scholarship, click HERE.

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‘Salo salo’ The Spirit of Sharing Food With Others

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Dale Asis

San Juanico Bridge connecting Samar Island to Leyte Island

In June 2018, I went back to Samar. During my short visit, I enjoyed the fresh, tropical food there. I wanted to share with you the top 10 foods I enjoyed during my trip. But most of all, I wanted to share the spirit of ‘salo salo’ that I’ve encountered, the generous spirit of breaking bread with others. This spirit of sharing with others permeates all the food and delicacies that I’ve enjoyed.

 

Anthony Bourdain enjoying Philippine street food (photo courtesy of National)

The late Anthony Bourdain, American celebrity chef and author also enjoyed Filipino food. But most of all, he also experienced the joy of ‘salo salo’, the joy of sharing food with colleagues, friends, and family. Yes, the fresh tropical fruits were delicious. Yes, the fresh fish and seafood were terrific. But what’s really memorable are the conversations and friendship shared with the meal.

(left to right) Evelyn Castillo, Maria Grace Adina school district supervisor, and Marlefe Lo, teacher prepares impromptu ‘salo salo’ during visit (June 2018)

This is the spirit of ‘salo salo’ – the spirit of giving and sharing of food with others.

‘Salo salo (sharing food with others)/ Top 10 Foods I Enjoyed In Samar:

(left to right) Dale Asis enjoying tuba palm wine with Evelyn Castillo and Marlefe Lo (June 2018)

 

 

10. ‘Tuba’ (palm wine)  – wine made from coconut and palm trees

‘Langka’ (jackfruit) related to breadfruit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 – ‘Langka’ (jackfruit) a tropical fruit related to breadfruit. The ripe jackfruit has naturally sweet, subtle flavors. The flesh and seeds are also edible and sometimes cooked in coconut milk.

 

 

 

 

‘Saging’ bananas sold at a ‘sari sari’ (convenience store) in Giporlos, Samar

 

8 – ‘Saging’ (bananas). Bananas are found everywhere and it often comes in different sizes, shapes, and colors.

‘Biko’ sticky rice dessert served at a fiesta in Samar (June 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 – ‘Biko’ (sweet rice) dessert, made with sweet sticky rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar. It is often topped with toasted, shredded coconut.

 

 

 

 

Marlefe Lo enjoyed picking guavas (June 2018)

 

 

6 – Fresh guavas right off the tree.

Evelyn Castillo checking out the mangoes (June 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 – Fresh mangoes ripened from the tree. It could not be any better than this.

Dale Asis holding fresh tuna caught in Guiuan Bay

 

 

 

 

4 – Fresh fish caught right off the bay.

Grilled, fresh fish in Guiuan, Samar (June 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 – ‘Inihaw’ (Grilled) Fish caught right off Guiuan Bay

Tinitim, local dessert made with cassava and brown sugar

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 – ‘Tinitim’, local dessert made with cassava and brown sugar

(left to right) Evelyn Castillo, Maria Grace Adina school district supervisor, and Marlefe Lo, teacher prepares impromptu ‘salo salo’ during my visit (June 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 – ‘Salo salo’ the spirit of sharing food with others is alive and well in Samar and the rest of the 7,000 islands of the Philippines.

TV food networks in the US celebrate the latest trendy cuisine or heralds the hottest celebrity chef. The Philippines celebrates ‘salo salo’, the community spirit of sharing and giving with others.The spirit of ‘salo salo’ is what makes food special – the spirit of giving and sharing of food with others.

Posted in culture, Philippine travel, Philippines | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

It’s Always Fiesta Time in the Philippines: A Lesson in Resiliency

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Dale Asis

Santacruzan, a religious historical pageant held in many towns usually in the month of May

Last June 2018, I went to visit Samar to check on the many projects the Bayanihan Foundation have donated there. In 2014, the region was hit hard by super typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon ever recorded to hit landfall. After the typhoon, the foundation responded quickly to help with the recovery efforts. During my visit, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that all the books, computers, fishing nets, and many other donations are still being used today. I was really surprised by the colorful fiestas (festivals) happening in Samar and all throughout the 7,000 islands.

Santacruzan (a religious historical pageant) in Marabut, Samar

We were driving towards Giporlos, Samar and we passed by the highway an impromptu “Santacruzan,” a colorful pageant of young people dressed in colorful costumes. The festival is often held in many barangays (villages) where young people dressed up re-enacting the finding of the holy cross by Empress Helena in 336 AD. The Filipinos seem to know how to turn a boring historical fact in to a colorful fiesta.

 

 

The next day, Evelyn Castillo, Bayanihan Foundation Liaison and I visited the Giporlos Elementary School to check on the books and the computers we donated there a couple of years ago. During our unannounced visit, the principal, Oscar Sabarillo, and the school officials put together a potluck lunch during our surprise visit. All the sudden we had an impromptu lunch fiesta.

Before we left the school, the principal, Oscar Sabarillo, invited us to his town’s fiesta. So the following weekend, we went to another barangay (village) fiesta in Lawaan, Samar.

Town fiesta banner in Lawaan, Samar

We enjoyed a feast at the school principal’s home and at least 300 people were in and out of his house enjoying the lechon (roast pig). Evelyn, and her sister-in-law, Marlefe Lo, also joined in the festivities. I also had some tuba, an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree.

(left to right); Dale Asis enjoying tuba, palm wine at a town fiesta, with Evelyn Castillo and Marlefe Lo (June 2018)

I did not expect to be joining so many fiestas and impromptu parties during my visit. It seems hard to believe that Samar was hit hard by a devastating typhoon with the residents celebrating fiestas and enjoying life. What is really amazing are the residents’ ability to bounce back from adversity. The lesson of resiliency is an important lesson to be learned. But most of all, the Philippines and its 7,000 islands isn’t the Philippines without its colorful fiestas. It’s always fiesta time.

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Fisherfolk community in Guiuan, Samar: promoting sustainability

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Dale Asis

(left to right): (standing left) fisherman receiving fishing net provided as a microloan from Dale Asis (center) and Evelyn Castillo (standing right)

In 2014, the Bayanihan Foundation and the Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA) donated fishing nets to fisherfolk community in Samar right after the super typhoon Haiyan hit the island. Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest typhoons in recorded history to hit landfall.

Dale Asis enjoying Guiuan, Samar (June 2018)

 

 

 

In June 2018, I went back to Guiuan, Samar. I was completely surprised how the town has recovered so well from the super typhoon. Evelyn Castillo, the foundation’s Liaison and I visited a fisher folk community.

They named themselves Hook & Line Fishermen’s Association. I was impressed by the infrastructure they have put together. But most of all, they have not only incorporated economic livelihood for all the fisher folk members but also holistic sustainability measures to take care of the bay and the environment.

Freshly caught yellow tuna from Guiuan Bay

 

 

Evelyn and I even got to eat some freshly caught tuna right off the bay.

Dale Asis holding fresh tuna caught in Guiuan Bay

(Standing in the middle) Dale Asis and officers of the fisherfolk community in Guiuan, Samar

 

This fisherfolk community sets a fine example of “Bayanihan”, people working together for a common good, providing livelihood, and at the same time promoting environmental sustainability for the long-term and the good of the community.

Posted in climate change, Disaster Relief, Environmental conservation, environmental sustainability, Typhoon Haiyan | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It’s The Right Thing To Do: US Should Return the Bells of Balangiga

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Dale Asis

(left to right): Will Dix and Dale Asis attending the Chicago Philippine Consulate Philippine Independence Day event, June 14, 2018

On June 14,2018, Will Dix and I attended the Philippine Consulate of Chicago’s Philippine Independence Day event at the offices of the Philippine Consulate in Chicago. Will and I got to wear our barong, embroidered formal shirts and considered the national dress of the Philippines.

Philippine Independence Day June 12

The Philippines proclaimed its independence from its colonial masters, Spain and the US, on June 12, 1898. However, the country’s path to independence was complicated and arduous. Part of that fight for independence was the war between the Philippines and the US from 1898 to 1902. In 1901, the townsfolk of Balangiga, Samar launched one of the few successful surprise attacks against the Americans, claiming more than 40 US soldiers.  In reprisal, the US Army murdered every male over the age of 10 years in town during which the church bells were taken to Wyoming (For Whom The Balangiga Bells Toll, Huffington Post, April 2015).

Balangiga Church, Balangiga, Samar (June 2018 photo)

In 2018, it’s about time the US return the bells to Samar. The US should not keep them as war booty. On February 20, 2018, the US Ambassador to the Philippines even said, “that this would be the right thing to do” (ABS CBN News, February 20, 2018).

Balangiga statue depicting the Balangiga Massacre (June 2018)

 

 

On May 2018, I visited the Balangiga Church and the statue in front of the church plaza depicting the massacre. I was surprised myself to learn about this forgotten part of history (Ignacio, The Forbidden Book, 2004). I always thought the US was helpful and benevolent towards its former colony, the Philippines.

political cartoon during the Philippine American War (courtesy of The Forbidden Book by Ignacio, 2004)

political cartoon during the Philippine American War (courtesy of The Forbidden Book by Ignacio, 2004)

 

In 1898, the conflict arose when the First Philippine Republic objected to the terms of the Treaty of Paris under which the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain, ending the Spanish–American War.[15][16] The war was a continuation of the Philippine struggle for independence that began in 1896 with the Philippine Revolution. It is estimated that were 34,000 to 220,000 Philippine casualties with more civilians dying from disease and hunger brought about by war.

Depiction of Balangiga Massacre, painting at Tanuan, Batangas (August 2017)

At the end of the US Philippine War, soldiers of the 11th Infantry brought two church bells from Balangiga back to the base where they were stationed at the time—Fort D.A. Russell outside Cheyenne, now F.E. Warren Air Force Base. A third bell from the Balangiga church, owned by the 9th Infantry, remains at the U.S. Army’s Camp Red Cloud, Uijeongbu, South Korea. These bells need to go back home to Samar. It’s about time and the right thing to do.

The Church Bells of Balangiga currently in Ft. Russell, WY

The Church Bells of Balangiga in Ft. Russell, WY

In August 2018, I will travel back to Samar with young Filipino Americans as part of the 2018 NEXTGEN Program. I will take them to visit the Balangiga Church and let them know about this forgotten part of Philippine American history. And perhaps they would join me in the chorus to demand the return of the bells of Balangiga. It’s the right thing to do.

Posted in history, Philippines, Youth leadership development | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Making a difference, providing clean water for hundreds of children

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Dale Asis
(far right) Rotarian Bob Newlon with Evelyn Castillo (far left) of Bayanihan Foundation in Barangay Salvacion, Giporlos, Samar

(far right) Rotarian Bob Newlon with Evelyn Castillo (middle) of Bayanihan Foundation in Barangay Salvacion, Giporlos, Samar (March 2016)

The Bayanihan Foundation made a difference in the remote village (barangay) of Salvacion, Giporlos, Samar by providing clean water and toilet facilities for hundreds of children as part of a day care center there.

On March 2016,  I traveled to rural Samar, Philippines with Rotary 6420 Past District Governor Bob Newlon from Oregon, Illinois. We went to barangay (village) Salvacion in Giporlos, overlooking Giporlos Bay in the southeastern tip of Samar island. Bob planned to install a unique toilet that does not use water. The village of Salvacion could certainly use a latrine or any infrastructure as it was one of the first areas hit by super-typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in recorded history to hit landfall.

(bottom left) Evelyn Castillo and village leaders of Salvacion, Giporlos, Samar hike to visit the donated latrine and daycare center provided by the Bayanihan Foundation (June 2018)

On June 1, 2018, Evelyn Castillo, the Bayanihan Foundation Liaison, and I  traveled back to Barangay Salvacion in Giporlos and check on the planned latrine donation. The village captain and the community leaders were initially receptive of the unique waterless toilet but the village residents were not. They prefer to use the traditional toilet that uses water. However, the village leaders were quick to adapt to the situation and diverted the limited resources to build a traditional latrine and daycare center for the village children.

Donated latrine toilet and septic tank in Barangay Salvacion, Giporlos, Samar (June 2018)

The village leaders even put together a small reception of my return visit and presented Evelyn and I certificates of appreciation of the foundation’s efforts to help their village.

(left) Barangay (village) leaders of Salvacion, Giporlos, Samar congratulate Evelyn Castillo (second from the right) and Dale Asis (right) of Bayanihan Foundation of their support of a latrine and septic tank for a daycare center in their village (June 2018)

A big thanks to Rotary 6420 Past District Governor Bob Newlon from Oregon, Illinois for travelling to Giporlos, Samar in 2016 and for trying out his waterless toilet invention there. In the end, his visit to Giporlos prompted the local village leaders to rally together and use the donated materials to build a proper toilet and septic tank as part of a day care center  in barangay Salvacion. The Bayanihan Foundation made a difference in this remote part of the world and provided clean water for hundreds of children there.

Posted in Diaspora Donors, Diaspora Giving, Health, water, water & hygiene | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Forgotten history Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Will history repeat itself?

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Dale Asis

https://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/3010274222/

On May 29, 2018, Public Broadcasting System (PBS) will broadcast a remarkable documentary, “The Chinese Exclusion Act” by Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu. This documentary film talks about the first and only federal legislation in US history ever to single out a specific race and nationality for exclusion from immigration and citizenship. With President Trump’s increasing anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric, will history repeat itself?

This almost forgotten piece of US legislation forms the basis of the US complex ambivalence towards immigration. It excluded the Chinese but later also excluded Filipinos and Asian immigrants altogether. By 1924, US immigration from “undesirable countries” came to a halt. Additional legislation including the National Origins Act would include immigration quotas mostly from Northern European countries.

On January 2018, President Trump said that he would like to welcome immigrants from Norway and not from shit hole countries (The Independent, January 2018). This sounds eerily familiar. Will history repeat itself?

“Anti-Chinese handbill, 1892” Poster. July 23, 1892. From Globe Rove: http://globerove.com/china/chinese-exclusion-act/1790#lightbox/0/ (accessed July 25, …

On May 6, 1882, President Chester Arthur signed into law the Chinese Exclusion Act that prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers into the US that lasted for over 60 years. The Act affected the Chinese who had already settled in the US. All Chinese immigrants were excluded from U.S. citizenship.[11][12] Any Chinese who left the United States had to obtain certifications for reentry were also deemed illegal. After the Act’s passage, Chinese men in the U.S. had little chance of ever reuniting with their wives, or of starting families in their new homes.[11]

On January 2017,  President Trump signed an executive order halting all refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries. The move sparked many protests and legal challenges. This ban seems eerily familiar, will history repeat itself?

Political cartoon: Uncle Sam kicks out the Chinaman, referring to the Chinese Exclusion Act. Image published in 19th century.

On 1875, just seven years before the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the US passed quietly the Page Act. This law classified as “undesirable” any individual from Asia who was coming to America to be a forced laborer,  and any Asian woman who would engage in prostitution, and all people considered to be convicts in their own country. It immediately labeled all incoming immigrant women as potential “prostitutes”. However, the interrogation of Chinese women through the immigration process was so atrocious that differentiating “real” wives from prostitutes was virtually impossible (Wikipedia, Page Act of 1875). By 1882, immigration of Chinese women to the US came to a halt.

On September 2017, President Trump quietly ordered an end to the Obama-era program that shields young undocumented immigrants from deportation and Congress also refused to act to change the directive (New York Times, September 2017). More and more, these young undocumented youth are depicted as immoral and as a burden to society. Hmm, this move seems eerily familiar, will history repeat itself?

“This couldn’t come at a more important time in our country… because it tells a story, it tells our story. It shows what was done to our people, but it is also relevant to our present moment, and what is going on today, with anti-immigration laws and prejudices and what’s going on with the Muslim ban. They all have their roots, legally and politically in Chinese exclusion.”- Historian Mae Ngai at THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT screening.

Filipino Independence hero, Jose Rizal, said: “He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to this destination.” I hope you will get a chance to view this remarkable documentary, “Chinese Exclusion Act“, that  is remarkably significant to today’s current events. WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

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Filipinos in the US: The Latest Demographic Trends

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Dale Asis

The following information and data in this post is from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Filipinos in the US (March 2018)

The Trump administration continues the drumbeat of tighter immigration controls in the US. How is this affecting Filipino migration to the US? I’ve listed the top 7 demographic trends and the latest Census numbers from the Migration Policy Institute:

  1. The United States remains the top migration destination of Filipinos worldwide. By far, the US is home to by far the largest number of Filipinos abroad. Other top destinations include Saudi Arabia (584,000), the United Arab Emirates (539,000), Canada (528,000), Japan (239,000), and Australia (233,000), according to mid-2017 United Nations Population Division estimates.

Figure 1. Filipino Immigrant Population in the United States, 1980-2016 (courtesy of Migration Policy Institute MPI)

Sources: Data from U.S. Census Bureau 2010 and 2016 American Community Surveys (ACS), and Campbell J. Gibson and Kay Jung, “Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-born Population of the United States: 1850-2000” (Working Paper no. 81, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, February 2006), available online.

2. California remains the highest concentration of Filipinos in the US

44 percent of Filipinos in the US live in California,  followed distantly by Hawaii (6 percent). The next four most populous states are Texas, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey. These four states are home to 19 percent of the Filipino population collectively.

3.  Los Angeles and San Diego counties continue to be the top destination of many Filipinos in the US

The top four counties by Filipino concentration were Los Angeles and San Diego counties in California, Honolulu County in Hawaii, and Clark County in Nevada. Together these counties accounted for 26 percent of Filipinos in the United States.

Figure 2. Top States of Residence for Filipinos in the United States, 2012-16 (courtesy of Migration Policy Institute)

Source: MPI tabulation of data from U.S. Census Bureau pooled 2012-16 ACS.

4. Los Angeles continues to have the largest Filipino concentration in the US. As of 2012-16, the U.S. cities with the largest number of Filipinos were the greater Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York metropolitan areas, accounting for almost 1/3 of all  Filipinos living in the US.

Figure: Top Metropolitan Areas of Residence for Filipinos in the United States, 2012-16 (courtesy of Migration Policy Institute)

Source: MPI tabulation of data from U.S. Census Bureau pooled 2012-16 ACS.

5. Filipinos in the US continue to obtain lawful permanent resident status through family reunification channels but many still remain undocumented. Today, most Filipinos in the United States who obtain lawful permanent residence (LPR status, also known as getting a green card) do so through family reunification channels, either as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or through other family sponsored channels.

However, from 2010-2014, approximately 188,000 were undocumented, according to Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates, comprising less than 2 percent of the 11 million unauthorized population in the US. Many also get green cards through employment preferences.

6. Filipinos in the US are aging. Is Filipino migration to the US slowing down?

In 2016, Filipinos were older than the overall foreign and U.S.-born populations. The Filipino median age was 50 years, compared to 44 years for all immigrants and 36 years for native-born. Is this due to the slowing down of Filipino migration to the US?  Meanwhile, Filipinos were more likely than the native-born but somewhat less likely than the overall foreign-born to be of working age.

7. Most Filipinos in the US entered before 2000. Compared to all immigrants, Filipinos are more likely to have arrived before 2000. The largest share of Filipinos, approximately 59 percent, arrived prior to 2000, followed by 26 percent coming between 2000 and 2009, and 16 percent in 2010 or later (see below).  Is Filipino migration to the US peaked in 2000? Is  the slowing down of migration due to the improving economy in the Philippines? Or is it due to the anti-immigrant sentiment of the current Trump administration that’s attracting less Filipinos to migrate? Or is it about something else?

Figure: Filipinos and All Immigrants in the United States by Period of Arrival, 2016

Note: Numbers may not add up to 100 as they are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Source: MPI tabulation of data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2016 ACS.

 Migration Policy Institute Sources

Gibson, Campbell J. and Kay Jung. 2006. Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-born Population of the United States: 1850-2000. Working Paper no. 81, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, February 2006. Available online.

United Nations Population Division. N.d. International Migrant Stock by Destination and Origin. Accessed March 1, 2018. Available online.

U.S. Census Bureau. N.d. 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). American FactFinder. Accessed March 1, 2018. Available online.

—. 2017. 2016 American Community Survey. Access from Steven Ruggles, Katie Genadek, Ronald Goeken, Josiah Grover, and Matthew Sobek. Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 7.0 [dataset]. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 2017. Available online.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 2018. DACA Population Data, January 31, 2018. Available online.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Immigration Statistics. 2017. 2016 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. Washington, DC: DHS Office of Immigration Statistics. Available online.

World Bank Prospects Group. 2017. Annual Remittances Data, October 2017 update. Available online.

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Honoring the late Jolynne Andal Biljetina- helping children and the community

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Dale Asis

the late Dr. Jolynne Andal, PhD – a social justice fighter for children’s rights, a mother of two children, and a friend

The Bayanihan Foundation honors the indefatigable spirit of the late Dr. Jolynne Andal Biljetina, PhD. Her friends and family set up the Jolynne Andal Biljetina Community Leadership Award and Scholarship. This scholarship award will honor Jolynne’s commitment to helping children and the community. The award will support a potential recipient in their pursuit of  higher education in psychology, community health,  or a related field and continue Jolynne’s spirit of helping others.

I miss Jolynne Andal Biljetina. In 2005, I’ve worked with Jolynne, Maria Ferrera, Jocelyn Andal, Jerry and Flor Clarito, Juanita Burris, Lawrence Benito, and many others as part of Operation Mango, a community based participatory research project where we conducted hundreds of community surveys of Filipino Americans in Chicago. Our weekly meetings and ‘salo salo’ (get together) was remarkable. Through Maria Ferrera’s research scholarship, we’ve put together a comprehensive research and community project that illuminated a lot of facts and challenges of the invisible Filipino American community in Chicago. Filipino Americans at that time and, is still now, often invisible. They are often lumped together as successful “Asian Americans” and perpetuate the model minority myth.  Jolynne and Operation Mango research group found out the truth behind the ‘success facade’ – the high rate of depression and suicide among young Filipino Americans; the challenges of the growing ‘tago ng tago TNT’ (always hiding) undocumented immigrants; and the lack of Filipino cultural and heritage awareness among the second generation as they become more ‘American’.

I miss Jolynne’s smile and laughter. We would have serious discussions of challenges of Filipino American community in Chicago but she would punctuate our deliberations with her infectious laugh.

I miss Jolynne’s dedication helping children and the community.  Jolynne has dedicated her professional life working on behalf of very young children and ensuring there were effective policies in place to support children’s health and well-being. I’ve first know Jolynne when she was working at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. Most recently, Jolynne worked at Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago, she worked on a national cross-site evaluation of the Abandoned Infant Assistance program, which aims to promote the safety, permanency and well-being of infants and young children whose families have been impacted by HIV/AIDS.  She also worked for the Chicago Public Schools in the Office of Early Education, identifying strategies and policies to help preschool programs meet the educational needs of young children. I didn’t know that Jolynne even consulted for Sesame Street (Sesame Workshop).

On April 19, 2017, at the age of 45, Jolynne passed away peacefully in her home after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. Jolynne was the beloved wife of Eric Biljetina and loving mother of sons, Eli and Ethan. In her honor, her friends and family set up the Jolynne Andal Biljetina Ph.D. Community Leadership Award. This scholarship award honors her commitment to children and her community. This scholarship award also honors Jolynne’s beautiful laugh and spirit to make this world a better place and her indefatigable spirit to help. So would you donate to help keep her legacy and commitment to help children alive? Donate now.

To learn more about the scholarship and rules to apply, click HERE.

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