DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 1997         TAG: 9709170013

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: OPINION 

SOURCE: BY MARILYN PICARDO RIVERA 

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

FILIPINO PRESENCE BENEFITS HAMPTON ROADS

A newspaper survey conducted by the Princeton Survey Research Associates depicts the approximately 2 million Filipino Americans as an invisible force in the political spectrum of America. This, despite their prominence as a higher median income and professional group as compared to native-born Americans.

It was timely, therefore, that the just concluded National Filipino American Empowerment Conference in Washington, D.C. adopted ``National Unification'' as its theme, with a goal of strengthening the political voice of Filipino Americans nationwide.

An officer of a local organization that promoted the conference suggested that Filipino Americans of Hampton Roads have neglected their political and economic responsibilities and inappropriately portrayed his compatriots as ``fat, dumb and happy.'' Such insensitive and reckless remarks undermine the more than two decades of collective community effort invested by individuals and organizations to better our community.

Perhaps the Princeton Survey will make us feel the obligation to showcase Filipinos as part of the American tapestry. Perhaps the Washington, D.C., convention will make us realize unity comes as a consequence of tolerating our differences and respecting our diversities. Perhaps the gaffe caused by an inaccurate depiction of the Filipino community in Hampton Roads, having touched a sensitive cord, will reactivate a dormant sentimentalism for the roots we hope to shape in our adopted country. We may lack the national identity or visibility commonly associated with ethnic groups, but we possess a solid family structure, strong work ethic and sheer determination that builds success stories in private and public enterprise.

Most Filipinos came to America for job opportunities our native land could not offer. Many came during the Vietnam War years of the '60s and '70s to fill the shortage of personnel in the fields of military, medicine, engineering and accounting, among others. Our succession of needs during the first two decades here were tied to the economic well-being of our families. Cultural and social groups served as the sentimental bond with our native country. Participation in the political arena was at a lower spectrum of needs.

Hampton Roads, along with the naval facilities and other private and public agencies, benefited from the influx of Filipino immigrants. Our contributions are felt across Hampton Roads. Our children in particular are noted for their academic, art and sports excellence. It is true, however, that we made minimal effort to publicize the impact we've made.

Filipinos in Hampton Roads are swaying away from social functions to community service and political involvement. Our participation, once limited to voting and occasional endorsement of local candidates, will expand to include Filipinos seeking public office. We will continue to have management representation in state and local government and private enterprises. We will continue to serve on community-service agencies. Our entrepreneurs will continue to thrive. Our students will continue to bring honor to our schools.

First-generation Filipino Americans in Hampton Roads have secured their community stature with years of professional and community service. We have an able pool of medical professionals, military retirees, academia, homemakers, governmental officers, financial consultants,and entreprenuers. Some have at least two decades of community involvement and serve agencies such as School Boards, Physicians for Peace, Virginia Beach Marine Museum and Operation Smile. A few are ripe for political office. Likewise, some second generation Filipinos are also politicians in the making.

Filipino American organizations are challenged to promote their educational, cultural or religious agendas, which are ideologically uniform. Respect for individual rights and preferences enable them to accept each other without conflict of interest or clash of loyalties. To this end, the Philippine American Literary, Sports and Arts Foundation wants to be a vehicle in promoting Filipinos as part of the American tapestry. As an organization dedicated to youth development, it will conduct research and educational seminars to document the lives, experiences and impact of Philippine American immigrants through the medium of books and audio-visual presentations.

It makes good sense for Filipino Americans to expand their horizons and become partners in meeting present and future challenges of America. MEMO: Marilyn Picardo Rivera is executive director of the Philippine

American Literacy, Sports and Arts Foundation.

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