THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505160148
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
East meets West in a show of unity among cultures from half a world away when Hampton Road's Asian community puts on Asian Fest '95 Saturday at Mount Trashmore. The event, in its fifth year, features art, food, handicrafts, dancing, costumes and fashions, martial arts and music as differences are put aside except to celebrate them.
The theme is ``Celebrating Togetherness.'' Six Asian countries - Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines and China - will be represented. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
A stage and tent are being brought in for the occasion, as well as 100 helium-filled red, white and blue balloons. There will be food from five of the countries, arts and crafts from all six, a fashion show highlighting styles from four lands and entertainment from all six plus Hawaii. Guest speakers will include Congressman Owen Pickett, Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and Loun Mynoimany of the Laotian Mutual Assistance Association of Virginia, host for this year's celebration.
A steering committee has been meeting at the Philippine Cultural Center on Baxter Road making preparations.
``Hopefully we'll get a big turn-out,'' said Micky Bangthrongsack, who is filling in for her father, Laky, who is the committee chairman and is recovering from back surgery. ``This is our first time at Mount Trashmore. We want the community to come out, celebrate, and support us.''
By her estimate, there are more than 80,000 in the Asian community in Hampton Roads. Almost half are Filipino. Dick Dabu, the committee's treasurer, representing the Philippines, puts the number at 38,000. According to committee members there are also 9,000 Koreans, 3,000 Chinese and 2,000 Vietnamese.
``This is a very informal organization celebrating our Asian heritage,'' explained Jessica Bello, representing the Philippines.
Dr. John Wong, representing China, added, ``And to celebrate Asian unity.''
Three years ago then President George Bush proclaimed May as ``Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.'' Similar festivals are held in other cities with large Asian populations, such as Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco and Chicago, according to committee vice chairman Adam Nguyen, an instructor of meditation, yoga and karate-do, representing Vietnam.
``It's something that's very, very big,'' Nguyen explained. ``Outside we look different but inside we are all the same. We all came from the same family and then spread out all over the world. We want to invite all the locals to come out and celebrate with us.''
According to Dr. K.U. Rhee, who represents Korea, the event is ``improving every year, with more attendance and understanding among the communities. I'm impressed that all the delegates are working so hard to make things work this time. Everyone has worked so hard.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Members of the 1995 Asian Pacific American Heritage Steering
Committee are, front row, left to right: Nickie Kennedy, Jessica
Bello, Micky Bangthrongsack, Adam Nguyen; back row: Dick Dabu, Kyung
U. Rhee, Jerryu Mark, John Wong, Juliette Reidy, Chrissy Kennedy and
Peter Chang. Not pictured are: Kathleen Bergquist, Thao Nguyen,
Vatimon C. Costa, Anothip Phimmasone and Laky Bangthrongsack.
by CNB