THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605150143
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Hampton Roads Asian Americans have united to share their cultural similarities and differences with area residents and each other in honor of national Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Saturday, representatives from 10 Asian nations will ``celebrate the family'' at the sixth annual Asian Fest '96 at Mount Trashmore.
``We know there is such diversity in America that we want to show how rich it is to be involved in that,'' said Dr. John Wong, event chairperson, ``. . . and our appreciation for being here.''
Events begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and continue until 5:30 p.m. There will be ethnic foods, dances, clothing and displays of traditions such as a wedding ceremony and martial arts.
The largest segment of the 50,000 Asian Americans in Tidewater is Filipinos.
Coming from areas that were politically or economically unstable, many Asian Americans involved in the project expressed their faith in ``The American Dream'' and their belief that America is indeed the land of opportunity for those with the determination to seek it.
Wong's grandfather, for instance, arrived in the United States from China in the late 1800s. Wong Din worked to bring his family members to join him. Once they arrived, the family lived together, combining wages from odd jobs until there was enough to start their Norfolk restaurant. There, they provided employment for themselves and their descendants. John Wong's parents, Robert and Ann Wong, followed Wong Din's footsteps, with three restaurants of their own.
John Wong, a Virginia Beach dentist, said as a child he learned about sacrifice from doing homework and falling asleep at the restaurant before the family headed home nightly.
``Growing up, we saw how they worked those long hours seven days a week,'' Wong said, ``(and) we developed that sense of dedication to strive.'' A representative of China, the event's host country, Wong is not alone.
Danny Kham, a Laotian owner of the New Bangkok Thai Restaurant, employs family members and works ``10 days a week'' at the Virginia Beach establishment. Even with little income, family togetherness significantly improves quality of life, Kham said.
Wong said, ``We care so much about keeping the family together to give kids a sound foundation. A strong family unit is the basis for doing well.''
Saturday, each nation will showcase its uniqueness. Traditional dances, dress and food preparation techniques vary from country to country in Asia.
Included is a full slate of dignitaries such as Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and Congressman Owen Pickett (D-Va.). Lauren Yee, a WVEC news reporter, will deliver the keynote speech. Yee recently delivered a baby girl and she exemplifies the family, ``the most treasured value among all Asians,'' Wong said. Outstanding Asian-American students will be recognized for excellence in academics, leadership and sports.
The day starts with early morning volleyball and basketball games. A Washington, D.C., group of Laotian Americans will do a sailing boat dance. Ary, a Spanish-influenced dance from the Philippines, as well as Vietnamese folk dancing will be performed. Ethnic dance troupes from Korea and India will break out their traditional steps and costumes for onlookers. Chinese dances and even a hula dance or two will be seen.
Cambodians will hold a traditional wedding ceremony, and models will showcase traditional and contemporary fashions from the Orient. Arts and crafts from Asia will be on display, as people in colorful costumes and ornate headdresses enliven the crowd.
The event was organized by the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival Steering Committee, which includes: Chinese Community Association of Hampton Roads, Organization of Chinese Americans, Council of United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater, Korean Tidewater Association, Cambodian Tidewater Association, and representatives of Vietnam, Laos, Japan, Thailand, Hawaii and India. For information, call 518-5090. by CNB