Filipinos in the Southland

In response to your article “Filipinos--A Search for Community,” Part I, May 24:

I take issue with this headline if you meant that the Filipinos have not yet found their community. We have a dynamic community that will be a major player in the socioeconomic and political future of this country. This community collectively clamored for my judicial appointment.

When you discussed the absence of a Filipino town, you did not mention that we are not a nation of shopkeepers. Since we have a special kinship with our fellow Asians we patronize their businesses. Historically, culturally, by training and education, we are service-oriented. There is no need for us to live in enclaves nor work in a Filipino town. Without the language and cultural barriers, we easily blend into the mainstream. Even without community support, we can compete effectively in the professional marketplace.

Yes, we have numerous dialects and cultures, but this is precisely what makes the Filipino nation so vibrant and culturally rich. In the same vein, the greatness of the American people lies in their diversity. Consequently, Filipinos are adaptable to any social, economic or political setting. Filipinos understand each other.

It may be true that in some of their association politics they expressed themselves passionately in what they believe in. But they respect each other’s right to disagree. Is this not what democracy is all about?

We love and respect our manongs (elders). We insist that they live with us in our homes.

Our seniors were the victims of California’s anti-miscegenation law prohibiting intermarriages between Asians and whites. They had comported themselves with restraint but when the war came they fought gallantly side by side with their American brothers. We demonstrated again the same gallantry and restraint in our recent People’s Power revolution.

Filipinos place a high price on their children’s education. Parents instinctively deny themselves the luxury of the good life just so the kids can go to the best schools. I am proud to say that our children have lived up to our highest expectations so that some day one of them will be president of this great country.

MEL RED RECANA

Municipal Court Judge

Los Angeles