Q#1: Have you ever been discriminated? Can you share with us some of your struggles/challenges as a Filipino-American living in the USA and how are you able to cope up with these?
A: During my 20s, while walking in the mall, one man for some reason asked me "Can you speak English?" I just let it go. I said, "I know I can speak English" I did not stay silent because I want to express and defend my side.
A: During my 20s, while walking in the mall, one man for some reason asked me "Can you speak English?" I just let it go. I said, "I know I can speak English" I did not stay silent because I want to express and defend my side.
Q#2: After being chosen to be a mayor in your city, have there already been negative responses or criticisms about choosing a Filipino-American citizen as a mayor? If there was any, how did you address that?
A: I had a lot of support, that they believe in me . I'm overwhelmed by their support for me and I'm willing to serve all kinds of nationalities"
A: I had a lot of support, that they believe in me . I'm overwhelmed by their support for me and I'm willing to serve all kinds of nationalities"
Q#3: What do you think are the traits/characteristics/ values that aided you to overcome your experinces regarding racial discrimination?
A: Determination, determination to use my voice to speak up and not tolerating any form of discrimination against different races.
A: Determination, determination to use my voice to speak up and not tolerating any form of discrimination against different races.
Q#4: What are the most common discrimination offenses in your country?
A: It happened in a local grocery store, a woman mocking a Filipino family and the Philippine language, making sound out of it, and she shouted "Why don't you go back to your country" "You're stealing our jobs" In that instance, I reached for the family, I mentioned that this is our city, and we don't tolerate that kind of action against different races"
A: It happened in a local grocery store, a woman mocking a Filipino family and the Philippine language, making sound out of it, and she shouted "Why don't you go back to your country" "You're stealing our jobs" In that instance, I reached for the family, I mentioned that this is our city, and we don't tolerate that kind of action against different races"
Q#5: Do Filipinos in the U.S experience discrimination? How?What programs/advocacies do you have to protect the rights of different nationalities living in your community?
A: Civil Rights Act of 1954 was enacted. Racial Segregation was evident before the law was established. It took a whole nation to create the law.
A: Civil Rights Act of 1954 was enacted. Racial Segregation was evident before the law was established. It took a whole nation to create the law.
Q#6: What triggered you to become more responsive or to take action in terms of the different discrimination happening in the USA among Filipinos? Can you share with us some of your personal encounters as regards to discrimination?
A: I took Asian-American Studies as my undergraduate degree and Public Administration as my Masters' degree, and I've witnessed the huge migration of Asian in United States, and also I learned about the about the discriminatory acts against Filipinos.
A: I took Asian-American Studies as my undergraduate degree and Public Administration as my Masters' degree, and I've witnessed the huge migration of Asian in United States, and also I learned about the about the discriminatory acts against Filipinos.
Q#7: Do you think the racial comments and policies of President Donald Trump against different nationalities affect the way Americans treat other nationalities like Filipinos?
A: It's prompting the Filipinos and other nationalities to feel bad about themselves and that they should go back to their own country.
A: It's prompting the Filipinos and other nationalities to feel bad about themselves and that they should go back to their own country.
Q#8&9: Is there a law in your country that can protect people who are being discriminated? Are there punishments for racism in your country?
A: Civil Rights Act of 1954 was enacted. Racial Segregation was evident before the law was established. It took a whole nation to create the law.
A: Civil Rights Act of 1954 was enacted. Racial Segregation was evident before the law was established. It took a whole nation to create the law.
Q#10: What can you advice to us, youth of this present generation in terms of promoting respect and tolerance among all the people?
A: Understanding, we may differ in color and race, but when we bleed, it is all red. It is about Education, to me, we have the voice, we should be the one to stand up for what is right and wrong. We have to be mindful of treating everyone with respect, that's the bottom line of it, regardless of socioeconomic status. Voicing your opinion when something is not right.