OCA San Mateo Photos

OCA Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

This year OCA had the pleasure of co-hosting the Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration. The goal for the OCA San Mateo Chapter was to let people know about the Organization of Chinese Americans. Who we are, what we have done, and the qualities we have to offer the community. The Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration was the perfect opportunity to reach out and bring awareness to the young and old and the various nationalities. The purpose was to educate and share the diversity of the Asian culture while at the same time offering entertainment, arts and crafts, Asian food and drinks, raffles, and promoting the local downtown San Mateo businesses.

It was a collaborative effort that combined the teamwork of OCA San Mateo Chapter, The Asian American Curriculum Project, Inc, (Asian American Books), the San Mateo JACL, and the Downtown San Mateo Association. The event took place on Saturday, May 12th, 2007, from 10:00am-4:00pm, which was held at the San Mateo Recreation Center. Admission was free and open to the public. Takahashi Market kept hungry stomachs filled and content. Eva Hsu, Reporter for Sing Tao Newspapers, gathered memorable quotes regarding the significance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month began as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week in May 1979. It was enacted by federal law on Oct. 2, 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution - public law 95-419. It became a permanent month-long event in May 1993.

The purpose of the law was to honor the achievements of Asian/Pacific Americans and to recognize their contributions to the United States.

May was selected for Asian/Pacific Month because of two significant events in history took place in May. On May 7, 1843, Nakahama Manjiro (aka: John Mung or John Manjiro) became the first Japanese immigrant to arrive in the United States and on May 10, 1869 the transcontinental railroad was completed in large measure by Chinese laborers.

With the sun shining on the outdoor stage, the celebration began with Geraldine Golveo, a local businesswoman singing the Star Spangled Banner. Followed with the Welcome Message by Steve Okamoto, San Mateo JACL Co-President. The introduction of our guest host Frances Dinglasan, television personality of ABC7, did a fantastic job with her vivacious personality and smile, guiding us through the afternoon. The Honorable Jack Matthews, Mayor of San Mateo, shared his thoughts with us. Next was Anthony Musich, President of the Downtown San Mateo Association, and the best was saved for last as speeches were capped off with the Honorable Leland Yee, State Senator.

The Boy Scouts fired off a canon to get to crowd going. The San Mateo Buddhist Temple Taiko kept the emotions flowing with their drumbeat. Dan Chan the Magic Man delighted and amazed the audience with his magic tricks. J-Town Hui with Ka'ala Carmack, filled us with happiness with their ukulele playing and singing. The multi- talented musician, singer, and storyteller, Charlie Chin captured our attention with his Folktale performance. The South Bay Chinese Orchestra gave people an appreciation of Chinese Classical music. Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company presented Filipino folk dance music in its most traditional form.

Arts, Crafts, and Exhibits included were: Ami's Oriental Art-makers of quality calligraphy items made to order, Beautiful Things-handmade fabric jewelry designs by Juneko Sugihara, Big Sumo T-shirts, Kayoko Design-Yuzen-shi paper jewelry with stone and precious metals, Patricia Jeong-handmade fabric design crafts, Pomegranate Designs-by Michele Yamagama framed Asian Art, Sachiko Fashion Collection-brought her fashionable women's clothing designs, Soo Ling Designs-custom designed jewelry, OCA San Mateo displayed their banner, brochures, and newsletter, JACL enthusiastically participated, newly formed non-profit organization, Chinese American Heroes, peaked our interest with their awesome website, Asian American Curriculum Project showed many Asian Pacific American books from their bookstore, William Poy Lee, author of "The Eighth Promise," made a special guest appearance. Exhibits by the National Archives, The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and the Police Cadets made sure everyone behaved themselves.