Amerasians In The Philippines Fight For Recognition

[MikeB]

I was searching for the result of a 1993 class-action lawsuit filed against the U.S. government seeking support and medical treatment for the thousands of children (now adults) abandoned by US servicemen in the Philippines, and found this interesting article.

http://edition.cnn.c...dren/index.html

[gapotwo]

Interesting article...............But from one Amerasean to another, Get off your butt and do something about it, instead of feeling sorry for yourself and hoping for government recognition, No one is going to help you but yourselvs. just my 2 centavos worth. tanks ej. :angry:

[Call me bubba]

I was searching for the result of a 1993 class-action lawsuit filed against the U.S. government seeking support and medical treatment for the thousands of children (now adults) abandoned by US servicemen in the Philippines, and found this interesting article.

http://edition.cnn.c...dren/index.html

thanks for the article, here it is listed below in case the URL is removed

Manila, Philippines (CNN) -- When Susie Lopez, 43, was a little girl she would run outside her home in Angeles City, near the U.S. Clark Airbase in the Philippines, every time she heard a plane fly by.

"I would say 'bye bye, Dad' because the only thing I knew about my father was my dad was riding a plane," she recalls.

The daughter of an American naval pilot and a Filipino mother, Lopez is one of an estimated 52,000 "Amerasians" fathered by American military servicemen during the decades the U.S. Navy and Air Force had bases in the Philippines.

The majority of their mothers worked as bar girls in the area's thriving "rest and recreation" industry, where soldiers were their regular clients. When the American military left the bases in the early 1990s, these children were left behind.

On March 4, in honor of International Amerasian Day, a group of 60 Filipino Amerasians from the cities surrounding former bases will celebrate in a special way. Their "100 Letters to our Fathers" campaign will see the group - whose members range from teenage to those in their 50s - reach out with messages of love and hope to fathers almost all of them never knew. Many of the handwritten letters will be read aloud and will be accompanied by their photos and a short video showing conditions Amerasians have faced.

All will be available on a new website, with the goal of bringing the issues of Filipino Amerasians in the Philippines from the sidelines to the surface.

Left without fathers, many of these Amerasians were also abandoned by their mothers, who were often unable to care for them. The majority of children were raised in extreme poverty by family members or guardians, with little access to social services, and suffered from a lack of identity and intense discrimination.

They were stigmatized for being illegitimate and for being the children of prostitutes. Amerasians fathered by African American soldiers say they suffered the most extreme prejudice.

Brenda Moreno, 44, does not know the name of her African-American father or her mother. She does not know where she belongs.

She remembers a childhood where she hid at home because she looked different. "They see my color and my hair and they tease me 'negra'. I am always crying because I don't feel good. I tell them when I grow up I am going to change my blood so I am going to be white," she recalls.

When I walk on the streets people look at you from head to toe and make a face.

Anthony Dizon

Anthony Dizon, 28, says living with constant discrimination taught him to fight. "When I walk on the streets people look at you from head to toe and make a face... Or they say 'hey nigger, come here' and then they punch me," he says.

Many are unable to finish school -- either due to financial problems, or out of frustration. Mark Gilbore, 24, only finished third grade. "I was always bullied in school because of my color... And they accuse you of doing something just because you are different," he says.

Moreno feels caught in a vicious cycle: "I can't find a good job because I can't go to school. I am just always working as a housemaid," she says, "How can I change my life? I am just trying my best."

This feeling of helplessness often extends to the workplace. Dizon says he was even refused a job at a supermarket: "They told me they can't hire me because I am black...I feel so bad, so hurt. Why don't they give me an opportunity?"

Dondie Moore, 22, a second -generation Amerasian, feels the Philippines government has forgotten about them: "We don't have any laws. We don't have any rights. They look at us as if we are aliens.

"I can't find a job to continue my life."

Alex Magno, Professor of Political Science at University of the Philippines, explains that this racial prejudice is deeply-rooted, but was strengthened by the country's colonial past.

"We long ago considered the Malayo-Polynesian tribes superior and the Negrito tribes inferior," he says. "Hispanic culture merely reinforced that prejudice with its Eurocentric paradigm. Superimpose Hollywood. The standard of beauty is fair skin, tall nose, straight hair."

Growing up with such a lack of acceptance and economic hardship has taken an emotional and psychological toll on many.

According to a three-year study conducted by Dr. Peter Kutschera, Director of the Philippine Amerasian Research Institute in Angeles City, "we have a severely socioeconomically impaired population, especially among Africans, who contend with serious physical and mental stress issues, including homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse."

Having faced rejection on so many levels, many Amerasians consider themselves half American and long to be recognized, if not by their fathers, then by the U.S. government.

But current legislation does not make it easy to become a citizen.

We deserve to work. We deserve to be in any government institutions. We deserve everything. We're all humans.

Shane Jackson

Although the United States Congress passed the Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982, which gave preferential immigration status to Amerasian children born in Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos during the Vietnam War, it does not include those born in the Philippines. Filipino Amerasians can only become citizens if their father claims them.

According to Kutschera's research, one reason for this exclusion is the belief that Amerasians in the Philippines suffered much less discrimination than in those countries.

Some Amerasians are children of a "steady bar fine" relationship. "This meant an American paid for you. You just took care of him during that time he was there," said Alma Bulawan, President of Buklod, a group that works with former prostitutes and their families. "He stays at your home, you cook and clean. Its like a steady live in partner."

Dizon is one of them. He is part of a minority that knows their father's name, yet he has no paperwork to back up any claims. But he has not given up his search.

"I would tell him I love him and ask why he left me since birth," he says. "I will ask him why he abandoned me. I am black American. Every day I am thinking I want to go to USA or Africa because I feel I belong there. People have the same skin color."

But Shane Jackson, 19, considers herself lucky.

As a "white Amerasian", she has faced much less discrimination, and after a five-year search, recently found her father by using the Internet.

"It's the feeling that you're complete," she says. "The fact that he didn't deny me -- it is one great accomplishment. " But she explains that for those who may never find their fathers, having citizenship will at least make them feel they belong somewhere.

Past attempts for the American government's help have had little success.

In 1993, mothers of Amerasians and their children filed a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. government, asking for $68 million to care for 8,600 Amerasian children living in the town next to a former naval base.

"We wanted the American government to support the Amerasian children," Bulawan said. "We asked for money for food, shelter, education and health."

According to Father Shay Cullen, President of PREDA Foundation, the case was closed after the court decided most of the women were engaged in prostitution, which is an illegal activity and therefore could not be the basis for any legal claim.

But the thousands of Amerasian children represented in that class action suit are now young adults.

They have formed United Philippines Amerasians -- a loose network of formal and informal communities of Amerasians who plan to work on creating a national advocacy. They hope to reach out to Amerasians all over the Philippines, coordinate community-level projects, and develop support programs.

Jackson says, "I'm just hoping that my generation has the chance to go to school. I hope the treatment of the people will change. I hope they will accept us, that we are Amerasians.

"We deserve to work. We deserve to be in any government institutions. We deserve everything. We're all humans."

[Call me bubba]

there is help for those who are in this situation,, they even provide help to the older americans(expats) who may need some kind of help or assistance

if these children need help they should contact

http://www.americanassociationphilippines.org/index.htm

this is a sample of the social services they have provided in the past

http://www.americanassociationphilippines.org/socwelfare_svc.htm

they have and will continue to help those who need help,

providing they meet the criteria,

they provide the help that the RP government would not or dont want to do.

Education is the most precious possession one can have. Educating children and youth yields spectacular benefits for the present and future lives. Believing the important role of education in one’s success, the American Association of the Philippines stands firm to continue its Educational Program to its indigent and deserving American dependents, many of whom were deserted by their American fathers.

AAP’s aim is to get more children to school and that they are equipped with basic knowledge for them to succeed in life and have a rightful place in the society.

The program is open for 3 levels: elementary, high school and college. Assistance is in the form of payment of tuition or enrollment fees, provision of basic school supplies during school opening and monthly allowance for elementary & high school students to cover transportation cost and school projects.

yes I do have a agenda by posting this organizations info, maybe some child or Adult(expat) will be given the help they require to lead a normal life again,

[i am bob]

I realize that many of these men did not know that they had left children behind but many do!

For anyone who is travelling through any country, please, if you have the brass to "hook up" for a while, you better have the brass to be a supportive father!

[Old55]

:th_thbestpost: :tiphat:

[Mike S]

And then you have the guy living in Angeles with 29 or so children STILL fathering more kids and what about all the girls that have had mixed race kids sense the base closed down ..... so should the US pay for those also ..... I know this is an ugly situation but I'll bet the majority of these girls that fathered half half children were engaged in a profession that was considered as not only illegal but highly dangerous in terms of diseases and risks of getting pregnant and it is still carried on today ..... nothing has changed and it never will as governments look the other way in loo of employment ..... so who is responsible for those having babies now .... but who can blame them for trying after all they see what is going on in the US where welfare and hands out are rampant for those that bare children with out fathers ..... so why not here ......

ej summed it up beautifully

Interesting article...............But from one Amerasean to another, Get off your butt and do something about it, instead of feeling sorry for yourself and hoping for government recognition, No one is going to help you but yourselvs. just my 2 centavos worth. tanks ej. :angry:

And what Bob said

I realize that many of these men did not know that they had left children behind but many do!

For anyone who is travelling through any country, please, if you have the brass to "hook up" for a while, you better have the brass to be a supportive father!

Don't become like the US which has fast become a nation where you want everything for nothing and to blame everyone else for your mistakes and misfortunes ...... after all it is so much easier to sit on your dead a*s and point fingers than to solve problems ...... eventually the golden goose will die and you will end up with nothing left in your hand but goose sh*t ........ and I'm afraid that that days is coming for the US a lot sooner than expected ........ IMHO ....... sorry :508:

[Ashanti]

I agree with the train of thought of ameriseans to help themselves and to be honest have less sympathy for their flight. They should put their things in perspective and open their eyes.

The amerisean flight reminds me of a friend when I was young woman. She very poor and her father worked as a jeepney driver partime or as and when he can get a jeepney available. Her mum helps out by selling fruits and what not in the sidewalk. But my friend is intelligent which the family recognised and had hoped one day she would be able to help them alleviate their grinding poverty. She got a scholarship programme to get her into college but her siblings stop high school and work here and there and help finance her day to day expenses. One of her the brother’s works as a cigarette vendor like those that chase around jeepneys to sell cigarettes. One day when out and about with my friend , we saw her brother at worked. We had a quick chat with him and I witnessed my friend asking his brother for pocket money. That was when I realise who financed her day to day expenses.

Forward a few years later when she graduated and manage to get a reasonable job. As expected she did help the family and was the main bread winner even though everyone in the family still pitches in. However, she went into a relationship with a married man. When I remonstrated with her, her answer was that it was revenge on her father for being a layabout and good for nothing. Fair enough her father indulges in drink and doesn’t have a regular job and was also rather strict with her. But as I kept pointing out to her – why does she cut her nose to spite her face. In the end of the day, it would be her who will suffer the consequence of her actions not her dad. She had also done some stupid things while at college that could jeopardise her free education and again blamed her dad for being blah, blah, blah ……………….

Anyway, what I feared happened and she got pregnant and left to bring up her baby. Or maybe she needed the experience to wake herself up and face reality. Because the experience seems to make her becomes responsible adult at last.

[i am bob]

I've read a few reports and watched about a dozen videos on this...

I don't think that the Amerasians are so much looking for a free ride but rather that their fathers accept them...

How would you feel if your parents kicked you out of the house while you were a toddler or younger and gave you nothing to help you survive? Wouldn't you hope and prey for some assistance when you got older? But wouldn't you want to be accepted by your family more and welcomed with open arms?

It really sucks to be all alone...

[gapotwo]

I've read a few reports and watched about a dozen videos on this...

I don't think that the Amerasians are so much looking for a free ride but rather that their fathers accept them...

How would you feel if your parents kicked you out of the house while you were a toddler or younger and gave you nothing to help you survive? Wouldn't you hope and prey for some assistance when you got older? But wouldn't you want to be accepted by your family more and welcomed with open arms?

It really sucks to be all alone...

It really sucks to be alone.......I have 2 half brothers that can attest to that feeling. they are Ameraseans that never met their father. (my father). Pat is living in CALIFORNIA and employed by AT&T , owns his own home and is an American citizen.Rey is a certified TIG/MIG/GNAW welder in ofshore Africa.and is a philippine citizen, and owns his own home in Merville park in manila. both are younger than me. We found each other on Facebook, and last year All met up in Long Beach Cal. for a family reunion before i came back to the PI. We had a lot of questions about each other, Both of them had no support from anyone to get to where they are in life. Both are married and have their own kids, Both of them grew up in manila with only their mothers hard work to send them to school,and feed them. Sad to hear their lifes story and the hardships they went through. they didnt know that we , my sisters and i existed, and they didnt know each other. I feel guilty because all that i have now was given to me on a silver platter.And they strived for every penny.Next year we are having our secound family reunion in my house in Olongapo at Holy week. where Pat and Rey will finally meet their father at his tomb in the cemetery ............Life can happen if you push it hard enough. tanks ej .