AFIRE and Circa-Pintig open house (Chicago, Illinois)

In the tradition of gift giving or bigayan, the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) and the Center for Immigrant Resources and Cultural Arts (Circa) –Pintig opened their office at 7315 N. Western Avenue on October 20, 2012 to provide direct service to and advocate for the Filipino American community in Illinois.

Alon ng Dagat, Ningas ng Apoy, at Puso ng Tao
The highlight of the open house was focused on the unveiling of the three-panel canvass painting of “Alon ng Dagat. Ningas ng Apoy. at Puso ng Tao.” The painting was created by Nasstasha Camba, Ray Espiritu, Raven Guerrero, Crystle Dino, Josh Ong, Carlos Ledesma and Stephanie Camba as the gift of the Chicago Filipino American youth to the celebration of the Filipina/o American Heritage Month.
The young FilAm visual artists who were commissioned by AFIRE painted in a three-panel canvass a narrative of Filipino immigration story in the United States. In their stroke of creativity the FilAm artists gave life to the narrative through the waves of the ocean, flames of the fire, and heart of the people. With each stroke, the artists summoned intentional cultural emblems through which viewers can easily identify the symbolism conveying the skills and resilience demonstrated by the Filipino people to survive colonialism, globalization and the labor export system imposed on the Philippines. The group’s obra maestra not only appreciates the struggle overcome by our ancestors, it pays homage to historical leaders as Carlos Bulosan, Larry Itliong, Filipino American Veterans and all the families that have crossed oceans for the welfare and future of their families.
Sign of solidarity
AFIRE offers this three-panel canvas as a sign of solidarity for events that celebrate Filipina/o Heritage and immigration history.
“I was dreaming about these images last night.” says Jerry Clarito, Executive Director of AFIRE, as he reflects on the successful open house held the day before. “They are just so powerful. Connecting the struggles of early Pinoy settlers to the current immigration issues is a powerful reminder of why we need to participate in the electoral process. The painting clearly speaks of our dreams and aspirations as a people.”
Indeed, through AFIRE’s Rock the Balut voter empowerment campaign, community organizers, Kristina Tendilla and Kristina Mascarenas, in collaboration with National Americans Democracy Project (NADP) Fellow Vincent Dee, were able to register more than 200 Filipinos and FilAms in just three weeks. Moreover, in eleven months, AFIRE’s New Americans Initiative program has registered more than 300 FilAm green card holders to become American citizens.
Building the FilAm voting power
The energy and momentum continues to grow. AFIRE encourages the community to vote early on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 10am to noon at the Truman College 1145 W Wilson Avenue Chicago, IL 60640 in solidarity with other Filipino Americans so we may have a strong political voice in this Fall election.
Angela “Ging” Mascarenas, board president of AFIRE and CIRCA-Pintig, energized and inspired the open house participants to support the driving work of AFIRE and CIRCA-Pintig. Intergenerational and diverse guests confirmed the value of grassroots education, action, research, services, and community arts.
Comprehensive direct services and community advocacy
AFIRE presented to the guests the available programs that the community members can avail of or volunteer for. AFIRE community organizers, Tess Gutierrez and Sally Velasco shared AFIRE’s valuable community work in a health education program, Healthy Heart, Healthy Family, Healthy Community. Sally said, “Health studies revealed that cardio vascular disease is the leading cause of deaths among Filipinos. Our Healthy Heart community education program intends to address this issue and hopefully reduce the incidence of serious cardio vascular disease.”
On the other hand, Stacy Delvo shared “A Day in the life of our Lolas and Lolos,” an overview of the initial survey of the life experience of Filipino American seniors of Chicago. AFIRE intends to research deeper on the needs of the growing senior segment of the FilAm population of Chicago. On their part, Connie Triggiano and Al Cabagnot presented Gabayan, an immigrant guide and resource directory. Through its partnership with the Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action (TIGRA), AFIRE will assist new Filipino immigrants on how to navigate the cultural and structural landscape of Chicago. Tendilla explained AFIRE’s New American’s Initiative program in assisting legal permanent residents to apply for US citizenship. She also touched on the new services being provided for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) so undocumented youth can defer deportations and access workers permits.
United front strategy
AFIRE and CIRCA-PINTIG shared its strategy for civic engagement. Angela Mascarenas said collaboration will propel the community to effect meaningful social change. She stated, “The front and center of civic engagement is the united front of student, community leaders, allies and supporters from elected positions to business people and philanthropic leaders.”
This strategy was evidenced by the diversity of the guests who attended the open house. James Yoo and Tran Nguyen, aide of U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, respectively sent their message of gratitude. James said, “I was great to see Jerry and Angela at AFIRE’s Open House on Saturday. Thank you so much for the wonderful time. I hope our office can be of help to AFIRE and the community.” Meanwhile, Tran Nguyen said, “I was very happy I had the opportunity to enjoy the Open House and see the community in action. It is always great to experience the energy and passion in person, as opposed to on paper or through a third person account. The space looked great! I’m amazed AFIRE was able to make such a transformation in such a short amount of time. I am sure I will see you around at upcoming events. I will also be in touch when we can hopefully find time for the Senator to learn more about all the wonderful things the Filipinos are endeavoring to do and accomplishing.”
Dary Mien of the Cambodian Americans of Illinois, Dale Asis, Lhakpa Tsering, and Mauricio Roman of the Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European, and Latino Immigrant of Illinois, Rene Abella of Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, Pilar Escontrias of the Field Museum, officers and members of Filipino American Grandparents Association of Chicago, officers and members of the American Legion FilAm Post 509, Francis Calpotura of Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action, Clarita Santos of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, the student community of De Paul University Asian Cultural Exchange and Kapwa of Loyola University, Butch Odulio of Philippine National Bank Remittance Inc., and Lito Pineda or Progress Press were also in attendance..
Call to action
Kristina Tendilla and Kristina Mascarenas, AFIRE’s young community organizers are also calling volunteers to assist in the early voting on November 3 and in the get out the vote activities on election day on November 6. Interested volunteers can email them at afire@afirechicago.org or call them at 312-925-8451.