is 25!

FANHS will hold its 12th Biennial National Conference

FANHS is 25! Celebrating this landmark, FANHS will
hold its 12th biennial national conference at the Hilton
Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, July 2-5, 2008. FANHS
will also honor the late Thelma Buchholdt, three-term
FANHS National President, who did much work on the
conference before she died in November, 2007.

FANHS conferences are always lively, intergenera-

tional gatherings of professional historians and schol-
ars, students, artists, leaders, writers, filmmakers, eld-
ers, and others from diverse communities throughout
the United States.

Exploring the histories of Alaska - Native Filipinos,

Filipino workers in Alaska (“Alaskeros”), as well as pre
& post-1965 immigrants from throughout the U.S. and
on to the fourth generation, the 2008 FANHS Biennial
Conference will include:

• Authors’ Reception—July 3, 2008

• Networking Lunch — July 4, 2008

• Plenary and Mega-Sessions, workshops, panels,

and films—July 3-5, 2008

• Narrated Tour to Kenai Canneries (additional fee)

& Dinner hosted by Filipino Community of Anchor-
age—July 2, 2008

• Gala Awards Banquet & Dance—July 5, 2008 --2008 Conference Art by Timoteo Cordova

Dear FANHS friends,

Run by volunteers for twenty-five years , FANHS has gathered, documented, and presented Filipino American his-
tories through publications, public programs, films, and other artistic expressions.
The FANHS national archives — of print materials, oral histories, photographs, and other memorabilia — is continu-
ously used by writers, students, filmmakers, scholars, professionals and many others. As just one example, FANHS
shared many photos and other information for the 2006 Smithsonian Centennial film, photo, and curriculum projects.
You’ll find FANHS photos on book covers of many publications that also cite primary source data found at FANHS.
FANHS members and chapters — now numbering 28 throughout the United States — publish books by individuals
as well as through collaborative, intergenerational projects. Using FANHS photos and interviews, FANHS chapters
create video documentaries, stage productions, music, museum exhibits, as well as multimedia presentations found
in local venues and on-line. The influence of FANHS may be found, too, through its success in mentoring youth
who are now FANHS leaders, professors, artists, and community organizers. Join us in Alaska for our 12th Biennial
National Conference and please consider becoming a sponsor of FANHS.
~Dr. Joan May T. Cordova, FANHS National President
 is 25!
FANHS has 28 Chapters throughout the United States
1) OREGON, August 30, 1988
2) SACRAMENTO DELTA, September 3, 1988
3) SAN FRANCISCO, November 30, 1989
4) HAMPTON ROADS, June 3, 1990
5) Institute SEATTLE, June 27, 1990 *
6) METROPOLITAN NEW YORK, February 13, 1991
7) EAST BAY, August 12, 1991
8) SANTA CLARA VALLEY, August 21, 1991
9) VALLEJO, September 4, 1991
10) CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST, September 15, 1991
11) MIDWEST, September 9, 1992
12) STOCKTON, November 21, 1992 **
13) FRESNO, February 6, 1993 FANHS Michigan Chapter sells books at
the FANHS Midwest Regional Conference
14) NEW ENGLAND, June20, 1993
in Detroit, 19 October, 2007. Pictured are
15) LOS ANGELES, October 18, 1993 Isabel Galura, Joe Galura & Fe Rowland.

16) MONTEREY BAY, January 24, 1994 ***

17) ALASKA, August 6, 1994
18) SAN DIEGO, September 23, 1995
19) CENTRAL VALLEY, May 1, 1998
20) RIO GRANDE, September 14, 1998
21) WISCONSIN, June 12, 2001
22) MICHIGAN, May 12, 2004
23) ST. LOUIS, July 24, 2004
24) PENNSYLVANIA, December 30, 2005 At the Philippine Consulate in New York City for the screening of
“Dancing the Shrimp,” co-sponsored by FANHS NJ Chapter, 28
25) SONOMA COUNTY, February 2, 2006 February 2008: Joey Tabaco, FANHS NY Administrator; Joan
May Cordova, FANHS National President; Isabel Enriquez-Kenny,
26) YAKAMA VALLEY, March 6, 2006 filmmaker; Millie Stamaria-Thomeczek, Deputy Consul General;
Kim Barroso, FANHS PA President; Nestor Enriquez, FANHS NJ
27) NEW JERSEY, March 28, 2006 founder and FANHS National Trustee.

28) CAROLINAS, September 28, 2007

*Reconstituted from chapter to institute February 18, 2006

** Chartered as Stockton-Central Valley
*** Chartered as Salinas-Monterey County
 Page 3
Caption describing picture or
graphic.
Thelma Buchholdt presents her
book, Filipinos in Alaska, at a
FANHS authors’ reception in
Philadelphia, last June, 2007.
Oscar Peñaranda with his
Seasons by the Bay and
Full Deck at the FANHS
National Conference in
Honolulu, June, 2006.
Emily P. Lawsin discusses
Teaching About Asian
Pacific Americans and
Filipino Women in Detroit
in Philadelphia, June,
2007.
FANHS to Honor Thelma Buchholdt
At the FANHS Awards Banquet on July 5, 2008, FANHS will honor the late Thelma
Buchholdt, former Alaska legislator, attorney, civil rights leader and author who
served as FANHS National President for three terms. This conference would not be
possible without Thelma’s dedication and hard work to prepare for the 2008 event.
In November, 2007, Anchorage Daily News reported: “Thelma Buchholdt was ap-
pointed to the Alaska State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights. In 1973, Thelma was elected the first woman president of the Filipino Com-
munity of Anchorage. Thelma was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives
in 1974 as an Ad Hoc Democrat. She was the first Filipino-American woman legisla-
tor in America. She became vice-chair of the House Finance Committee. She cham-
pioned funding for the Spenard Community Recreation Center, the Dempsey-
Anderson Ice Arena, the Asian-Alaskan Cultural Center in Spenard, and other pro-
jects. Thelma sponsored and won funding for an underwater bio-acoustical survey of
Alaska's bowhead population.Thelma also won funding for the Alaska Commission
on the Status of Women. In 1980, Thelma was elected the first Asian-American
president of the National Order of Women Legislators. And in 1994, Thelma was
appointed director of Alaska's Office of Equal Opportunity.
Thelma is survived by her husband, Jon; their four children, daughter Titania (Gary)
Ray of Richmond, Calif.; sons, Chris (Julia Sadowski), Hans, and Dylan (Cara El-
tion), all of Anchorage; two grandchildren, Ryan of Anchorage and Rocco of Rich-
mond; sisters, Jeanette (John) Svihra of Anchorage, Rhoda McFadden of Las Ve-
gas, and Nancy Evangelista of Los Angeles; and brothers, Melvyn Garcia of Los
Angeles and Eloi Garcia of Claveria.
The FANHS Awards Banquet will also include cultural dance performances being
organized by Juliet Cheatle. The banquet speaker is yet to be confirmed.
FANHS Authors’ Reception—July 3, 2008
One of the highlights of each FANHS biennial confer- (Denver), Patricia
ence, the FANHS Authors’ Reception is an opportu- McReynolds (San Diego),
nity to meet with writers of the latest books about Marina Espina (New Or-
Filipinos as well as “pioneers” of now classic texts on leans), Jeanne Barroga
Filipino American history. (San Francisco), Estela
Habal (San Jose), and
Enjoy readings, snacks, lively spoken word poetry many more…
performances and storytelling while having books
autographed by authors in attendance.
The family of Thelma Buchholdt will be signing copies
of her Filipinos in Alaska. Other featured authors
include: FANHS Hampton Roads (VA) Chapter: Allan
& Edwina Bergano, Jenny Dizon, Veronica Salcedo,
Ray Obispo, Tracie Liguid; Dawn B. Mabalon
(Stockton), Emily Lawsin (Detroit), Sharon Delmundo
(New York), Pin@y Educational Partnership—PEP
Team led by Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales (San Fran-
cisco), Juanita Tamayo-Lott (Washington, DC),
Oscar Peñaranda (San Leandro), Evangeline C. Buell
(Berkeley), FANHS East Bay Chapter: Elizabeth Me-
gino, Baylan Megino, Evelyn Luluquisen, James So-
bredo; Fred & Dorothy Cordova (Seattle), Estrella Evangeline C. Buell with her
Alamar (Chicago), Barbara Posadas (Illinois), Emil sister at a FANHS Hampton
Guillermo (San Francisco) Penelope Flores ( San Roads Writers’ event in Vir-
Francisco), Analiza Quiroz ( NYC), Manette Snow ginia Beach, June, 2007.
is 25! Page 4

FANHS Conference Speakers Confirmed for Opening

Respectfully acknowledging Athabascans as the original inhabitants of the land we
now call Anchorage, FANHS will open its conference with an Athabascan/Filipino elder
who will ask his ancestors for permission to use their land. Mark Begich, Mayor of the
City of Anchorage, as well as family members of the late Thelma Buchholdt will then
welcome guests at the 8:30 a.m. plenary session on July 3, 2008. Other opening
speakers are FANHS Executive Director Dr. Dorothy L. Cordova (Seattle), FANHS
Alaska Local Conference Chair Dr. Aurora Hovland (Anchorage), and FANHS National
President Dr. Joan May T. Cordova (Philadelphia).
Highlighting the opening plenary session will be “Double Identities, Double Conflicts,
and Double Fulfillments: The Experiences of Alaska Native-Filipinos,” featuring: Lisa
Dolchok (Yupik and Filipino), Traditional Healing Tribal Doctor, Southcentral Founda-
tion; Max Dolchok (Athabascan and Filipino), Family Wellness Warriors Initiative,
Southcentral Foundation; George Quinto (Tlingit and Filipino), Vice President of Op- Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova,
erations, Alaska Village Initiatives; Katherine Gottlieb, (Aleut and Filipino), President FANHS Founder &
and CEO, Southcentral Foundation. Dr. E.J. David, professor at the University of Executive Director is a full-
Alaska, Anchorage, will moderate the panel he organized. time FANHS volunteer.

FANHS Promotes Youth Leadership

Though seldom publicized, Dorothy Cordova, FANHS Executive Director, together with
various FANHS leaders and Chapters have all been mentoring FANHS youth through-
out the years. By working on intergenerational projects, for example, mentors teach
youth various skills in conducting oral histories, transcribing, editing, and creatively
presenting research. Youth also learn how to gather and archive photographs and
other documents. Most significantly, FANHS mentors model a lifestyle of gathering
and valuing our histories while giving back to our communities.
Youth are also encouraged to actively participate in FANHS conferences. At each
FANHS Biennial Conference, the cost of youth registration is partially (and sometimes
fully) subsidized by the FANHS national office. Student registration fees do not even Ray Obispo & Oscar Peñaranda
cover the cost of hotel meals. For students who volunteer at the conference, registra-
tion fees are often waived, with costs subsidized by FANHS national. —both outstanding teachers —

As a result of nurturing youth leaders for 25 years, former FANHS youth interns and meet with youth at FANHS.
student volunteers have grown into leadership positions in FANHS, in academia and
various work settings, and in local communities and national organizations.
FANHS
National Officers

FANHS National Officers and Trustees President:

Joan May T. Cordova
Philadelphia, PA
Vice President:
Evangeline C. Buell
Berkeley, CA
Secretary:
Ronald Buenaventura
FANHS National Trustees met in Philadelphia, last June, 2007. Trustees pictured (l-r) Ron Buenaventura San Diego, CA
(San Diego), Brad Baldia (Philadelphia), Mel LaGasca (Stockton), Fred Cordova (Seattle), Al Acena (San
Mateo, CA), Ray Obispo (Virginia Beach), Vangie Buell (Berkeley), Emily Lawsin (Detroit), Dorothy L. Treasurer:
Cordova (Seattle), the late Sam Balucas (Los Angeles), Lourdes Markley (Oregon), Nena Calica (Los
Angeles), Fran Alayu Womack (Chicago), P. Emraida Kiram (Wisconsin), Dawn Mabalon (San Francisco). Fran Alayu Womack
Not pictured: Gloria Adams (Seattle), Dely Alcantara (New Mexico), Clem Bautista (Honolulu), Joan May Chicago, IL
Cordova (Philadelphia), Enrique DeLaCruz (Los Angeles), Nestor Enriquez (New Jersey), David Galbiso
(New Mexico), Mel Orpilla (Vallejo, CA), Judy Patacsil (San Diego), Oscar Peñaranda (San Leandro, CA),
Gil Pilapil (Springfield, IL), Linda Revilla (Sacramento, CA), Art Villaruz (Merced, CA).
FANHS is 25!

Comprised of 28 chapters throughout the USA,

Dr. Dorothy L. Cordova,
FANHS Executive Director
FANHS National office
810 Eighteenth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
the Filipino American National History Society's
(FANHS) mission is to: "…preserve, document,
and present Filipino American history and to
support scholarly research and artistic works…"
Founded in 1982, the FANHS national network
will hold "FANHS is 25!" events throughout
2008. Please join us at the 12th biennial
FANHS national conference in Alaska, July 2-5,
2008 in Anchorage, Alaska.
http://www.fanhs-national.org/

For the next generation: Become a sponsor of FANHS

*From a modest collection of archival materials, the FANHS

Dr. Fred Cordova often leads stu-
dents and other researchers on tours
of the FANHS National Archives in
Seattle.
When Dr. Dorothy L. Cordova
founded the Filipino American
National Historical Society
(FANHS) with her husband Dr.
Fred Cordova in 1982, their work
built on the network of commu-
nity based and professional his-
torians created through the NEH
funded project that led to the
groundbreaking publication of
Filipinos: Forgotten Asian Ameri-
cans. Twenty-five years later,
the FANHS network has grown
to 28 chapters throughout the
United States. Still completely
run by volunteers, FANHS hopes
to expand on its achievements.
national archives in Seattle now holds what is perhaps the most exten-
sive collection of oral histories, photographs, and historical documents
on Filipino Americans in the United States. Many significant texts and
films about Filipino Americans have used FANHS photos and primary
source documents. FANHS hopes to preserve its growing archival
collection as well as to eventually digitize materials to include collec-
tions in the “satellite archives” of its 28 FANHS Chapters.
*The upcoming 12th Biennial FANHS National Conference in
Anchorage, Alaska expands on the success of 11 previous confer-
ences in Honolulu, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Virginia Beach, Portland
(OR), New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Sacramento, New Orleans,
and Seattle. Each intergenerational event drew 300-500+ participants
from diverse backgrounds -- established professionals and students,
artists, writers, filmmakers, community leaders – to memorable panels,
films, authors’ receptions, awards banquets, and tours.
*With the award-winning FANHS video, “Filipino Americans:
Discovering the Past for the Future” (1995) still being screened in com-
munities and schools throughout the nation, FANHS Chapters have
begun to produce – often in collaboration with other groups – their own
video documentaries. FANHS members also serve as consultants and
researchers to national projects such as the Smithsonian’s 2006 Cen-
tennial film, photo exhibit, and multimedia curriculum development.
*FANHS also works with Stockton’s Little Manila Foundation
on their shared goal of building the FANHS Filipino American National
Museum, a Filipino American cultural and youth center, in the historic
“Little Manila” neighborhood of Stockton, California.
*With many former FANHS youth now in leadership at
FANHS and in our communities, FANHS will continue to mentor youth.
We hope you will consider becoming a sponsor of FANHS.