A Century of Challenge and Change:
The Filipino American Story
RESOURCES
ABOUT THE PROJECT
CURRICULUM TEAM
CONTACT
Project Director

Dr. Patricia Espiritu Halagao is Assistant Professor of social studies and multicultural education in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii (Ph.D., University of Washington).  She designs, implements, and evaluates culturally responsive curricula and pedagogy for marginalized ethnic groups.  Her research examines the educational experiences of Filipino American students and is co-founder of Pinoy Teach, a multicultural curriculum focused on Filipino history and culture.



Filipino American Studies Consultant

Dr. Theo Gonzalves is Assistant Professor in the American Studies Department at the University of Hawaii, Manoa (PhD, University of California at Irvine). His scholarly interests include: Filipino/American cultures, histories & politics; U.S-Philippine relations; ethnic and cultural studies; cultural Nationalisms and the performing arts. He is also an accomplished musical director, keyboardist, song writer and producer. In 2005, he was a U.S. Fulbright Senior Scholar in the Philippines.



Middle Level Teacher

Rudy Acoba teaches 7th & 8th grade social studies at Waipahu Intermediate School. He has over 18 years of teaching experience. He received his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. He grew up in a plantation community in Hawaii and is now a husband and proud father of five children.



Elementary Teacher

Judith Santiago Miguel Chreitzberg was born on the Island of Lanai, Hawaii. After graduating from Lanai High and Elementary School, she moved to Oahu and earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Judith is currently a 4th and 5th grade teacher of Waikele Elementary School in Waipahu. Judith’s interests include listening to music, dancing, taking pictures, doing art, traveling, looking at clouds, and spending time with her husband, Scott, and nephew and niece, Michael and Regan.



Research Assistant & Elementary Teacher

Farzana Nayani Meyer researches the intercultural communication of multiethnic families and children, particularly Filipino-Americans in Hawai'i. She received her Masters from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and is currently affiliated with the East-West Center. As an elementary teacher and trainer, Farzana’s interests lie in multicultural curriculum development and the implementation of intercultural education in organizations and schools.



Artist/ Animator

Josie Trinidad graduated from UCLA and California Institute of the Arts, earning degrees in English, Art and Character Animation. She has worked as an illustrator, animator and is currently living in Los Angeles working as a story artist at Disney.



Web Designer

Dr. David A. M. Goldberg is a teacher of digital media, critical thinking, and programming who has worked with young people from all ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds. He is currently focused on developing the means to decentralize education via culturally-relevant, historically-accurate, educator-designed, highly compelling net-based content.
 
Curriculum Design Team

Let’s hear from each person about why they joined the Filipino American Curriculum Project.

Patricia: This project was a way for me to infuse my passions for my Filipino heritage, the “bayanihan spirit” and multicultural curriculum development. It is dedicated to my two children Marissa and Jordan so that they may see positive representations of themselves as Filipinos and always be proud of who they are. I thank my husband, AJ for supporting me throughout this endeavor and for being a life partner who works to better our Filipino community through education and political empowerment.

Theo: It's been an honor to work on this project with wonderfully talented and dedicated folks. I love this venture for the same reasons that I love playing music with others: I'm reminded that we always learn more by working with others, that there is still so much more to not only learn but also to un-learn, and that we all have a responsibility (especially to the younger ones) to put more beauty, love and passion into the world before we leave.

Rudy: As a child growing up in school, I often wondered: Why couldn’t I learn about our culture and heritage? I view this project as a way to address my question. Now as I get older, I find myself trying to educate my children and own students. I continue to learn about the rich history of the Filipino American people. The more I learn, the more I want to pass the knowledge to the next generation. This project is a good start.

Judith: As a young girl, I knew I was Filipino, but feeling Filipino wasn’t special. Had I known now what it meant to be Filipino, I would have presented myself a Proud Filipina. As an elementary teacher, I still see myself in my Filipino girls – unsure of their brown beauty, and notice the Filipino boys hold back their bilingual tongue to fit in. I realize I must be a positive role model for our Filipino youths. This project has allowed me to work with fellow Filipino American educators and impress on our youths the importance of knowing our Filipino history and making their own positive contributions to American society. To our future Filipino American Leaders – gently and with love, honor yourself and Filipino heritage.

Farzana: Being of Filipino and Pakistani ethnic background and originally from Vancouver, Canada, I believe that students should honor themselves and their families by learning about their own heritage, history, and traditions. Being active in the community and proudly expressing your identity is a way to teach others about your culture.

Josie: I was inspired to work on the Filipino American Curriculum Project because when I was growing up, Filipino American history was never taught in school or even mentioned in my history classes. Contributing to this project was a great opportunity for me to learn about my own history and ensure that future generations will never be as ignorant as I was growing up.

David: In the face of the Web's rapid spiral into explicit commercialization and segregation I am committed to projects that have a centripedal push. Projects like this one recognize that which is unique while simultaneously distributing it through a vast amplifying meshwork of diverse, potential connections. This is the original purpose and function of the Web. Welcome home.