PAHAYAGAN NEWS
March 24, 2014

FIL-AM LEADERS SUPPORTS MASS ACTION TO DEFEND FILIPINO FARM WORKERS AGAINST THE LIES AND MISREPRESENTATIONS OF “CHAVEZ” FILM, MARCH 20

Los Angeles—After simmering and hot topics on the US and Philippine issues, this time, the PUBLIC FORUM (TALAKAYAN SA FACLA) last Thursday discussed “Chavez”, a film about the struggle of the American farm workers for dignity and economic justice that was premiered last March 20 in Hollywood.

Filipino-American leaders expressed their support to the protest action led by the son of Filipino farm worker leader Larry Itliong, Johnny Itliong and mural artist Eliseo Art Silva against the upcoming movie “Chavez”.

The scores of activists led by the Larry Itliong Foundation for Education (LIFE) rallied and picketed the premiere of “Chavez” at the Chinese Mann Theater last March 20 from 4:00 PM to 9;00 PM

Historical Contributions of Filipino Farm Workers in the US

Austin Baul Jr, FACLA president said, “ It is not right to marginalized or erase the contribution of Filipino farm workers especially Filipino workers leaders like Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and others who fought for more than 30 years so that the American union movement will be a vibrant movement that is now.

Our farm workers leaders especially the pioneers of FACLA must be recognized, dignified for if not for them, we cannot achieve a sort of economic justice today and during the terrible and hard the times of terrible racism from the 1930’s to the 1960’s.”

Alliance leader Arturo Garcia pointed out,”FACLA is an example how four Filipino farm workers prominently a woman leader Petra Hernandez started a movement and build this social hall where we are now discussing issues. We will not let them be unrecognized nor marginalized by some big minority chauvinist who will try to erase them in the film and in current history.”

TALAKAYAN moderator Ka.Larry Pelayo also said, “ the issues than are still issues valid in our times. Now that immigration reforms are stalled at the US Congress, the contribution of Filipino farm workers in building America in the fields and the American union movement should be appreciated. We, the Filipino American will not let their memory be marginalized nor be forgotten.”

Critique of the Film “Chavez”

Noted Fil-Am artist/muralist , Eliseo Art Silva who attended the TALAKAYAN said, “ that the “Chavez” film was not historically accurate and ignored the contributions of the Filipino workers and leaders like Larry Itliong. Philip Vera Cruz , Pete Velasco and others.

The film also grossly insults the Filipino-American community by just ”immortalizing Chavez” while glossing over the role of Filipinos who were their partners in the United Farm Workers movement, ”Silva added.

Dr. Orly Cagampan and Atty. Terry Herrera also discussed the need for moral regeneration for our community and we can start this by acknowledging the contributions of those who came ahead of us like the Filipino farm workers who build FACLA and the American union movement.

Tommy Jones noted, “ A lot of Filipinos ( even those who were not farm workers )were legalized due to thefarm workers movement in the 1970’s and 1980’s who are mostly Latinos when President Reagan issued the amnesty law in 1986.”

After the forum, more discussions and preparation for the rally like painting signs and drafting the statement for the mass action made the participants busy for the rest of the day.

The TALAKAYAN also thanks Mr. Tommy Jones for the sumptuous lunch that he provided for the participants.

For more information please call FACLA at (213)484-1427 or email us [email protected] or visit our website at newfacla.org.

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