Filipino American National Historical Society-Wisconsin Chapter
Documenting our achievements
Documenting our achievements
Angelica Varona Camara,
current president of the
Filipino American National
Historical Society
(FANHS)-Wisconsin Chapter
current president of the
Filipino American National
Historical Society
(FANHS)-Wisconsin Chapter
by Heidi M. Pascual
Since 1990, the FANHS has been documenting the Filipino presence in the state of Wisconsin.
In order to do so, FANHS-Wisconsin Chapter committed to conduct research and studies, promote
and disseminate published works on Filipino American history, conduct exhibits on Filipino
American works, and serve as a repository for research and gathered materials. It conducts its
own fund-raisers to help finance its many programs. FANHS-Wisconsin has hosted and
participated in FANHS Midwest conferences and attended several of their national conferences.
Aside from its stated mission, FANHS has been an active participant in community gatherings,
particularly in the Milwaukee area where its headquarters are located. Through the years, some of
its members and officers have received community awards for exemplary work done for FANHS.
Its officers are committed volunteers, who, for more than a decade have been working very hard
to accomplish their organization’s goals.
In 2003, FANHS-Wisconsin decided to celebrate and recognize Filipino American
accomplishments in theSstate. The awards were called “Sarimanok” awards, honoring “Women of
Distinction.” (The “Sarimanok” is a mythical bird of paradise, with a multicolored, lavishly
elongated tail, a fish at its beak, and a fish at its feet. There are many legends surrounding the
Sarimanok, the most famous being that this bird saved an entire village from starvation, by
carrying fish from a distant lake, one at a time, to the village people. It is the symbol of Maranao
Royalty, and may be found on top their homes like on a weather vane or inside their homes in a
place of honor. It is also the logo of FANHS-Wisconsin (fanhswi.webs.com). The first group of
awardees were: Rohde Aliposa, Josefina Sevilla Gardinier, Robin Johnson, Mila Lamerand, Heidi
Pascual and Carmelita Stehr.
The second Sarimanok Awards, held in 2005, honored “Community Service” and “Lifetime
Achievement.” The awardees for community service were Carmel Capati, Esq., Claude Carpenter,
DDS., Thomas Y. Chua, M.D., Regina Cowell and Rufino Licos; while the recipients of the lifetime
achievement awards were Agnes G. Cammer, Norma C. Clemente, Dr. Elieser B. Suson and Dr.
Alejandro Vinluan.
Since 1990, the FANHS has been documenting the Filipino presence in the state of Wisconsin.
In order to do so, FANHS-Wisconsin Chapter committed to conduct research and studies, promote
and disseminate published works on Filipino American history, conduct exhibits on Filipino
American works, and serve as a repository for research and gathered materials. It conducts its
own fund-raisers to help finance its many programs. FANHS-Wisconsin has hosted and
participated in FANHS Midwest conferences and attended several of their national conferences.
Aside from its stated mission, FANHS has been an active participant in community gatherings,
particularly in the Milwaukee area where its headquarters are located. Through the years, some of
its members and officers have received community awards for exemplary work done for FANHS.
Its officers are committed volunteers, who, for more than a decade have been working very hard
to accomplish their organization’s goals.
In 2003, FANHS-Wisconsin decided to celebrate and recognize Filipino American
accomplishments in theSstate. The awards were called “Sarimanok” awards, honoring “Women of
Distinction.” (The “Sarimanok” is a mythical bird of paradise, with a multicolored, lavishly
elongated tail, a fish at its beak, and a fish at its feet. There are many legends surrounding the
Sarimanok, the most famous being that this bird saved an entire village from starvation, by
carrying fish from a distant lake, one at a time, to the village people. It is the symbol of Maranao
Royalty, and may be found on top their homes like on a weather vane or inside their homes in a
place of honor. It is also the logo of FANHS-Wisconsin (fanhswi.webs.com). The first group of
awardees were: Rohde Aliposa, Josefina Sevilla Gardinier, Robin Johnson, Mila Lamerand, Heidi
Pascual and Carmelita Stehr.
The second Sarimanok Awards, held in 2005, honored “Community Service” and “Lifetime
Achievement.” The awardees for community service were Carmel Capati, Esq., Claude Carpenter,
DDS., Thomas Y. Chua, M.D., Regina Cowell and Rufino Licos; while the recipients of the lifetime
achievement awards were Agnes G. Cammer, Norma C. Clemente, Dr. Elieser B. Suson and Dr.
Alejandro Vinluan.
Princess Emraida Kiram
emceed
emceed
David Gilbert Pederson,
guest speaker
guest speaker
| Agnes Cammer |
| Norma Clemente |
This year, the third Sarimanok Awards, which were held on March 21 at Marriott Milwaukee West, honored
“Distinguished Community Service” and “Wisconsin’s Outstanding Young Professionals.” Some of the awardees, though
not “Filipino” in race and looks, are connected to the Filipino community by affiliation and/or direct philanthropic work in
the Philippines.
FANHS-Wis. President Angelica Varona Camara was elated at the very good turnout this year, welcoming and thanking
the attendees, as well as those who have consistently supported and believed in the organization’s mission. Heritage
Singers’ Executive Director Gerardo Gaddi led the singing of both the Philippine and the U.S. National Anthems, while
Princess Emraida Kiram emceed.
David Gilbert Pederson, the 18-year-old guest speaker, awed his audience through his powerful presence and speech.
Pederson was the youngest delegate to the most recent Democratic National Convention, having worked actively in
Obama’s campaign last year. “Yes, we can,” Pederson said, talking directly to the youth present in the audience.
“Everybody talks about the youth being the leaders of tomorrow. Young people, I say to you today, we have work to do, and
we need to step up. We cannot be the leaders of tomorrow; we need to be the leaders of today. We’re facing lots of threats,
not only global terror, but global hunger, disease, climate change, and the economy that threatens to collapse.”
Pederson challenged the youth and urged them to join him, “Tonight and in the weeks and months to come, I will
collaborate with you to help to put our best foot forward and say, ‘Kaya natin,’ that we can do it.”
This year’s Sarimanok awardees and a brief note about each of them are:
Distinguished Community Service Awards
• Richard “Dick” Clemins — Philanthrophy
Businessman Dick Clemins extended his philanthropic work from Wisconsin to the Philippines’ poor when he started
“Kapwa Eye Program,”which collects used eyeglasses and matches them to indigent patients in the provinces of Negros
Occidental and Davao. He and his wife Gertrude established Fortress College in the town of Kabankalan — from
kindergarten to high school — to serve the education needs of its people. He also supports an orphanage in Guimaras and
donates medical equipment and supplies to one of the oldest Philippine hospitals.
• Jeanette Lesada — Journalism
Jeanette is the author of the widely acclaimed book, “Sundays With Matthew.” Daughter-in-law of FANHS Charter
members Reino and Edna Lesada, Jeanette has made a profound impact on the understanding of autism. Her hobbies of
writing screenplays, oil painting, drawing and photography led to the publication of her book, which is now recommended
reading by the Autism Society of America.
• Thomas “Tom” Sipin — Sports
Thomas Sipin has been teaching martial arts for almost 40 years. He is the first person born in the U.S. to earn the rank
of 9th Degree Black Belt and named “Grandmaster” of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) “Doce Pares Eskrima.” He is past
president of World Eskrima Federation and coach of US National Team for World Competition in FMA for six years. A retired
police officer and former SWAT team member, Tom has been training police and security officers since 1980.
Outstanding young Professionals
• Paul Eric C. Clemente — Religion
Pastor Paul “Perry” Clemente graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, and
worked as an Industrial Hygiene Consultant for several years for the state of Wisconsin. Pastor Perry was called to serve
the Lord when, in 1998, he became a ministry intern, and shortly after, a pastoral assistant, at the Redeemer Evangelical
Free Church. In 2004, he was commissioned to start a church, and the rest was history. Due to the growing diverse
congregation of his church, its name was changed from Fil-Am Bible Church to “All Nations Bible Church.”
“Distinguished Community Service” and “Wisconsin’s Outstanding Young Professionals.” Some of the awardees, though
not “Filipino” in race and looks, are connected to the Filipino community by affiliation and/or direct philanthropic work in
the Philippines.
FANHS-Wis. President Angelica Varona Camara was elated at the very good turnout this year, welcoming and thanking
the attendees, as well as those who have consistently supported and believed in the organization’s mission. Heritage
Singers’ Executive Director Gerardo Gaddi led the singing of both the Philippine and the U.S. National Anthems, while
Princess Emraida Kiram emceed.
David Gilbert Pederson, the 18-year-old guest speaker, awed his audience through his powerful presence and speech.
Pederson was the youngest delegate to the most recent Democratic National Convention, having worked actively in
Obama’s campaign last year. “Yes, we can,” Pederson said, talking directly to the youth present in the audience.
“Everybody talks about the youth being the leaders of tomorrow. Young people, I say to you today, we have work to do, and
we need to step up. We cannot be the leaders of tomorrow; we need to be the leaders of today. We’re facing lots of threats,
not only global terror, but global hunger, disease, climate change, and the economy that threatens to collapse.”
Pederson challenged the youth and urged them to join him, “Tonight and in the weeks and months to come, I will
collaborate with you to help to put our best foot forward and say, ‘Kaya natin,’ that we can do it.”
This year’s Sarimanok awardees and a brief note about each of them are:
Distinguished Community Service Awards
• Richard “Dick” Clemins — Philanthrophy
Businessman Dick Clemins extended his philanthropic work from Wisconsin to the Philippines’ poor when he started
“Kapwa Eye Program,”which collects used eyeglasses and matches them to indigent patients in the provinces of Negros
Occidental and Davao. He and his wife Gertrude established Fortress College in the town of Kabankalan — from
kindergarten to high school — to serve the education needs of its people. He also supports an orphanage in Guimaras and
donates medical equipment and supplies to one of the oldest Philippine hospitals.
• Jeanette Lesada — Journalism
Jeanette is the author of the widely acclaimed book, “Sundays With Matthew.” Daughter-in-law of FANHS Charter
members Reino and Edna Lesada, Jeanette has made a profound impact on the understanding of autism. Her hobbies of
writing screenplays, oil painting, drawing and photography led to the publication of her book, which is now recommended
reading by the Autism Society of America.
• Thomas “Tom” Sipin — Sports
Thomas Sipin has been teaching martial arts for almost 40 years. He is the first person born in the U.S. to earn the rank
of 9th Degree Black Belt and named “Grandmaster” of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) “Doce Pares Eskrima.” He is past
president of World Eskrima Federation and coach of US National Team for World Competition in FMA for six years. A retired
police officer and former SWAT team member, Tom has been training police and security officers since 1980.
Outstanding young Professionals
• Paul Eric C. Clemente — Religion
Pastor Paul “Perry” Clemente graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, and
worked as an Industrial Hygiene Consultant for several years for the state of Wisconsin. Pastor Perry was called to serve
the Lord when, in 1998, he became a ministry intern, and shortly after, a pastoral assistant, at the Redeemer Evangelical
Free Church. In 2004, he was commissioned to start a church, and the rest was history. Due to the growing diverse
congregation of his church, its name was changed from Fil-Am Bible Church to “All Nations Bible Church.”
Thomas "Tom" Sipin
Marvin Suson
• Christine M. Lamerand — Social Work
Christine Lamerand is gifted with a caring and compassionate heart. She grew up serving the Filipino community — from
dancing to religious activities — and is now as a member of the Board of Directors of the Filipino American Association of
Wisconsin (FAAWIS). After receiving her BA in Criminology and Law studies from Marquette University and her masters of
Social Work from UW-Milwaukee, Christine worked for La Causa, Inc. and is now affiliated with the Racine Correctional
Institution as social worker.
• Elizabeth R. Reyes — Education
Elizabeth “Beth” Reyes, past president of the Philippine Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas (PAMANA), is a
special education teacher in the Madison school district. From being a researcher and conservator in the National Museum
of the Philippines, her work on educating the public has continued even after her immigration to the U.S. She is, at present,
pursuing her Ph.D. at Edgewood College. Her energy at teaching special needs children seems non-stop and continues even
outside the classroom. Beth is very active in the community as religion-education teacher and Eucharistic minister at St.
Peter’s Church in Madison. She’s also a volunteer in the Meals on Wheels program, Project Home, and other nonprofits.
• John D. Suson — Medicine
Dr. John Suson, past president of the Philippine Medical Association of Wisconsin (PMAW), followed the footsteps of his
parents who are both doctors of medicine. John graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Chemistry from Marquette
University and with honors in research when he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of
Wisconsin in 1992. He specializes in ophthalmology, and has a few patents in his name. John, despite his
accomplishments in school and in sports (eskrima and arnis), is still laid back and almost shy; but he is actively involved in
community service, being a pillar of the Phil. Cultural and Civic Center Foundation (PCCCF) and participates in medical
missions to the Philippines.
• Marvin Suson — Arts/Music
Marvin is the quintessential artist and concert violinist. He has presented concerts on behalf of the Philippine Cultural
and Civic Center and always performs music that includes Filipino composers and folk songs to expose Filipino American
children to the rich musical heritage of the Filipino culture. He received his music degree from the UW-Milwaukee Peck
School of the Arts. Marvin is dedicated to the youth, being an instructor in children’s ministries at Meadowbrook Church,
teaching biblical values to grade school children and teaching evangelism to teens. He also serves as worhip leader and
orchestra conductor. Marvin is affiliated with several symphony orchestras in Wisconsin.
*******
New this year was the presentation of the awards by former Sarimanok Awardees. There were very touching moments in
the presentation, especially when the awards were given by parents who were past awardees: Paul Eric Clemente
received his award from his mother, Norma (Sarimanok Awardee 2003); Christine Lamerand, from her mother, Mila
(Sarimanok Awardee 2003); and Marvin Suson, from his father, Dr. Elieser (Sarimanok Awardee 2005).
After FANHS Vice President Ernie Lizarondo delivered his closing remarks, the attendees —families, friends,
acquaintances, and guests — enjoyed the rest of the evening on the dance floor.
We salute FANHS for continuously working hard to pursue its mission for the Filipino Americans in Wisconsin. Asian
Wisconzine is very proud of you!
Christine Lamerand is gifted with a caring and compassionate heart. She grew up serving the Filipino community — from
dancing to religious activities — and is now as a member of the Board of Directors of the Filipino American Association of
Wisconsin (FAAWIS). After receiving her BA in Criminology and Law studies from Marquette University and her masters of
Social Work from UW-Milwaukee, Christine worked for La Causa, Inc. and is now affiliated with the Racine Correctional
Institution as social worker.
• Elizabeth R. Reyes — Education
Elizabeth “Beth” Reyes, past president of the Philippine Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas (PAMANA), is a
special education teacher in the Madison school district. From being a researcher and conservator in the National Museum
of the Philippines, her work on educating the public has continued even after her immigration to the U.S. She is, at present,
pursuing her Ph.D. at Edgewood College. Her energy at teaching special needs children seems non-stop and continues even
outside the classroom. Beth is very active in the community as religion-education teacher and Eucharistic minister at St.
Peter’s Church in Madison. She’s also a volunteer in the Meals on Wheels program, Project Home, and other nonprofits.
• John D. Suson — Medicine
Dr. John Suson, past president of the Philippine Medical Association of Wisconsin (PMAW), followed the footsteps of his
parents who are both doctors of medicine. John graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Chemistry from Marquette
University and with honors in research when he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of
Wisconsin in 1992. He specializes in ophthalmology, and has a few patents in his name. John, despite his
accomplishments in school and in sports (eskrima and arnis), is still laid back and almost shy; but he is actively involved in
community service, being a pillar of the Phil. Cultural and Civic Center Foundation (PCCCF) and participates in medical
missions to the Philippines.
• Marvin Suson — Arts/Music
Marvin is the quintessential artist and concert violinist. He has presented concerts on behalf of the Philippine Cultural
and Civic Center and always performs music that includes Filipino composers and folk songs to expose Filipino American
children to the rich musical heritage of the Filipino culture. He received his music degree from the UW-Milwaukee Peck
School of the Arts. Marvin is dedicated to the youth, being an instructor in children’s ministries at Meadowbrook Church,
teaching biblical values to grade school children and teaching evangelism to teens. He also serves as worhip leader and
orchestra conductor. Marvin is affiliated with several symphony orchestras in Wisconsin.
*******
New this year was the presentation of the awards by former Sarimanok Awardees. There were very touching moments in
the presentation, especially when the awards were given by parents who were past awardees: Paul Eric Clemente
received his award from his mother, Norma (Sarimanok Awardee 2003); Christine Lamerand, from her mother, Mila
(Sarimanok Awardee 2003); and Marvin Suson, from his father, Dr. Elieser (Sarimanok Awardee 2005).
After FANHS Vice President Ernie Lizarondo delivered his closing remarks, the attendees —families, friends,
acquaintances, and guests — enjoyed the rest of the evening on the dance floor.
We salute FANHS for continuously working hard to pursue its mission for the Filipino Americans in Wisconsin. Asian
Wisconzine is very proud of you!
| Jeanette Lesada |
| Christine M. Lamerand |
((L-R) Noelle, Leandro, Jaime, Elizabeth Reyes,
with Avelina Ramos (Beth’s mother)
with Avelina Ramos (Beth’s mother)
(L-R) John, Roxanne, & Serena Suson
Pastor Paul and Elsa Clemente
Drs. Eufrecina and Elieser Suson
Jacchi and Dr. Thomas Chua
(L-R) Rhode Aliposa, Remy Lanzaderas,
Dr. Mina Santiago-Vitangcol
Dr. Mina Santiago-Vitangcol
WATCH FANHS VIDEO CLIPS (Also posted on YouTube) |
