There have been many films made about the history between the U.S. and the Philippines, but only a few have highlighted perspectives from the Filipino-American community that embodies both nations.
Count a recent documentary titled "The Hidden Dream: The Filipino Experience with America from the Bataan Death March to the 21st Century" among the few. The film sheds light on what many Fil-Ams might be missing about their own history. Along those lines, it does an admirable job of making the case for why it's important for people, especially the younger generation, to know and recognize the sacrifices and contributions that Filipinos have made to American society.
The film is the creation of Shiela Duenas-Imme and Jon Imme, and narrated by Filipina singing star Charmaine Clamor. It reveals little-known stories of the Filipino community in America. Survivors of the Bataan Death March — forced to march 60 miles under the tropical heat during World War II — relate first-hand accounts of the ordeal, which claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Filipinos and at least 1,200 Americans. Then come tales of hunger, disease and death that still haunt survivors who reached a Japanese prison camp at the end of the march.
Hidden Dream also highlights little-known acts of heroism that occurred on the march and later in the prison camp. One centers on Sergeant Floresca, a highly decorated veteran, who told his story about sneaking out the camp at night and walking miles just to get water for his companions.
Major Crescencio Abad, president of the United Filipino American Veterans, relates what he calls the tragedy of the tardiness of the rescinding of the Rescission Act of 1946, which deprived many Filipinos who fought alongside U.S. troops against the Japanese of the benefits they were promised.
Last year, the economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama included payments for qualified Filipino WWII veterans in the Philippines and the U.S. Some 200,000 Filipinos served with American troops during WWII. Sadly, it took more than 60 years for these veterans to receive recognition, and by the time the bill was signed, only about 18,000 veterans were alive.
Another interesting aspect of the film is the opportunity it affords Filipinos to share their joy in becoming American citizens, and how young Filipinos born in America express the conflict that comes from being citizens of two cultures.
The film offers the insights of Kevin Nadal, PhD and author of "Filipino American Psychology," who shares his view about the reasons why younger Filipinos know less about their history and culture.
"One of the main reasons why I believe that a lot of these children aren't learning about their history is not because their parents do not want to teach them about the history," Nadal tells viewers. "But because their parents may have repressed a lot of these emotions."
Hidden Dream gives a number of young Fil-Ams the opportunity to share their experiences about growing up in the U.S., noting their desire to discover more about their heritage and culture. The film also explains the Filipinos' values of love of family and country, and other ideals that are broadly shared among members of the ethnic group.
Hidden Dream will premiere on KCET Los Angeles, a public television channel, on Thursday, May 13, from 9pm to 10pm.
More info:
• "The Hidden Dream" Trailer on YouTube
• www.liliesandravens.org
Read more stories from Asian Journal »
Leave a comment