Francis Galan, assistant professor of history, will host a virtual seminar for Filipino American History Month at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 28 on Webex at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
The seminar includes four panelists: retired U.S. Air Force Col. Nonie C. Cabana; Cecilia I. Gaerlan, executive director of the Bataan Legacy Historical Society; Dr. Nelson Tuazon, vice president and associate chief nursing officer with University Health System; and Tomas “Buddy” Gomez, member of the communications cabinet of former President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines from 1990 to 1992.
“We have to be more inclusive of Filipino Americans’ history in U.S. history classes,” Galan said.
In a joint interview, Cabana and Gomez described what students can expect from attending the event.
“Before, Filipinos weren’t so vocal, but this new generation of Filipinos brought up here in the U.S. are becoming more vocal,” Cabana said. Just as other nationalities are mentioned in history classes, the main idea of the seminar is to acknowledge Filipino involvement in American history. Cabana wants the same recognition for Filipino Americans like himself.
Gomez discussed the Philippines’ beginnings and where it is now as a country. He talked about American Exceptionalism. According to the New World Encyclopedia, American Exceptionalism is the idea that the United States differs from other developed nations because of the “national credo, historical evolution or distinctive political and religious institutions.”
Gomez said some history classes now include the Philippines among “borderland” countries such as Mexico.
The seminar is part of Galan’s HIST 3301, Historical Analysis class, but all students can attend.
To attend the virtual seminar, click here.
For more information or to RSVP for the seminar, contact Galan at francis.galan@tamusa.edu.
The panelists also spoke at virtual seminars on Oct. 6 and 7.
