It’s where my destiny is: to be a community activist.: Becoming Minnesotan

Addi Batica at Macchu Picchu, Peru, 2004. Minnesota Historical Society, Oral His
  • Name - Adelbert Batica
  • Age at interview - 61
  • Gender - Male
  • Generation - First Generation American / Immigrant
  • Date of Interview - 01.26.2011
  • Addi Batica at a panel discussion on global war on terror and human rights.

    We Are Here
    Contributions

    Civic Engagement, Filipino

    Essential Question

    We Are Here: What does it mean to this immigrant group to be here in America?

    Contributions: How is America better off because of this group of immigrants?

    Words to look for

    activist
    destiny

    Background Information

    Many immigrants who have moved to new countries seeking opportunities for themselves remain strongly attached to their homelands. They are very aware that they have perhaps been able to achieve more and have more resources as residents of the United States than they would have otherwise, and want to help their native countrymen in many different ways, including by raising and sending money, by supporting local organizations, by eventually returning permanently and using their skills there, by petitioning the government, or by making trips to provide service.

    To learn more about Filipino history and culture, visit our Filipino Community page.

    • Chapter 1

    Download Adelbert Batica 8
    2:52 Minutes | 2.77Mb

    Transcription

    Narrator: Adelbert Batica (AB)

    Interviewer: Lita Malicsi (LM)

    LM: Addi, you are a very community-oriented person. Would you say you are an activist and have always been involved in community activism?

    AB: Well, I believe so. It looks like it’s where my destiny is: to be that of a community activist. [Chuckles]

    LM: You left community activism in the Philippines, got yourself in trouble for it… [Laughs] And you came to America and are still a community activist in a very positive way.

    AB: Oh, yes. The passion and the interest just don’t seem to go away.

    LM: The Filipino-American community regards you as one of its strong community leaders. I would like you to describe your various involvements in the Filipino-American community events.

    AB: I served as president of the Cultural Society of Filipino-Americans for one term. But my main involvement, organizationally that is, is with the Philippine Study Group of Minnesota.

    LM: What is the Philippine Study Group of Minnesota? What does it do?

    AB: The Philippine Study Group of Minnesota is an organization of Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and Americans who are concerned with human rights, social and economic justice in the Philippines.

    LM: Tell us about some of the projects and some of the activities undertaken by the Philippine Study Group of Minnesota - sometimes they are called PSGM.

    AB: Yes. We have sponsored livelihood projects in the Philippines for poor and marginalized sectors. We have supported children’s shelters as well as drug rehabilitation centers. We have also supported organic farming activities and health care facilities in the Philippines.


    Related Glossary Terms

    activist

    Noun: A person who is very active in favor of a cause, especially a political cause.

    community

    Noun:  A group of people who share a common understanding of the same language, manners, tradition and law.

    destiny

    Noun: Fate; that to which a person is destined.

    human rights

    Noun:  The basic rights and freedoms that all humans should be guaranteed, such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law.

    marginalized

    Adjective: Subject to an unimportant or powerless position within a society or group.

    organic

    Adjective: Of food or food products grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

    rehabilitation

    Noun: The process of returning to good health or recovering.

    Citation

    Minnesota Historical Society. Becoming Minnesotan: Stories of Recent Immigrants and Refugees. September 2010. Institute of Museum and Library Services. [Date of access]. http://www.mnhs.org/immigration
    nid: 2155