The APA Living Today May/June Issue 2023

How WIll You Be Remembered? Page 4 & 5

ENTERTAINMENT

Interview With Dr. Khalila Camancho Ali Page 6 - 8

TRAILBLAZERS

Kalpana Chawla - The First Indian-Born Woman To Go Into Space Page 10 & 11

12

STORY THREADS

Brandon Lo, Our Graduating Intern Page 12

Kinsei Imada, Masters Of Biological Sciences Page 13

14

SPOTLIGHT

Mafae Yunon-Belasco: The Crown & Beyond Page 14 & 15

16

NEWS & EVENTS

The Amelia Marie/Joie De Vivre Relaunched With A Champaign Splash On Sunday, April 23, 2023 Five Star Marina – The Old Stephens Boatyard Page 16

The Japanese Americam National Museum Welcomes Asian Americam and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Page 17

First Tee San Joaquin –

The First Tee Of San Joaquin Welcomes New Executive Director Page 18

First Tee San Joaquin Announces Summer Tour Page 18

FANHS - Congratulations To Our 2023 Scholarship Recipents! Page 21

THE APA LIVING TODAY

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Jim Chong

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Layne Imada

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & SOURCES

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Jessie Bowen

Linda Claramo

Leslie Edman

Elite Publications

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Toby Gomez

Ines Ruiz-Huston

Kinsei Imada

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Tanya Parmelee

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Carrie Sass - HerLife

Michelle McCowan-Smith

Terri Torres

Cathy Wei

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tim Ulmer

Jim Chong

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©The APA Living Today 2023

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK:

During these times especially, we can understand more about the importance of the history that is being made. Heritage has never been so important as it is now. Reflecting on the past months, I think about the different things I’ve learned...specifically about the significance of people’s stories. I am always pleasantly surprised to see just how much we learn from each other and yet also at the same time just how much more we have to still be educated on. Social media has forever changed the way we communicate. But really what has really been the significance of doing all the “posts” on Instagram or Facebook?

Jim T. Chong

Well, as I was going through Facebook, I realized just how fortunate I am to have the pictures, comments, and “life experiences” that I have been able to have over not just the years...but the decades. As I also was able to swipe through the pages of this publication online and also turn the pages of the printed editions of this publication and others that I have contributed to, I realized that it captured the essence and history of things that were happening at that time. Specifically, I was able to capture my feelings and thoughts as they related to the things happening around me, but also the things I thought that were important enough to pass along.

As you peruse the pages and stories in this publication, I hope that you can take the time to really appreciate the thoughts and timing of the contributors. We are truly in very interesting times and I want to personally thank all the people for their submissions to help make every edition a special one.

It helps us remember once again to “Never forget where we come from as we also strive to live our life to where we want to be.” These pages capture the essence of the present which will tomorrow be the past for us to remember

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The Asian Pacific American Living Today is a bi-monthly newspaper dedicated to providing a comprehensive publication, both in print and online, that seeks to raise awareness of issues of interest to Asians and associated ethnic groups in California and abroad.

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How Will You Be Remembered?

By Jim T. Chong the Wok Star / Legend Maker

As time goes on, I think we all are more apt to evaluate the difference we have made to those around us and for some, even globally. There is no doubt that we will have an impact on the world. The question is… “What will we leave behind?”

For this era, iconic movies like “Rocky” have definitely made their mark in the world. Who can forget the story of the underdog that rises to the top through sheer tenacity. Watching the years go by, we can reflect on how this series for instance has paved a way for the next generation…specifically in the new focus on “Creed”.

It is not surprising that as we think about it, there is no real focus on Adonis Creed without the backstory of the father Apollo Creed and who was the first major contender and character in the Rocky franchise. Everything stems from the story and the journey of Rocky that helps develop our understanding and connection with Adonis.

As of this writing, Creed III focuses on Adonis’ past which helps us understand the impact our lives can have on others.

As we personalize his story and who we can connect with it, we can reflect on our own lives and the decisions we make that have shaped us to become who we are today. We can further consider what impact or footprint we have left on others. Our story can make such an incredible difference to the people that hear or read about it. I would have you consider the phenomenal stories that are in this publication...but taking it one step further, even the story behind the story.

Like the “Butterfly Effect ‘’ where it was surmised that even the flapping of the butterfly’s wings affects the world, we can probably consider how our life has made a difference. I encourage you to think about your personal life and also take some time to reflect on the people that have made a significant positive impact on who you are today and think about the positive difference you can make for those that know your story.

How do you want to be remembered and what legacy will you leave? As you read about the people in this publication, think about what could be written about you. The real exciting opportunity today is that if we are able to read this today then we have a chance to help tell our own story the way we want it told. Take nothing for granted, value every moment, and be grateful for our time here on earth. If you haven’t already, my hope is that you are able to understand the influence and impact you can have on those around you… especially your friends, family, and the future generation.Tell your story… write it down…and share it with the world. I have so many great memories of my own family, Dad and Mom, and have been blessed beyond imagination. I am excited to launch our new book series LiveYourBestLegacy.com with my book creation partner Natalie McQueen to help people be able to collaborate to get their story told. I have been so blessed to be a part of Elite Publications and to be associated with the founder Grand Master Jessie Bowen who has been living his dream to provide the conduit for people to become best selling authors to be an inspiration to others.

Remember…

“Never forget where you come from, and live your life to where you want to get to.”

Here is to a great life of love, positive impact, and making history. If you have a story you are ready to tell, I would love to hear from you.

Jim T. Chong the Wok Star / Legacy Maker Media PR Publicist for Elite Publications JimTChong.com or (916) 747-9366

Jim T. Chong

“Together,

Interview with Dr. Khalila Camancho Ali –Women’s Martial Arts

Pioneer and Wife of Muhammad Ali

By Jessie Bowen, President of Elite Publications

Grand Master Jessie Bowen, Executive Director of the American Martial Arts Alliance and the American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to the growth and development of martial arts, interviewed Dr. Khalil Camancho Ali at the kickoff of the Women’s Martial Arts Hall of Honors award presentations. Dr. Ali holds a Ph.D. in theology and is a renowned woman martial artist, producer, best-selling author, and lecturer.

Jessie Bowen: This is the kickoff of our Women’s Martial Arts Hall of Honors awards event where we are honoring women from all around the world who are making major contributions to martial arts as competitors, teachers, and business owners. So today, we have a special interview with Dr. Khalila Camancho Ali.

Welcome to the Women in the Martial Arts Hall of Honors awards presentation Khalila. Congratulations on being one of our inductees. This is the first program to recognize women in martial arts with their women’s only Hall of Honor. As one of the early female pioneers in martial arts studying karate you had earned a third-degree black belt under Jim Kelly and Steve Saunders by 1997, and you eventually earned your ninth-degree black belt. So let’s talk about your martial arts, and I will probably get hurt by our readers if I don’t ask about you and Muhammad Ali.

Jessie Bowen

Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali: God bless you, Jessie. Thank you so much. I’m honored to join the Women’s Martial Arts Hall of Honors. It is a pleasure and an honor to be here, and I thank God you contacted me. I’ve been in the arts for my entire life.

It was a struggle because, first and foremost, I had to keep it undercover, you know, for so many years. So, I couldn’t be out there and spread it or show my skills and talent like some of the other artists who were able to perform in front of people. I wasn’t allowed to do that because of the important people I was securing at the time.

When you are a personal security guard, you cannot expose who you are and who you are securing at the time; it is detrimental to anybody knowing who you are. You know your job when you are a security guard to a particular person, yet you are not made known. This is because you are securing those people at the time. Sometimes, after you have finished securing them, you could come out and say who you secured. But you know I had to keep that undercover for a while. And especially being married to Muhammad Ali. Even though my art was known, it was undercover.

Back then, to tell a fighter like Ali what you do and what you know would be a mistake. Ali was a challenger, and I didn’t want him to challenge me. I knew he would challenge me if he knew anything about me doing martial arts. And when he found out that I did know the arts, he threatened me by going up to a guy named Rocky Ayoki, known to be a martial artist and a reality wrestler, and challenged him in the ring to show me he could be the martial artist.

I heard you talk about a couple of things online about how you and Muhammad Ali met and wrote many of his poems. Can we touch on a little of that?

Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali: I share much of that in my book, The Forgiveness: The Untold Story of Khalilah & Muhammad Ali. It is a unique and outstanding book. It’s online now, but it’s an unauthorized one that came out. I did it, but it wasn’t edited entirely the way I wanted; however, it’s still online. I’m currently doing a new version I’m going to edit and put back online. That edition will be out in April. So, if you want to get the unedited version, you can go to Amazon and buy it right now. They only have 1,000 copies out there. Once those 1,000 copies are sold, the edited edition will come out.

“When I f I rst met m uhammad a l I , I Was only ten years old and he Was 18. I Was meet I ng h I m for the f I rst t I me, and I confronted h I m about h I s name. I sa I d, “ you WI ll never get famous WI th that name. you go unt I l you have a name of honor. It W ould be best I f you had a name that W ould respect you. u nt I l you have a m usl I m name, you’re not go I ng to get famous. t rust me”.”

– d r. Khal I lah c amacho-a l I

When I first met Muhammad Ali I was only ten years old and he was 18. I was meeting him for the first time, and I confronted him about his name. I said, “You will never get famous with that name. You go until you have a name of honor. It would be best if you had a name that would respect you. Until you have a Muslim name, you’re not going to get famous. Trust me”.

He looked at me and said, “Go”, and then I tore up his name, and he said, “She tore up my name”. I think that moment locked in a target on my forehead from then on. So as time passed, he started getting all these poems from me and everything. He said, “I need to marry this one. She’s growing up now.” So he came back and got me at the age of 16.

Jessie Bowen: Wow, that’s a love story. Was one of your poems connected to the “Thrilla in Manila” when he was fighting? Was it Joe Fraser that you wrote the poem about?

I knew the art but I couldn’t expose it like I wanted to when I was with Steve Saunders at the BKF in Los Angeles under Jim Kelly. I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t want them to find out who I was. I didn’t want them to know what I did, because I didn’t want it to get back to Muhammad Ali. So it was tough.

Jessie Bowen: This is the journey of many women in martial arts. But your situation is very unique. When we go back in time, martial arts used to be a man’s world and it wasn’t a combat sport for women. Plus, it wasn’t available because it was perceived that girls shouldn’t take martial arts or combat arts during that time.

It was a difficult task to find ladies during your era that were studying martial arts in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Thankfully, you find more women that are involved in martial arts study today.

Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali: No, actually, it was the Sonny Liston poem. I was not too fond of Sonny Liston’s reaction when he was hanging around Muslims. He was a Muslim sympathizer, but he wasn’t a Muslim yet. So, Sonny Liston made a comment that upset me when he said, “I’m gonna knock out that Black Muslim”. That bothered me and that’s what made me create a poem.

I didn’t like Sonny Liston and I asked Clay to tell him this poem. Then I go, “Wow! You know he’s not going to do that”. But at least I got it out. You know what I mean. My mother told me years ago never to form my lips and say I should have when I could have, so I always say what’s on my mind at the time. I didn’t think he would read the poem, but he did. He told Sonny Liston that poem right in front of me. He made my poem famous. I want to thank him for that, and that’s the kind of team we became later in life.

Jessie Bowen: We have a change in time from when you were studying martial arts. What words of wisdom would you give to today’s female martial artists?

Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali: First of all, I don’t support women’s boxing. I don’t support that. But if that’s what you need to get your courage and confidence up, I’m all for that. But as far as safety for women, I totally support martial arts because you don’t have to use brute force to be a martial artist. They use their technique, wit, and the technical advantages of the art.

Regardless of size, martial artists are extremely difficult to defeat even if you are large and they are small. Due to your tendency to submit to them, which they will exploit, it is extremely difficult to combat them. Yet, I believe that martial arts are safer for women to practice. The arts are practiced safely for both males and small women, attacking the major pressure areas on your body These are incredibly significant issues that have the power to destroy anyone. Pressure points imply that a little pressure is all it takes to overcome the situation. And therefore, I emphasize the importance of boosting selfconfidence among women who do martial arts. It appeals to your selfassurance and strategically uses your personality.

It plans out your feelings and assists you. The repetition of martial arts practice makes you respond without hesitation in self-defense situations. So I would suggest studying martial arts because it’s good discipline. On the other hand, it can be very emotional, so it kind of downs a woman’s temperament.

It’s truly a marvelous thing. Of course, as a woman, you can get rather far in martial arts.

Nothing needs to be kept back from you. It truly is fantastic. Martial arts training helps women gain confidence. It plays on your self-assurance and strategically uses your personality. It plans out your feelings and aids you.

Jessie Bowen: Well, thank you for participating in our program, and congratulations.

Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian- born woman to go into space in 1997. She lost her life on 1 February 2003, when the space shuttle Columbia was destroyed. Let us take a look at Kalpana Chawla’s early life, family, education, career, space missions, honours and recognition, legacy, etc.

How can we forget the first Indian-born woman to go into space. She is none other than Kalpana Chawla. Today is her death anniversary. On this day in 2003, she lost her life when the space shuttle Columbia was destroyed. While re-entering into Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft broke out and killed all seven astronauts on board.

Despite never returning to Earth, her legacy has lived on. Here we are describing in short her life story that not only inspires young people, but also women who want to pursue their dream. Her passion and hard work allowed her to achieve her dreams.

Kalpana Chawla early years

She was born on 17 March 1962 in Karnal, India. Her father was Banarasi Lal Chawla and her mother was Sanjyothi Chawla. She was the youngest of four children. She was called by her parents Montu until she started school. When she entered education, Chawla picked her own name. The name ‘Kalpana’ means “idea” or “imagination”. She often went by the nickname K.C. She enjoyed flying, hiking, back-packing, and reading.

Kalpana Chawla The first Indian-born woman to go into space

Written by Shikha Goyal

Source Cited: Jagran Josh

Last Updated: Feb. 1, 2022

Education

She attended Tagore Baal Niketan Senior Secondary School, Karnal. She earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India. In 1980s, she moved to the United States and obtained a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. She did a Doctorate of philosophy in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado in 1988.

Career, becoming an astronaut

She started work in 1988 at NASA Ames Research Center in the area of powered-lift computational fluid dynamics. She concentrated her research on simulation of complex air flows encountered around aircraft including the Harrier in “ground-effect.”

Kalpana Chawla joined Overset Methods Inc., Los Altos, California, as Vice President and Research Scientist to form a team with other researchers specializing in the simulation of moving multiple body problems in 1993. Her work was to develop and implement efficient techniques to perform aerodynamic optimisation. Her project works results are documented in technical conference papers and journals.

In December 1994, she was selected by NASA. She reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 as an astronaut candidate in the 15th Group of Astronauts. After completing one year of training, she became a crew representative for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches. Here, she worked with Robotic Situational Awareness Displays and tested software for the space shuttles.

Space Missions

Kalpana Chawla’s first opportunity to fly in space came in November 1997, aboard the space shuttle Columbia on flight STS-87. In just over two weeks, the shuttle made 252 orbits of the Earth. On the trip, the shuttle carried out several experiments and observing tools including a Spartan Satellite, which Chawla deployed from the shuttle.

Kalpana Chawla, Indian American Astronaut and Engineer Photo credit: NASA

The satellite that studied the outer layer of the sun malfunctioned because of some software errors and the other two astronauts had to perform a spacewalk to recapture it from the shuttle.

Second Space Mission: Disaster strikes

Kalpana Chawla was selected for her second voyage into space in 2000. She served again as a mission specialist for STS-107. Various times, the mission was delayed, and finally, in 2003, it was launched. Over a 16-days flight, the crew completed more than 80 experiments. On 1 February 2003 morning, the space shuttle returned to Earth and was intended to launch at Kennedy Space Center. During the launch time, as per the official, a briefcase-sized piece of insulation had broken off. It damaged the thermal protection system of the shuttle’s wing. It was the shield that protected it from heat during re-entry. As the shuttle passed through the atmosphere, hot gas streaming into the wing caused it to break up.

The craft became unstable, rolled, and bucked, pitching the astronauts about. The ship depressurised in less than a minute and crew members were killed. The shuttle broke up over Texas and Louisiana before plunging into the ground. It was the second major disaster following the 1986 explosion of the shuttle Challenger.

In a crew, all seven were killed. The crew included Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Ilan Ramon, David Brown, William McCool, Michael Anderson, and Kalpana Chawla.

Over the course of Chawla’s two missions, she logged 30 days, 14 hours, and 54 minutes in space. After her first launch, she said, “When you look at the stars and the galaxy, you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system.”

Awards & Legacy

She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

The Columbia event was officially investigated and reported to help understand what happened. Also, how to prevent the tragedy from reoccurring in future spaceflights. For example in 2003, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. In 2008, NASA”s Columbia Crew Survival Investigation Report was released.

Various documentaries have been produced about the crew of Columbia including “Astronaut Diaries: Remembering the Columbia Shuttle Crew” (2005), “Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope” (2013).

In 2010, the University of Texas dedicated a Kalpana Chawla memorial at the Arlington College of Engineering.

A commercial cargo spacecraft named after Kalpana Chawla was launched to the international space station in October 2020.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus capsule was named the S.S. Kalpana Chawla.

Astronaut Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist (January 1, 1995; Johnson Space Center, TX; NASA) Pictured here is Kalpana Chawla in Oct. 1995 when she was an astronaut candidate working at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California.

Pictured here is Kalpana Chawla in Oct. 1995 when she was an astronaut candidate working at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California.

Our Intern, Brandon Lo Moving onto greater things!

By Brandon Lo, 2023 Graduate of Merlo Institute & former intern for APA Living Today

We would like to bid a fond farewell and good luck to our intern, Brandon Lo! A 2023 graduate from The Merlo Institute, he will be attending the University of the Pacific in the Fall of 2023, where he will continue his studies in Computer Engineering. You will be sorely missed Brandon! Thank you! We thought it might be a little fun if we let Brandon tell you his story...

Education is a huge part of my life. My parents weren’t the stereotypical Asian parents they were. I lived an educational life where my parents weren’t so strict on me studying for school every single second of the day of my life. They let me be free on things besides school. I was able to go out with friends and hang out with them while also being a great scholar. But overall, my pre-teen life in education was not as suffocating as other Asian scholars had with their parents and life experiences.

My K through 8th grade was a really great reflection on how I grew as a student going into my high school career. I learned how to mature as a person. Some events taught me what to avoid and what was beneficial to me. Looking back on these experiences:

Freshman year was a wild ride. It started off as a fresh student going to high school. Learning what my classes were. Just the basic routine as a freshman would experience. Spring of March comes around and guess what… COVID hits. All the schools were forced to stay home because of the pandemic and the continuation of school during that year was rough. Most students including me didn’t know that we had to continue class through zoom. But luckily it didn’t really affect me as a whole with my grades and education.

Sophomore year rolled around and it was a whole new experience. I had to do distance learning through zoom and the experience was not pleasant. Having to get to class on zoom was such a hassle when there are many distractions at home that affect your sleep, as well as the motivation of getting to class was also rough. But my motivation of getting good grades was still within me. I would still do all the assignments even though most of them were late, but most teachers didn’t have to dock points because many situations would have occurred. For me I was distracted with my mom being a constant nuisance which threw off my concentration, my phone because everybody needs to entertain themselves including me, and just the motivation of going to school online was always low. But I managed to pull through with all A’s and 3 B’s within 2 semesters during that pandemic year.

Junior year was definitely a year where everybody needed to get back on track, including me. My sleep schedule was terrible, which has affected me. Things that I needed to regain were my social skills. Talking to people face to face “again” was definitely an experience. I will always remember that this year was also the year I met my long lasting friends. I met him when he made an instagram account and his first post I saw was Genshin Impact. I too played that game and he introduced me to more friends that I’ve met during middle school and now we’re all brothers forever. But coming back on track, this year was also the year I got all A’s in both semesters. I truly showed myself how much potential I have and it showed following my senior year.

My final year of high school, i’ve accomplished many things that I had on my list. With COVID out of the picture now I can do anything with no set backs. Heading into my accomplishments, I’ve been accepted to one of the most well known colleges in Stockton and California, University of the Pacific as well as one of their prestigious nearly full ride scholarships, their Community Involvement Program (CIP). These acceptances will allow me to fully pursue an education that I’ve always dreamed of ever since I was young.

In my experiences, I’ve never dealt with racism or any of that matter as a young Hmong descent. I’ve heard of these common stereotypes where “I’m so smart because I’m Asian” but I don’t believe in those categorized statements. I think that if you work hard and put in that work you want to accomplish, those things will side with you. Being Asian never affected my education or my common goals. My advice that I would give to all my young Asian fellows that likes to pursue education is never give into the negatives. The only way to stay focused and desire those accomplishments you’ve set for yourself is always stay positive.

Brandon Lo

CONGRATULATIONS KINSEI! Masters of Biological Sciences Graduate

By Layne Imada

We would also like to give a big congratulations to our own writer and contributor, Kinsei Imada! We are very proud of you! Kinsei will be graduating from the University of the Pacific on May 13, 2023, with her Masters in Biological Sciences. After graduation, she will be teaching at UOP for the summer and then moving onto her next adventure! We wish you good fortune and blessings!

Where to begin. We asked Kinsei to write about herself and what her future goals are now that she’s graduated with her Masters degree. But, unfortunately she declined and ran away from us embarrassed. That’s how goofy she is. So, I won’t write about her, but rather I want to write a Thank You letter.

Dear Kinsei,

In a couple of weeks, you graduate with your Masters from college. I’m sure it comes as no big surprise that I’ve got a few things to say. And because you know how I’m wired on the inside, you know it’s apt to get a little drippy, so bear with me.

I know you’re happiest when you’re not the focus of attention. Privacy, anonymity, and all that. I get it, I really do. And that’s why I’ve always tried to respect your request to stay under the radar. Until now.

As I write this today, a couple of weeks before you graduate, I have to pour it all out into an article for all the world to see. I think we both know that I won’t be in any condition to talk to you day of. I waited 24 years for this moment. And here is usually where I do my best thinking.

Now there are dozens of things I could talk about here, I know that. And it’s been a challenge to think of just the right way to explain what I’m feeling as a dad, watching my first child learning to walk at the start of her true adult life. I could talk about all the pride I feel about everything you’ve accomplished academically. But I won’t. That would be too predictable and a little too braggy and you’d kill me, if I did that publicly.

I could share how beautiful it’s been to watch you strike out on your semi-own and live and thrive and manage your time and your life and your relationships like a bonafide grownup. But I’m not.

I could tell you how proud I am of all the ways you’ve reached out and connected with your college community and found your people and your path and your passion because that’s some inspiring stuff. But I’m not gonna go there either.

I’m also not interested in talking about the grades on your transcript or how many recommendations you have from your professors and peers, how well-positioned you are to land a job right out of school. But, that’s not what’s really on my mind.

What I’m most focused on at this moment is who you’ve become as a person since you left for college freshman year — what you’re walking away with on the inside. That’s what’s filling up my heart today. And it’s what’s giving me the greatest sense of pride.

To me, it’s all been about your willingness to discover your best self. How tirelessly and deliberately you’ve learned how to engage with all the people around you to find your own unique place in the world.

It’s about the leaps of faith and risks you took by experimenting with things like majors and friendships and politics and social justice; and the pivots you made when you knew a direction didn’t feel right. Those are the big takeaways as far as I’m concerned and the reasons why we know you’re ready for what comes next.

So, as you get ready to walk across that stage, all I really want to do here is say thank you. Just thank you. Thanks for taking all these chances on yourself and believing that the sky is definitely the limit. Thank you for being willing to fall and fail and screw it all up before you got it right. Thank you for doing exactly what any parent hopes their kid does with this experience. Just. Thank. You.

Kinsei Imada

Our own APA Living Today family member, Kinsei Imada

Mafae Yunon-Belasco: The Crown & Beyond

By Nico Belasco

Mafae Yunon-Belasco’s journey starts in the beautiful islands of the Philippines. She was born to two loving parents, Marijess and Manolito, who, when Mafae was six years old, made the courageous decision to move to Sydney, Australia. In her childhood years, Mafae learned to live as a Filipina abroad and in doing so found a home in the “Land Down Under”. Despite their surroundings, the Yunon family proudly carried on their Pinoy roots in many ways. In their house Tagalog was spoken, the smell of Filipino food often filled the air, and Pinoy values were instilled in everyone. It was her connection to the motherland that led Mafae back to the Philippines to pursue a path that would leave a lasting impact on people across the world.

Mafae is best known for her success in the beauty pageant industry, having won prestigious awards locally and internationally, such as Miss Philippines Australia 1998, Binibining Pilipinas World 2003 (prominently landing top 5 in the Miss World competition of the same year held in Sanya, China), and Mrs. Philippines Globe 2008. Her pageant journey was fueled by her eagerness to give back to the underprivileged communities that she had come across during her time in the Philippines. With her crown and sash, Mafae used her platform to help people all over the country, young and old, improve their livelihood through givebacks.

She has since gone on to channel her pageant expertise into image consulting for Binibinig Pilipinas. Mafae also took on the role of Personality Development Director for the Miss World Philippines in 2021 and Pageant Director of KUMU Global Pageants where she and her team produced two virtual pageants with over 20,000 viewers tuned in. In addition to this, she was appointed as a board member for the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 competition, and was among the prestigious few to select the next representative for the country.

After her time in pageantry, Mafae reinvented herself and dove even deeper into the world of modeling. She quickly gained vast experience as a commercial, ramp and print model. Her portfolio consists of work with some of the Philippines top designers, brands, and publications. Some highlights in Mafae’s career include walking the runways of Philippine Fashion Week, shooting commercials with world renowned brands like Mastercard, Mitsubishi, and Coke, appearing as a model mentor for Philippines Next Top Model’s Cycle 2, and traveling overseas to model in countries like Singapore, America, and Australia. Mafae has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Speed Magazine, Women’s Journal Magazine, Offcam Magazine, Mirror Magazine, and Rockwell Magazine, where she has shared her story

In addition to this, Mafae has had her fair share in television and events hosting. Her time in front of the cameras opened up a whole new world for her, and awakened her passion for using her voice. Mafae enjoys passing on her knowledge and experiences through her talks, workshops, podcasts, and shows in which she does on a weekly basis. She stands firm in her mission of making the world a better place as a certified life and personality development coach, sacred space holder and well-being boost facilitator wherein she helps others become their best selves through positive mindset guidance.

Despite wearing many hats, Mafae finds time to do what she loves. In 2015, she founded Mafae Management Consultancy, a company dedicated to empowering companies and individuals in public

Image credits: Nico Belasco Photography

In photo: Mafae walking the runway at Philippine Fashion Week for Jun-Jun Cambe. Image credits: Jun-Jun Cambe

relations & marketing, content creation, events management, online show production, and social media management. Mafae and her team have worked with clients all over the world to help raise brand awareness and establish online and offline presence.

In addition to this, she and her husband, former PBA player and coach, Nic Belasco, founded the Belasco Unlimited Skills Academy (BUSA), a sports academy that specializes in coaching basketball and tennis, with Nic and Mafae at the helm of classes. Since its start, BUSA has helped athletes from across the country develop their love for sports and find a home on their respective courts. BUSA has an extensive amount of time in doing givebacks, through collaborations with local barangays and even work with organizations like One World School of Autism, Canadian American School and Miss World Philippines.

Today Mafae is a certified Life Coach who is passionate about empowering others with her family campaign #SaveLivesOnline, which aims to populate the digital world with content that uplifts and empowers everyone. She was awarded 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on

LinkedIn 2021 and took on the roles of Australia Region Head & Dean of the Kumu Creators Academy for KUMU. Mafae lives by her motto “The World Is Yours” and “Time + productivity = success”, and aims to bring the best out of everyone around her.

With all of her awards and accolades, Mafae’s biggest treasure is being a mother, bringing up her own young leaders; her 6 children, Nico 23, Mike 20, Moses 18, Nicole 14, Noah 7 & Melo 3. The cherry on top is her husband Nic Belasco, who supports and mentors her in all that she does.

In 2022, Mafae and her family made the big move back to America to start a new chapter in their lives. Team Belasco landed in California on June 2, 2022 and have since established themselves in various organizations throughout their new home in Stockton. Mafae has taken on the roles of Marketing Head for the Filipino American National Historical Society Stockton Chapter and Vice President of Kommunity Hub, who both have the goal of uplifting Filipinos in America.

From her journey to the crown and beyond it, Mafae has proven that with a positive mindset, and a giving heart, anything is possible.

Membership applications can be requested by sending an email to: STOCKTONFANHS@outlook.com

@fanhsstockton

www.fanhsstockton.com

Linda Claramo, President

October 2022 Filipino American History Month Fest Volunteers

In photo: Mafae conducting a personality development workshop for an international company in the Philippines. Image credits: Nico Belasco

In photo: Mafae coaching tennis. Image credit: Nico Belasco

The Amelia Marie/Joie de Vivre relaunched with a champaign splash on

Sunday, April 23,

2023 Five Star

Marina – the old Stephens Boatyard

Contact: Carrie Sass, SASS!

(209)

Public Relations

612-5478 • Carrie_sass@sasspr.com

The Stockton of 1902 was an isolated rural hamlet with an emphasis on farming. The rare family had a phone. Bridges were few and crude, and the rugged roadways were slow. The most effective way for the farmers to get their produce to market was by boat on the Delta. Two young men, brothers, eighteen and twenty-years-old, Roy and Thod Stephens, grew up mesmerized by the different styles of boats they saw competing for business. They went to work in their backyard on Yosemite Road and built a 33-foot sloop - the Dorothy - familiar with one mast and an ability to move through the water with dexterity and efficiency. They sailed their boat to Santa Cruz as the best form of advertising. The reward was a thousand dollar down payment to build a vessel for a client. The company they founded, Stephens Boating Company, would stay in business for eighty-five years and be one of the great success stories of Stockton. Able to adjust to different eras and changing needs, Stephens Brothers and their heirs would produce spud boats for moving potatoes, sail boats, speed boats, runabouts, boats that assisted the military in wartime, and private yachts that are accurately called stunning pieces of artwork.

Sixty-three years ago this month, the Stockton Record ran a story of a 56-foot luxury vessel being given a traditional champagne baptism and sliding into the Stockton Channel at the Stephens Boat Works.

The Amelia Marie was a year-long project commissioned by Theodore Brix. She was his fourth boat, all named in honor of his wife, who by most accounts preferred not to be on the water. Such is the push and pull between husbands and wives and their boats. An airplane pilot in his twenties, Theodore Brix was his own sea captain when he bought the Amelia Marie in his late fifties. He outfitted the boat as a home afloat and planned to cruise as far as South American waters.

Brix could afford the best toys. He accumulated a fortune selling his tire company to Goodyear, figuring out how to earn enough to be called an ‘oil-man’, and amassing a significant real estate portfolio in Fresno and Coalinga. By the time he commissioned the Amelia Marie, he was described as a charming dilettante with deep pockets. How long he kept the boat is lost to history, and the Amelia Marie herself disappeared for decades.

The Stephens Boatyard has a unique place in the heart of Stockton’s Haggin Museum. The curator is proud of the twenty-seven-foot boat on display and can boast they have the complete Stephens Brothers’ archives. He says he receives twelve to fifteen requests a year from all over the world from women and men who want to restore a Stephens’ boat. They believe to do anything less than be faithful to the original architectural design and building notes would be a sacrilege.

One of those calls came from Rusty Areias. A popular former legislator, adventurer, excellent storyteller, and successful businessman, Areias had already partnered in the restoration of two Stephen’s boats. He saw pictures of the Amelia Marie years before he was able to find her. She was not even the Amelia Marie anymore. Her name had been changed to Joie de Vivre, the French expression for delighting in living your life.

Areias and his friend and business partner, Ted Harris, bought the Joie, originally intending to complete the restoration in Los Angeles. Instead, adjusting to the rigors of the pandemic, they towed the boat to the Delta. More than two years and considerable funds were spent restoring the boat the Stephens built for Theodore Brix to her original glory.

They listened closely as the curator turned the pages of the early documents of the Amelia Marie with his white-gloved hands. He explained the nuances of the vessel, the materials used, the fidelity of her lines, and the disputes and agreements that are part of her lore. They decided to keep the new name. The result is that a brilliant memory of Stockton that sleeps nine comfortably, has a displacement of 42-tons, a top speed of 20 miles an hour, and a cruising range of 1200 miles will find its fit again in the water.

“Nothing ever goes right when you start hearing words like dry rot, and termites, and electrolysis is degrading the metal,” Areias explained. “There is nothing but stress until every rough moment dissipates when you see her exactly as she was meant to be.”

“The boat is a source of incredible heartache and expense,” Areias admits. “However, she also brings real joy to our families and the people who can’t help but stop and look at her and recognize the genius of the workers and the artisans and the dreamers who made her possible.”

The Japanese American National Museum Welcomes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Contact: mediarelations@janm.org • (213) 830-5690

April 18, 2023

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) welcomes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a lively roster of events. More information and tickets for the events are available at janm.org/events. More information and tickets for the exhibition, Don’t Fence Me In: Coming of Age in America’s Concentration Camps, are available at janm.org/dont-fence-me-in.

Don’t Fence Me In: Coming of Age in America’s Concentration Camps

• Through Sunday, October 1, 2023

Discover how Japanese American youth asserted their place as young Americans confronting unjust imprisonment in Don’t Fence Me In: Coming of Age in America’s Concentration Camps through photographs, personal stories, and artifacts from camping trips, social dances, sports leagues, and more.

Asian Pacific Heritage Month Kickoff

• Thursday, May 4, 2023 at JANM

• 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. PDT

Join JANM and Visual Communications to kick off Asian Pacific Heritage Month in Little Tokyo! Celebrate our community’s abundance and joy through music, food, film, and art. Admission to all of JANM’s exhibitions will be free throughout the evening. This event is produced in collaboration with the 39th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival which will run from May 4 to May 23, 2023. RSVPs are strongly encouraged.

2023 Benefit and Online Auction

• Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

• 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. PDT

This annual fundraiser will honor the Museum’s rich history, engage future generations, and celebrate the stories of the Museum’s supporters from across the nation and across generations. The festivities include dinner at the elegant InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, an online auction, and a program that pays tribute to the Museum’s leaders who see and believe in the importance of JANM and its enduring role in our democratic society. Individual tickets start at $600.

Exploring the Yumiverse with Yumi Sakugawa

• Thursday, May 18, 2023 at JANM

• 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. PDT

Artist Yumi Sakugawa will lead an evening of mindfulness centered around their new book, The Yumiverse Mindfulness Coloring Book, designed to leave participants feeling more relaxed, less anxious, and more creatively inspired. This interactive event will begin and end with guided meditation and provide space for creative exploration through coloring. Art supplies and blank paper will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies and purchase the coloring book for their own use.

The Oath of the Sword Film Screening

• Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

• 2 p.m. PDT

JANM will present the premiere screening of the recently restored silent film, The Oath of the Sword at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles. Once thought to be lost, this 1914 film by the Japanese American Film Company was recently rediscovered by scholar Denise Khor at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York. When Masao leaves Japan to study at UC Berkeley, he also leaves his lover, Hisa, who is caring for her ailing father. As Masao becomes an athletic star at Berkeley, Hisa languishes in Japan. When they reunite four years later, they discover that their lives are irrevocably and tragically changed. Remarkable location photography lends an air of realism to this once-lost treasure, shown with live musical accompaniment. The restoration was supported by a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

About the Japanese American National Museum (JANM)

Established in 1985, JANM promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. Located in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, JANM is a hybrid institution that straddles traditional museum categories and strives to provide a voice for Japanese Americans as well as a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture. Since opening to the public in 1992, JANM has presented over 70 exhibitions onsite while traveling 17 exhibits to venues such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Ellis Island Museum in the United States, and to several leading cultural museums in Japan and South America. JANM is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday–Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and on Thursday from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. JANM is free every third Thursday of the month. On all other Thursdays, JANM is free from 5 p.m.–8 p.m. For more information, visit janm.org or follow us on social media @jamuseum.

The First Tee of San Joaquin Welcomes New Executive Director

Contact: First Tee San Joaquin • Wes Widmer • (209) 915-8300

First Tee of San Joaquin is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Smith as their new Executive Director. Joe is a PGA Professional with decades of experience teaching golf to players of all levels. Born and raised in Stockton, Joe began playing golf at a young age and was a member of the St. Mary’s High School Golf Team. In 1999 he pursued his dream of becoming a golf professional and has served at several central valley golf courses including Swenson Park Golf Course in Stockton.

“Joe is a perfect choice for our First Tee program” commented Wes Widmer, Board President. “He is experienced with, and believes in the mission of First Tee. His passion for working with youth shows in his interactions with them, and has a knack for actively engaging them in all aspects of the program.”

Outside of golf Joe is dedicated to helping local non-profits, including serving as President of the Stockton Civic Theatre and Sounds of Swenson. He resides in Stockton with his wife and two kids.

The First Tee of San Joaquin is an organization that aims to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. As the Executive Director Joe will work in collaboration with the board to develop, implement, evaluate, and maintain programs, services, sponsorships and activities that fulfill the mission of First Tee.

For more information about First Tee San Joaquin visit firstteesanjoaquin.org.

First Tee San Joaquin Announces Summer Tour

Contact: First Tee San Joaquin • Joe Smith • (209) 483-7086

First Tee San Joaquin will begin its Summer Tour for boys and girls ages 5 – 17 on June 10th, 2023. Children will learn sportsmanship, respect and other core values while learning the fundamentals of golf. The six-week sessions will be held once a week and equipment can be provided. The cost is $70 for Target and Player (Beginner Class) and $80 for Par, Birdie and Eagle (Advanced Level Class) and both include a logo golf cap.

June 10th at The Reserve Golf Course at 8:30 am and 9:45 am

June 10th at Swenson Park Golf Course at 10:00 am and 11:45 am

June 14th at Micke Grove Golf Course at 4:00 pm and 5:15 pm

June 17th at Greenhorn Creek Golf Course at 9:00 am and 10:15 pm

Visit www.FirstTeeSanJoaquin.org or call (209) 559-1996 for more information.

About The First Tee San Joaquin

The First Tee San Joaquin is a non-profit that provides life skills education to youth at a low cost through the game of golf. It’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Participants learn to appreciate diversity, resolve conflicts, build confidence and set goals for their future.

Joe Smith

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