| Fred Cordova Seattle, Washington Outstanding Filipino Leader in the Pacific Northwest |
Unlike other second generation American-born, Fred has always
been interested in learning about his Philippine roots . He has
never been in the Philippines, yet he knows more about the
islands — its people, culture and traditions. He even speaks
Taglish (mixture of Tagalog and English language) and strongly
influences his 8 children, 3rd generation Filipino Americans,
ranging in ages from 24 to 37 and his 11 grandchildren, with
Philippine history as well as the Filipino American.
“In 1763 Filipino Seamen established a settlement in what is now
known as Louisiana. The Spanish American War made American
“nationals” of Filipinos and from the early 1900’s through 1935,
they were free to enter the United States as long as they had the
price of a boat ticket,” narrates the brochure of the Filipino
American National Society, an historical archive of Filipino
Americans. FANHS is a brainchild of Fred’s wife, Dorothy. It was
founded in 1982 by Fred, Dorothy and several other dedicated
members of the community with Fred as the founding president.
Fred’s dedication in preserving Filipino Americans history as well
as the tradition and culture of his father’s nativeland span more
than three and a half decades. Graduating from Seattle University
been interested in learning about his Philippine roots . He has
never been in the Philippines, yet he knows more about the
islands — its people, culture and traditions. He even speaks
Taglish (mixture of Tagalog and English language) and strongly
influences his 8 children, 3rd generation Filipino Americans,
ranging in ages from 24 to 37 and his 11 grandchildren, with
Philippine history as well as the Filipino American.
“In 1763 Filipino Seamen established a settlement in what is now
known as Louisiana. The Spanish American War made American
“nationals” of Filipinos and from the early 1900’s through 1935,
they were free to enter the United States as long as they had the
price of a boat ticket,” narrates the brochure of the Filipino
American National Society, an historical archive of Filipino
Americans. FANHS is a brainchild of Fred’s wife, Dorothy. It was
founded in 1982 by Fred, Dorothy and several other dedicated
members of the community with Fred as the founding president.
Fred’s dedication in preserving Filipino Americans history as well
as the tradition and culture of his father’s nativeland span more
than three and a half decades. Graduating from Seattle University
in 1952 with Bachelor of Social Science in Sociology, Fred co-founded the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle,
Inc., (FYA) an organization of young Filipinos in the Pacific Northwest area. From 1959 to 1985, he was the
Founding Moderator Datu of the FYA Khordobah composed of the Princess Drill Team, Cumbanchero
Percussioneers and Mandayan Marchers.
“The highlight of FYA was when we march down along Pennsylvania Avenue. We were so proud of our youth
and never dreamed to participate in a parade in the Nation’s Capital,” explained Fred.
The FYA Drill Team has been the pride of Filipinos in the Pacific Northwest. It has been participating in most
major parades in the West Coast and has been winning recognition year after year. Fred as the Moderator
Datu, a payless and thankless job he held for more than 18 years, used to march synchronically with the team
with whistle around his neck and barking orders and directions to the marching team members.
“It’s a classic to watch Fred Cordova and his wife, Dorothy, graciously serving the youth of the community,”
commented one Fiilipino leader in Seattle. Dorothy is the Executive Director of the Filipino American Historical
Society and a Researcher/Director for Demonstration Project for Asian Americans.”
Since 1974, he has been with the University of Washington as Manager of the Information Services. As
journalist, he authored “FILIPINOS: FORGOTTEN ASIAN AMERICANS” published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing
Company in Dubuque, Iowa.
In 1985, Fred was a Smithsonian Fellow, a Visiting Faculty Scholar at the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington, D.C. Since 1975 he is a Lecturer on Filipino American History and Culture, Asian American
Studies with Department of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. He was also an Adjunct
Faculty Member of Heritage Institute at Antioch University in Seattle.
“Thank you for the honor of including me in the Twenty Outstanding Filipino Americans. There are more
deserving!” wrote Fred to FIL-AM IMAGE. In another, Fred wrote: “I am very appreciative of your honor —— not
so much for me but for the countless second/third generation Pinoy achievers still unknown to our traditional
Filipino American community.”
On the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), Fred related “I’m a pack rat. I don’t throw away
things. I have been keeping news clippings on Filipinos ever since I can remember. I have folder on
practically everyone in the country. Students, researchers, journalists, etc. can avail themselves with our files.
We have chapters in major areas in Sacramento, Calif.; Portland, Oregon; San Francisco, Calif. and Seattle,
Washington.”
The mission of the Filipino American Historical Society is to promote understanding, education,
enlightenment, appreciation and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation and
dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States.
Fred Cordova has been an outstanding Filipino American for more than 30 years. He has dedicated his entire
life in promoting positive image for the Filipinos through the various organizations he founded which have
been winning accolades from the mainstream America. His greatest contributions to the Filipino community
were the development of FYA in Seattle which became a case study and a model for other communities in the
U.S. and his untiring research efforts of the history of the Filipinos in America and preserving them for usage
of this generations and other generations to come.
Inc., (FYA) an organization of young Filipinos in the Pacific Northwest area. From 1959 to 1985, he was the
Founding Moderator Datu of the FYA Khordobah composed of the Princess Drill Team, Cumbanchero
Percussioneers and Mandayan Marchers.
“The highlight of FYA was when we march down along Pennsylvania Avenue. We were so proud of our youth
and never dreamed to participate in a parade in the Nation’s Capital,” explained Fred.
The FYA Drill Team has been the pride of Filipinos in the Pacific Northwest. It has been participating in most
major parades in the West Coast and has been winning recognition year after year. Fred as the Moderator
Datu, a payless and thankless job he held for more than 18 years, used to march synchronically with the team
with whistle around his neck and barking orders and directions to the marching team members.
“It’s a classic to watch Fred Cordova and his wife, Dorothy, graciously serving the youth of the community,”
commented one Fiilipino leader in Seattle. Dorothy is the Executive Director of the Filipino American Historical
Society and a Researcher/Director for Demonstration Project for Asian Americans.”
Since 1974, he has been with the University of Washington as Manager of the Information Services. As
journalist, he authored “FILIPINOS: FORGOTTEN ASIAN AMERICANS” published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing
Company in Dubuque, Iowa.
In 1985, Fred was a Smithsonian Fellow, a Visiting Faculty Scholar at the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington, D.C. Since 1975 he is a Lecturer on Filipino American History and Culture, Asian American
Studies with Department of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. He was also an Adjunct
Faculty Member of Heritage Institute at Antioch University in Seattle.
“Thank you for the honor of including me in the Twenty Outstanding Filipino Americans. There are more
deserving!” wrote Fred to FIL-AM IMAGE. In another, Fred wrote: “I am very appreciative of your honor —— not
so much for me but for the countless second/third generation Pinoy achievers still unknown to our traditional
Filipino American community.”
On the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), Fred related “I’m a pack rat. I don’t throw away
things. I have been keeping news clippings on Filipinos ever since I can remember. I have folder on
practically everyone in the country. Students, researchers, journalists, etc. can avail themselves with our files.
We have chapters in major areas in Sacramento, Calif.; Portland, Oregon; San Francisco, Calif. and Seattle,
Washington.”
The mission of the Filipino American Historical Society is to promote understanding, education,
enlightenment, appreciation and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation and
dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States.
Fred Cordova has been an outstanding Filipino American for more than 30 years. He has dedicated his entire
life in promoting positive image for the Filipinos through the various organizations he founded which have
been winning accolades from the mainstream America. His greatest contributions to the Filipino community
were the development of FYA in Seattle which became a case study and a model for other communities in the
U.S. and his untiring research efforts of the history of the Filipinos in America and preserving them for usage
of this generations and other generations to come.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |