| Melecio H. Jacaban Sacramento, California The Grand Old Man of the Filipino-Americans Defender of Filipino Rights |
Melecio H. Jacaban has been fighting for Filipinos in America for
more than sixty years! He came to the United States when all it
took was a boat ticket since the Philippines was under the
American domain. He came at the height of the white’s
supremacy when anyone whose skin color was not white was
considered as second class citizen.
Jack, as he is fondly called by his friends and associates,
immediately started fighting for better treatment of Filipinos. He
bombarded newspapers with letters to the editor and aligned
with other Filipino journalists and formed the first Filipino
newspaper in the United States. Bataan News, with the late
Manuel Insigne as the editor and publisher and Jack as one of the
writers became the voice of the Community.
“Then came Bataan and Corregidor where Filipinos shed their
blood to save America from the advances of the Japanese Imperial
Army . The Americans in the streets of San Francisco, New York,
Chicago and others realized that through the efforts of the Filipino
people, the military plans of the Japanese to conquer the shores
of the United States were stopped. From that time on the Filipinos
were treated with respect."
more than sixty years! He came to the United States when all it
took was a boat ticket since the Philippines was under the
American domain. He came at the height of the white’s
supremacy when anyone whose skin color was not white was
considered as second class citizen.
Jack, as he is fondly called by his friends and associates,
immediately started fighting for better treatment of Filipinos. He
bombarded newspapers with letters to the editor and aligned
with other Filipino journalists and formed the first Filipino
newspaper in the United States. Bataan News, with the late
Manuel Insigne as the editor and publisher and Jack as one of the
writers became the voice of the Community.
“Then came Bataan and Corregidor where Filipinos shed their
blood to save America from the advances of the Japanese Imperial
Army . The Americans in the streets of San Francisco, New York,
Chicago and others realized that through the efforts of the Filipino
people, the military plans of the Japanese to conquer the shores
of the United States were stopped. From that time on the Filipinos
were treated with respect."
Melecio H. Jacaban, at the age of 81, still persists on waging a war against discrimination. “Don’t kid yourself
if you think the Filipinos are being treated well. We are being made suckers by both the Republican and
Democratic Parties,” claimed Jacaban, a hard-liner Republican who has been working for GOP for decades.
Continued Jack angrily: “Analyze what these elected politicians are doing. Promising us the moon in order for
us to work hard for election. After everything have been said and done, there has been no Filipino politically
appointed in a high and visible position. The recent appointment of a Filipino made by the Bush
Administration is a token appointment and a complete insult to the mentality of our people. But I guess, the
Administration knows that beggars can not be choosy.”
Jacaban is known to be a personal friend of former President Ronald Reagan. When Reagan was governor of
the State of California, he appointed Jack to the New Automobile State Commission and at the same time,
instructed Jacaban to form a Filipino American Advisory Committee composed of Filipino leaders in the
State. During the Presidential Election, Reagan effectively utilized Jack’s contacts and political know-how to
convince Filipinos who were Democrats to cross party line and vote solidly for the Republican ticket.
“Former President Reagan surely disappointed me and President Bush is catching up now with blunders.
His Administration completely ignores the demand of Filipinos and their needs. Mr. Lee Atwater and the
Republicans may not see the writing on the walls, but the Filipinos, the third largest minority group next to
Blacks and Hispanics in that order, may one day walk out of the Republican fold and go with the Party who
would be more sensitive to the needs of the Filipinos, ” announced Jacaban whose legion of loyal followers
are concentrated in areas where Filipinos are sizable in number.
Jacaban successfully spearheaded a crusade in the State of California to categorize Filipinos as Filipinos.
Jack explained; “Now, we are not lump with Hispanic or Asian Pacific Islander groups. It is now mandated
by the State that Filipinos should equally share any and all affirmative action programs available in the State of
California. This will help youth, seniors, professionals and all."
For more than three decades, from the start of the planning of the revised Immigration Law during President
John Kennedy’s era, Jacaban has consistently batted for more Filipinos to migrate in the United States. He
had organized and led several seminars and conferences with the highest ranking U.S. Immigration officials
which led to several favorable results for the Filipinos. In business opportunities, Jacaban has been
regularly calling the attentions of the Small Business Administration, the Office of Minority Business
Enterprise, the Department of Commerce and Trade and other federal offices and remind them not to
discriminate the requests of the Filipinos. His efforts in submitting regularly a Position Paper to a newly
elected Administration after every inauguration are gaining momentum and support from other Filipinos in
the United States.
“We should not be afraid to speak out and demand what rightfully are ours. We should not be afraid of
politicians and not treat them like Gods. Remind them instead that we were the ones who put them where
they are and that we are capable of putting them back from where they came from. Unity is the key now that
our voting numbers are rapidly increasing. The Filipino population is attracting the necessary attention.
Reconciliation should be theme of the 90's. Talents and expertise of warring factions should now merge.
Reconciliation and a united front are factors to better our position politically and thus, improve our lot
economically and socially,”advised Jack.
Melecio H. Jacaban, Grand Old Man of the Filipino-Americans concluded: “I will be in Washington, D.C. to
receive the FIL-AM IMAGE Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans award even if it kills me,” joked Jacaban
who had just undergone a cataract surgery for both of his eyes. “I have been following your magazine from the
first issue and I admire it for being in the right track and in the right time and in the right place - the Nation’s
Capital. Thank you for the honor. ”
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |