November 29, 2006 — Another of our very own member, Dr. Mellie L. Francisco, is having an exhibit at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco! The photo exhibit, entitled “Pioneer Filipino Women of California,” will open 6pm tonight at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center located at 447 Sutter Street in San Francisco. No other than Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa is the special guest speaker tonight. His wife, Madame Linda Gaa, will cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the exhibit.
The photo exhibit features a dozen pioneer Filipino women who had pivotal roles in the early Filipino migration as well as the history of California. This project was recently awarded a grant by the California Stories Initiative. It will be open through Dec. 07 with exhibit hours scheduled from 1 to 5pm at the 4th floor Exhibit Hall. At the conclusion of its Philippine Center schedule, the exhibit will then move on to the Rosenberg Library of the City College of San Francisco. The extended exhibit is in conjunction with the community participation component of the aforementioned California grant.
Dr. Mellie L. Francisco is one of the UPAA Northern California Berkeley chapter elder leaders whose involvement date back to the chapter’s early days. She collected these photographs as part of her post-doctoral research at the University of California at Los Angeles from 1986 to 1988. The photo exhibit complements the ongoing centennial celebration of Filipino migration to the USA.Please contact Ms. Ruby Balanban or Ms. Francesca Regala at 415.433.6666 ext. 314 and/or ccpisfpcg@yahoo.com if you will attend or have further inquiries.