Voice of Fil-America
SHE is a Jill of all trades. Fil-Am Lyla Berg is not only a Hawaii Representative but also carries the title doctor, radio host, state coordinator and Chief Executive Officer.
The 57-year-old is a member of the Democratic Party and represents the 18th Representative District in the Hawaii State House of Representatives of the Hawaii State Legislature.
Her district includes Hahaione, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Aina Haina, Wailupe and Kahala on the island of Oahu.
JAMES V. Espaldon was born June 21, 1956 to Dr. Leticia Virata Espaldon and the late honorable Dr. Ernesto Espaldon, former Senator in the 13th,14th, 15th, 19th, 20th, 21st Guam Legislatures. He is married to the former Gilda Respicio Eay and together they have three children, Jonte, Christian James and Victoria. James is a 1975 graduate of Father Duenas Memorial School and earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Menlo College in California.
Jim, as he is commonly known by friends and associates, has worked in a number of career fields prior to running for office. He toiled the fields as an onion farmer in Maui and later joined retail management with ABC Stores in Hawaii. James returned to Guam and dabbled in real estate brokering before following in the footsteps of his parents, somewhat, at the Doctor’s Clinic, where he served as Director for Facilities Services.
FILIPINO American Della Au Belatti is a Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives. The 35-year-old represents the state’s 25th district, which includes Makiki and Tantalus, along with portions of McCully and Papakolea on the island of Oahu.
Belatti was elected in 2006.
"From the very beginning, I have sought to be independent, to make decisions that benefit the greater public interest and not simply special interests, and to earn the confidence and respect of my constituents," she wrote on her campaign website.
IN the US Armed Forces, the generals are predominantly white males – although blacks have made some headway. But Asian Pacific Americans are at the bottom of the totem pole in the military ranks. In the US Navy, US Air Force and in the US Marines, there is no flag officer of Asian descent. However, in the US Army, a lieutenant general who is a Filipino-American, Army Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano, became the highest-ranking Filipino-American in the history of the American military.
Edward Soriano was born on November 12, 1946, in Alcala, Pangasinan, Philippines, to Federico Soriano, a military officer, and Encarnacion, a homemaker who raised Soriano and his sister Blez. Federico was a corporal in the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippines Scouts who was part of the infamous Death March and was forced to stay at an internment camp for three years. He inspired his son, Edward, to join the military as well.
HE went from sweeping floors to becoming a member of the Colorado State House of Representatives.
Fil-Am Dennis Apuan is serving his first term as a member of the Colorado State House of Representative. He serves House District 17, which includes southwestern Colorado Springs and the Fort Carson military base.
