The FASCC Balita, an annual publication, lets you know all about the latest and the upcoming events, programs, and activities at the Old Dominion University's Filipino American Center.

Past Issues

Tinig or Voice, a journal of the Filipino American experience and the Filipino American Center's contribution to the making of the history of Filipino Americans in Hampton Roads. Tinig is a collaborative effort of Filipino American students at Old Dominion University and community members. It seeks to give voice to their stories--individual and collective--that speak of the past, the present, and their future, and incorporates their hopes, fears and aspirations. Tinig also includes contributors who have generously and patiently listened to these stories.

• Is the voice of the past hewn from the fabric of our lives which reflects the wisdom of our ancestors guiding us today and tomorrow;
• is the voice of the present that beckons to be heard, like tiny ripples on the water, striving to make sense of one's identity, culture and heritage;
• is the voice of the future that summons other voices to echo a call for creative unity energized with the power of community.

I invite kindred spirits to contribute to Tinig so that our experiences -- in words and in art forms -- come alive and serve future generations with the celebration of our lives and times.

The Burch Collection

Written by Neleh Barcarse

While serving at Clark Air Base in Luzon during the early 1970's, Charles Burch and his family enjoyed learning about the Philippines and its people. During their stay there, they acquired a wide variety of artifacts, including woodcarvings, baskets, backpacks, a warrior's shield, and paintings.

What do you do with such "special things" which you bring back after living in a foreign country? Most souvenirs are generally discarded after a few years; some are sold; only a few are kept. For the Burchs, none of these options were acceptable.

For years after returning to the U.S., the Philippine artifacts were part of the furnishings in the Burch's Newport News home. But then their lives changed when Linda, the wife and mother, passed away in 1995. Shella, her daughter, went off to college, and Marc, Linda's stepson, remained in Kansas after attending college there.

As a result, a new "home" for their Philippine "treasures" had to be found. They wanted to put them in a facility where they would be properly preserved, used, and most importantly, appreciated.

A solution became apparent when Charley, a retired Air Force Officer, read in a local newspaper about the new Filipino American Student Cultural Center at ODU. As a result, numerous items were donated to the Center in Linda's memory.

On September 7, 1999 a reception for the Burch family was hosted at the Center. The event was attended by Karen Gould, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, faculty members, and Filipino community leaders led by Dr. Juan Montero. Dr. Steve Carpenter and Ron Papa were the artists in charge of arranging the donated items. It is the family's hope that these items will be useful to the students and the University, and that others will make similar contributions in the future.

In memory of Linda Burch. Artifacts donated by the Burch Family: Charley, Shella, and Mar.

The George Francis Gadbois Collection

indigenous backpack

Arrows

Tribal Shield

Hunting Spears

Tribal Weapons & Shield

Shield from Burch collection

George Francis Gadbois

Artifacts donated in memory of George Francis Gadbois by Ron and Ruth Gadbois.

Igorot Hat

George (also known as Fran or Gobby) spent time in the Philippines as a young man stationed at CLark Air Force Base. George traveled the world for work and for pleasure throughout his life. Although he did not return to the Philippines, he trasured the encounters he had with Filipinos and the chance to speak a little tagalog.

During George's years in the Philippines, he collected artifacts and later proudly displayed them in his home. it would give him great pleasure to know tjhat his collection is in a place wherer it will be appreciated

Artifacts were donated by Ron and Ruth Gadbois.