The staff of the D.C. Office of Asian Pacific and Islander Americans (OAPIA) marched on October 15 with some 1,000 elected officials, artists and national civil rights activists in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray in a rally, voicing support for his call for D.C. statehood.

Dakshina /Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company presented Alif Laila‘s Annual Art of Peace Concert, celebrating Gandhi’s birthday and contributions to peace. The concert was part of the Company’s 8th Annual Fall Festival of Indian Arts.

Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia posed for a picture with residents of Mrs. Philippines Home Senior Citizens in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where he and Mrs. Vicky Cuisia celebrated their joint birthday party last October 8. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

One American family of heroes belatedly received several Philippine government medals for World War II service. From left: Henry Hansen; his sister Mrs. Virginia Holmes, author of “Guerrilla Daughter;” Retired Maj. Gen. Delfin N. Lorenzana, head of the Office of Veterans Affairs at the Philippine embassy; and Kent Holmes. Posthumous awards were presented to Charles Hansen (father) and his other son, Rudyard.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D, HI) is running for the seat of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D. HI), who is retiring. She was among the guests at OCA’s recent Corporate Achievement Awards. Also in photo is immediate past Japanese American Citizens League Executive Director Floyd Mori.

Visiting former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos shares his signature “thumbs up sign” with Nick Zahn, Director of the Washington Roundtable of Asia Pacific Press (WRAPP) at the top think tank Heritage Foundation. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Hardworking Asian Festival Main Stage volunteers (from left) Alma Conty, Vicky Embuscado, Des Cunanan and Nina Cunanan pose for a souvenir photo.

Lea Roa Cuevas, Jon Melegrito, Jitter Garcia, and a special guest during the Kabataang Bituin talent show, presented by the Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC). Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

“Asian Americans in Film” students of the Asian American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, attended a recent symposium, held at the Asian Division of the Library of Congress .