To commemorate Filipino American History Month, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program presented a panel discussion on October 23–honoring the history of Filipino and Filipino American veterans and their campaign in Congress for recognition and equity.

The panel featured Filipino American photojournalist Rick Rocamora, who documented the plight of the elderly veterans in “Filipino World War II Soldiers: America’s Second-Class Veterans.” Joining Rocamora were veteran Celestino Almeda, filmmaker Paul Tanedo (“Filipinos Singled Out”), and moderator Gloria Caoile, area civic leader. Retired Gen. Victor Corpus, head of the Philippine Office of Veterans Affairs here, was one of the speakers.