In an unprecedented alliance between various Filipino organizations in San Francisco, the Three Filipino Centers Collaborative kicked off its campaign for three historic Filipino community centers at Carmen's Restaurant last Thursday night with plenty of food, music and history.

"All three of the centers have the same goals and we'll be working around the same culture," says [Bernadette Borja-Sy], who works at the Bayanihan Community Center. "Since we're all Filipino American people, by coming together and doing it together, we'll streamline efforts. We'll also receive more input from different parts of the community, so that will be important for us, especially in the fundraising department."

The centers represent three key factors in the Filipino community. Manilatown represents the heritage and legacy of the struggle for the International Hotel; bayanihan is Tagalog for mutual support; the Filipino Cultural Center will provide a forum for community outreach. The culture and arts that will come out of these three centers will demonstrate their importance to the Filipino community and other communities.

In an unprecedented alliance between various Filipino organizations in San Francisco, the Three Filipino Centers Collaborative kicked off its campaign for three historic Filipino community centers at Carmen's Restaurant last Thursday night with plenty of food, music and history.

The three centers will be the San Francisco Cultural Center, the Manilatown Center and the Bayanihan Community Center. This convergence was spearheaded by the collaborative, which aims to build and reflect upon the city's rich and important Filipino cultural heritage.

"The Three Filipino Centers Collaborative's goals are to build three spaces that will house community service, cultural programs and arts," said Bruce Occena, director of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation. "These centers will provide opportunities and compassionate solutions to enhance the quality of life for Bay Area families."

Bernadette Borja-Sy, chairperson of the collaborative, said the three centers will help the Filipino community become more efficient in reaching out and preparing for activities that celebrate the Filipino culture.

"All three of the centers have the same goals and we'll be working around the same culture," says Borja-Sy, who works at the Bayanihan Community Center. "Since we're all Filipino American people, by coming together and doing it together, we'll streamline efforts. We'll also receive more input from different parts of the community, so that will be important for us, especially in the fundraising department."

Bill Sorro, board vice president of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, said the cooperation of these centers is historic because the Filipino community, in the past, has been somewhat marginalized.

"It's a great thing, the Three Filipino Centers, because we need this for our community to build it. It's a great effort indeed," Sorro said.

The San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center, scheduled to be erected in 2005, will be located on the fifth floor of the Bloomingdales commercial and hotel complex, at 835 Market St., the site of the old Emporium building. The Manilatown Center will be housed in the International Hotel Senior Housing building at the corner of Kearny and Jackson streets. Construction of this center will begin in the summer of 2004. Finally, one block away from the Old Mint Building, the Bayanihan Community Center on 1010 Mission St. will begin its construction this year.

Organizers said the three centers are near one another not only in location but also in ideals and goals. Although the three centers have distinct identities, they share the same vision and community outlook.

The centers represent three key factors in the Filipino community. Manilatown represents the heritage and legacy of the struggle for the International Hotel; bayanihan is Tagalog for mutual support; the Filipino Cultural Center will provide a forum for community outreach. The culture and arts that will come out of these three centers will demonstrate their importance to the Filipino community and other communities.

Hundreds from the Filipino community gathered at Carmen's to enjoy the food and music, but MC Canlas, a Filipino cultural specialist, said many present were also there to provide political and financial support.

Canlas said the centers had received a proclamation from the mayor's office, and representatives from Rep. Nancy Pelosi's office attended the event as well. Newly elected Rep. Leland Yee was also present, as well as Supervisor Chris Daly and Board President Tom Ammiano.

The Bayanihan Community Center, the first of the three to begin construction, will feature 7,000 square feet of community resources, advocacy programs, restaurants and an arts and crafts store. It is slated for completion in December 2003.

The Bayanihan Center is on the site of the former Delta Hotel owned by Mario Borja. In the 1970s, Borja purchased the Delta Hotel and created a space for the burgeoning Filipino population in the South of Market area. He provided affordable housing for low-income tenants, including Filipino American World War II veterans. The ground floor of the hotel was transformed into a community center.

In 1997, Borja founded the Filipino American Development Foundation, but later that same year, a fire ripped through the building and left more than 200 residents homeless.

Reach May Chow at mchow@asianweek.com.

Photograph (Rex de Guia)