Fil-Am Republicans celebrate Trump swearing-in

Mayor Ron Falconi of Brunswick, Ohio said the GOP reached out to him and other Asians. TWITTER

WASHINGTON, DC — “We may all be different in culture, we may come from different regions of the United States and the territories, but I see a similarity–it’s a belief in strong faith, in family, in strong communities,” Eddie Calvo, the governor of Guam, said, on the eve of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.

Calvo was speaking to over 800 Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) gathered at the Mayflower Hotel to celebrate their contributions to Trump’s election and that of incoming Vice President Mike Pence, Thursday night, Jan. 19.

The gala, organized in part by the campaign’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee, featured cuisine and entertainment from various Asian cultures, as well as speeches from various elected officials.

“And then at the same time, honest, hard work without a government on our backs, rather than a government that will support us,” Calvo continued. “With that, we come to this victory… But the work isnot done. Starting tomorrow, this organization and fellow Republicans — we’re going to move forward.”

Pastor Herman Martir says he has become friends with Trump. VIMEO

The Trump-Pence campaign’s APA advisory committee — which was formally announced just weeks before the November election and was criticized as a last-minute effort — also featured five Filipino Americans, including Brunswick, Ohio Mayor Ron Falconi.

Outreach to Asians

“The Republican Party has done a tremendous amount of outreach to AAPI communities, particularly to me, and it’s really paid off,” Falconi told the Asian Journal. “I’ve been working with them for the past couple of years and we’ve reached different groups and this party is the culmination of that.”

For the past three years, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has been working on a grassroots level to engage minority and millennial voters, especially AAPIs, noting the population’s fast-growing numbers and potential to swing races.

Burbank, California realtor Marlene Cagatao is “excited to see the end of eight years of the Obama administration.”

Being in D.C. for the inauguration, Falconi said, has been “electrifying” and “exciting.” “This is the dream of every Republican little boy and girl…to attend the inauguration of a Republican president,” Falconi said.

Tina Wenger, a county councilwoman of Elkhart County in Indiana, said a new Republican president is “long overdue.”

“We are celebrating because the last eight years have been a load on our shoulders and all of a sudden it’s been lifted,” Wenger said. “It’s really a relief knowing a new dawn, a new hope and good changes are coming. Trump really loves America and Americans.”

She added that the 45th president’s inaugural address would be “inspiring” and would “really speak to the people, not talk down to them.”

Fil-Am attendees

Marlene Cagatao, a realtor from Burbank, California, was among over 20 Fil-Ams from Southern California who traveled in a group to witness Friday’s ceremony.

“This is my first inauguration experience and I’m very excited to end eight years of the Obama administration, the corruption and hypocrisy of liberals,” she opined.

Herman Martir — a pastor from Dallas, Texas, who was a member of the Trump campaign’s APA committee and its national diversity coalition — said the real estate billionaire wasn’t his first candidate choice early in the primary race. However, he threw his support after realizing “Trump would give power back to the people.”

“I have met with him personally and he has become a friend,” Martir said. “Mr. Trump has shared with me his love for Filipino Americans. He has said, ‘we need more hardworking people like you in America.’”

First 100 days
Optimism

The Fil-Ams interviewed by the Asian Journal also expressed their optimism for Trump’s first 100 days, as this period will set the tone for his administration.

“He actually has great compassion for the poor and minorities,” Martir remarked. “People characterize him as racist because they don’t know him. He prioritizes family and safety. He needs to prioritize keeping our nation secure — that’s something that is important to him.”

These Fil-Ams also agreed that the economy and job creation are imperative to address since Trump has vowed on the campaign trail to return more opportunities to Americans.

“We need laws that will make businesses prosper in America. Number 1 is to bring back jobs and then strengthen our presence abroad because America is not respected right now,” Falconi said.

Martir added, “Fil-Ams have worked so hard and are the fabric of this country. We need those opportunities back.”

Wenger, who has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, went on to remark that the immigration system needs to be overhauled.

“We have spent so much on [undocumented] immigrants to house, feed and educate them,” Wenger said. “Immigration has to be reformed to not separate families; usually the parents get deported and we end up taking care of the kids. Why should we do that when they belong with the mother and father?”

Message to other Fil-Ams

Following the election of Trump, many in the Fil-Am community have vocalized their opposition for him and have joined in on protests against the divisive rhetoric.

Pahrump, Nevada realtor Fely Quitevis “didn’t want a third Obama term.”

However, these Fil-Am Republicans said others should wait and see what the new president does once in office.

“They should educate themselves better and open their eyes to realize that Americans didn’t want a third Obama term,” Fely Quitevis, a realtor from Pahrump, Nevada, said. It was Quitevis’ second time to witness a presidential inauguration in person on Friday.

“It’s time to unite around the president and give him a chance,” Falconi said. “See what are some of the good things he can do for not only the United States, but also for our Fil-Am community. A lot of people have underestimated him, but he has proven them all wrong. You’ll see he’s going to make America great again.”

Martir echoed the sentiment that Trump deserves some respect from those who didn’t vote for him.

“It’s unfair to not hear him out. If you are elected president, you are not just president of one group — you’re president for all,” he said. “That’s part of our democracy and that’s what makes us Americans.”