Berkeley Lab

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Home

Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month while sheltering in place! We asked the Lab’s Asian employee activity associations to suggest media to stream, so that you can enjoy the rich heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures.

Berkeley Lab Asian Association

Larry Guo, president of the Berkeley Lab Asian Association, recommends PBS’s rich offerings, which include stories and special features about many Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. The Berkeley Lab Asian Association provides networking activities for Asian and Asian American employees and their families, to support the quality of work at the Lab and to celebrate and promote Asian cultures. Contact: President, Larry Guo, LLGuo@lbl.gov

What To Watch: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Edition on PBS

Photo: Patsy Mink, US House of Representatives

Fil-Am Association

If you are in the mood for gorgeous music and a beautiful tradition, Madelyn Bello, one of the steering committee members of the Fil-Am Association, recommends one of her favorites, “Harana.” This feature documentary is about the music of harana, a fast-disappearing tradition of Filipino serenading when men sang under their loved one’s window at night to fearlessly declare their love. The Fil-Am Association welcomes all Lab staff who are interested in deepening their own and others’ understanding and appreciation of Filipino history and culture, including cuisine, arts, and activities. Contact: Madelyn Bello, MTBello@lbl.gov, or complete this form.

Filipino Martial Arts

Are martial arts more your speed? Want to learn more about the different FMA styles? Madelyn Bello from the Lab’s Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) club suggests checking out FMA Pulse’s website and YouTube channel for interviews with FMA instructors and videos of the different FMA styles. The Lab’s Filipino Martial Arts club  welcomes everyone interested in learning about Filipino Martial Arts and its effectiveness as a self-defense system. Contact: Madelyn Bello, MTBello@lbl.gov, or complete this form.

Once you’ve downloaded your favorites, you just need to prepare a snack to enjoy the show — a batch of lumpia, dumplings, Calbee snacks, or whatever your preference!