THE Philippine Global Media Group (PGMG) based in the US and Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. (MTVi) that operates in the Philippines have formally entered into a partnership to produce a coffee-table book chronicling the journeys, dreams, achievements and enduring legacies of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in California.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by MTVi President Melandrew T. Velasco, PGMG President Dan E. Niño and PGMG Chairman Val G. Abelgas, with PGMG Public Relations Officer Ellen Rodriguez-Swing serving as the project’s Marketing Director.
The agreement was concluded following the unanimous approval of the PGMG Board, reflecting the organization’s full support for the publication and its commitment to preserve and promote the history, accomplishments and contributions of the Filipino community in California.
Tentatively titled ‘Filipinos in California: Journeys, Dreams, Achievements and Legacies,’ the premium coffee-table book will feature distinguished Filipino-Americans, community leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, media practitioners, public servants, organizations, businesses and institutions whose stories reflect the growth and influence of the Filipino community in the Golden State.
The publication will document the experiences of Filipinos who built new lives in California while preserving their cultural identity and maintaining meaningful ties with the Philippines. It will also highlight the contributions of successive generations of Filipino-Americans to public service, healthcare, education, business, science and technology, media, culture, sports, the arts and community development.
Beyond recognizing individual success stories, the book seeks to preserve Filipino-American community history and institutional memory, inspire the younger generation, strengthen cultural pride and provide a valuable historical and educational reference for families, schools, libraries, universities and community organizations.
The project supports PGMG’s mission of advancing responsible journalism, amplifying Filipino voices, preserving cultural heritage and promoting service to the community. Through the combined networks and capabilities of PGMG and MTVi, the publication is envisioned as both a historical record and a legacy project that will connect generations of Filipinos in California and beyond.
‘This is more than a publishing venture. It is a collective effort to document the Filipino experience in California and ensure that the sacrifices, accomplishments and contributions of our community are remembered by future generations,’ said Niño.
Abelgas, who will also serve as Senior Editor of the project, underscored the importance of documenting the community’s history through credible journalism and compelling storytelling.
‘The Filipino presence in California has a long, rich and inspiring history. This coffee-table book will help bring together the stories of the people and institutions that have shaped that history and continue to build a lasting Filipino-American legacy,’ Abelgas said.
‘The credibility of this project rests on careful research, professional editorial standards and the trust of the Filipino-American community,’ Velasco said. ‘Our goal is to produce a beautiful and historically meaningful publication that does justice to the people, institutions and stories that have helped shape California.’