‘Smile for Nippon,’ a volunteer organization, came to speak at the University of Southern
California’s  Annenberg Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 13, to remind people that the relief
efforts in Japan are far from over. Check out the slideshow.

By Sara Clayton

A man from Tokyo and

his ‘Smile for Nippon’ team

are on a mission —

a mission to do whatever they can to support tsunami victims and keep them smiling despite the hardships they have faced.

It has been ten months since the tragic magnitude 9.0 earthquake in Tohoku, the northeastern region of Japan, and though many of us saw images and footages of cars, houses and people being swallowed up by the relentless tsunami waves, this disaster has been abandoned by the media and the rest of the world after almost a month of coverage.

But one small organization, Smile for Nippon, which came to speak in the Annenberg Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 13, is determined to remind the world that Japan still needs as much help as possible.

A group of graduate students from USC and UCLA have been touring around Los Angeles and giving presentations in order to educate people on what has happened since media coverage of the tsunami area halted. But these students would not have come together if it were not for a certain Mr. Tsun-san, who goes by the name Chonmage, the hairstyle featuring a shaved pate and a small ponytail that most sumo wrestlers don before a match.

Chonmage has visited Tohoku 17 times since the tsunami, and with every visit, he brings up amenities – shoes, sausages, games, etc. Because he lives in Tokyo, each trip he makes up to Tohoku and back covers approximately 1000 miles, but Chonmage does not mind making the trip because all the smiles he sees whenever he visits Tohoku makes all the traveling worthwhile.

“I heard that the people who lived in Tohoku needed shoes, and since I am a shoemaker myself, I decided to bring up 200 shoes to give to them,” Chonmage said in Japanese, “When I delivered the shoes, I made a pinky-promise with a little boy that I would come back. Since then, I have returned sixteen more times.”

With donations and money out of his own pocket, Chonmage has been able to brighten the lives of people from all ages in Tohoku. And along with the supplies and entertainment he gives to those in the disaster areas, Chonmage also noted how much they enjoy his presence. “They love to see my goofy outfit. It gives me a reason to talk to them and gives them a reason to laugh. Everyone remembers me.”

Chonmage, with the help of the Los Angeles team, among others, will continue to help those in Tohoku for many years to come. “My ultimate goal is to take the kids to Tokyo Disney!” exclaimed Chonmage, with a brilliant smile.

If you would like to learn more about Chonmage and his mission, please “Like” Smile for Nippon on Facebook and follow Chonmage on Twitter.

Related Stories —

New York Times: Panel Challenges Japan’s Account of Nuclear Disaster

KTVZ: Japan Tsunami Debris Threatens Ore. Coast

The Tokyo Times: Japan welcomes new foreign friends as volunteers

The runner up on NBC’s “The Voice,” Dia Frampton explains her song “The Broken Ones,” on the Neverland-like set of her music video.

Here is an interview with Director David McClister as he explains the video concept, calling the vision “‘Where the Wild Things Are’ meets ‘Lord of the Flies’ meets ‘Peter’s Pan’s the lost boys.’”

Let us know what you think. Watch the full version of “The Broken Ones,” by Dia Frampton here.

By Eileen Tse

The crime-fighting Sailor Moon. Photo: Flickr

Aside from the yellow Power Ranger (RIP Thuy Trang), Sailor Moon was probably your first exposure to an Asian face in mass popular culture, even though we were probably too young to realize that Sailor Moon was a Japanese property imported over and dubbed for an American audience.

Having arrived from South Korea ten years ago, Soh Myoung Lee has settled into the entertainment industry and found a place for both her love of digital media and her faith in God.

By Anne Su with Philana Ho

Soh Myoung Lee, Associate Director and Motion Graphics Designer at PPFF, has produced trailers for many popular films including Bride Wars. Photo courtesy of Soh Myoung Lee.

I came to know Soh Myoung Lee through my friends at the Pan Pacific Film Festival (PPFF), a Christian film festival dedicated to recognizing Christian-themed films and to globally spread the Christian faith through media.

Soh, PPFF’s Associate Director and motion graphic designer, is in charge of making trailers and putting together graphics to publicize PPFF. Amidst the busy week before PPFF, Soh took time out of her regular job and PPFF work for an interview. See more of Soh’s work here.

After arriving in the states ten years ago from South Korea, Soh went to high school in the San Fernando Valley and later attended the Otis College of Art and Design. There she majored in digital media, which broadly includes broadcasting, motion graphics, filmmaking, etc. When she graduated, she had only one year to look for a job, due to her status as an international student.

For the firm that hired her, it was the first time the company had ever hired someone of international status. After Soh worked there for two years, the president of the company told her he could no longer sponsor her.

“After those two years was the hardest time of my lifetime,” Soh says. To add to her job loss and the lack of money in her bank account, Soh accidentally broke her ankle. However, she persevered, even going to an interview at her second (and current) company on crutches. She got the job. However, two years later the firm had to cut down its employment due to the downturn in the economy.

When each employee was called into the president’s office for a round of “interviews” to help decide which employees to cut, Soh bravely articulated the absence of fear because of her faith and revealed how she had been praying to God consistently for the company’s well-being.

“Literally, my boss was crying on me,” Soh recounts. “And she was hugging me.”

Soh didn’t lose her job amid the ongoing wave of job cuts.

—

Recalling her childhood, Soh always had a passion for drawing and painting.

“I wanted to always become a cartoonist, or a painter, or some kind of artist, or more specifically illustrator,” she says. “But God has led me to digital media.”

A ticket for the Pan Pacific Film Festival. Photo courtesy of PPFF.

Soh’s faith led her to work at her current company, an entertainment marketing firm, where the majority of her coworkers are Jewish-Americans or Caucasians.

“I’m really proud of being Korean and Asian. I’m proud that I’m one of only [a] few in our company too,” Soh says. “I believe in God in sending me to my company as a mission field, not just to make money, but because He wants me to show my life, not just my work, in spreading the gospel. Like being a good example. Not like obviously going to them and saying, ‘I’m a Christian, so I’m a nice person.’ Not doing that, but just showing how God is really great and [how] He made my life really full with light.”

Soh has even started a Bible study with one of her colleagues. They not only discuss their faith but also pray together for their company and its success.

In addition to Soh’s full-time job, she currently plays a big role in PPFF. In working with PPFF, Soh shares God’s vision for her, saying, “We have such diverse ethnicities here, so many other types of cultures. I think He wants me to be more globalized than being stuck in Korea.”

When I ask if she is planning to stay in the U.S., Soh confirms that Hollywood is where she belongs, where she continues to devote herself to God through digital media.

Watch Park Ji Min’s cover of “Rolling in the Deep,” and see for yourself. Video Credit: YouTube

By Jeffrey Ledesma

Adele has been hitting the airwaves harder than ever with her singles, “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” off her album titled 21. Her famed vocal chops have catapulted her to the top of every chart, so it takes a lot of guts to cover the British songstress. But that is exactly what Park Ji Min, a 15-year-old Korean teen, did.

Ashton Kutcher Tweeted that the performance was "amazing," on Dec. 30.

Although she appears quiet and reserved at first, once the music starts Park Ji Min powers through the song like a pro. In the end she might not be on par with Adele, but she sure left judges on the talent show “K-Pop Star,” rolling in deep awe.

Even celebrities like Ashton Kutcher are taking note of the talent show contestant calling her performance “amazing,” via Twitter. Some had called her the Korean answer to Britian’s Susan Boyle.

Related Stories —

NY Daily News: Korean girl Park Ji Min wows ‘K-Pop Star’ talent show judges with Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’ 

Huffington Post: Park Hi Min, Korean Teen, Wows KPop Star Judges With Cover of Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’

As Asian Americans continue to climb the corporate ladders, something continues to prevent them from breaking through to the top.

By Harsh Vathsangam

The bamboo ceiling has made the promotion of APAs to senior managerial roles at top companies a rare occurrence. Art: Margaret To.

Stereotypically Asian Pacific Americans are known to enter careers as meticulous engineers, life-saving doctors, and mad scientists. But how many Asians become CEOs?

Although Asians make up only 5 percent of the U.S. population, according to a study by the Center for Work-Life Policy, they’re highly represented at some of the most prestigious universities, making up between 15 and 25 percent of Ivy League enrollment.

Yet the impressive credentials and achievements that have caused them to be dubbed “the model minority” aren’t reflected in senior leadership positions.

Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc., recently released a report that stated Asian Americans constitute only 2 percent of board members in Fortune 500 companies, and within these companies there are only nine Asian American CEOs.

The numbers point to a phenomenon known as “The Bamboo Ceiling,” a term that refers to the fact that while Asian Americans find no problem in acquiring prestigious academic degrees, they find it difficult to take the next step up and into senior managerial roles at top companies.

Why can’t Asians break through that bamboo ceiling? It’s certainly not for lack of interest. The CWLP researchers found that 64 percent of Asians compared to 52 percent of their Caucasian counterparts aspire to hold top seats at a company.

Asian family values have stressed hard work, avoiding confrontation, and humble respectfulness. Although these characteristics are positive on their own, these cultural values don’t necessarily match up with success in the cutthroat corporate world.

A popular argument is that these very same characteristics that put Asians on the top of college admissions stacks can work against them when gaining a foothold in corporate America. With these values as the cornerstones of their academic successes, thoughts such as putting one’s ideas forward in meetings, self-promotion, or taking credit for achievements end up being alien concepts.

The result? Often, silence is mistaken for arrogance and unwillingness.

A reason could be lack of mentorship. The CWLP study also found that only 46 percent of Asians say they have a mentor in their professional life compared to more than 60 percent of Caucasians. You can find strategies to help with breaking the bamboo ceiling here.

Another possible cause is that Asian culture places emphasis on eldercare, an activity that could for better or worse take time away from career advancement.

Taking a look at the issue from another perspective reveals more. There are now 61 Chinese and eight Indian companies in the Fortune 500.

With that said, companies with a largely Asian top brass are steadily rising up the rankings and making their presence felt. These numbers are only slated to increase. Conversely, according to Fortune magazine, the number of American companies on this list has been declining from 197 in 2002 to 133 in 2011.

I find myself asking how is it that these companies with Asian CEOs who have the similar cultural values are thriving. But, there is a key difference. It is important to note the distinction between Asians working in Asian companies and Asian Americans working in U.S. companies.

Thus, I argue that it has more to do with the clashing of cultures than any innate inability to perform. Asian Americans need to understand these significant cultural differences and recognize the corporate atmosphere in which they operate if they hope to break through the bamboo ceiling.

Or perhaps we should all book one-way tickets to corporate Asia?

Related Stories —

Science: Breaking through the “bamboo ceiling” for Asian American scientists

NPR: Looking at the ‘bamboo ceiling’

Cornell Chronicle Online: Model minority? A ‘myth of the American dream,’ says panelist at Asian American discussion

Inside Higher Ed: ‘The Myth of the Model Minority’

A combat veteran reflects on WWII Filipino soldiers’ long fought battle for equality that continued long after the Germans surrendered in 1945. It wasn’t until recently that the California government decided to recognize these forgotten Filipino veterans.

By Jeffrey Ledesma

War has the power to change soldiers’ souls. The unthinkable acts they see, the horrible sounds they hear, and the pungent smells they inhale all burn permanent marks in their minds.

During the March of Death, prisoners' hands were tied behind their backs. The March stretched from Bataan to Cabanatuan, the prison camp, in May of 1942. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

For the Filipino veterans who served alongside American soldiers in the Second World War, the battle for equality continued for decades after the war ended.

After fighting for a country they believed was their own, they were the only ethnic group of soldiers stripped of their benefits because of their immigration status. Consequently, they became the forgotten heroes erased from the rosters.

On the Assembly floor, Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), author of the WWII Filipino Veterans in Curriculum bill, explained the urgency to acknowledge the forgotten Filipino soldiers and their contributions to the war.

A contingent of Filipino WWII veterans attends a hearing at Sacramento City Hall to keep the state government from cutting more of veterans' already few privileges. Photo: Flickr.

“Many of the Filipino veterans of WWII are aging and dying,” Ma said. “It is important to ensure that their stories are not lost. They deserve our recognition and respect in our history.”

Although the Assembly passed AB 199 in April with a 72-0 vote, Gov. Jerry Brown didn’t sign the bill into law until early this month. While many advocates for Filipino veteran rights were thrilled, some people didn’t make it.

Peping Baclig was a Filipino veteran who passed away earlier this year. Baclig was one of the last 18,000 remaining Filipino WWII veterans out of 200,000 who served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Baclig survived the Bataan Death March when the Imperial Japanese army forced 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war to march for miles after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during WWII.

Thousands of prisoners died during the transfer.

Congressional records shed light on the march that is still remembered today. “They were beaten, and they were starved as they marched. Those who fell were bayoneted,” the records state. “Some of those who fell were beheaded by Japanese officers who were practicing with their samurai swords from horseback.”

In an emotionally-charged public service announcement for the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equality, Baclig urges the viewers to fight for liberty, equality and justice for the Filipino American WWII veteran.

“To be on equal footing with anybody who served with me, that’s what I want. I fought for democracy,” Baclig emotionally said as he wiped tears from his face with an American flag handkerchief. “Will you do the same?”

According to the Asian Journal, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 199 on October 8 to recognize Filipinos in WWII in the state’s Social Studies curriculum. It encourages schools “to include instruction on World War II and the role of Filipinos… who fought courageously in the U.S. Army.”

Despite being progressive landmark in civil rights, it’s upsetting to know that many like Baclig weren’t able to see this dream of equality become reality. They weren’t saluted for their honorable service. They weren’t acknowledged for their sacrifices. But at least now, they won’t be forgotten.

More than 6,300 runners participated in the 2011 Annual Bataan Death March to support survivors and commemorate fallen service members. Photo: Flickr.

As a Filipino, an American, and a combat veteran, I cannot help but feel strongly tied to the Filipino soldiers who came before me.

They fought an uphill battle for democracy. They fought so we could fight. So, please fight. Fight for liberty, fight for equality, fight for justice – wherever and whenever it is denied.

Related Stories —

Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs: L.A. City Council passes resolutions in support of Filipinos in WWII

Filipinos Abroad: Pinoy WWII vets in LA to get recognition, benefits

In the past 50 years, Asian characters in television and film have made small strides towards an honest interpretation of real APAs, but the clichés are not behind us.

By Jeffrey Ledesma

Best

Gold: Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), “Grey’s Anatomy”

The ever-intimidating Dr. Yang is anything but subservient. Photo: ABC.

Hands down and scalpels up, I had to give the gold medal to the fictional surgeon on ABC’s hit television series the number one spot. Yang is a bad-to-the-bone doctor who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She goes against the grain and defies the subservient Asian woman stereotype.

Silver: Michael “Mike” Chang, Jr. (Harry Shum, Jr.), “Glee”

Mike moonwalks onto the number two spot because he’s a football player who can dance like nobody’s business. While it isn’t hard to find an APA on the football team and busting a move on the dance floor, it’s rare to see one doing both on television.

Bronze: Kumar (Kal Penn), Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle

Although Penn’s character is extreme, the portrayal is extremely funny and not what’s expected in East Indian roles. Unlike Dr. Rajesh Ramayan “Raj” Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) of “The Big Bang Theory,” Kumar can talk to girls without drowning himself in alcohol (although alcohol isn’t prohibited) and that is worth a medal in my book.

Worst

Gold: Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong), The Hangover

Most APAs would not be proud of any association with Mr. Chow. Photo: Warner Bros.

Mr. Chow highlights the stereotypical emasculation of Asian men. When the three Caucasian protagonists find Chow’s shoe in their car, they comment on how unusual that it is “a men’s size six.” This is later followed by Chow jumping out of the trunk, naked and yelling in a cookie-cutter Asian accent, “You gonna f*** on me?” Overall, it’s distasteful portrait of Asians.

Silver: Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein), MADtv

While Ms. Swan makes me laugh every time, she gets the laughs and the silver medal by pulling from a bunch of stereotypes: slow speech, hard to understand, distrusting, and cheap. My mom would get mad if people saw her this way – so this is for her.

Bronze:  Tricia Takanawa (voiced by Alex Borstein), “Family Guy”

Takanawa speaks in a nasal monotone cadence that Borstein has described as “all presentation and no substance.” She was revealed to be Japanese in “Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story,” but will always be know as “Asian reporter Tricia Takanawa.”

Don’t agree with the ranking? Think another APA character should be thrown into the mix? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below.

Philip Yu, the creator of AngryAsianMan.com, confesses he’s not really angry. But, the media’s overuse of racist Asian stereotypes does get the Korean-American blogger and his followers fired up.

By Ivana Banh

It has been 10 years since Angry Asian Man first emerged on the blogging scene. Today, thousands of people flock to the website daily to update themselves on the Asian American representation in the media.

Philip Yu, the Korean-American mastermind behind the website, covers anything ranging from YouTube’s Chinese American comedian KevJumba to a shooting at San Jose State University that killed a Japanese American student.

Photo courtesy of Philip Yu.

Yu’s master’s degree in critical studies coupled with his passion for pop culture has created an online hub that is both intellectual and entertaining.

Yu said he began AngryAsianMan.com in his early college years with the intention of establishing a personal space to voice his thoughts. Little did he know, his insight on the media’s lack of Asian presence would become an Internet sensation.

Readers appreciate the coverage Yu provides on a population that is usually neglected. His witty perspective on Asians in politics, sports, entertainment, and news has gradually built up an extensive fan base.

Yu’s observations have chronicled the evolution of the portrayal of Asians in the media within the past decade. When the blogger first began, Asians were almost invisible in film and television. A decade later, Yu said he’s grateful to see the presence of Asians in the media increase in number.

However, despite the increase in exposure, the way that Asians are depicted on the big and small screens have changed very little. Stereotypical roles such as the socially inept nerd or the kung-fu karate kid are still prevalent in the current entertainment industry.

It is rare to see actors such as Harry Shum, Jr. star as a football player on Glee and Nikita’s Maggie Q as a rogue secret government agent.

While Yu said he’s not strongly against stereotypical roles as long as they are well-drawn, he does not foresee the formulaic characters disappearing anytime soon.

In addition, the fashion in which Asian America children are brought up plays a major role in the media. Immigrant parents often prefer their children to take the “safe” route in becoming doctors and lawyers.

Acting, or any other artistic careers for that matter, is not a profession that has been deeply rooted in traditional Asian culture. Yu acknowledges that the lack of parental support in any creative field is definitely an additional hurdle that Asian Americans face.

Yu said he’s glad to have raised awareness for the Asian American community through AngryAsianMan.com.

His dedication to the website has earned him a cover on KoreAm magazine and a job as the Asian Pop journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle.

However, Yu does not consider the fame or any title his biggest reward. “The biggest compliment that I receive is when someone comes to me and says I didn’t really know about this issue before and now I want to do something about it,” he said.

What initially began as a channel for Yu to express his personal thoughts has blossomed into a highly influential online hub.

With AngryAsianMan.com’s concoction of political coverage, comedic YouTube clips, and Yu’s personal opinion pieces, Yu said the website’s ultimate goal is to inform, entertain, and activate.

It is safe to say Yu has accomplished his goal as his readership continues to multiply.

Related Stories —

International Examiner: How a blogger created Asian America’s most influential site

Racebending.com: ComicCon 2011 panel video

By Andrew Dang

Staff artist Andrew Dang illustrates different paths by which APA students come to choose majors and later careers.

How does your own journey compare? Was there a Tiger Mom in your midst or were your choices driven by childhood passions? Share your story with us by leaving a comment below.