The County of Delaware, Upper Darby Township, Visit Delco, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, and the Delaware County Office of Workforce Development came together in a collaborative effort to host a special Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Celebration, which kicked off at Upper Darby municipal parking lot last Friday on May 10th.
Dr. Monica Taylor, Chair of the Delaware County Council, led the event as an emcee, guiding attendees through the program with warmth and enthusiasm.
The program kicked off with a welcome remark by David Oh, President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, who portrayed Asian American and Pacific Islander history in the United States. “Observed annually each May, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Celebration Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community in our nation’s history. The first celebration traces back to 1978 and is observed annually in May to commemorate the first Japanese who came to the United States in May of 1843,” said Oh.
He continued, “Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make our nation more vibrant through diversity of cultures, languages, and religions. Delaware County is proud to have numerous members of the community, schools, businesses, organizations, and members of the County team who work to educate, celebrate, and expand Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and culture through education and the arts. This month, we celebrate the leaders, artists, scholars, and other people across Delaware County who keep the culture, history, and traditions alive, respected, and celebrated.”
Amidst the rain pouring down on the stage tent, the inaugural Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration in Delaware County opened with a special performance by 7-year-old Zoe Arianne from Drexel Hill, proudly representing her Filipino heritage.
Introduced by Dr. Monica Taylor, Zoe captured the hearts of attendees as she took to the stage wearing a pretty Filipiniana dress. Dr. Taylor highlighted Zoe’s Philadelphia roots and her unwavering pride in embracing her Filipino culture. “You may have seen her on Season 18 of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ where she won the hearts of all 4 judges,” remarked Dr. Taylor, as she introduced the youngest performer of the afternoon.
Zoe’s performance was just the beginning of an afternoon filled with captivating acts. Additional Performers Illuminate AAPI Heritage Month Celebration.
Cheng’s Martial Arts School
Cheng’s Martial Arts School, a cherished institution nestled in Upper Darby, Delaware County, prides itself on being a family-owned and operated studio. Emphasizing inclusivity, the school welcomes students of all backgrounds and skill levels, offering a nurturing environment for martial arts education. Beyond teaching self-defense techniques, Cheng’s Martial Arts School fosters community engagement, providing opportunities for personal growth and development beyond the confines of the dojo.
important to us and we’re so glad we were able to bring it here today”, Mansheen Kour said.“We feel that we don’t see this as much in the United States, especially in the Philadelphia community. We’re delighted that this event brought us together and showcased our cultural contribution.” Photo by Jay Byun/PhillyTalks.com
University City Bhangra
Originating from the vibrant culture of Punjab, Bhangra is a spirited folk dance known for its infectious energy and rhythmic beats. University City Bhangra, Philadelphia’s premier competitive Co-ed Bhangra team, embodies the exuberance of this cultural tradition through their dynamic performances.
Lauren Yeremian Hawaiian Hula Dance
Lauren Yeremian, an esteemed instructor at Aloha Style, brought the enchanting rhythms and movements of Hawaiian hula dance to the stage. At Aloha Style, Yeremian shares her passion for dance through innovative programs like Hula Fitness, which combines elements of hula from Hawaii and Tahitian dance from Tahiti. Through her captivating performances and dedication to preserving Polynesian culture, Yeremian inspires audiences to embrace the beauty and grace of traditional island dances.
Lauren shared what motivated her to participate. “I was excited and impressed that Delaware County was holding the AAPI Heritage festival in Upper Darby because of the area’s diverse ethnic community. I wanted to bring our group to this event because we wanted to share our knowledge and respect for Hawaiian culture through hula. We are grateful to have been part of this event.”
Lauren explained, “Hula is the way Hawaiians tell their stories. So at the end of each hula, we say ‘this is our story….’ The last verse of a song will usually start with ‘Ha’ina…’ or ‘Puana…,’ and the words that follow summarize the story we just told. Our hand at mouth then extends out to the audience and we hope that even though the language is different, that we conveyed the story well, through our motions and emotions.”
“Our hands are making the shape of a flower. The word for flower is Pua. Pua can also symbolize a child or person. When we hold the Pua high, we are talking about a person important to us.”
URIOL
Founded in 2018, URIOL is a traditional Korean percussion ensemble based in Philadelphia, dedicated to preserving and innovating upon the rich musical heritage of Korea. Initially rooted in the Samulnori tradition, URIOL has since evolved to explore new avenues of expression while remaining deeply rooted in traditional percussion instruments. Led by artistic director Hyunjin Cha, URIOL’s performances captivate audiences with their fusion of ancient rhythms and contemporary creativity, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into Korea’s musical legacy.
In a heartwarming display of joy and solidarity, some attendees rose from their seats to dance joyfully in the rain alongside the performers, creating a magical moment of communal celebration amidst the spring rain falling.
Dancing in the rain has long been symbolic of embracing life’s challenges with joy and resilience, and on this special occasion, it served as a poignant reminder of the strength and spirit of the AAPI community. Despite the inclement weather, the celebration continued unabated, fueled by the collective enthusiasm and determination to honor and celebrate AAPI heritage.
Delaware County students were also invited to submit poems that reflected their feelings about
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage.
“I really think this is a great place for underrepresented voices to shine and give them a platform to get their voice heard”, stated Zehan Li, a student at Penncrest High School.
“We can get more events like this in the future. For the kids for the teenagers the students need to represent their voices about their cultural heritages to create a more equitable society”, he added.
During the event, a special moment of recognition was dedicated to Ms. Sandra Lin of Penncrest High School in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Ms. Lin, a dedicated educator, was lauded for her commitment to helping her students learn about and appreciate AAPI culture.
Sandra was thrilled to receive the event information from Dr. Meloche, superintendent of the Rose Tree Media School District. Eager to participate, she quickly reached out to Adrienne Marofsky, the public relations director for Delaware County.
“I took over 25 students to Hawaii last year for an AAPI study trip, where they wrote reflection essays on Polynesian culture,” Sandra explained. “We also organized a school assembly to showcase our students’ heritage cultures through performing arts and hosted a heritage food fair. I’m excited to be part of your event.”
Sandra elaborated on the activities organized by her and her students through the Worldwide Pride Committee, formed in 2018. “The student heritage culture assembly, heritage culture food fair, World dance fundraising event, and Heritage Culture Lessons/Activities in elementary schools are all initiatives sponsored by our committee,” she added.
Melody Chen, a 16-year-old student from Penncrest High School, shared the inspiration behind her poem titled ‘The Story of Me’.
“Today, I recited a poem about my Chinese heritage,” she began. “I think that this event is really good for the whole community because it brings out representation among all Asian-American, Native Hawaiian Islanders. It shows people that there’s so much more culture to this world and opens up more perspectives for everyone to learn,” she expressed.
Melody’s thoughtful reflection highlights the significance of events like the AAPI Heritage Month Celebration in fostering cultural appreciation and understanding within communities.
The Story of Me
In the space between, where East meets West,
I start to roam, never truly at rest
A journey through life to fully belong
seems to never happen as the days get long
From dim sum mornings to hearty mac and cheese
A fusion of flavors travel across seas,
Through the voices of highschool, English starts to roar
In the comfort of my home, my broken Chinese soars
Once again, the elders plea to keep tradition,
but what they don’t see is the American addition
I’ve heard of the string that ties the past and present
But how can I see it, when I only know a fragment?
Not American enough for others’ delight,
Not Chinese enough—just not quite
The burning red in me starts to ignite
I know what I am, I know that I’m right
The tongue of “American Chinese” is my own
For I am Chinese American and not alone
The journey ahead is not yet clear, but know this:
the blend of culture will always be near.
By Melody Chen
16 years old
Penncrest High School
The mission of the Worldwide Pride Committee, as Sandra passionately described, is to “spread the beauty that exists within humanity.” The committee aims to expose the beauty of underrepresented heritage cultures and promote inclusiveness within the Rose Tree Media School District through community-wide cultural events.
Sandra and her students aimed to embody the mission statement of the Worldwide Pride Committee with their inspiring poems on the AAPI event stage.
“Bringing awareness to the incredible AAPI community we have here in Delaware County was a primary goal for us. We sought to create a culminating experience, a celebration that could unite all our community partners in this endeavor. That’s how the idea for this event came about,” explained Dr. Monica Taylor, Chair of the Delaware County Council.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees were treated to a diverse array of performances, each showcasing the unique traditions and talents of the AAPI community. From traditional dances to contemporary music, the celebration was a testament to the richness and diversity of AAPI culture.
“I appreciate the fact that not only the Delaware County Workforce Development Board but also the Delaware Chamber of Commerce, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, are all helping each other to bring this together,” said George Choe, President of the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation.”The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation was glad to be a major sponsor. We are hoping that the network we had today will hopefully be much larger next year, cooperating.”