May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the contributions of the AAPI community now and throughout history. California is home to 6 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, making up 15.5% of the state—the second-largest AAPI population in the country.
As the first Filipino American elected to the California State Legislature and the first Filipino American to serve as California’s Attorney General, I am eternally grateful for the generations of AAPI leaders and community members who paved the way for me.
I am the proud son of a Filipino immigrant. My parents had me while working as social justice missionaries in the Philippines. When I was two months old, as a dictator rose to power and martial law was imminent, they brought us to California (my dad’s home state) in search of opportunity and a better life.
My mom, Cynthia Bonta, is one of my heroes: a devoted activist who organized with labor icons and fellow Filipino Americans like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz. She’s told me how Larry connected with Cesar Chavez to unite Filipino and Latino farm workers to organize together in solidarity, and how Philip always emphasized that everybody’s voice is important. Throughout my life, she’s taught me to never stop fighting for justice and to always love and serve your community.
After we moved to Sacramento, my mom founded the Philippine National Day Association and led the committees behind the Philippine Independence Day and Filipino American History Month festivities in Alameda. To this day, she continues to inspire and mentor young activists working to create a better future for us all.
I am here today fighting for the people of California because of the determined, hard-working, and innovative AAPI leaders who came before me, including my mom. I could not be more proud of my heritage.
Here in California and across the United States, our diversity is both our story and our strength. Let’s appreciate and celebrate our AAPI community not only this month, but every day throughout the year. After all, AAPI history IS American history!
In solidarity,
Rob
