INDIPINO COMMUNITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND AND VICINITY

Our Indipino documentary  "Honor Thy Mother: the Untold Story of Aboriginal Women and Their Indipino Children" was screened on May 18, 2025 at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art as part of the 2025 Asian Heritage Month Celebration. Elders Colleen Almojuela, Andrew Pascua and Gina Corpuz were available for a Q&A. Indipino Elder Oral Histories of Pete Corpuz, Gilda Corpuz, Doreen Rapada, Joanne Oligario, Teddi Balagot and Bernadine Selenski were screened. Annabel Garcia-Andresen introduced the 100% Project of Multi-Ethnic Filipino families. Marie Deon and Lanessa Cerrillo shared their personal stories of growing up Multi-Ethnic and their experience with the 100% Project. A Multi-Ethnic Filipino Panel Discussion followed with: Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, Stephanie Reese, Lanessa Cerrillo, Dios Serame, Toni Jones and Third Andresen

Our Filipino Community Hall was bursting at the seams filled with over 5 generations of descendants of Bainbridge Island Filipino farmers and the founders of the Filipino American Community of Bainbridge Island and Vicinity. We gathered to celebrate and remember the Hard Work, Resilience and Contributions made by our Filipino Fathers and their wives to the Bainbridge Island Community. The reconnection, conversations and acts of love shared in the hall that our Filipino fathers worked so hard to purchase was heartwarming and good medicine for our souls and spirits. Traditional Filipino cuisine was enjoyed by all. Memories of picking berries, working the fields, dancing together at the hall and giving thanks for being part of a vibrant Filipino and Indipino community will never be forgotten. 

Honor Thy Mother: the Untold Story of Aboriginal Women and Their Indipino Children" was screened at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Seattle for over 150 educators from all over the US. Gina Corpuz facilitated a discussion following the screening. It was a highly emotional experience for many teachers and administrators who shared their own trauma as teachers of color and witnessing the pain of many of their students who are of mixed heritage. There were numerous requests to have permission to share our film in their classrooms and to their families. 

Over 1500 Middle School students watched Honor Thy Mother in 2 separate school assemblies in the Spanaway area.. The screening was part of their Native American School Program which includes the Indian Residential Boarding School Experience. Students created library exhibits with text and photos to prepare for the film screening. Colleen Almojuela and Gina Corpuz were invited to meet with students and answer questions following the screening. Invited by Rachael Barger, Eastern Band Cherokee, Native American Teacher on Special Assignment and Amy Savou, M.Ed. Native American Education Teacher on Special Assignment.

Screen our Indipino documentary "Honor Thy Mother: the Untold  Story of Aboriginal Women and their Indipino Children" with Q & A following at K-12 School District Professional Development Days, County Librarian DEI training, National Education Conferences, City professional development, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Celebrations and Cultural Events.  

We recommend that teachers, librarians and museum directors rent our Indipino/Filipino Traveling Exhibit for students, staff and administrators to view prior to watching our documentary, Honor Thy Mother: the Untold Story of Aboriginal Women to help set the context for the film.  Many teachers have their students read the history of the Filipino and Indipino Community found in our website to provide a context for our documentary and Beyond Borders Indipino Traveling Exhibits. Students then write essays to prepare for the film. 

BISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved our  Indipino film "HONOR THY MOTHER: the Untold Story of Aboriginal Women and Their Indipino Children" to be included in the 8th Grade Washington State History Social Studies curriculum. 

Over 150 Asian American Professionals from across the US visit our historical Filipino Hall where I shared the history of our 5 founders, the Filipino Growers Association and that our community was one of the first in the US to own our building.

Belinda Moreno, Marie Deon and Lanessa Cerrillo co-create AANHPI educational resources for k-12 educators and students called the 100% Project focusing on the Corpuz family of BI. Zine shared at the National Education Summit and with Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.