In the early 1970's, a group of Filipino American Students at San Francisco State University organized a performing arts group called Ating Tao, meaning "Our People." Ating Tao (pronounced ah-ting-tah-oh, accents on the "ah" and "tah") involved students from PACE, the SFSU Filipino student organization, who performed up and down the west coast at college campuses, TV programs, community events, and cultural festivals. The Ating Tao dancers, musicians, and actors presented programs focussed on themes related to Filipino American history, culture, heroes and heroines, comedy, important role models, and community issues.
Today, the spirit of Ating Tao is being carried on by the new generation of Filipino American students at SFSU. They not only carry on the spirit, but they also carry Higantes, or "giant puppets," that are part of many cultural celebrations and festivals in the Philippines. That tradition has now been brought to the United States and is now included in Ating Tao's collection of puppets that represent various Filipino American heroes and heroines.
Although Filipinos are the largest Asian American population in California, and soon to be the largest population of Asian Americans in the U.S., and in spite of the fact that Filipinos have been present on this continent since the Manila Galleon Trade era, very little is known about their history in the country and the many contributions they have made to the United States. Names such as San Francisco-born Vicki Manalo (2 Olympic Gold Medals), NFL-MVP Quarterback Roman Gabriel (4 years NFL All-Pro, holds all passing records for Rams), Larry Itliong and Phillip Vera Cruz, (co-founders of the United Farm Workers), Antonio Padua Poblador (one of the co-founders of the City of Los Angeles), jazz-great Flip Nunez, Jose Calugas, Rudy Davila, and Ernesto Cisneros (Congressional Medal of Honor), Tai Babilonia (World Champion figure skater), Lou Diamond Phillips (Actor), and Benjamin Cayetano (Governor of Hawaii) are examples from a very long list of illustrious Filipinos from all walks of American life who have made significant contributions to America, but who are rarely acknowledged for their achievements and successes. Ating Tao takes pride in sharing the spirit and image of these great Filipino Americans who have been stellar role models for all youth, regardless of racial/ethnic background.
These sons and daughters of the original 1970's Ating Tao members have resurrected the old name and concept; but at the same time they have given it their own signature by emphasizing drumming, spoken word, and higantes as their means of performing for and serving the Pinoy at community festivals, parades, memorials, and other celebrations. For example they have been the subject of two documentaries, awarded 2nd Place Trophy for Music at the SF Carnaval Parade, performed benefits for Veteranos, the Children's Make-A-Wish Foundation, Genentech Corporation, Fiesta Filipina, Westlake Fiesta, SF City Hall Rotunda Memorial for Bulletx Marasigan, and numerous graduation ceremonies. Through their energetic performances they create a spirit of inspiration and excitement that brings the players and audience together as a community. Accompanied by percussionists, Ating Tao marches or offers spoken to the beat of its drums - the pulse and energy of which comes from their history as proud Filipinos in America.
