AWARD-WINNING FIL-AM PHOTOGRAPHER LAUNCHES COFFEE TABLE BOOK WITH TALK, SIGNING AT PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN DC
25 JUNE 2009 WASHINGTON, DC - Bay Area-based Fil-Am photographer Rick Rocamora prepares to sign a softbound copy of his coffee table book “Filipino World War II Soldiers: America’s Second-Class Veterans” at a launching at the Embassy of the Philippines recently. The award-winning photographer’s book is described as “a rare view into their (Filipino World War II Veterans) difficult but always dignified lives, and create a poignant story of pain, persistence and hope.” Sandra Philips, Senior Curator of Photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art wrote of the book, “… Rocamora reminds us, in these quiet and dignified pictures, of the value and integrity of these people…” The book talk, signing and reception was conducted by the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), KAYA-DC, National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE), National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Philippine Arts, Letters & Media (PALM) Council in partnership with the Philippine Embassy as part of the month-long commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Rocamora has received recognition and awards for his photographs from the Asian American Journalist Association, San Francisco Bay Area Press Photographers Association, New California Media and the Media Alliance. He was also given a California Arts Council Art Fellowship and a Local Bay Area Heroes Award from KQED and Union Bank of California for his work on the veterans. ▪