THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412020274
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG GOLDFARB, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Edward Primm didn't know much about the local Filipino community until seven years ago, when his sister-in-law became president of the Philippine-American Community of Tidewater.
Now, Primm is set to make Filipino history himself as the first American to become president-elect of the 23-year-old organization.
``It's really a tremendous honor that they would trust me with such a position,'' said the Birdneck Lakes resident. ``I would like to pay them back for all the things I have learned over the years.''
PACT, boasting a membership of about 400, is the region's second-oldest Filipino organization, and its largest, said Primm. It was formed to help incoming Filipinos adapt to American society.
Traditionally, only Filipinos and Filipino-Americans were nominated by PACT's 11-member board of directors to serve as president. Several Americans have, however, sat on the board.
But because the organization regularly calls for advancements in multiculturalism and cultural awareness, group leaders decided to start practicing what they preached.
``I think it's about time,'' said Diego Rubio, PACT's current president. ``Ed has been very active in the Filipino community, and he's probably been one of the most active Americans. We decided to give him a try and see what he can do for the betterment of the community.''
At induction ceremonies before about 250 people last Saturday night at the Little Creek Amphibious Base CPO Club, Rubio received the gavel from outgoing president Romeo Villaneuva. Primm, inducted as the group's vice president and president-elect, will take the reins from Rubio Nov. 25, 1995.
A civilian staff officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dam Neck, Primm, 46, said that as president, he hopes to help ``manage change'' in local Filipino and American communities, get more young people involved with the group, ``capitalize on our own economic power'' and advance some of their members in local political races.
Only once has a Filipino run for public office in Virginia Beach, Rubio said, and that bid was unsuccessful. But, he added, several potential Filipino political candidates already exist, including some in law school.
By the year 2000, he predicts, an Asian-American will be elected to Virginia Beach City Council.
``Oh, yes, I would certainly predict that,'' said Rubio, adding that although PACT doesn't formally endorse political candidates, it is ``very heavy in politics.''
Primm said he has no desire to get into politics. But, he also predicts that ``along the way,'' a PACT member will be elected to public office, especially since Hampton Roads' Filipino-American community numbers between 35,000 and 45,000 and is growing.
Primm's wife, Sylvia, a former PACT president and board member, and a member of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission, said her husband's position as PACT president-elect symbolizes the group's willingness to be open-minded and tolerant of different people and their cultures.
``This is a bold act to take,'' said Sylvia Primm, a Filipino-American. ``They (members of the Filipino community) are very clannish, reserved and conservative.''
It was inevitable, however, that an American be elected to lead the group, given that PACT counts about 20 Americans among its ranks, mostly those who have a spouse in the Filipino community, she said. PACT leaders would have to be blind, she added, not to notice America's changing complexion.
``Their children are marrying blacks, whites and other races,'' she said. ``Their children are being born in America. That's not the norm (for them). That's why this (Primm's election) was really progressive.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Edward Primm is to become the first American president of the
23-year-old Philippine-American Community of Tidewater.
Edward Primm's wife, Sylvia, is a former PACT president and board
member and a member of Virginia Beach's Human Rights Commission.
by CNB