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Faustino Alejandro Respicio created the "Filipino Fiesta" television program, not just for entertainment, but to build pride and appreciation for the culture of Filipino immigrants. Broadcaster kept bonds strong
Faustino Alejandro Respicio / 1905-2002
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By Pat Gee
pgee@starbulletin.comRespicio, affectionately called "Tata," died on the evening of Feb. 13 at the age of 96 at his Honolulu home. At lunch that day he had celebrated his birthday -- two days early -- with a small party because he said, "I cannot wait," according to his wife, Rosalina.
"Filipino Fiesta" began on the radio, 14 years before it appeared on TV in 1953, giving comfort to the thousands of homesick plantation laborers who had no family. His 2,000 TV shows, which were also aired on radio at the same time, filled a need for a feeling of community over a record 33-year run. The show ended in 1986 because of Respicio's ailing health.
"It was important -- no one can do what he did for the Filipino community," she said.
In a 1986 Star-Bulletin article, Respicio said his 90-minute show "educated the people of Hawaii about Filipino people and heritage through singers, dancers and visiting stars and statesmen.
"It helped my people very much. The other nationalities who came here looked down on the Filipinos ... The program got other nationalities to see what the Filipinos are (really like)."
His wife, whom he married in 1953, said she helped him the last 16 years of the show. "It was so much fun working together. The only arguments we had were political. I was a Democrat and he was a Republican. After the argument, we would just laugh," she said.
"His logo was: 'Take it away!' as he raised his hand," in introducing the next act, she said.
Respicio arrived in Hawaii in 1931 to join his father who worked for the Oahu Sugar Plantation. He gave up his ambition to study law during the Depression and became an insurance salesman.
"I was appalled at what had happened to my people. They came here with such high hopes for making it. But they were working on plantations for 99 cents a day," he said in a 1975 Star-Bulletin article.
With lonely, bored Filipino bachelors in mind, he wrote two novels, "Andoy," and "Love Letters." They led to a career as a reporter for the locally published, now-defunct Philippine News Tribune.
When World War II broke out, he was convinced that radio would better reach his audience. Respicio urged his countrymen to invest in war bonds on radio, and they contributed $2 million in response.
Edith Correa Valdriz, 73, of Waipahu said she used to sing duets on Respicio's radio and TV shows and knew him to be "a really nice man."
Her father belonged to the first generation of immigrants who "used to look forward to it every afternoon after work to alleviate their fatigue and homesickness." His radio show "kept the sugar workers informed of their culture. He played Ilocano songs and brought in entertainers and the news."
Services will be held Saturday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace at 8:30 a.m. Mass will be said from noon to 1 p.m. Burial will follow at the Valley of the Temples.