Pinoys in California denounce racist letter vs. 'filthy Filipinos'

Filipino-Americans in Napa County, California denounced a letter they found in their mail boxes that criticized a certain Filipina and labeled Filipinos as "filthy."

According to a report of the news site ABC Local, Filipino-Americans, along with city leaders and other members of the community, marched on Wednesday from the City Hall to Filipino-owned businesses.

The letter, which contains derogatory remarks against a certain Filipina resident of the American Canyon, was reported by Fil-Am Derek Valencia to authorities, a report of the news site Huffington Post said.

“It's an unusual event,” Canyon Chief of Police Jean Donaldson told Huffington Post, adding that the department will investigate whether the letter violates any laws about hate crimes.

The letter went viral in social media sites when Valencia posted a photo of the letter earlier on Monday on his Facebook account.

He asked: “Anyone else in American canyon get this letter in the mail?!?!?!?!!!!!!?”

The letter starts with a couple of paragraphs saying the Filipina will be fined for allegedly performing cosmetic care services without a license from the California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology (CBBC).

“...be advised that you are potentially in breach of current State of California rules/regulations and subject to fines,” it said.

The letter also said that her license was revoked effective on January 4, 2012.

However, this was denied by CBBC spokesman Russ Heimerich, telling ABC7 News that the letter was disgusting and despicable.

“None of the information in the letter regarding licensees is accurate, making it nothing more than a repulsive work of fiction,” Heimerich said.

"Filthy" Pinoys

The letter also labeled the Filipino community as a filthy group.

“In addition, the American Canyon Filipino community as filthy as it is [Illegible] unwanted as it is...... doesn't need to bring additional unwarranted/unlicensed practices which assists in bringing down the already downward spiraling property values in our area,” it said.

The letter calls Filipinos a gang of scum who marry Americans to have “straight noses” which the sender said to be more acceptable in “non-Filipino societies.”

Opportunity to strengthen bond

Meanwhile, American Canyon council member Belia Ramos sees a lot of possible opportunities to strengthen the bond among residents after the incident.

“It's a great opportunity for us to reach out to our neighbors, to use this unfortunate incident to get to know your neighbors, understand each other's cultures and our perspectives,” Ramos told ABC7 News. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News