ARIC ASUNCION AND ALAN BUNGUE, co-hosts of Filipino-American National News

Alan and Aric in the studio, April, 2003

Many people might be surprised to learn that there is a vibrant and active Filipino population (estimated at between four and seven thousand*) in the Twin Cities. For the past seven years however, KFAI’s Filipino-American National News has been taking steps to make Filipino community more visible. Alan Bungue and Aric Asuncion, two hosts of the show, provide a unique perspective on Filipino life in the Twin Cities. Their natural interaction on the show stems from the fact that they grew up together in St. Paul. "I attribute all my involvement in Filipino-American organizations to Alan," admits Aric. "I thought in high school, that it was much cooler to be like everyone else. Alan never pressured me, but just kept inviting me to various Fil-American activities, until I started going and realized how important it is to learn about the culture and share that knowledge with others." Currently, both Alan and Aric belong to many of the same groups and began to develop their sense of what they wanted to do for their community.

Alan and Aric became involved with KFAI after attending a Filipino-American Youth conference in Itasca, Illinois in 1998.  One of the hosts of the Filipino-American National News asked them in September of that year to appear on the show as guests and talk about their experiences at the conference. Alan became involved with FANN in June of 2002 and Aric joined him in December. Currently, the Filipino-American National News has four hosts who represent both the younger and older generations. The programming, scheduled entirely by the hosts, depicts the wide interests of their audience with music ranging from traditional music from the Philippines to Filipino hip-hop.  

Most of the music played on the air is part of the show’s library acquired by past hosts through their travels in the Philippines or purchased in San Francisco where there is also a large Filipino community. Alan obtained much of the Filipino R and B music they program while working for the Filipino-American Classified Records as a U of M student and "by maintaining a relationship with people I meet while being involved in the Fil-American music scene."  Alan and Aric provide news of cultural and youth events and the show often includes guests who announce upcoming events or issues pertinent to the Twin Cities Filipino community.  Another valuable aspect of the show is the news presented in Tagalog for the show’s non-English speaking audience by co-host Lita Malisci.  This is one more way that FANN unites the new with the traditional.

While Alan and Aric sometimes feel restricted by their concern for respecting the elders who are a vital part of the show and its audience, they appreciate the opportunity to present and discuss controversial issues concerning young Filipino-Americans today. Both Alan and Aric feel a strong desire and obligation to reach out to the younger generation and to get them proudly involved in the community.

Although Aric works at Regions hospital and Alan works with stock for Wells Fargo bank, both would eventually like to build a career involving music.  "With our combined knowledge of graphic arts, mass communication, and journalism, we want to not only help Filipino youths realize their musical goals, but let them see that any career is attainable with enough support," stresses Alan. Aric and Alan serve as mentors for those younger than themselves who exhibit a strong talent for music and radio.  Alan pointed out that "in the United States, some of the most well known DJs are Filipino-Americans who come up with some of the innovations."  Alan and Aric are concerned that Filipino teenagers are often discouraged by the older generation from entering such fields.  The elders want the young people to go into more stable and lucrative professions so they won’t have to struggle for success as they did.  This is precisely why Alan and Aric have so much to offer to their community.  While investing time with young people, whether on the air, at the Mall of America or in Tea Garden, they are setting an example and encouraging the idea of endless possibilities for the future Filipino generation.  As Aric puts it: "There’s going to be some kid that’s going to take that idea and want to make it his own.  It may not be in Minnesota, but the idea will be transferred somewhere else, which is good too because if it does happen, I’ll be really proud of that kid...But at least we’re the pioneers...we’re the ones that are growing up now and they’re going to be doing the same thing that we’ve done and tried, but in a different way."

Interview by Brooke Fermin and Kelly George 

*Data from "Asians in Minnesota, 2000," from the Minnesota Planning State Demographic Center (http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/demography/DownloadFiles/pdf/AsiansMN2000.pdf)