Friends of Lolas - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I'm a writer. Mostly I write fiction -- two books -- Her Wild American Self (Coffee House Press, 1996) and One Tribe (New Issues Press, 2006). I've been working on a book of essays documenting the experiences of surviving Filipina "Comfort Women" of WWII. They are the women of Liga ng mga Lolang Pilipina-Gabriela (LILA Pilipina).I have met forty of those Filipina survivors. They are beautiful grandmothers and widows. They have, despite these atrocities gone on to lead lives of dignity. After 50 years of silence, they have come forward to ask Japan for a formal apology.Even after U.S. House Res. 121, Japan is still ignoring them, looking over the women as if they are not standing right before them. The lolas shout, "Justice!" And Abe says nothing. He says, no evidence.I think the women are living treasures. They are the evidence.I started a blog for the lolas -- LABAN! Fight for Comfort Women (labanforthelolas.blogspot.com) -- now it's called FRIENDS OF LOLAS (same address). This myspace account is an extention of that.I wanted to share their stories (even if my book is not yet done) with many because they really are old now, they're ready to move on. You should all meet them while you can. They are beautiful and wise and they give great advice on life, on love and relationships!I lobbied for House Res. 121, along with other members of the 121 Coalition. Thanks to everyone who supported that campaign. Thanks to Annabel, Eric and Stephanie!
Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Interests

LILA Pilipina, an organization of surviving Filipina Comfort Women was established in 1993. It is 14 years old.Go to labanforthelolas.blogspot.com

I'd like to meet:

All the surviving "Comfort Women" who are still living. All the spirits of those who have already passed away. The daughters and sons and families of surviving Comfort Women. The Japanese people who have sent heart felt comments to the women.

Books:

COMFORT WOMAN: Slave of Destiny, Maria Rosa Henson (1996); War Crimes on Asian Women: Military Sexual Slavery by Japan During World War II (1998) edited by Nelia Sancho.

Heroes:

Mike Honda for introducing House Resolution 121-1H. Maria Rosa Henson and all the surviving Comfort Women of WWII for stepping up and speaking out with great dignity. Annabel Park for keeping the good fight and organizing 121 Coalition. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales for mentoring amazing young activists.

My Blog

Comfort the Women

For the Lolas of LILA PilipinaBy M. Evelina GalangDecember 26, 2007 I come to you because you are a woman too. You understand best what it means to be a woman who has suffered unjustly. You understa...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 06:17:00 PST

GABNet3 Return to US

For Immediate ReleaseAugust 14, 2007Contact: Faith Santilla, [email protected], (626) 353-2649; Milady Quito, [email protected] 3 RETURN TO THE US AFTER BEING CASUALTIES OF THE S...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:21:00 PST

Open Statement from the GabNet3

August 12, 2007On August 5, 2007, agents of the Philippine government prevented one of us from boarding her return flight to the United States. The reason given was that she was on a nebulous "watchli...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:25:00 PST

GABNet USA Chairperson Barred From Leaving Philippines

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Here's a call to action from our sisters at GABNet. Please use your words in support.In peace, solidarity and respect,Evelina Dear GABNet members, allies and friends:On Aug...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:22:00 PST

An Image of Lee Yong-Soo

above: 121 Coalition leader Annabel Park, surviving "Comfort Woman" Lee Yong-Soo and myself, M. Evelina Galang after the historic House of Representative vote to pass House Res. 121.Inside the carpet...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 06:57:00 PST

Read the Congressional Record on House Res. 121

On Monday, July 30, 2007 I sat in the gallery with 100 other members of the 121 Coalition and I listened to our House of Representatives remark on the need to pass House Res. 121.After knowing the wom...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:16:00 PST

121 Coalition Statement on the Passage of H.RES.121

With the passage of H.Res. 121, the United States House of Representatives reaffirms its promise as a powerful advocate for human rights. We commend the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressma...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:05:00 PST

GALANG STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF HR 121

The passage of House Resolution 121 is an invitation to transcend past crimes against humanity, and a boon to the efforts of surviving "Comfort Women" who have been seeking justice for over 15 years. ...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 07:58:00 PST

LILA PILIPINA MAKES AN APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

On July 30, 2007, the House of Representative of the United States of America will be voting on House Resolution 121 which calls on the Government of Japan to "formally acknowledge, apologize, an...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 07:56:00 PST

The Lolas of LILA Pilipina Thank Congress

I brought the lolas many gifts during the month of July. Among the gifts were letters of support written by many community members in the United States. People of diverse backgrounds and nationalit...
Posted by Friends of Lolas on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 05:26:00 PST