In unexpected places, we often find stories that make us ask, why am I only learning about this now? In random journeys, we encounter narratives that persist, unresolved and largely unseen, yet deeply deserving of attention.

In early October 2025, during one of Rotary Makati’s meetings, a highlight was the presentation of a support award to the Philippine American Guardian Association (PAGA), one of the club’s selected beneficiaries. 

It was there that we met Mr. Norlito Domantay, the foundation’s president, whom we later invited to the Daily Tribune’s online show Straight Talk. That encounter opened a window into a reality many assumed belonged to the past, but which continues to shape lives today.

More than money, what PAGA offers is trust. It is the reassurance that someone believed in them during moments of neglect and uncertainty. 

Based on PAGA’s latest statistics, there are at least 200,000 Amerasian, or American-Asian, children across the country. These children are largely concentrated in areas where major US military bases once operated, including Clark, Subic Bay, Sangley Point and Camp John Hay. 

For many Filipinos, the Amerasian story appears to be a closed chapter. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was widely known that children were being born to US soldiers and local women near these bases. 

What was less understood then, and still rarely discussed now, were the circumstances surrounding these births.

Many of the mothers lived in severe poverty, with few viable sources of income. For some, sex work became a means of survival rather than choice, and pregnancy followed circumstances shaped by economic desperation. 

When the fathers left, these women were often left to raise their children alone, struggling to provide basic needs. These realities were seldom acknowledged, leaving many Amerasian children to grow up carrying the weight of stigma and neglect.

As they grew older, discrimination became another layer of hardship. Bullying was common, not only because of family background but also because of race. 

Extreme discrimination

Children of Blasian (black Asian) descent were often singled out due to skin color and features that set them apart in their communities. For some, their appearance became a reason for ridicule rather than acceptance, reinforcing feelings of isolation at a young age.

Domantay, or Lito as he is known, joined PAGA more than five years ago, following recommendations from friends who encouraged him to devote time to advocacy after years of full-time business work, including his well-known venture, Vision Express. 

With a background in leadership and organizational management, Domantay helped guide PAGA toward greater sustainability. Running a foundation is never easy, particularly when funding determines how many lives can be supported.

Through partnerships with organizations that help sponsor monthly allowances, improved financial systems, and the introduction of a P1,000 monthly stipend for schooling, PAGA currently supports around 100 Amerasian scholars. 

The organization continues to seek stronger backing from academic institutions. Even when a child is determined to study, the costs of uniforms, meals, school projects, and supplies often become significant barriers to education.

Beneficiaries are identified through partner agencies and through the children’s expressed commitment to completing their studies. PAGA places importance on ensuring that the children it supports genuinely want to learn and improve their circumstances. Beyond financial assistance, the organization also provides personality development counseling and organizes activities to build confidence, discipline, and life skills.

This year, as PAGA marks its 105th anniversary, the impact of these efforts is becoming evident. Some former beneficiaries who have achieved stability and success on their own terms have returned to give back. Others are now closely involved in the organization’s operations. In a few cases, through external arrangements and chance encounters, some children learned about and even met their fathers in the United States.

More than money, what PAGA offers is trust. It is the reassurance that someone believed in them during moments of neglect and uncertainty. There have also been instances in which not only PAGA but also the Philippine government sought broader solutions. 

In late 2025, the Philippine government formally appealed to the United States for aid allocation for Amerasian descendants. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a statement that the government recognizes its long-standing responsibility to address the needs of Amerasian children and to explore cooperation to improve access to education, social services, and opportunities for a dignified future.

With more joint military exercises now in place, there is the possibility that another generation of Amerasian children may emerge. The hope is that they will grow up with stronger safeguards and greater awareness, supported by organizations such as the Philippine American Guardian Association. 

PAGA recognizes it can only do so much. Still, through sustained partnerships and stories that have finally been brought to light, it continues working toward a future in which fewer children are left behind.