Who Are we?
our history
May of 2018, ACOM was started by two Filipino Americans and a Japanese American, all citizens of Marina. The composition of our board and membership is driven by ensuring representation from all major Asian groups in Marina, that is; Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Pacific Islanders, and South Asians.
our mission
Through the dedication and efforts of ACOM members, our Asian communities will have greater familiarity and collaborative opportunities with fellow Asian groups, as well as having greater involvement in the broader society in which we live, work and recreate.
Creating bonds among the different Asian groups and fostering good relations among the Asian communities with other racial and cultural groups in Marina is a fundamental result of our mission and objectives. We envision a future in which inclusion and acceptance of diversity will facilitate a true harmony of lived multi-culturalism.
local history
Marina has had a unique history by its very early history that begins with the Ford Ord military influence in World War II and continuing through the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The intentional settling of American G.I.s who married foreign brides from Japan, Korea and Vietnam created a city that today outstrips both Monterey County and CA State overall 2021 US Census percentages in the categories of “Asian alone”, and “Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders”, as well as in the “Two or more races” category.
Additionally, the presence of regional institutions have also increased Marina’s multi-cultural population:
1) CSUMB (CA State University at Monterey Bay),
2) The U.S. Defense Language School, and
3) The Middlebury Institute for International Studies (MIIS).
Despite Monterey Peninsula’s history of racism and exclusion of its Chinese immigrants, and the Japanese American internment camps that resulted in the forced removal of Japanese-Americans during WWII from the region, Marina remains a welcoming city for many people of color, especially Asians.
Our Officers and Board Members
Our board members are primarily residents of Marina who may be community volunteers, community leaders, local business owners, members of ethnic associations, educators, and local government officials. The common thread is that we have personal identification as Asians or have significant interest in or involvement with Asian cultures and have a commitment to participate to bring visibility, appreciation and the promotion of a positive image of Asian cultures within the larger community .
Our current officers are:
President: Kathy Biala
Treasurer: David Kong
Secretary: Yong Soo Oh
Current board members are:
Dongjun Cho (Korean)
May Holland Dungo (Filipino)
Johnny Eugenio (Filipino/Korean)
John Ferreria (Filipino)
Phuong Nguyen (Vietnamese)
Jhoie Pasadilla (Filipino)
Anna Tao (Chinese)
Chi Tran (Vietnamese)
Jihua Zhou (Chinese)
Why ACOM?
Asians are themselves a highly diverse group of ethnicities, but there are many shared historical and cultural roots as well, as the shared lived American experiences as immigrants and descendants of immigrants. ACOM membership encompasses many different Asian representatives, fostering friendship and a forum for collaborative work for the benefit of all Asians.
Furthermore, in the current national climate of increased incidents of Asian hate stimulated by Covid-19, a growing awareness for more racial equity and inclusion with minority representation in government, business and community organizations, ACOM will promote Asian social justice interests and address any safety issues by local collective action.
