L-R. Photo shows Philippine Global Media Group (PGMG) officers PRO Ellen Rodriguez-Swing, Chairman Val Abelgas, President Dan Nino and Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. (MTVi) President Melandrew Velasco.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The Philippine Global Media Group (PGMG) and Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. (MTVi) have formally entered into a partnership to produce a landmark coffee-table book chronicling the journeys, dreams, achievements and enduring legacies of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in California.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by MTVi President Melandrew T. Velasco, PGMG President Dan E. Niño and PGMG Chairman Val G. Abelgas, with PGMG Public Relations Officer Ellen Rodriguez-Swing serving as the project’s Marketing Director.
The agreement was concluded following the unanimous approval of the PGMG Board, reflecting the organization’s full support for the publication and its commitment to preserving and promoting the history, accomplishments and contributions of the Filipino community in California.
Tentatively titled Filipinos in California: Journeys, Dreams, Achievements and Legacies, the premium coffee-table book will feature distinguished Filipino-Americans, community leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, media practitioners, public servants, organizations, businesses and institutions whose stories reflect the growth and influence of the Filipino community in the Golden State.
The publication will document the experiences of Filipinos who built new lives in California while preserving their cultural identity and maintaining meaningful ties with the Philippines. It will also highlight the contributions of successive generations of Filipino-Americans to public service, healthcare, education, business, science and technology, media, culture, sports, the arts and community development.
Beyond recognizing individual success stories, the book seeks to preserve Filipino-American community history and institutional memory, inspire the younger generation, strengthen cultural pride and provide a valuable historical and educational reference for families, schools, libraries, universities and community organizations.
The project supports PGMG’s mission of advancing responsible journalism, amplifying Filipino voices, preserving cultural heritage and promoting service to the community. Through the combined networks and capabilities of PGMG and MTVi, the publication is envisioned as both a historical record and a legacy project that will connect generations of Filipinos in California and beyond.
“This is more than a publishing venture. It is a collective effort to document the Filipino experience in California and ensure that the sacrifices, accomplishments and contributions of our community are remembered by future generations,” said Niño.
Abelgas, who will also serve as Senior Editor of the project along with former National Press Club president and Philippine News Today editor Alfredo G. Gabot, underscored the importance of documenting the community’s history through credible journalism and compelling storytelling.
“The Filipino presence in California has a long, rich and inspiring history. This coffee-table book will help bring together the stories of the people and institutions that have shaped that history and continue to build a lasting Filipino-American legacy,” Abelgas said.
Under the agreement, MTVi will serve as the project’s lead publisher, editorial manager and production manager. It will oversee the book’s conceptual and editorial development, research, interviews, writing, editing, photography, archival documentation, design, layout, production and publication.
PGMG will serve as the principal Filipino-American media, community and institutional partner. It will help identify prospective subjects, facilitate interviews, mobilize its media and community networks, develop institutional partnerships, support publicity and promotions, and assist in sponsorship generation, pre-orders, sales, distribution and launching activities.
As Marketing Director, Rodriguez-Swing will help lead the project’s promotional, sponsorship and market-development initiatives, working closely with PGMG, MTVi, prospective institutional partners, community organizations and corporate supporters.
The project will draw strength from MTVi’s extensive publishing experience. Under Velasco’s leadership, MTVi has produced and published numerous institutional histories, biographies, commemorative publications and legacy books. Velasco has authored and produced more than 45 books, establishing a record of sustained work in journalism, publishing, biography and institutional documentation. Latest landmark publications include: “Honoring the Past, Illuminating the Future: 75 Years of National intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA);” and, “Securing the Nation: 75 Years of National Security Council (NSC).”
Velasco is particularly known for his work as the family biographer of former President Fidel V. Ramos and as historian of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc. (RPDEV). He has written and produced 18 books for the Ramos family and RPDEV, documenting the life, presidency, leadership philosophy and continuing legacy of President Ramos.
“The credibility of this project rests on careful research, professional editorial standards and the trust of the Filipino-American community,” Velasco said. “Our goal is to produce a beautiful and historically meaningful publication that does justice to the people, institutions and stories that have helped shape California.”
The book is envisioned to run approximately 220-240 pages and will combine substantive narratives, personality profiles, historical accounts, archival materials and high-quality photographs. Its contents will cover the Filipino migration experience, community milestones, pioneering personalities, professional achievements, entrepreneurship, civic leadership, cultural traditions, media, faith, education, public service and the emerging generation of Filipino-American leaders.
The project will also invite institutional partners, writers, photographers, historians, community organizations and prospective sponsors to participate in the undertaking. Individuals and institutions selected for possible inclusion will be approached for interviews, biographical information, photographs and relevant archival materials.
A Joint Project Committee composed of representatives from PGMG and MTVi will provide policy direction and oversight over the editorial timetable, production milestones, financial management, sponsorship campaign, pre-order program, marketing, launching and distribution.
The PGMG–MTVi partnership envisions the coffee-table book not merely as a commercial publication but as an enduring contribution to Filipino-American history—a testament to the courage of those who came before, the achievements of today’s generation and the promise of those who will carry the Filipino legacy forward.
