Norma Tecson/Filipino American Council of San Francisco Collection

The Filipino American Council of San Francisco was founded in 1969 as a non-profit organization. Some of the programs developed were on-to-the job training for new immigrants, a senior citizen referral and lunch program, and a community nutrition program. During the 1970s it was headquartered at 1175 Folsom Street (along with the Filipino American Political Association) and 335 Valencia Street. At some point, it moved to 3416 19th Street; but there is currently no information as to if the council exists as of 2024.

One of the programs sponsored by the Filipino American Council of San Francisco, was the Filipino American Employment and Training Center, whose purpose was to assist Filipino American youths and adults of San Francisco acquire gainful occupation and develop skills through education, training, cross-cultural, and social services.

Sources: “San Francisco Filipino Heritage Addendum to the South of Market Historical Context Statement” (2013) https://default.sfplanning.org/Preservation/central_soma_hrs/SOMA_Filipino_Heritage_HCS_Final_Report-031313.pdf

Filipino American Employment and Training Center brochure located in Box 1, Folders 4

Norma B. Tecson (1945-2010) was the executive director of the Filipino American Employment and Training Center. A native of the Philippines, Tecson immigrated to California in 1989 to care for her twin sister who was ill with cancer. While living in the Philippines, Tecson was a professor of economics at the Philippines Women’s University and former officer in charge of economic development in the Filipino government. When first immigrating to San Francisco, Tecson was unable to find employment so she took an entry level position in father Filomeno M. Biscocho’s (1910-1999) travel agency. She then began volunteering for the Filipino American Employment and Training Center and rose to the position of executive director the following year. Tecson has three degrees from the Philippine Women’s University: Bachelor of Arts Degree (1979); Masters of Public Administration (1982); and Masters of Business Administration (1986). Members of the Biscocho family include: Marifil [last name unknown], Arthur Biscocho, Eddie Biscocho, Mila Estrella, Filomeno Biscocho Jr., Jean Yllana, and Vicky Biscocho.

Sources: Box 1, Folder 8; Box 2, Folder 2

Agripino Estrella (1902-1968) was a POW veteran who served in World War II in the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFEE). Estrella was incarcerated at Camp O'Donnell, Capas in Tarlac (Philippines). After his release he was confined to a hospital in the Philippines for a year. He reported back to his unit stationed at Camp Murphy in Quezon City around 1946. Estrella was reprocessed by AFWESPAC (Philrycom) and then given honorable discharge under USAR by reasons of physical disability insurance. Agripino was married to Natividad T. Estrella (nee Pelipa) and they had one son, Nestor Estrella (1935-1995).

Sources: Box 2, Folders 4-5