6abc celebrates 2020 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Sunday, May 24, 2020
Visions 2020: 6abc celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Visions takes a look at the proplr, places and topics impacting the local Asian American community for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

This month's Visions special takes a look at the people, places and topics impacting the local Asian American community for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

COVID-19 unleashed the virus of hate against Asian Americans, with heartbreaking stories of violence and vandalism you probably haven't heard.

Local Asian Americans on the backlash they have faced amid COVID-19

There's been a strong uptick in reports of anti-Asian American backlash amid COVID-19-here in Philadelphia and across the country.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is urging victims to report incidents to their local police department and to file complaints with the following organizations:

PA Human Relations Commission | Website PA Attorney General

Stop AAPI Hate | Campaigns to stop hate | Hate is a Virus Campaign

Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation | Report Hate Crime and Discrimination Incidents

COVID-19 forced the postponement of Chinatown's 150th anniversary in Philly and shuttered nearly all of the local economy. Two restaurants detail their fight to stay afloat. #BeLocalish

Chinatown businesses fighting for survival due to COVID-19

Chinatown was set to celebrate 150 years of bringing Asian culture to Philadelphia before the COVID 19 pandemic.

The neighborhood, which was founded in 1870, was forced to postpone its public anniversary celebration to the fall because of the stay-at-home restrictions.

Celebrating is far from the mind of many in Chinatown because of the struggling economy, and with an estimated 95 percent of Chinatown business owners closing their doors during the pandemic.

There are different opinions about why Chinatown is having such a hard time but the one thing everyone agrees that once the pandemic passes, the most important thing is to bring back the heritage and culture the neighborhood offers Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation | Facebook | Instagram

301-305 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia | Facebook | Instagram

1401 Walnut Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Asian Eats

Penang Restaurant | Facebook | Instagram

117 N. 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107

EMei Restaurant | Facebook | Instagram

915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Fresh off a James Beard nomination, the South Philly spot is keeping busy preparing food for takeout and delivery, and giving out free meals to hospital workers on the frontline.

Kalaya Thai Kitchen is one of the 5 best new restaurants in the country

The James Beard Foundation announced the 2020 finalists on May 4 and Kalaya Thai Kitchen was among five restaurants nationwide that made the cut for best new restaurant.

The awards gala is scheduled for September in Chicago.

In the meantime, Chef/Owner "Nok" Chutatip Suntaranon is keeping busy in the kitchen. She's managed to retain 80 percent of her staff though the coronavirus crisis.

The staff is busy preparing food for takeout and delivery, making free family meals for furloughed restaurant workers across the city and donating meals to hospital workers on the frontline.

Kalaya Thai Kitchen | Instagram

Order online or call 215.385.3777

764 S. 9th Street (9th & Catharine), Philadelphia, PA 19147

Local actor Lyman Chen has managed to make it big in Hollywood, while keeping his roots solidly in Delaware!

Local Chinese-American actor making a name for himself in Hollywood

Wilmington actor Lyman Chen has managed to make it big in Hollywood, while keeping his roots solidly in Delaware!

Born in Newark, Del., to Chinese immigrant parents, he received a degree in finance from the University of Delaware.

After a short career on Wall Street, with a short detour into real estate, he started taking acting classes locally.

Now, after 17 years 'in the biz', he has built a solid resume across film and television. He and his wife also opened frozen yogurt shop Berri Yummi in Wilmington about 10 years ago.

But COVID-19 has brought changes to his work -- both on-screen, and at the shop. See how he continues to make adjustments along the way.

Lyman Chen bio | IMDB Filmography

The local non-profit is on a mission to create a safe place for Philadelphia's Cambodian Americans.

CAGE is helping Cambodian Americans connect with their past through dance

CAGE (Cambodian American Girls Empowering) is a non-profit local performing arts group on a mission to create a safe place for Philadelphia's Cambodian Americans.

The organization, headquartered at the historic Bok Building in in South Philadelphia, focuses on building a pathway towards identity, exploration, and activism. Founder, Lanica Angpak, is a second-generation Khmer-American, who also teaches classical Khmer - an ancient dance that dates back more than a thousand years.

CAGE | Facebook | Instagram

1901 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

If you ever wanted to 'find your inner Bollywood', here's your chance!

A new Bollywood-inspired workout for you to try

If you ever wanted to 'find your inner Bollywood', here's your chance!

Doonya - The Bollywood Workout is inspired by Indian dance moves and is done to Indian music!

Chaitali Baviskar, MHSA is a local instructor who was starting to build a following here in Philly with her in-person sessions when the pandemic hit. Since the stay home orders were mandated, she has been leading the workouts online.

Doonya instructor Chaitali Baviskar in traditional Indian 'Salwaar Kameez'.

Doonya - The Bollywood Workout | Register for Virtual Doonya Classes

For updates on return to in-person classes, email: chaitali@doonya.com

The author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance provides some advice we all can use during these trying times.

Finding Your Grit during COVID-19

We could all use a little more grit as we face the changes in our daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So Nydia Han chats with Angela Duckworth, a Penn professor and the Director of Character Lab, a nonprofit with a mission of helping children thrive, and the author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | for some advice on ways drum up the courage and resolve to cope.

Check out Duckworth's content online: Book Website | Character Lab

Cooking at home: Easy Recipes from Chefs around the region

How to make Tuna Bar's Salmon Don recipe

Tuna Bar owner Ken Sze shows you how to make his restaurant's signature dish: Salmon Don.

How to make Poi Dog's Albacore Poke Bowl

Owner Kiki Aranita shows you an easy recipe for her Albacore Poke Bowl you can make at home and put your own spin on it.

How to make a Philly Sushi roll

Madame Saito is known as the Queen of Sushi in Philadelphia, and she shows you how to make her Philly Sushi Roll.

For more of 6abc's coverage of Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, visit here.