We’ve heard countless stories of Filipino immigrants making it big in the US that, somehow, it’s hardly surprising anymore to learn about another one. Yet, there are a few exceptions that capture extra attention and brightly spark that Pinoy pride in us, like the tale of Ditas Yamane, who is currently the vice mayor and council member for National City in San Diego County, California.
Ditas, as she insists on being simply called, is the first Filipino immigrant elected to such a lofty position in National City, a suburb of downtown San Diego known for its large Filipino-American community.
I read that Peter Aduja was the first Fil-Am elected to public office in the US back in 1954. But it’s uncommon to hear about someone born in the Philippines to pure Filipino parents making waves in US politics.
In my exclusive interview last week, she said, “It didn’t come easy, as you know, and it’s a lot of hard work and persistence. I ran for office several times; I didn’t win until I won in 2022. It’s really work, so I take it to heart. I wanted the position to serve the people. That’s my pledge.”
Moving to the US as an immigrant way back in 1988, Ditas, a real estate broker outside of her duty as a public servant, has long been a resident of National City’s District 3, making her truly fit to address the needs of the area as an elected official. She has been tackling matters like neighborhood safety, homeownership opportunities, and business support.
If you find that bit interesting, let me tell you that Ditas is essentially a product of Philippine showbiz, having gotten her first big break in life long ago through the kindness of actor-director Leroy Salvador, who took her in after she volunteered to fill in a vacated job for him and his family. At that time, she was a college student with one uniform and had to walk when penniless to commute.
But fate put her beside a classmate who happened to be Leroy’s daughter, whom she befriended, leading her to a showbiz clan. In no time, she became a trusted family friend and eventually an insider in showbiz circles.
Ditas shared, “Nabigyan ako ng break ng Tito Leroy. Nagdi-dinner kami at their place one time when I heard him say, ‘Ang hirap nitong walang secretary.’ so I asked him, ‘Pwede po ba ako mag-part-time sa inyo?’”
Amusingly, her association with Leroy (who, in his late years, appeared in Captain Barbel movie starring Herbert Bautista, wherein he admirably portrayed the role of the old man who gives the magical gym equipment to the protagonist) led the future San Diego County politician to doing work for the likes of Fernando Poe Jr. and all the way to former president Fidel Ramos. Sometime ago, she worked for GMA-7 and directed the first Sinulog in Cebu.
Ditas is the sister of one who served in the US Navy. Her parents petitioned her to immigrate to the US, and after nearly 20 years of waiting, she—already an established corporate executive by that time—relocated to the US for new adventures and goals.
“I was crying like a baby on the day of my inauguration after getting elected, realizing that it was His will and the result of my willingness to persevere. It was my birthday, too,” she noted.
This coming June, the Mabuhay Festival, under her supervision, is expected to be revived in a post-pandemic world. It is a project promoting Filipino culture and heritage.
Ditas does her best to maximize the position thrust upon her. In her capacity, she is also a director for the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), among others. Her inclination for business makes her a key figure in studying policies and setting budgets for the community. She said she has learned many creative ways to do her job as she effectively manages her time between her public service role and her real estate clientele.
She stressed, “The only way to do a good job is to know what’s happening. Do your diligence so you can ask the right questions. And please count your blessings and embrace humility.”
In many ways, Ditas Yamane’s success in the US is partly shaped by how she developed herself into a highly functioning person the moment she was given a break by a showbiz royalty. (Take note: she never smoked or drank.) She felt she had the responsibility to represent the Filipino-American community well. She has done so and is now opening doors for others by setting good examples, especially for those who are still struggling and finding their place—very much like when her Tito Leroy opened a window for her to look into a world of exciting possibilities.