Filipino American Artists Network

Whenever I drive along Temple Street and see the “Historic Filipinotown” sign, I wonder why this is called as such when it is apparent it’s a multi-ethnic area. I attended the Los Angeles Historic Filipinotown Festival 2008 and discovered so much more than I had expected.

Historic Filipinotown

I hopped in on the bus tour of the Historic Filipinotown even if I am familiar with downtown Los Angeles. I just don’t know the stories of the Filipino Americans in Los Angeles. The tour guide was actually very informative. There are about 25 Filipino businesses, organizations, and landmarks that are located in this 2.1 square mile area. I only know a few of those which is mostly restaurants like, “Bahay Kubo Natin,” “Little Ongpin,” and the non-profit organizations which is called,”SIPA (Search to Involve Filipino Americans),” & the “Filipino American Library.” The aim of the bus tour is to answer the question, “What is Filipino about Historic Filipinotown?”

The 1st Filipino migration started in 1920’s and they settled in what was called,”Little Manila” which is where “Little Tokyo” is now located. As time progressed, however, Filipinos began to leave that area and move north towards Sunset Boulevard and northwest towards Temple and Alvarado Streets. As the number of Filipinos in Los Angeles grew, Filipino enclaves developed and “Historic Filipinotown” is one of the oldest enclaves in the City of Los Angeles. Filipinos began to make a more visible presence in the area just before the 1950s when they were poorer and restricted from renting elsewhere. The population of Filipinos in the area increased in the early 1960s as Filipino residents of Bunker Hill were evicted to make way for city redeveloment.

Most prominent landmarks in this district are:

Historic Filipinotown Freeway Signs – located at Alvarado St. exit, 101 Hollywood Fwy.

Filipino American Library – Founded on October 13, 1985 by “Auntie Helen” Agcaoili Summers Brown, it is the first and the largest Filipino library in the country. The mission of this library is to actively promote the history, culture, and professional achievements of Filipinos and Filipino Americans through book collection, leadership programming and cultural programming. It’s newest location is at 135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles. The Filipino American Service Group, Inc (FASGI) is also located here.

Remy's On Temple

Remy’s On Temple – this Art Gallery opened June of 2004 in honor of Remedios Geaga (1916-1997). Meding as her friends fondly called her was one of the first pioneers in Los Angeles to become an ardent fighter for the rights of Filipinos whose life was dedicated to community development and political empowerment. Located at 2126 W. Temple St., Los Angeles.

Filipino World War II Veterans Memorial

Filipino World War II Veterans Memorial

Filipino World War II Veterans Memorial -located in Lake Street Park, it’s first monument dedicated to Filipino soldiers who fought for the United States in World War II. It was designed by artist Cheri Gaulke. It’s ironic to note that the Filipinos are the only ones who didn’t received benefits when they served during the war as part of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East. In 1990, the Filipino Veterans of WWII won a major victory when the U.S. Congress restored their right to become U.S. citizens.

Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana

Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana

Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana

“Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana” Mural & Beverly Union Park – The mural measures 145 feet x 25 feet located at 1660 Beverly Boulevard. Eliseo Art Silva is recognized for painting the largest Filipino-American mural in the U.S. He is a well-known muralist with numerous works of art displayed in Seattle, California, Philadelphia, Maine and the Philippines.

Bernie’s Teriyaki – the oldest hole in a wall Filipino restaurant, operating since 1977. Address: 318 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles,CA 90026.

Tribal Cafe

Tribal Cafe – this cafe owned by Joshua Jose is developing as a community cafe and not just your typical commercialized cafe.

Other organizations and businesses located here are:

Restaurants: Bahay Kubo Natin, Kabayan Pinoy Restaurant, Little Ongpin, Kapistahan and Nanay Gloria

Businesses: Beverly Store:Pilipino & Mexican Mini Mart, Burlington School, C. Kim Chuateco, MD Family Medicine, Central Dental Care, Eskrima Close Quarters Combat Institute, Filipinas Travel, Luzon Plaza, Metrobank, Pioneer Driving School, Temple Plaza.

Nonprofits: Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), People Community Organization for Reform & Empowerment (People’s CORE), Pilipino Worker’s Center (PWC), Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)

One of the anecdote is that the 1st Tommy’s is located in Filipinotown at Temple corner Alvarado.

Historic Filipino Festival

Singgalot

After the bus tour, I headed to the booths and browsed around. I had my filling of Jollibee spaghetti & fried chicken (the best combo!) while listening & watching the festivities around me. Then I went to Remy’s On Temple for the “Singgalot: The Ties That Bind Filipinos In America” which is a travelling exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program. I highly recommend it to everyone even to non-Filipinos. The exhibit features a very powerful visual history of where Filipinos came from, the sacrifices and activism that paved the way for better opportunities of the new Filipino American generation.

Temple Street

In spite that this district is rich in history, it was only formally created recently by a resolution proposed by the city council member Eric Garcetti on August 2, 2002. The crosswalks in Filipinotown have been decorated with traditional Filipino basket weaving patterns as part of the city’s beautification efforts.

The Historic Filipinotown (HIFI) Neighborhood Council of Los Angeles had done a great job organizing this event currently headed by Cecile Ramos. The HIFINC was established with the expressed mission to make this neighborhood safe for residents, businesses and stakeholders and also to make this part of the city a tourist destination.

Currently, Historic Filipinotown reflects the diverse nature of Los Angeles. It has a sizable Filipino population but it is a minority overshadowed by the Mexican and Central American population. However, it remains the cultural heart of Filipinos throughout Los Angeles.

I know my history as a Filipino in the Philippines but as Janelle So, host of “Kababayan LA (LA18)” apftfully put it during the “Singgalot” opening at Remy’s On Temple,”it’s important to know our history as Filipino in America since this is our home now.”

If you have a Filipinotown in your city, State or any part of the world, please let me know about it.