Early 20th Century

Early 20th Century 1900s - 1930s

In 1898 the Philippines was a U.S. territory. Filipinos sponsored by the government (pensionados) and local barangays studied in the U.S.. Filipinos begin enlisting in the Navy. In 1934 U.S. promised independence, but Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and invaded the Philippines. Filipinos in the Philippines and Filipinos living in the U.S. joined forces to fight. In 1946, the Philippines became an independent nation.

Filipino Migration in the Early 1920s

During this time Filipinos could come to the U.S. without immigration restrictions. Filipinos were taught to pursue the American Dream & pursue the American way of life. Even before the larger groups of Filipinos came (in 1906), smaller groups of students came because of the Pensionado Act (1903) & some of those Pensionados came to study in San Diego.

Courtesy of
SDSU
Special Collection & University Archives,
Filipinos in San Diego

Courtesy of
San Diego Historical Society,
Filipinos in San Diego

Pensionado Act

“Government sponsored student” funded by the Philippine government and many were privileged or wealthy. The purpose was to obtain education and return to the Philippines and run the colonial government.

Pen Boys Non-Government Supported

Some of the students who came from the Philippines were self or family funded. They were sometimes referred to as Pen Boys. They were not official sponsored by the government.

Filipino Workers in America

During this time, Filipinos arrive as plantation workers in Hawaii (Sakadas), salmon cannery workers in Alaska (Alaskeros), and farm workers in California (Manongs).

Courtesy of Barbara Reyes

Courtesy of Fred Cordova
Filipinos: Forgotten Asian Americans

Filipinos joined the US Navy in the early 1900’s

Courtesy of San Diego Historical Society,
Filipinos in San Diego

In the 1950’s Jimmy Villegas Toledo was farming in National City

Courtesy of Rosalie Toledo Zarate,
Filipinos in San Diego

The Manongs

This is a term of respect, older brother” in Ilocano, and from the Spanish word “hermano” for brother. Term was given to Filipinos who worked in menial agricultural jobs.

Courtesy of Darlene Santos Tamayo,
Filipinos in San Diego

Courtesy of Guevarra Family,
Filipinos in San Diego

Courtesy of Herb Tuyay,
Filipinos in San Diego

The Manongs faced Discrimination & Anti-Filipino Sentiment

Job Discrimination
Anti-Miscegenation laws
Race Riots
- Exeter, CA
- Watsonville, CA
- Yakima, WA
- Toppenish, WA

Title

Poster with 12 pictures
1. Filipinos pensionados attended school including San Diego
2. Students came as early as 1903
3. National City farm (1950’s)
4. Farm workers
5. Sakadas: Hawaiian plantation workers (1906-46)
6. Alaskeros: Salmon cannery workers
7. Filipinos joined the US Navy in the early 1900s
8. Manong generation
9. Rest and relaxation of Manongs in Coronado (1930s)
10. Filipinas: Few immigrated
11. Filipino musicians entertained (1940’s)
12. Filipinos faced harsh racism (1930’s)
Visayan Bolo
The Forbidden Book: The Philippine-American War in Political Cartoons
Filipinos Forgotten Asian Americans

Courtesy of:

Barbara Reyes, FANHS
1. SDSU Special Collection & University Archives
2. San Diego Historical Society, Filipinos in San Diego
3. Rosalie Toledo Zarate, Filipinos in San Diego
4. Fred Cordova, Filipinos: Forgotten Asian Americans
5. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
6. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
7. San Diego Historical Society, Filipinos in San Diego
8. Herb Tuyay, Filipinos in San Diego
9. Darlene Santos Tamayo, Filipinos in San Diego
10. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
11. Guevarra Family, Filipinos in San Diego
12. Poster, Felix Tuyay
Herb Delute
Judy Patacsil
Judy Patacsil

Want to Learn More About This Exhibit?

Check out our presentation slide show to get an in-depth look at the history of Filipinos in the military.

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