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Late 20th Century

Late 20th Century 1965 - 2000

Designed by Judy Patacsil, Herb Delute, and Barbara Reyes (Poster)

With the 1965 Immigration Act, Filipinos immigrated as Navy enlistees, reunified families, professionals (nurses, teachers, etc.), people fleeing the Marcos dictatorship, and Mount Pinatubo eruption refugees. Filipino American identity movement began and included support for the 1965 Delano Grape Strike started by Filipino labor leaders, protests to Marcos’ rule, and 2nd generation protesting queen pageants which led to community programs like Samahan. Communities grew with the foundational ones of Southeast and South Bay areas.

Filipino Immigration

The next wave of Filipino immigration coincided with the passage of the Immigration Act of 1965 that resulted in an increase from Asia and Latin America. The Filipino American community experienced profound demographic changes. This time period included 1965 to the late 20th century. This legislation Act of 1965 eliminated national origin quotas and instituted a series of preferences of immigrants to relieve occupational shortages and to achieve family reunification. 20,000 Filipinos were allowed to immigrate per year to the United States.
How the Immigration Act of 1965 Changed the Face of America | HISTORY
The immigrants from the Philippines of this wave included:

Military (Those joining the U.S. Navy)

Courtesy of Rosa Estepa Ibanez
Filipinos in San Diego

Reunified family members (Those who immigrated during the 3rd Wave & from those in the military)

Courtesy of Tina Barlolong
Filipinos in San Diego

Professionals (Nurses & Teachers) 

Courtesy of Marge Sarmiento Lim
Filipinos in San Diego

Courtesy of FILAMEDA
Filipinos in San Diego

Courtesy of Chris Ferraro
Filipinos in San Diego

People fleeing the Marcos dictatorship
Protest of Martial Law in El Toyon Park
Courtesy of Rey Monzon
Filipinos in San Diego
Protest of Martial Law in El Toyon Park
Courtesy of Rey Monzon
Filipinos in San Diego

Mount Pinatubo eruption refugees

Mt. Pinatubo Eruption
Courtesy of United States Geological Survey
These families formed additional communities including the foundational ones of the Southeast and South Bay areas of San Diego County.

Filipino Identity Movement

Filipino American identity movement began. These included:

Support for the 1965 Delano Grape Strike started by Filipino labor leaders including Larry Itliong and Phillip Vera Cruz

Courtesy of Barbara Reyes

Courtesy of Barbara Reyes

Volunteering to help build Delano’s Agbayani Village for the retired Manongs who worked in the grape fields

Rose & Florante Ibanez
Filipinos in San Diego

Filipino American Identity Movement

Filipino American identity movement began. These included:

  • Support for the 1965 Delano Grape Strike started by Filipino labor leaders including Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz.
  • Volunteering to help build Delano’s Agbayani Village for the retired Manongs who worked in the grape fields.
  • Protests to Marcos’ martial law.
  • 2nd generation protesting queen pageants which led to community programs like Samahan.
  • Protests against the eviction of residents of San Francisco’s International Hotel.
  • Support for Filipino WWII Veterans to  fight for benefits that were promised and taken away.
  • Emergence of Filipino American teachers, counselors, and administrators as role models, advocates, and Filipino or Asian Student clubs/organizations sponsors in schools and colleges.

2nd generation protested beauty queen pageants which led to various programs like Samahan

Josefina Serquina,
Filipinos in San Diego

Herb Tuyay,
Filipinos in San Diego

Rudy Guevarra, Jr.,
Filipinos in San Diego

Protests the eviction of residents of San Francisco’s International Hotel

Courtesy of Rey Monzon,
Filipinos in San Diego

Support for Filipino WWII Veterans to fight for benefits that were promised and taken away

Courtesy of Barbara Reyes

And the emergence of Filipino American teachers, counselors, and administrators as role models, advocates, and Filipino or Asian Student clubs/organizations sponsors in schools and colleges.

Filipino Culture Night, Southwestern College Courtesy of Eli Aquino
Filipinos in San Diego

Montgomery Mayan Mural
by Student Joy Deguzman

Pagkakaisa Club, Southwestern College
Courtesy of Rose & Florante Ibanez,
Filipinos in San Diego
Filipino American Festival Southwestern College
Courtesy of Barbara Reyes
Filipino American Festival Southwestern College
Courtesy of Barbara Reyes

Late 20th Century Niche

Title

  1. Poster with 19 pictures
    1. Navy enlisted immigrants
    2. Family Reunification
    3. Philippine nurses recruited to US
    4. Teachers recruited
    5. Medical Professionals, etc. recruited
    6. 2nd Generation Filipina protests
    7. Operation Samahan social services
    8. Leadership and supporters of  Samahan Clinic
    9. Larry Itliong
    10. Delano Grape Strike, Philip Vera Cruz, & Cesar Chavez
    11. Philip Vera Cruz
    12. 1970’s Protest of Marcos in El Toyon Park
    13. Katipunan ng mga Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) 1970’s
    14. SD students stand in solidarity to save the International Hotel 1970’s
    15. Filipino student activities – Montgomery Mayans
    16. Filipino student activities at Southwestern College (SWC) 1970’s
    17. Pagkaisa Filipino Culture Night at Mayan Hall (1970’s)
    18. Filipino American Festival at SWC
    19. Coconut shaving contest at SWC
    20. United Farm Worker Flag (left side)
    21. The Blacklisted  (right side)
    22. Agbayani Village Bumper Sticker
    23. Article –  the Black List Committee
    24. Anti-martial Law panel (1970’s)
    25.  Buttons
      1. Sulong ang pakikibaka
      2. Kabataan – Serve the people
      3. Ipaglaban ang International Hotel
      4. Magsikap Tayo
      5. MAKIBAKA
      6. Pag-Unlad Sa Pagkakaisa
      7. Mabuhay Pinoy
      8. We demand justice. Free Narcisco and Perez!
      9. Project Manong
      10. Young Peoples Far West Conference
      11. Serve the people. Paglingkuran Ang Sambayanan

Courtesy of

  1. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
    1. Rose Estepa Ibanez, Filipinos in San Diego
    2. Tina Barlolong, Filipinos in San Diego
    3. Marge Sarmiento Lim, Filipinos in San Diego
    4. FILAMEDA, Filipinos in San Diego
    5. Chris Feraro, Filipinos in San Diego
    6. Josefina Serquina, Filipinos in San Diego
    7. Herb Tuyay, Filipinos in San Diego
    8. Rudy Guevarra Jr., Filipinos in San Diego
    9. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
    10. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
    11. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
    12. Rey Monzon, Filipinos in San Diego
    13. Rey Monzon, Filipinos in San Diego
    14. Rey Monzon, Filipinos in San Diego
    15. Joy Deguzman
    16. Rose and Florante Ibanez, Filipinos in San Diego
    17. Eli Aquino, Filipinos in San Diego
    18. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
    19. Barbara Reyes, FANHS
  2. Felix Tuyay
  3. Felix Tuyay
  4. Felix Tuyay
  5. Felix Tuyay
  6. Sal Flor, Filipinos in San Diego
  7. Henry Tuyay
    1. Sulong ang pakikibaka
    2. Kabataan – Serve the people
    3. Ipaglaban ang International Hotel
    4. Magsikap Tayo
    5. MAKIBAKA
    6. Pag-Unlad Sa Pagkakaisa
    7. Mabuhay Pinoy
    8. We demand justice. Free Narcisco and Perez!
    9. Project Manong
    10. Young Peoples Far West Conference
    11. Serve the people. Paglingkuran Ang Sambayanan

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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