Philippine and New Mexico Connection
by: Adelamar Alcantara, PhD.
New Mexicans and Filipinos share a long history, arising out of Spanish colonization and American Territorial imperatives. Spain through the Viceroy of Mexico City once rules New Mexico and the Philippines. The laws of the Indies governed both.The establishment of permanent Spanish settlements by the mid-sixteenth century marked the beginning of the famous Manila_Acapulco-Galleon Trade route. This important route was tied to New Mexico through the Camino Real. More than 50 years later, the United States defeated the Spanish Armada in the Battle of Manila Bay. Thereafter, through the Treaty of Paris signed on December 10, 1898, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam, were sold to the United States for 20 million dollars.
The American Territorial Government in the Philippines drew heavily on its experience in setting up provisional governments in the American Southwest. Preference was given to administrators and government workers who had experience with American Indians. This was most evident among the schoolteachers who were recruited to go the Philippines. The American Territorial Government recruited heavily among teachers who had experience with Apache, Navajo, and Pueblo children. The American regime believed that these schoolteachers had special skills necessary to teach the remote and exotic Filipino people.
"While Filipinos were working in the agricultural fields in New Mexico, some 1800 New Mexicans were sent to the Philippines to help liberate the country from Japanese Occupation."
The New Mexico-Philippine connection continued throughout the 20th century. Historical accounts, although still sparse at this time, point to the presence of Filipinos in New Mexico as party as he turn of this century. Some local historian has noted that Filipinos came to New Mexico to work in the railroad.
The Rio Grande Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), a New Mexico-based chapter of the National Filipino American Society, has started to document the migration of Filipinos in New Mexico. Initial findings from the Rio Grande FANHS oral history research point to a large number of Filipino agricultural migrant workers between 1920 and 1977. They came from Washington, California, and Arizona to work in the carrot and lettuce fields around New Mexico, specifically in the cities of Grants, Los Lunas, Moriarty. Estancia, and Jemez Springs. In Grants, Filipinos were credited for introducing a way of packing carrots packaging carrots that took less time and minimized the damage to the produce. Some of these Filipinos stayed in New Mexico and intermarried with local New Mexicans.
The influence of these Filipinos reached beyond agriculture. In the Village of Los Lunas, they were so well accepted that the entire community celebrated a Filipino Day. One important of the Rio Grande FANHS recollects that in the early 1960s , an executive proclamation was made by the mayor of the town designating a weekend in October, and the end of the lettuce harvest, as day of festivities in honor of the Filipino works. This Filipino Day was celebrated in this town until lettuce farming ended in the mid-1970s.
In 1941, while the Filipinos were working in the agricultural fields in New Mexico, some 1800 New Mexicans were sent to the Philippines to help liberate the country from Japanese occupation. These New Mexicans were members of the New Mexico National Guard 200th Coastal Artillery. Many of them were killed prior to the surrender of Bataan and Corregidor. Many more perished in what is known as the Bataan Death March. Less than half survived to return to New Mexico.
Less than 200 of these Bataan survivors are still alive, most in their seventies and eighties. Some of these survivors still maintain direct ties to the Philippines through marriage and friendship. One of the most common comments heard from these veterans is how easily the Filipino people accepted them as their own. These New Mexicans Bataan survivors have returned to the Philippines to renew friendships and visit the places whee they were during WWII.
On the other hand, Filipino migration to New Mexico has continued. Next to the Mexicans, the Filipinos are the second fastest growing minority group in New Mexico. Most of them have assimilated in the mainstream society. They are business owner, professional, government, and service workers. Today, the Philippines is the biggest economic partner of New Mexico in Asia. Semi-conductor and electronic products flow freely between these two places.
Making the Invisible Visible
By: Adelamar Alcantara, PhD.
The Filipino American National Historical Society Rio Grande Chapter was formalized and chartered on September 14, 1998. The inspiration to establish a New Mexico chapter came after D. Fred Cordova’s presentation on “Remembering their Past for the Future” at our Centennial Celebration of Independence from Spain. His presentation was an eye opener to New Mexico Filipinos. It peaked our curiosity about other Filipinos in the state. It moved some of us to document our family stories and do research on Filipino pioneers in New Mexico. For most of us in New Mexico, Filipino American history started post-1965. First generation migrants dominate New Mexico Filipinos. Little was known about the labor and student migration to the United States during the first half of the 20th century. That Filipinos have been in this country for more than 200 years was a revelation. That there are second-, third-, and possibly fourth generation Filipinos in New Mexico was a total surprise to many of us. The presence of Filipinos in New Mexico was officially recorded in 1910 when 10 native-born Filipinos were counted by the United States Census. By 1930, this number increased to 27 native-born Filipinos. Sixty years later, the 1990 United States Census counted about 2,200 Filipinos in New Mexico. This number has more than doubled in the last 10 years. The economic downturn experienced in California in the early 1990,s and the base closures in the Philippines as a result of the Mount Pinatubo eruption both contributed significantly to the increased migration to New Mexico. Filipino Americans in New Mexico occupy important position in Federal, local, and state governments. We are successful entrepreneurs. We are pioneer nurses and medical doctors in the Public Health Service. We are nurses and medical doctors in major private hospitals around the state. We are faculty members, researchers, and technical writers in state universities. We are administrators, managers, lawyers, and law enforcement officers. We are represented at all levels of occupations and professions in both public and private service. Yet, the Filipino American is a virtual unknown in New Mexico. Although New Mexico Filipinos are not unique in this predicament, we felt that time has come for us to rectify the situation. Then families got together and decided to petition FANHS National local chapter. The rest is history, so to speak.Our first year was marked with great enthusiasm and energy. In less than one year, we mounted an archival research were presented in a story-board format where pictures and narrative blended together. The exhibit was successful in a number of ways:
- increased the visibility of Filipino Americans in New Mexico;
- increased the awareness of both Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike of the long history of Filipino present in New Mexico;
- drew attention to the shared colonial history of the Philippines and the Southwest;
- underscored the significant socio-economic and cultural contributions of Filipinos Americans in New Mexico.
- invited otherwise disinterested Filipino Americans to identify themselves with the Filipino Americans community in New Mexico.
- encourage local-born Filipino Americans as well as those of other races to share their experiences;
- propelled interest for continued historical research; and
- paved the way for alliance with other non-profit organizations and advocacy groups, both public and private.
The exhibit led to a 30-minute interview with three members of the chapter. This is part of a series of programs by the city of Albuquerque Human Rights Office that features the different cultural groups in Albuquerque. The interview is shown on cable television channel that is operated by the city of Albuquerque . A network affiliate also interviewed David Galbiso and his eight-year old son, Eric, about the documentation of their family history. These television interviews emphasize the importance of documenting our history for future generations.This newsletter is another attempt on our part to document, dissominate, and increase awareness of the presence and contribution of Filipino Americans t to New Mexico. In addition to serving a forum for our personal and family stories, it is also our hope that this newsletter will encourage other New Mexican to share their stories about their experience with Filipino Americans.During our second year we plan to continue with our public forum presentation and oral history research. In November, we plan to have an annual achievement award ceremony. The award categories will include the following:
- Community Achievement Award which will be given to an individual who had distinguished himself or herself in the promotion of cultural diversity and understanding.
- Manoa Award for Identity which will be given to a Filipino American youth (20 years old and younger) who exemplifies Manoa Alcantara Jojola’s pride in his cultural identity and who has made significant contribution in the promotion of a positive personal image through the creative arts. This award is given in honor of my son.
- Professional achievement award which will be given to a Filipino Americans who has distinguished himself or herself in a profession and who has served as a positive role model to other Filipino American in New Mexico.
- our goal for the next year is to obtain financial support for our historical research and funding for the publication of a book on Filipinos in New Mexico. We will continue to forge alliances with other cultural group and public and private agencies in the promotion of our goal for empowering the Filipino Americans in New Mexico.
Conratulations to our Pamana Heritage Awards recipients, who were honored last Saturday, August 8th, at the Inn at Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Community Service Awardees: Perli Cunanan
Evelio and Florence Sabay
Myrna Samson
Personal Achievement Awardee: Dr. Faith Ventura
Educational Contribution Awardee: Armeli Quezon
Cultural Heritage and Historical Contribution Awardee:
Cristal Everette
Special Media Recognition Awardee: Mary Ann Orate
Manoa Youth Awardees: Jami Abdullah
Amberle Durano
Sima Greenfield
Thank you, awardees, for all that you do. You honor us with your example, your service, and your achievements. You remind us what it means to be Filipino and Filipino American.
We thank our donors who make it possible for Rio Grande FANHS to fulfill its mission and for supporting Pamana Heritage Awards:
Very Special Thank You to Sam and Liz Samson Photography for the generous donation.
Our heartfelt and deepest gratitude to our program advertisers, thank you for supporting and partnering the Rio Grande FANHS:
Durano Construction, Dee Durano
The Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico
Luis Centenera, MD, Interventional and Diagnostic Radiologist
Paul E. Hepner, Jr., M.D., P.A.
Kidstale, Tessie Greenfield
The Cunanan-de la Rosa Family
The Sabay Family
Nob Hill Chiropractic, Dr. Stephen Gardner
Nob Hill Acupuncture Center, Suzanne Smart, Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Nizhoni Fine Arts Gallery
The Family of Myrna Samson
The Family of Armeli C. Quezon-Bertram
The Underwood Family
ATA Karate Rio Rancho
Maida Ruaza-Malby, New York Life Insurance Company
Dr. Lisa W. Arnhart, DDS
Forex, Nanding and Linda Sarabillo
ABQ Direct Cargo, Mayolo Cubero
Sterphen P. Weiss, M.D., P.A.
New Mexico Eye Clinic, Dr. Donald E. Rogers, M.D.
Elite Travel, Rick Ayala, Travel Consultant
The New Mexico Asian Family Center
The Print Stop, Mary Ann Lacida, Owner