Stockton, CA: An Epicenter of Filipino America

The display below was showcased the entire month of June 2008 at the California Department of Education (CDE) building in Sacramento, CA. Created under the direction of Bobby G. Roy, the CDE Press Office produced the ten 30" x 40" panels on Masonite board and put in the main lobby of the building, where over 1500 people passed it each day. Bobby G. Roy is currently seeking other venues to display the panels. If would be interested in having the display at one of your events, please contact Bobby G. Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Chi Rho Omicron, Inc., at (916) 224-8244 or by e-mail at broy@xpoinc.org.

During a time where there was an 18:1 Filipino male to Filipino female ratio, many Filipino American families lived in Stockton, CA during the 1930s.

Filipina American queen contests and beauty pageants served as fundraisers and social gatherings for many Filipino Americans.

Boxing was also a favorite pasttime for Filipinos to watch and engage in.

Most Filipinos worked as agricultural laborers. They brought both agricultural skills and labor organizing skills from the Philippines.

While agricultural workers by day, outside of work hours they demonstrated a style that made them popular among the locals.

The end of each growing season was a reason to celebrate for all the farm laborers.

Filipina women also formed organizations and became involved in politics.

The Filipino American community of Stockton successfully lobbied and advocated for the creation of the Filipino Center Plaza.

Fraternal organizations were also important to the Filipino American community, allowing them to organize and fundraise more effectively.

Landmarks