A Legacy of Community, Culture & Connection
From Early Settlement to Modern Community Center
For over a century, Filipinos have called the Salinas Valley home. From the first grocery store in 1916 to our thriving community center today, our history is one of resilience, unity, and cultural preservation. Discover the milestones, leaders, and moments that shaped our vibrant Filipino American community.
Early Settlement
The Filipino community in Salinas before 1936 was a vigorous, scintillating mix.\n\nFilipinos arrived in what is now the U.S., specifically in Louisiana, before 1763 when (it is now historically confirmed) there existed a settlement of Filipino seamen who had jumped ship from the Mexico-Manila galleons.\n\nFilipinos came to the West Coast at the beginning of the twentieth century as farmworkers. Several came to be scholars but many ended as house-boys while attending schools.
Abarangay Sprouts in Salinas
As early as 1916 Pablo Abarquez opened a grocery store. From several thousand Filipino men followed the planting-harvesting routes, with few women dining in his establishment and settling in the city as labor contractors including: J.R. Bantayan, Felipe B. Sun, Alex Alcantara, F. Clemente, Juan Emmad, G.J. Javier, C. G. Morales, Leon T. de Asis, E. Morales, Alex Tongahan, Alex Barnachia, Steve Canete, G. Nalaboc and many others. Several of these contractors banded together to form types of cooperative farms-supply stores, and all once formed the Filipino Labor Supply as a way of dealing with labor needs.\n\nThe earliest record of celebration of Rizal Day was in Chualar in 1919 under the leadership of E. M. Oliveta. Luis Agudo and the Rizal Lodge No. 3 of the Caballeros de Dimas-Alang started the newspaper, The Philippine Independent News, which continued as the Philippine American Press USA (formerly the Philippines Mail). In 1972 Ed Lazarus, manager, owned the Manila Hotel at 40 Main Street. In June 1924, the Rev. Pedro Reyola began the first, professional services for laborers and the congregational has remained unchanged. St. Philip's Presbyterian Church.\n\nDecember 25, 1925 it said to be the largest celebration with Dr. Starr Jordan of Stanford University as speaker. Miss Melecia Villamor of Stockton was queen of festivities. In 1927, the first of the Jose Rizal Lodge of the Caballeros de Dimas-Alang won the first prize in the Chino-Dan Rodeo parade. In 1929 Felipe B. Sun and Frank Lomongo graduated from Salinas Junior College. That year, R. R. Lozada and Alex Alcantara built the Plaza Hotel.\n\nIn 1930, as a brainstorm by Luis Agudo, the founder-editor of the Philippine Independent News, the Filipino Women's Club was formed and the following featured as presidents, successively: Nora Lozanos, Ramona Lozada, Paulina Morales, Valentina Reyes, M. Malbas, and H. Filomeno.\n\nThen followed tumultuous years, with Filipino laborers engulfed in turmoil such as the big lettuce strike and the rise of vigilante movements one of which ended with the murder of Fermin Tuvera.
Decade of Beginnings (1936-1946)
There was the strong feeling of coming together of all Filipinos prompted by the rising tide of anti-Filipino hostility. Also in many cases as well as a longing for the family. Although the men were not enough women for all the men, there was the strong desire to settle and build community.\n\nAlso in this period, the Philippine government was taking a special interest in the life of the migrant Filipinos and sponsored a major national conference in Sacramento which R. C. Sun and M. Galicia, representing the Filipino Community, brought to the Conference the concerns about Filipinos in the Valley and where they justified the existence and policies of the Filipino Labor Supply which was a conglomeration of the labor contractors in Salinas.\n\nIn 1936 the Filipino Community of Salinas Valley officially came into being and elected Santiago Gray who served up to 1939. Marcado Collado served from 1939 to 1940. In 1941, Eugenia Sales, the first women president and a very active Dinagat Alang, became president. Mariano Mañalungan served from 1942-1943, Marcelo P. Galicto in 1945 and in 1946 Manuel Luz who began in earnest to work for the realization of the dream of the Filipino Community owning its building. At this period the main source of funding was the queen contest.
Decade of Development (1947-1957)
Philip Ben, who was elected president in 1947, through the Queen Contest raised the money for the purchase of a lot. At this time the Filipino Community met at the Filipino Community Church at 21 California St., because the members of the congregation were at the same time the active in the Community and the energetic Jose Rizal Lodge No. 3 of the Caballeros de Dimas-Alang. In fact the church had become the ideal place for both young and old to hold social or just come together for a chat. Gabriel D. Javier, who was elected in 1949 also held the community in the raising of funds for the purchase of a second lot thus pushing the dream of a building closer to realization.\n\nGregorio Aquino Jr., serving in 1950 through 1952 kept the idea of erecting a permanent meeting place for members alive. Manuel L. Luz became president in 1952.\n\nIt was in the incumbency of Pantaleon Repelejo, who was president from 1954 through 1957, that the idea of a "Filipino Community Center" more concretely ground was broken in March 1956 and the construction followed rapidly. On November 17, 1956 the $45,000 Filipino Community hall was dedicated. Here began the feeling of security, of dedication, unity, cooperation and loyalty among members rose.\n\nProjects with maintaining the hall began to crop up in the organization that was planned with many financial problems. At this time there was the possibility of losing the hall. Luckily, a man of means and generous heart stepped into the picture. This contractor-president highlighted the beginning of another period of development of the FCSV.
Decade of Adjustment (1957-1967)
Dominador Manuel, a labor contractor was elected president in 1958. His election to the presidency restored feeling of security among the members. A loan was negotiated which enabled the community to pay up its arrears. Manuel's untimely death, though, left the Community officers and well-loved president. Effie Bamacha, he Vice President, became President in the interim period. In 1964, Victor Calderon was elected president. Among the highlights of Calderon's presidency was the initiation of the Salinas-Cebu sister city program. Dr. A. Gonzales, a Rotarian, counseled the Filipino Community. A delegation from Cebu City, headed by then mayor Sergio Osmeña Jr., visited Salinas.\n\nReciprocally, a Salinas delegation headed by then Mayor of Salinas, Mel V. Severo also paid Cebu a visit and brought back an "salinas-an intimately decorated calesa in time to have it paraded at the Cebu de Rodeo." Jose I. Mendoza was elected president in 1966 at a time when membership was on the increase.
Decade of Growth (1967-1977)
1967 through 1972 were years of renewed vigor. Aniceto Hernandez became president in "67" celebrating a period of uplift and renewed dedication. Membership came to close to the high mark. Social events were well attended; a Rizal Day and Anniversary Day event saw the hall filled to capacity. In 1970 Manuel Luz was elected president for the second time and by this time the movement in city and county concerns the FCSV took a more prominent political and social role. Aniceto Hernandez was chosen by the Community as candidate for the second time in 1973; and, he became his good fortune to administer the "turning of the mortgage." That was also the year "Salinas Filipino Night" was celebrated.\n\nOn the Community Day, June 12, 1975, the Community held a gala day and inaugurated its scholarship program.\n\nIn 1975 arts and science of Filipino T. Querez as president began a period of renewed vigor and a more "kind of leadership. Younger members of the community began aspiring for leadership positions. The Salinas-Cebu sister city program which had waned was revived. The hall which had been vandalized was renovated, reflecting a style to put the Filipino Community on top in the greater Salinas and Monterey political context. With promptings from the Community, the city government like Street into Calle Cebu. Programs like Seniors, Boy Scouts, and cultural activities were started. There were several appointments to various commissions. Connie Sonico, the Secretary to the Commission on the Status of Women of Monterey County; Estela Ben to the Commission on Continuing Education; Sally Guieb to the Commission on Social Services; Aristeo Hernandez to the Commission on Affirmative Action of the county; and Manuel Luz to the Senior Citizens Commission.\n\nA delegation to Cebu was sent by Salinas led by then Vice Mayor John Voindrasek. In September 1976, as a response to the appeal for assistance for the earthquake victims in the Philippines, initiated by Pepe Quebec and Dick Solis, a telethon to raise funds was held with the help of Mr. Tom O'Connor of the Monterey Office of Education. About $9,000 was raised and sent to the Philippine Red Cross.\n\nAt this time, the Filipino Community became licensed to play bingo and experienced a grand time of revenue stability.\n\nIn June 1977, Sally Guieb served as Interim President because Mr. Quebez could not continue by reason. There were many signs of community health, including the several service programs that kept going on, and in particular, the younger members complaining of little chance for leadership saying; if you are not a "big nagging you don't have a say in the Community."
Decade of Self-Consciousness (1978-1988)
One of the unmatched achievements under Sally Guieb's administration, which began in 1978, was the holding of a "workshop program" originated by Dick Solis and later "KAULAN ARARN (CONGRESS), a National Conference on Community Development for Advancement and Enrichment of our Filipino American roots in the U.S.\n\nToday Guest leaders from New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other major centers of Filipino concentration resourced the Conference as Salinas Filipinos dealt with issues such as: Immigration, employment, education, health, culture, etc. The Conference was completed and chaired by Jimmy Reloj and Connie Sonico. This was a very positive project that had a strong "impact on; Bayanihan was strongly illustrated.\n\nWith the election of Manuel L. Luz in 1981 (and unprecedented fourth time in the Presidency) new projects was gained for the completion of the renovation of the building; with the special feature of the "air-added cultural room where many meetings were held. The Community sponsored the outstanding cultural show that year was "Karileagan '81", a creation of Arts Research and Accumulation Workshop), the un-recognized cultural arm of the Filipino Community.\n\nIn 1985 ushered a turbulent period. Any stable organization is bound to experience this - it makes the club stronger because of the increased awareness of the membership. The election resulted in George Montero garnering only four (4) votes more than Rick Galope. Unable to inwardly resolve the matter, the Community had to heed a recommendation by Judge Park who determined that Montero would served one year and then Galope the following year. This was a period marked by the institution of the policy for recognizing outstanding community service by members, not just officers. Under Galope's administration the mortgage on the renovation and addition was fully paid. The Golden Anniversary was celebrated and the Queen Contest which had been trashed was revived.\n\nIn 1987 George Montero was elected president. The turbulence of the previous period served to accentuate other problems that compounded with more death among older members, competition in the Filipino business, and an "unplanned" use of dwindling resources.\n\nAt this time the "Philippine Consulate on Wheels" experimented in Salinas, because a permanent program. The Community sent a dance-song standard team to the University of California, San Cruz "Philippine Night". The stage was set for a new kind of leadership - someone who the old prediction by Connie Sonico sometime back that a woman would be president of the Community at its time of need. How prophetic! And what a fulfillment! Perla Pujol, Connie Sonico, Che Palacio and Trudy Guitares - women power awake the political and women political power - awake the Community?
1916
First Filipino Grocery Store
Pablo Abarquez opened the first Filipino grocery store in Salinas, serving as a gathering place for Filipino farmworkers.
Establishment
1919
First Rizal Day Celebration
The earliest record of Rizal Day celebration was held in Chualar under the leadership of E. M. Oliveta.
Cultural
1924
Philippine Independent News Founded
Luis Agudo and the Rizal Lodge No. 3 started the Filipino community newspaper, The Philippine Independent News.
Media
1924
First Religious Services
Rev. Pedro Reyola began the first professional religious services for Filipino laborers at St. Philip's Presbyterian Church.
Religious
1925
Largest Early Celebration
December 25, 1925 marked the largest celebration with Dr. Starr Jordan of Stanford University as speaker.
Cultural
1929
First College Graduates
Felipe B. Sun and Frank Lomongo became the first Filipinos to graduate from Salinas Junior College.
Education
1929
Plaza Hotel Built
R. R. Lozada and Alex Alcantara built the Plaza Hotel, providing housing for the Filipino community.
Establishment
1930
Filipino Women's Club Formed
Luis Agudo founded the Filipino Women's Club, the first organized women's group in the community.
Organization
1936
Official Community Formation
The Filipino Community of Salinas Valley officially came into being and elected Santiago Gray as the first president.
Milestone
1941
First Woman President
Eugenia Sales became the first woman president of the Filipino Community of Salinas Valley.
Leadership
1956
Community Center Groundbreaking
Ground was broken in March 1956 for the construction of the permanent Filipino Community Center.
Establishment
1956
Community Hall Dedicated
On November 17, 1956, the $45,000 Filipino Community Hall was officially dedicated.
Milestone
1964
Sister City Program Initiated
Victor Calderon initiated the Salinas-Cebu sister city program, strengthening ties with the Philippines.
International
1973
Mortgage Burned
Under President Aniceto Hernandez, the community celebrated "turning of the mortgage" - fully paying off the community center.
Milestone
1975
Scholarship Program Launched
On Community Day, June 12, 1975, the Filipino Community inaugurated its scholarship program for Filipino students.
Education
1976
Philippines Earthquake Relief
Community organized telethon raising $9,000 for earthquake victims in the Philippines, led by Pepe Quebec and Dick Solis.
Humanitarian
1978
National Filipino Conference
Sally Guieb's administration hosted "KAULAN ARARN (CONGRESS)", a National Conference on Community Development.
Conference
1981
Cultural Room Addition
Under Manuel L. Luz's fourth presidency, renovation was completed with addition of cultural room for meetings and events.
Expansion
1987
Golden Anniversary
The Filipino Community celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of community service and cultural preservation.
Milestone
Presidential Legacy
Honoring the dedicated leaders who have guided our community through the decades
1936-1938
Santiago Gray
First President
1939-1940
Marcado Collado
1940-1942
Eugenia Sales
First Woman President
1942-1943
Mariano Manalungan
1943-1944
Luis Siloni
1944-1945
Marcelo Galicto
1945-1947
Manuel L Luz
1947-1948
Philip B. Ben
1948-1949
Gabriel D. Javier
1949-1952
George Aquino
1952-1953
Manuel L Luz
Second Term
1953-1954
George Aquino
Second Term
1954-1957
Barry Repelejo
Community Center Built
1957-1962
Dominador Manuel
1963
J. Epifanio Melecia
1964-1965
Victor Calderon
Sister City Program
1966
Jose I. Mendoza
1967-1968
Aniceto Hernandez
1970-1972
Manuel L. Luz
Third Term
1973-1977
Pepe Quebec
Mortgage Burned
1978-1980
Sally Guieb
National Conference
1981-1984
Manuel L Luz
Fourth Term
1985-1986
George Montero
1986-1987
Ricardo Galope
1987-1988
George Montero
Golden Anniversary
"Each president brought their own vision and dedication to our community, contributing to the legacy we continue today."