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Jalen B.
Visiting Agbayani Village in Delano, a retirement place for Filipino Farm workers, was a very eye-opening experience and caused me to have mixed things about the different concepts that were brought up during the trip. First of all,  listening to Manong Alex, a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, described how Manong Itliong was “bad to the bone” and his sense of determination allowed for progress to happen for Filipinos in America.

This gave me a feeling of pride because Manong Itliong was able to encourage and inspire groups of farm workers to follow and believe in his cause which eventually contributed to a huge part not only in Filipino history, but in American history. Not only that, but being informed about Filipinos who started a motion for farm worker rights, made me feel very proud because without them, we would probably be working on those fields today. All their hard work and dedication to fight even when times were tough allowed Filipinos to help contribute to American society today.

One thing that provoked me was when we visited Larry Itliong’s grave site. I thought he would have a huge monument or a bigger tombstone that was different from the rest since he was a prominent and important figure throughout Filipino-history. He just had simple tombstone and I believe that he deserves a better one or something that showcases his contribution not only to the union, but to American history.

This picture showcases the AMAZING Bayan community of SWC visiting Agbayani Village’s museum which displays images of important figures that put all their heart and souls into a movement that contributed to a huge role in history.

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Victor P.
This was my first trip to Agbayani Village and I rather enjoyed the trip to it and learn about the history of the whole workers strike. While I didn't feel any pride I did find it interesting that both Mexican and Filipino workers banned together for a common cause which created the United Farm Workers Of America, which I found interesting since I had not heard about it until now.

I also felt a bit sad that everything  went a bit south once their goals were meet and the group ended up being a shadow of its former self. It is also disheartening that not everyone got the credit to their name like Larry Itliong and were mostly forgotten by the public or even by the community as time goes on.

The picture provided is the sign in front of the Agbayani Village where workers used to go when they retired from working at the fields. It was also named after a man who was the first to die during the strike due to heat stroke, he kept on fighting until the end.

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Ethan T.
Going to Agbayani village for the first time was such a surreal experience. I was walking on historic grounds and was excited to learn some more Filipinx history. The past few weeks have been preparing for the trip and I absolutely enjoyed it.

Seeing in the Delano Manongs documentary, by Marissa Aroy, where the Filipino farm workers eventually received what they were protesting for with the help of Cesar Chavez and the Mexican farm workers really made me proud. This showed me that eventually, hard work pays off since the Manongs kept going until they were granted what they sought out for.

What provoked me was during the documentary, Cesar Chavez was credited and mostly well known for improving farm workers’ salaries when Larry Itliong and the Filipinos have been doing it for a while. It’s even more heart-breaking that the relationship of the Filipino farmers and the Mexican farmers worsened since according to Manong Alex, Larry Itliong stepped down from leading the Filipino farm workers after the United Farm workers were granted their requests.

I feel very cheated seeing and hearing the news of this, the Manongs worked so hard and they are not as recognized as Cesar Chavez is. Cesar Chavez even has a bigger and decorated memorial compared to Larry Itliong’s memorial.

The picture I have linked is of the church where  the Mexican farm workers joined the FIlipino farm workers to support their protest. All the other historic places we visited were as impactful to witness since history was made on that soil and influential people once walked on those historic sites.

The picture reminds me of the Filipino value of Bayanihan. This means working together for a common goal. The Mexican farm workers and the Filipino farm workers put their differences aside to advocate for a goal to improve their working standards.

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Agbayani Village: A Look into Filipino Struggle 

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Agbayani Village: A Look into Filipino Struggle 

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Julyun C.
Before going to Agbayani Village, I had never heard of there ever being such a place for the Filipino farm workers who protested during the grape strike.  Hearing about the history of the Agbayani in class and then visiting after, felt very surreal in that it almost brings you back to that specific time in history.  I had never been to Delano, yet alone anywhere within the San Joaquin Valley, so seeing the climate and geography made me astonished as it made me envision what it would be like to be a labor worker at the time.

I felt a great sense of pride  when Manong Alex was discussing the involvement and importance of Filipinos labor workers during the United Farm Workers’ strike against grape growers.  The built up discontent of Filipino farm workers, and the push in urgency from leader, Larry Itliong, had on Cesar Chavez served as the catalyst for all this.  Learning this,  made me feel extra proud of being Filipino as we stood up for our struggles and adversity. Not to mention, not only did we came together as a community, supporting each other, we also came to support others through their struggle like the Mexican farm workers.

I was very provoked upon learning that labor workers, who often spent years doing jobs in agriculture, were exposed to such diseases like Valley Fever.  It was very upsetting to know that crop growers didn’t have any form of accessible health care to their employees in which prevented them from obtaining such pathogens.  In the case of Agbayani Village, they were able to provide these necessities like Tuberculosis screenings for the manongs, but anything before the formation of the village had given them an outlet to foresee how their health was doing.

As Ruby Ibarra said in her song "US", alamin ang yung ugat (know your roots). This picture is a selfie with other Bayan students, in front of the Agbayani Village sign. Although our tour of Agbayani was at its end point, we were still excited to see other historical sights like Larry Itliong’s grave, and the mural in downtown Delano to fully immerse ourselves in the rich Filipino American history of Delano, California

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Carlo J.
Visiting Agbayani Village in Delano, a retirement place for Filipino farm workers towards the north side of California, was an invaluable experience that I will forever keep close to me because it showed me the hardships Filipinos went through that are often not mentioned in today's society. Due to the vivid story telling by Manong Alex, I was able to imagine the sacrifices and pain that many labor workers went through.

I felt immense pride when when I  first stepped foot onto Agbayani Village because I knew this was this place where many of the manongs were finally given rest. It was a place that not only signified retirement but also a place of unity due to the fact that many volunteers came to build it for our manongs. It made me genuinely happy seeing that the manongs were finally gifted something to enjoy for their years of hard labor. However, I do believe that just the village is not a proper signification for the amount of pain, sweat, and tears they endured.

One thing that provoked me was the immense heat of Delano. Having felt this made me put myself into the shoes of the manongs. The fact that they spent hours in that heat harvesting grapes for only $1.40/ hour simply makes me upset. I can only imagine the exhaustion that they felt waking up the next morning and knowing that they have to pick up right where they left off.

Below is a photo of my Bayan family smiling in front of the Agbayani Village sign.

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Eli B.
Agbayani village is a place that I hold dear to my heart. This little building was the retirement home of the Delano Manongs, forgotten heroes of the Grape Farm Revolt of the 60’s. This place is one that is noted as historic and a home of love and power that is apart of the Filipino American history.

For those who do not know, “Manong” is Filipino for elder. The Delano Manongs were the forgotten generation of Filipino Immigrants in the 1920’s who came to America to support themselves and their families in the Philippines.

After going on this trip, I was able to appreciate the history. In 2014 I was fortunate to be there for the erecting of the plaque that labeled Agbayani Village as a historical sight. Being only 14 I did not appreciate my time there. I did not like that I was in the middle of California in summer and having to be outside in 100+ degree heat. Taking this trip now, I felt more pride. I felt like I was witnessing a piece of history unfold. I was honored to be in the home where I’ve had family members, aunts, Ninongs and Ninangs, even my parents, be apart of the physical labor that built the after-work comfort for the Manongs.

Though this trip was filled of strong pride, I did feel a bit of anger and upset when we visited The testing place of Larry Itliong. A man who started the entire cause, was given a small plaque dating his birth and death however, The Cesar Chavez Foundation has erected a STATUE in honor of Cesar Chavez, a man who became the face of the UFW, not even someone who started the cause. It upsets me because our American history has been rewritten without acknowledging the efforts of Filipinos. Although I do celebrate Cesar Chavez day and I see him as a great man, it is not justification to erase the Manongs and Larry Itliong.

This trip gave me hope and a new sense of pride. I want to be able to make my effort known on campus and maybe it will start with how I believe Larry Itliong and the Delano Manongs deserve the recognition they should be getting.

What a great story! How about defining the term "manong" for readers unfamiliar with that concept, Eli? Might that be a good link to embed?  Go back and edit for some minor typing errors = no biggie for a draft, but something we want to catch before publishing, yeah? = Henry .

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Mia Mae D.
Visiting Agbayani Village in Delano surfaced feelings of pride and the feeling of gratefulness towards our Manongs. It was heartbreaking to see our tour guide, Alex, holding back his tears when he was talking about his experience with the Delano Grape Strike and the effects it had on his family and his community. Overall, the visit to Agbayani Village was a great trip to learn and experience what our Manongs went through.

I felt provoked knowing that the Filipino Community got the short end of the stick when the Grape Strike ended. When I learned about the Grape Strike in high school, I used to think that Cesar Chavez was the one who initiated the whole thing and got the Filipino and Hispanic communities together. Now that I know that Larry Itliong was the one who started the whole strike, it saddens me that he doesn’t get the same recognition as Cesar Chavez. Even when we visited his gravesite, it is heartbreaking to see that his name is not memorialized in a special way.

I felt the most pride when we walked in the Agbayani Village room showcasing wonderful historical photos of our Manongs. Even looking at the building itself, I felt a great sense of pride knowing that people all around the U.S came together to build the retirement homes for our Manongs— in which people practiced our cultural value Bayanihan.

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The Delano Manongs tells the story of farm labor organizer Larry Itliong and a group of Filipino farm workers who instigated one of the American farm labor movement's finest hours - The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that brought about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). While the movement is known for Cesar Chavez's leadership and considered a Chicano movement, Filipinos played a pivotal role. Filipino labor organizer, Larry Itliong, a cigar-chomping union veteran, organized a group of 1500 Filipinos to strike against the grape growers of Delano, California, beginning a collaboration between Filipinos, Chicanos and other ethnic workers that would go on for years.

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The Delano Manongs tells the story of farm labor organizer Larry Itliong and a group of Filipino farm workers who instigated one of the American farm labor movement's finest hours - The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that brought about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).

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Matthew E.
This was my first time visiting Agbayani Village, a retirement home for Filipino farmworkers. Going there was a very eye-opening experience to see since this was my first time being able to see any sort of Filipino-American historical sight in person. Listening to Manong Alex, a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, taught me many things about my culture and how even though Filipinos aren’t as visible in history here, we still are present nonetheless. So, actually getting to visit Agbayani Village personally was very impactful.

I felt immense pride when I listened to Manong Alex explain his future plans for Agbayani Village and getting Filipino-American history more recognized. It made me realize how long our fight has been going on and still continues to go on strong. There have constantly been setbacks and unfair regulations and restrictions for Filipinos when it comes to us speaking up for ourselves, but even with those obstacles, we never falter. We still fight and do what we can to be heard, and I find that very admirable. It's a part of who we are, and for me, I feel pride in my culture and to be connected to such strong people of our past. Our pride and identities cannot be silenced.

The picture below shows where Larry Itliong was humbly buried after his passing. He didn't get a big marker/monument to signify his impact but was simply buried in a small cemetery in Delano.

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John A.
My trip to the Agbayani Village for the first time gave me chills due to the fact that there were Filipino and Mexican farmers that united as one even though there were language Barriers. When I came to the Village, it was peaceful, beautiful like the Philippines, and full of historical figures that could be valuable nowadays.

The negative idea that provoked me was the story of people who were not recognized; it was not only Cesar Chavez who deserves credit: Filipino manongs do, too. Filipinos also worked under the heat of the sun that could cause strokes and different diseases or illness but they still tried to survive on it. On the link, it Shows some of the hardships but, Filipinos were not credited by it due even though Filipinos were the ones who worked hard for it and strive to gain a better future.

I chose this picture because he inspired be that Filipinos were hard workers. He tried to explain and was emotional enough to feel empathy due to the hardships that every Filipino endured. I could see it from his hands, which looked rough and was full of hard work in which, I respect him as a true Filipino who fought for their rights.

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The trip to Agbayani Village,  a retirement village of the Delano Manongs, (Manongs is a tagalog word for ELDER)  was an experience that I wont forget. Before coming to this trip I really did not know much of the Filipino-American History. After touring Delano I felt some sort of pride that I am witnessing history that I have never known.

By listening to Manong Alex's, experienced the Delano Grape Strike, story I felt immense pride but also I was also provoked. Manong Alex's story about how all this Manong and also his family suffered through all of these discrimination and conflict was really sad to hear. Learning more about the history of the Manongs I can use this knowledge and teach people in my community about the history that Filipino-Americans faced through these years.

I chose the picture of the graveyard of Larry Itliong because he was badass person. Larry Itliong made a big impact on Filipino-American history.  Itliong has a simple burial site in small gravesite. One thing that makes me upset is that how come Cesar Chavez has this monument of a burial site and Itliong has a simple graveyard in the middle of Delano.

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Madeline N.
Unfortunately, my family never taught me about Filipino history or the importance of being Filipino. However, Agbayani Village gave me the opportunity to learn what the people before me fought for in order to give me, as well as other Filipino/Filipino-Americans, a better life here.

Seeing pictures of the construction of Agbayani Village made me proud because it showed people volunteering their time and effort in order to give Filipino farm workers their own retirement community. Looking and hearing about the time period of Agbayani Village being built reminded me of bayanihan and how even though they were no longer in the Philippines, they still continued to exercise and teach that value to younger generations.

On the other hand, I was provoked by the fact that Cesar Chavez has a monument in honor of his work during the grape strike. I know we were told by Manong Alex that Larry Itliong would not have wanted a giant statue or an over-the-top sign with his name on it, however, I wish his important position in the strike was written about in our textbooks to show this generation of Filipino-Americans that Filipinos were not invisible and that they made their mark in America.

Below is a picture I took of the plaque that says “Honoring the Manongs” because I do not want to forget how hard they fought for, not only themselves, but for the community. I also believe that it is important for visitors to be aware of the events and the people that led up to Agbayani Village being built.

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Rhob V.
Seeing Agbayani Village for the first time really made me realize how hard living in America before. I'm glad that BAYAN gave me the opportunity to experience this trip. Honestly, I never thought about going to a place like Agbayani Village. A place where my own race used to live and treated as an invisible creatures. Before going to this trip I have no knowledge about Filipino-American history but after this trip it fills up my empty mind and mark my chest that we shouldn't forget people who fight and represent the Filipinos.

The moment I felt the most pride was when I saw the pictures of people who stands for my own race. Those pictures are very memorable for me because it shows the faces of being not heard but still fighting. It's sad to know how my heroes struggle. It also made my heart melt when I saw Manong (Older brother) Alex became emotional. I can tell just by looking at him how heavy is it to carry that kind of memories.
Seeing Larry Itliong's graveyard also made me proud because Larry Itliong's is an example of a brave Filipino . He was a badass guy that didn't stand down in times of crisis. It was just sad when Manong(Older brother) Alex mentioned that Larry Itliong felt being left out when Cesar Chavez handled the Grape Strike. Not just Larry Itliong but the whole Filipino nation. He started the strike but he wasn't being heard. I salute Larry for representing what a true Filipino is.

I chose this picture because this are one of the people who still represent the pride of Filipinos. One example is my professor, Henry Aronson. He is also a hero for me because he still spread the story about the strike generation. That's what I also learn about Manong Alex, to spread the story and never forget about our heroes. That leads me to the saying "Not all heroes wear capes."

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Ana D.
The visit to Agbayani Village was such an interesting experience. It was very moving because of all the hardships the manongs faced, from adapting to a culture that wasn't theirs to the harsh working conditions they had to endure. The visit was also more moving because of our tour guide, Manong Alex. Our history was his everyday life, and that made the experience richer and more compelling.

In all honesty, before we even stepped into the building, I was having a hard time trying to connect with this aspect of Filipino-American history. Sure, I'm Filipino, but I'm a one-and-a-half generation immigrant from the Philippines. None of my older relatives have worked the fields at Delano and my parents settled us down in San Diego. My roots belong elsewhere.

I felt that because of my circumstances, I couldn't enjoy or fully relate to the experience. I was wrong. I related to the manongs' feelings of not belonging, of feeling hopeless, of feigning smiles that everything was okay even though things really weren't. The place seemed empty, but accommodating at the same time. I was like I was being welcomed, in some strange way, to a family that shared its stories and its struggles with each other.

In short, I enjoyed my visit to Agbayani Village. I found it deep, enriching, and compelling to hear the stories about it from Manong Alex and to learn about the complicated and powerful history of Larry Itliong and the Delano Manongs.

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Larry Itliong was born in San Nicolas, Pangasinan on October 19th, 1913. In attempt to seek a better life, he immigrated to America at the age of fifteen. During this time, America was suffering through The Great Depression, which led to many workers, including Larry Itliong to struggle looking for work. He was able to find work in canneries, railroads, and farming. During this time he lost several fingers during work, which resulted in him receiving the nickname "seven fingers." As Larry Itliong started to navigate through different parts of the country going through several jobs, he started to take note of the mistreatment he and other migrant workers were experiencing in the workplace. Workers would be working twelve hour days and only receiving a little more than a dollar a day. Many people worked under oppressive bosses and worked in poor living conditions. Itliong decided to take a stand against the injustices and started organizing labor unions. He had to move around different states in search for jobs when he finally settled in Central California doing farmwork. Itliong worked alongside several Filipino and Mexican farmworkers. Alongside other Filipino leaders, such as Philip Vera Cruz and Pete Velasco, Itliong was able to organize 1,500 Filipino farmworkers to strike against the growers.

Dolores Huerta, a Chicana activist, started to take note of Larry Itliong through his work in the community. She then recruited him to the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in 1960. Larry Itliong soon took a leadership positions within the union but shortly realized that they needed more workers to truly combat the injustices happening in the workplace. Larry Itliong and Dolores Huerta pushed Cesar Chavez and his union, the National Farm Workers Association to fight alongside AWOC. After several convincings from members of the NFWA, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and his wife, Helen, Cesar Chavez decided to join forces with AWOC. Soon after the two organizations merged to become the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, also known as UFWOC.

UFWOC started to organize several actions and protests in response to the mistreatment of the Mexican and Filipino migrant workers. One of their most famous protests being the Delano Grape Strike. Alongside Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong was able to lead thousands of workers in successful protests, such as the 300 mile strike from Delano to Sacramento. They also led several protests outside local supermarkets that sold grapes provided by the growers they were protesting against. The movement started to get attention from the media and many Americans supported and protested alongside the farmworkers. After several successful protests and rallies, the growers had no choice but to create contracts for the labor unions. The contracts included health care, better pay, and better working conditions.

In 2015, a middle school in Union City, California was renamed to Itliong Vera Cruz Middle School to commemorate the forgotten leaders of the Farmworkers Movement. Today Larry Itliong's legacy still lives on. His dedication to his community inspires many young Filipino Americans to combat injustices today.
Author, Robin Aquilizan

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Larry Itliong was born in San Nicolas, Pangasinan on October 19th, 1913. In attempt to seek a better life, he immigrated to America at the age of fifteen. During this time, America was suffering through The Great Depression, which led to many workers, including Larry Itliong to struggle looking for work.

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Joubert T.
Visiting Agbayani Village in Delano, a retirement community for Filipino farm workers, was a fun experience. It allowed me to see the Filipino-American experience about the history and hardships that took place in Delano. I am glad that Manong Alex, a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, still continue to preserve the historical structure and history of Agbayani Village.

I felt proud to be part of the Filipino American history that took place in Delano. Seeing those photos inside Agbayani Village with all the Manongs that reminded for the people who came before me. Additionally, hearing the struggles and hardships of the Filipino farm workers truly made me proud because despite the obstacles blocking their way they still stood out strong and achieve what they truly believe what is right.I also felt intrigued to when Mexicans and Filipinos worked together in order to achieve a common goal which is to get better working conditions and wages.

I felt provoked when learning about the struggles of the Filipino farm workers faced such as the Misogynistic law was enacted that deterred them for marrying other ethnicity. Also I felt disappointed because I feel like Cesar Chavez was accredited more in the protest rather than Filipinos. I felt like the Filipino farm workers such as Larry Itlong were invisible to the history although they were fighting for themselves with their Mexican counterpart.

Below is a photo of my Bayan Family inside the Agbayani Village. In this room,  there were many facts and photos of the manongs during their days in Delano.

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In the Winter 2013 semester, the Reuther Library worked with students in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration program at the Wayne State School of Library and Information Science to produce a series of student-written, guest blog posts.
Julia Teran is in the process of earning an MLIS, an MA in History, and an Archival Administration Certificate. A few of her research interests include digital preservation, historical interpretation, local history, and American women's history.

In 1974, the United Farm Workers Union (UFW), led by Cesar Chavez, opened Agbayani Village, a retirement complex for Filipino farm workers who had immigrated from the Philippines to California during the 1920s and 1930s. Due to racial discrimination in the form of anti-miscegenation laws, these migrant farm workers were prevented from marrying outside of their race. Since most of the farm workers were single men, and very few Filipino women had migrated to the United States at the time, the majority of the workers were unable to establish families, and many of them were destitute and had no one to help them by the time they became elderly in the 1960s and 1970s. In order to ensure that these men would have somewhere to turn for assistance in their old age, the UFW organized the construction of Agbayani Village.

The village was named in honor of Paulo Agbayani, a Filipino farm worker and UFW member who died of a heart attack while picketing the Pirelli-Minetti Winery in Delano, California in 1967 during the Delano Grape Strike, which lasted from 1965 to 1970. The strike began on September 8, 1965 when 1,800 members of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), who were mostly Filipino farm workers, walked off the farms of 33 local table-grape growers because they wanted better working conditions and their current wages to be raised to equal the federal minimum wage. The AWOC was led by Philip Vera Cruz, Larry Itliong, Benjamin Gines, and Pete Velasco. One week after the strike began, the AWOC was joined by the predominantly Mexican-American National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), led by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Richard Chavez. In August of 1966 these two groups merged, forming the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFW). Eventually, over 2,000 farm workers became involved in the strike, and the movement gained national attention. The strike came to an end in 1970 when the UFW finally succeeded in reaching a collective bargaining agreement with the table-grape growers which improved the wages and working conditions of over 10,000 farm workers. A complete history of the UFW, written by Philip Vera Cruz, is available as a handwritten document in the Philip Vera Cruz Papers.

Initial correspondence and meetings about the building of Agbayani Village began in early 1970. Construction commenced in 1972 with volunteer help growing to more than 1,000 students, professionals, and grassroots supporters of the UFW over the next two years. Architect Luis Pina from San Jose, California, drew up and donated the building plans for the village. By 1974, six interconnected buildings in the shape of a U on approximately two acres of land in Delano, California, had been completed. Composed of Mexican-style wood frame buildings with adobe veneer and red tile roof, the total area of Agbayani Village was 23,000 square feet. Within the village were 60 apartment units, a large patio, lounge, dining room, arcade, a modern kitchen, and a courtyard with a fountain. The $250,000 project was financed by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Farm Workers Fund, and was administered by the National Farm Workers Service Center, Inc., which was established by Cesar Chavez in 1966.

Agbayani Village Dedication Ceremony

On June 15, 1974, over 3,000 people attended the dedication ceremony for Agbayani Village in Delano, California. The event was hosted by the UFW National Executive Board, which included Cesar Chavez, President; Gilbert Padilla, Secretary-Treasurer; Dolores Huerta, First Vice-President; Philip Vera Cruz, Second Vice-President; Pete Velasco, Third Vice-President; Eliseo Medina, Mack Lyons, Marshall Ganz, and Richard Chavez. The UFW Information and Research Department Records contain a copy of Cesar Chavez's dedication speech, as well as an original sketch of the Agbayani Village layout, a clipping from Fellowship Magazine about the opening of the village, and an original flier that includes information about how to apply for a space within the newly opened retirement facility.

Upon its opening in 1974, the first occupants of Agbayani Village were 57 men and one woman. By 1978, an Agbayani Village Report from the National Farm Workers Service Center, Inc. revealed that there were 47 total occupants: 21 were original strikers from 1965-1966; 2 were strikers from 1967 and 1970; 5 were staff members; 8 were union members; and 11 had no connection to the union. 41 residents paid $70 per month for rent, and the 30 residents who relied on the village to provide their meals paid an average cost of $36.25 per month for food.

During its time as a retirement village for Filipino farm workers, Agbayani Village was open to receiving visitors, many of whom were college students seeking to enhance their knowledge of first-wave Filipino immigration to the United States through association with village residents and volunteers. The Philip Vera Cruz Papers contain some of the original correspondence between universities and Agbayani Village that discuss these visits. This collection also holds an authentic orientation packet for visitors to Agbayani Village from 1982, and handwritten daily village activity records.

Today, Agbayani Village continues to be owned and operated by the UFW. The last of the original retired Filipino farm workers passed away in 1997. The village now serves as an apartment complex that provides affordable housing for single Filipino farm workers. On February 21, 2011, the village was designated a National Historic Landmark in a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 people.

For more information about Agbayani Village and the UFW, see the UFW Vice President: Peter Velasco Papers, the UFW Administration Department Records, the UFW Work Department Records, and the UFW Texas Records at the Walter P. Reuther Library.

Additional Sources:

- "The Birthplace of Labor Rights Becomes a Historic Landmark," (2011) from Asian Journal

- "Agbayani Village" youtube video by 23ABCnews

- "Paving the Way for the UFW" (1997) from SFGate, The San Francisco Chronicle

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In the Winter 2013 semester, the Reuther Library worked with students in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration program at the Wayne State School of Library and Information Science to produce a series of student-written, guest blog posts. Julia Teran is in the process of earning an MLIS, an MA in History, and an Archival Administration Certificate.

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Visiting Agbayani Village in Delano expanded my knowledge about my Filipino culture and background. One thing about the trip that really provoked me was when we visited the grounds of the agbayani village site because there were many photographs and documents that represented a time where our heritage was struggling and through the help of one another, we united as one to speak up. On the other hand, listening to Manong Alex, from the Filipino American National Historical  Society, describing how hard it was back in the day to have food on the table and money to pay the rent. His share on experiences with his father, family, the manongs, and Larry itilong impacted my perspective on my ancestors and parents because I never really thought about how hard it was to survive when the economy was high. The fact that Larry Itilong was rebelling alongside with Cesar Chavez to help a cause for workers on the field to set equality and liberal action for future generations. Through Hiya, a person who considers other people’s feelings and avoids arguments or offense to others, Larry Itliong started and stood up for all farm workers, including Mexicans and Filipino growers, but once Cesar Chavez joined the rebellion, the fight was in Chavez’s hands. As Manong Alex described, it was brutal back then and Itliong had a high respect for Chavez to tell him that Filipinos received the short end of the deal. In addition, Unity was another feeling I experienced on the trip — knowing that isang bagsak represents we and our allies rise and fall together started with the agbayani village and manongs makes me feel unity i’m not only my family but with my heritage and culture.

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Mari G.
Visiting Agbayani Village in Delano was such an experience. Agbayani Village is a retirement community for Filipino farm workers. It was cool to see in real life where the Filipino workers worked so hard and where they stayed after they lost their jobs. They build the Agbayani Village because of the fact that they lost their jobs as soon as they won the strike and most of the Filipino farm workers didn't have a place to stay, families and nowhere to go.

One thing that provoked me was when Manong Alex, a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, started to tear up when he was talking about the history of Filipino Immigrants at the grave site of Larry Itlong. Him talking about the real history of the FIlipino farm workers made me realize that this is important to him and it shows me how much he loves sharing the story of the Filipinos. He was really passionate in what he was doing and that I can see that until now, the history can still impact people's lives. Another thing that provoked me was when Manong Alex talked about how Itlong would be disappointed with people taking people's credits and having a hierarchy system in Filipinx and Filipinx Americans.This made feel guilty because Filipinos are not leaving that a little bit of space in their heart for the Manongs. Filipinos are took them for granted and that they are not recognize as much.

I feel proud to be part of the history and i feel proud to be able to visit the Agbayani Village and other historic sites and to see where everything took place. But i felt the most pride when we walked into a room full of pictures of the Manongs and other students who visited the Village. It great seeing the Manongs working together to get what they deserve and need. and also, the village itself was amazing. This both reminds me of the value of Bayanihan because they were working together as a community fighting for their rights and it reminds me of the village because they were literally building the village together.

The picture that i chose was a picture  of the Bayan inside the a room full of history. This room had a lot of history behind all the pictures and seeing the Manongs through the pictures was very interesting.

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Miguel
Traveling all the way to Delano and visiting Agbayani Village is an experience I will never forget. Learning about the hardships the Manongs went through gave me sense of what it means to over come hardship. I thought it was really cool that Filipinos and Mexicans worked together for the sanctity of civil rights for farm workers.

I was shocked when Alex started to cry a bit when he started to mention the hardships Filipino faced during the strikes. I was reminded that it must of been a great ordeal when the Filipino farm workers started a strike. Alex told us that people would hate each other over the fact that they decided to strike and everyone had a stance because it was a giant risk to make in order to strike.

I am proud to know the truth behind the farm workers movement and gave me a better appreciation of what Filipinos have done for our community. I want to tell everyone about Larry Itliong as he was a great contributor to the farm workers movement.

I decided on this picture as it shows Agbayani Village being built and it's going be a place where it honors those who stood up against oppression

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Jane B.
To be given the opportunity to visit a place – where, not just a circle of compromise and struggles have happened, but a historic meeting towards a change – brought about some pride and wonder. And the enriching trip to Agbayani Village gave me that sense. Although being a Filipina, and knowing the names Itliong and Chavez, passing by the areas to where they took place was a different learning experience. There was more to see and imagine, a bit more to learn and to question.

A provocation I experienced was Manong Alex's reminder of “Remember whose shoulder you’re standing on.” I believe he was saying this because of wanting others to know the history of the Filipino farmworkers, the Delano Manongs, and the value of their constant struggle. It made me realize how, even though there was a loss (money, hunger, disunity..), it brought about a greater good or a better gain!

The image I choose is the Bayan Family exiting with renewed knowledge of