LITTLE MANILA STOCKTON, CA 🇵🇭 🇺🇸 What's Left of El Dorado "Land of Gold" feat Little Manila Rising

[@TESZMillan]

This journey of discovering my Philippine heritage has been so enriching, and at times, surprising. I'm so grateful to Little Manila Rising for opening my eyes to what happened in Stockton and what is being done today to help preserve the history we have left. 🇵🇭

[@mixflip]

I wish I could go back in time to see Stockton in the time of my grandfather. I have pictures of grandpa in a 3 piece suit and fedora next to a fancy car in Stockton. He and his friends were living the dream. He even broke the rules and married a blond blue eyed white woman (my grandma). It must have been amazing to see streets bustling with life and full of Filipinos everywhere. Its sad to go there now and see so much history missing. I grew up in a time before the cross town freeway. Its basically all gone now. I remember my family being so proud when my other grandmother bought a house off Hammer lane in the north. A place Filipinos were not allowed to live back when she was a young woman. It means nothing today...but back then it was like moving to Beverly hills lol.

[@TESZMillan]

Wow - you are richly connected to so much Filipino-American history! Thank you for sharing these stories… I would love to see that photo of your grandfather! I bet he was dashing. ☺️ You know, there are still places around the world that have communities of Filipinos similar to what may have been in the time of the early Manong. They may just look different than what we expect.

[@denniswright807]

The reason that little manila has declined is because the people was tired of being neglected by the city government its better in the p.i, now they went home😊

[@TESZMillan]

Interesting perspective. I have heard the government actually chose that specific area to develop a highway because they wanted to improve the area. This caused displacement of many Asian-owned businesses and homes.

[@eugenexavierpd]

From LinkedIn Post: The questions asked by Anthem Delgado “Do you know about the historical relevance of Stockton, California?” I do. My parents Manong generation relatives came to the states and took root in Stockton and helped establish the Pilipinx community. We still visit them once a while. It's where I learned how to perform many farm duties. Thanks for the post.

[@TESZMillan]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing this.

[@mar1562]

That freeway destroyed my grandparents restaurant

[@TESZMillan]

💔 I am SO sorry to hear that. If you feel open to telling me more, I’d love to hear your family’s story. Please DM me - [e-mail]

[@luxshampoo8520]

work hard to no longer be farmers!

[@TESZMillan]

We are definitely a hard working people in whatever line of work we do. That is for sure.💪🏼

[@luxshampoo8520]

I know because am also those people.

[@Fishingjunkie-y8v]

I grew up and walked to school pass those buildings for years in elementary in the late 80s to early 90s. I never knew this was little Manila. We lived on Stanislaus and E church st. Before we stayed like 1 block away where the Chinese school was also. Wow...learn something new everyday

[@TESZMillan]

Wow! You lived in the neighborhood where all of Filipino and immigrant families and businesses were located. It’s amazing to learn you’ve been closely connected to history this entire time.

[@NN-og4kj]

Aloha! Mahalo nui for this video. I am also on a quest to learn more about my Filipino heritage. My grandfather was in little Manila and I'm trying to find more information about him. Crazy thing is that I was a mormon missionary in Stockton 20 years ago and rode my bike all over south Stockton not knowing that my grandfather was in that exact area decades before me. If anyone knows where I can find old farmer records or union records please let me know. Mahalo!!

[@TESZMillan]

Mabuhay! Best would be to reach out to Little Manila Stockton. They have all kinds of records available, and if you share your story and what you are looking for, they will be happy to help you. DM me if you need more information on how to reach them. Good luck! 💛

[@NN-og4kj]

@@TESZMillan Mahalo for your reply and willingness to help. I have contacted Little Manila and unfortunately they couldn't help me but did forward my inquiry to FANHS...so we'll see...I'm not letting that discourage me..I'll keep searching for him....mahalo nui!!!

[@TESZMillan]

@@NN-og4kj Definitely keep searching. I have a friend who might be able to help you. Let me ask him…

[@NN-og4kj]

@@TESZMillan 🙏🏽

[@TESZMillan]

@@NN-og4kj Here’s what my friend said: Ancestry. That's how I trace not only my own but other family histories I locate here in AZ. If they don't have Ancestry get a name of the grandfather and I can do a search. From me: Feel free to DM and I can pass along any information you wish to share or I can connect you directly with him.

[@santiagoabalos7564]

I remember Little Manila growing up in the 50's and early 60's and visiting Chinatown as well as it was down the street. My dad would take us to a gentlemen's club aka gambling hall, bar and diner called Bobby's and the Chinese restaurant located there. The aromas of tripe, chicken adobo, lechon, Peking duck and abolone soup was in the air. 🇵🇭🇺🇸🇵🇭

[@TESZMillan]

Wow! What incredible memories you have. Like treasure! 💎

[@santiagoabalos7564]

@@TESZMillan Yes! I'm originally from the North Bay ... I live in Indiana now. I remember as a little kid, our family visiting Stockton and Lodi on occasion. My father (RIP) was a WW2 Veteran, 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment "Bahala Na" Dad would visit his Army buddies that lived in Vallejo, Vacaville and in the San Joaquin Delta area. I fondly remember the "Manongs" as Dad would always tell me to address them all as "Uncle"... you know what I mean. He worked in the fruit orchards of Suisun Valley and cut asparagus and lettuce near Stockton and Lodi before the war. After the war, he was hired back at MINSY in Vallejo. My dad had an interesting life as I'm sure your parents who immigrated from the islands have. I hope you'll treasure your memories as well! 🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@mariog1429]

Chinatown is on the other side of the freeway. So is the Filipino Center.

[@TESZMillan]

Yes! I’ve seen both.😍

[@Theglockman]

It’s so sad of what’s become of this historic city, I’m very proud to be a Filipino raised in the Bay Area. We Filipinos need to come together and unite! Educate our Filipino youth in our roots and culture.

[@TESZMillan]

I agree completely! Little Manila Rising is doing a really good job of raising awareness of our history in Stockton and trying to save the building that have significance.

[@USMC242]

I was born and raised in Stockton, Im happy that I moved to Kansas in 2014

[@TESZMillan]

What would you say are the major differences between Stockton and where you moved to in Kansas?

[@USMC242]

@TESZMillan Peace, work, friendly environment and a slow paced life

[@USMC242]

Also I love the Philipino people and culture

[@BuhayBuhaysaAmerika]

great sharing sis!

[@TESZMillan]

Thank you - have you been to Stockton?

[@mnm2007]

Your in America now

[@TESZMillan]

Not sure about your underlying meaning, but yes, I am in the U.S.

[@saucyallenn]

I’ve been trying to look for that spot whenever I come to Stockton! 😮😅

[@TESZMillan]

It’s just off Highway 4. Reach out to LittleManila.Org. They can lead you there.🤓

[@saucyallenn]

@@TESZMillan or you mean highway 5?

[@TESZMillan]

@@saucyallenn It is indeed Highway 4, which connects Interstate 5 and Highway 99.

[@saucyallenn]

@@TESZMillan oh yeah makes sense. What if I type in the address to the hotel mentioned from the video?

[@TESZMillan]

@@saucyallenn If you Google “Lafayette and El Dorado Street Stockton”, that would also get you there.👍🏼