The first Filipino stepped foot in America in 1587 arriving on a Spanish galleon. Then in the early 20th century waves of Filipinos came to Hawaii and California and by 1930, 45,000 Filipinos were living here -- many of them in Little Manila in Stockton.
Mel LaGasca with the Filipino American National Historical Society wants to chronicle their experiences in a museum. LaGasca says with the Filipino labor force local agriculture thrived.
"Lots of jobs weren't available to them but agriculture jobs were available and they took advantage of that work opportunity," says LeGasca.
Filipino-Americans are now the second largest Asian population in the U.S. with half of them living in California. LaGasca says the museum will showcase their contributions with pictures, artifacts, clothing and more -- from the military to martial arts -- from the past to the present.
Filipino History In America Museum
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