The 'How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories' exhibit has opened at the Smithsonian Museum, showcasing stories of early Filipino immigrants to America. The artifacts, including steamer trunks discovered in 2005 in Stockton, California, contain items from the early 1900s. This marks the first Filipino American exhibit at the museum.
In 2005, Antonio Somera was cleaning the basement of the Daguhoy Lodge in Stockton, California, when he discovered dozens of steamer trunks left by early Filipino immigrants. These trunks, owned by Enrique Andales from Cebu, Eusebio Maglinte from Bohol, and Anastacio Omandam from Negros Oriental, contained letters, photographs, employment documents, uniforms, and clothing from the 1910s and 1920s.
As US 'nationals' due to colonial ties, Filipinos from Ilocos and Visayas migrated to work as migrant laborers in California's asparagus, strawberry, lettuce, and grape fields, and in Alaska's fish canneries. Barred from owning property by alien land laws, they used community lodges like Daguhoy as homes during harvest seasons.
Following the discovery, Somera created the 'Daguhoy Museum' in Stockton. He passed away in 2013, and the artifacts were acquired by Little Manila Rising (LMR), led by Dillon Delvo and Dr. Dawn Mabalon. On January 15, the exhibit opened at the Smithsonian's Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Gallery, featuring 50 restored artifacts, some borrowed from other museums. Over 250 guests attended, including LMR members.
Delvo stated, 'His work in finding these trunks and artifacts is a priceless gift to our community … and now to the Smithsonian.' Dr. Anthea M. Hartig, the museum director, remarked, 'This discovery could be counted as one of the most significant finds on Filipino and Filipina American History to date.' Dr. Yao-Fen You of the Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) described it as 'a crucial chapter of American history that has not been told.'
The artifacts, including Omandam's over-100-year-old three-piece suits, are protected under UV glass and rotated every six months. They now form part of the permanent collections at the Smithsonian and San Joaquin Museum, sharing the Filipino immigration story with thousands of visitors.