Por JENNY LEE AND JONATHAN POBRE

The City of Los Angeles designated a 2.1-square-mile section of the city just northwest of downtown “Historic Filipinotown” on August 2, 2002. This is the first Filipino community in an American city with specific geographic boundaries.

The name reflects the long legacy of triumph and struggle that Filipinos encountered as they arrived in Los Angeles in the early 20th century. Filipinos first set up shops and raised families in areas now known as Little Tokyo and Bunker Hill, but discrimination, racism, and other pressures prompted them to migrate and settle in the Temple-Beverly Corridor, which became Historic Filipinotown.

Unlike other ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Tokyo, where much of the architecture, cuisine, and even street signs closely follow their cultural origins (and are concentrated within a few city blocks), Historic Filipinotown is today a predominantly Latino neighborhood, as many Filipinos have moved on to form enclaves in other cities throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Filipino-owned or focused establishments are scattered throughout the map. This does not, however, diminish or detract from the culture and community spirit that continue to prevail in this neighborhood, as people from all over Southern California continue to come here to attend cultural events and festivals, or simply to patronize the many restaurants, businesses, and houses of worship.

This series of photographs and stories represents a mere snapshot of the neighborhood, both on the surface as seen on the streets, as well on a deeper level with a look at some of the organizations that proudly perpetuate Filipino culture and ideals.

Mabuhay!

Tags:  Filipinotown Jenny Lee Jonathan Pobre Los Angeles Filipinotown Temple-Beverly Corridor