Rio Grande Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)

PO Box 80241
Albaquerque, NM 87198
fanhsrio@yahoo.com
http://www.fanhsriogrande.org

Area of Inerest:
Organization - Historical and cultural preservation

Ethnic Community Served:
Filipino

Description:
New Mexicans and Filipinos share a long history, arising out of Spanish colonization and American Territorial imperatives. Spain through the Viceroy of Mexico City once rules New Mexico and the Philippines. The laws of the Indies governed both.The establishment of permanent Spanish settlements by the mid-sixteenth century marked the beginning of the famous Manila_Acapulco-Galleon Trade route. This important route was tied to New Mexico through the Camino Real. The New Mexico-Philippine connection continued throughout the 20th century. Historical accounts, although still sparse at this time, point to the presence of Filipinos in New Mexico as party as he turn of this century. Some local historian has noted that Filipinos came to New Mexico to work in the railroad.

The Rio Grande Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), a New Mexico-based chapter of the National Filipino American Society, has started to document the migration of Filipinos in New Mexico. Initial findings from the Rio Grande FANHS oral history research point to a large number of Filipino agricultural migrant workers between 1920 and 1977. They came from Washington, California, and Arizona to work in the carrot and lettuce fields around New Mexico, specifically in the cities of Grants, Los Lunas, Moriarty. Estancia, and Jemez Springs. In Grants, Filipinos were credited for introducing a way of packing carrots packaging carrots that took less time and minimized the damage to the produce. Some of these Filipinos stayed in New Mexico and intermarried with local New Mexicans.

Staff:
Evelio A. Sabay - President
Emilie Underwood - Secretaray
Teem Diaz Suelto - Treasurer

Source:
http://www.fanhs-riogrande.org

Submitted by:
AIA Staff - RG

New - 02/28/03
Updated - 11/18/04