About Us
Mission Statement
The mission of the Filipino American National Historical Society is to promote understanding, education, enlightenment, appreciation, and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation and dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States.
To achieve our mission, we conduct research, provide repositories for data and materials gathered, create and promote published works, and hold public forums. Society members are available upon request to share historical information through presentations, exhibits, and referrals to appropriate resources.
Chapter History
In 1972, members of the Pilipino Youth Alliance of Sonoma County (PYA), an organization dedicated to youth, cultural, and community activities, began collecting oral histories of local manongs (elders) who first settled in Sonoma County during the early 20th century. Thirty-five years later on a sunny December morning, former PYA members, along with friends and family, gathered at Carrows Restaurant in Santa Rosa to reminisce and revive the effort. On that day, we established the Sonoma County chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). On February 2, 2006, our chapter was officially chartered by FANHS National, which is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Ten days later we held our first official chapter meeting. We then contracted with the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County to hold monthly meetings at their Santa Rosa conference facilities.
Our initial goal was to finish documenting the history of the original manong settlers. By now, most of them had passed away, so chapter members immediately began interviewing their relatives and friends who recalled the manongs' stories, and provided memorabilia chronicling their experiences. Shortly thereafter, our chapter joined Access Healdsburg TV(AHTV), where several members received basic training on filming interviews. AHTV also assisted with our production of a 10-minute documentary film preview. Later that year we joined the Community Media Center of Santa Rosa. That membership proved to be a worthy investment, enabling us to successfully produce the film, Remembering Our Manongs (Elders), Sonoma County's Filipino History.
The rest of our chapter history is captured in the timeline below.
An Untold Triumph
October 13, 2006 – Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa, CA
In the spirit of community participation during Santa Rosa's Race Equality Week, we presented a public screening of An Untold Triumph, an emotionally charged documentary about Filipino battalions serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. The film elicited poignant memories from audience members.
Remembering Our Manongs Kickoff Event
November 6, 2006 - Windsor Community Center, Windsor, CA
A milestone marker, this was our first solo-sponsored public event. Kicking off our maiden project, we announced plans to produce a documentary film about Sonoma County's earliest Filipino settlers. On that fall afternoon, guests enjoyed a taste of traditional Filipino cuisine, and viewed a premiere screening of the film preview for Remembering Our Manongs (Elders), Sonoma County's Filipino History. Guest speakers Leny Strobel, Molin Malicay, and Christopher Dacumos delighted the crowd with humorous anecdotes, compelling political notes, and insightful sharing of history.
Strange Land – My Mother's War Bride Story
March 3, 2007 – Sonoma County Office of Education, Santa Rosa, CA
March 7, 2007 - Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
In celebration of Women's History Month, the chapter sponsored a special screening event featuring Emmy Award winning producer, Stephanie Castillo and her documentary film, Strange Land – My Mother's War Bride Story. The film presents a dramatic account of life as a Philippine war bride. The public event also provided guests an opportunity to meet and greet the renowned filmmaker.
Summer Picnic
August 25, 2007 – Youth Park, Santa Rosa, CA
Chapter members, friends, and families gathered to enjoy social time, good food, fun games and a welcome respite from the consuming work of film production.
Filipino Community Fiesta
June 6, 2008 – Fulton Community Center, Fulton, CA
An annual event sponsored by the Filipino American Community of Sonoma County, the 2008 fiesta drew a massive crowd. It was an opportune time for our chapter to greet the public, display Filipino American history books, and sell chapter memorabilia.
Remembering Our Manongs (Elders), Sonoma County's Filipino History Film Premieres
November 1, 2008 – Rohnert Park Community Center, Rohnert Park, CA
November 8, 2008 – Sonoma County Office of Education, Santa Rosa, CA
November 15, 2008 – Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa, CA
In concluding three years of work, we were finally ready to present to the public our documentary film about local history and the earliest Filipino immigrants. Well received by our guests, each screening was followed by a panel discussion and reception.
Current Officers
President – Delia Lanosa Rapolla
Delia Rapolla, a native Californian, is the daughter of a Filipino Portuguese and Cebuana, both born in Hawaii. Her grandfathers were sakadas, Filipino immigrants who immigrated to Hawaii in the early 1900s to work in the pineapple and sugar cane fields. In 2006, she retired from UC Davis to follow her passion of making sure that the history of Filipino Americans--from the time they came to America on the Manila galleons, to today's contemporary world--is shared with future generations.
Vice President – Alicia Watson
Alicia Watson is a charter member of the Filipino American National Historical Society of Sonoma County. A native of Windsor, she's the daughter of one of Sonoma County's early manong (elder) immigrants who first settled in the area. Compelled to share the history of those pioneer settlers, Alicia led the project team that produced the documentary film, Remembering Our Manongs (Elders), Sonoma County's Filipino History. As co-Executive producer, she hopes the film will serve as a springboard that inspires others to document and share the many stories yet to be told about local Filipino history.
Treasurer – Vacant
Secretary - Priscilla Viloria Sharp
Priscilla Sharp is a charter member of the Filipino American National Historical Society of Sonoma County and serves on its Board of Directors. The daughter of a Filipino pioneer she is a native of Santa Rosa and remembers much of the Filipino culture, food and standards brought over from the islands. Priscilla lived in Sonoma County until 1999 when she relocated to Lodi to pursue a career change within Pacific Gas & Electric Company who she's been employed with for 37 years.
Assistant Secretary (appointed) – Patricia Viloria Romero
The daughter of a Filipino immigrant and a Mexican American mother, Patricia (Pat) Romero is a native of Sonoma County where she lived and worked until relocating to Lodi, California in 2004. She is a charter member of the Filipino American National Historical Society of Sonoma County, and serves on its Board of Directors. Pat was co-Executive Producer of the documentary film Remembering Our Manongs (Elders), Sonoma County's Filipino History. In a dual role, she also served as Co-Lead of the project team, assisting with oversight and management of the film project.
Contact Us
If you have questions or something that you'd like to share, please email us at
comm@fanhssonoma.org.
For more information or to use our online form, visit our Contact Us page