Art exhibit on arrival of first Filipino in Los Angeles opens

• Antonio Miranda Rodriguez arrived as one of the founders of Los Angeles in 1781

LOS ANGELES, California – An art exhibit celebrating the arrival of the first Asian, a Filipino, in 1781, will open May 11 at the Pico House Gallery on Olvera Street.

To mark Asian Pacific Heritage Month, FilAM ARTS and the El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument presents the Saysay Project art exhibit: The Arrival of the 12th Poblador.

This will be the first Filipino American exhibit at this historic location, exploring the narratives of Filipino presence and contributions to Los Angeles.

According to the City of L.A.’s historical accounts, Alta California Governor Felipe de Neve selected 12 pobladores (townsfolk) to settle in El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula, or today it is known as Los Angeles.

One of them was Antonio Miranda Rodriguez, who is said to be of Asian descent.  However during los pobladores travels, Rodriguez’s daughter became ill with smallpox, thus suspending his journey.

To be showcased are historical photographs and art work depicting the eventual arrival of Filipino Americans and their contributions to Los Angeles culture, including the intersection of Mexican and Filipino narratives through the Galleon Trade starting in the 16th century, to the Farm Workers movement in the 20th Century.

Contributions are accepted towards the installation of this exhibition that includes visual art, historical photographs, and videos; as well as towards the documentation of Filipino American narratives in video format.

The exhibit is scheduled to open on Sunday, May 11^th; admission is free. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-saysay-project-the-arrival-of-the-12th-poblador#home

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