October 17, 2006

  • Filipinos have long been involved in fraternal organizations. Groups like the Caballeros de Dimas Alang, the Legionarios del Trabajo, and El Gran Oriente are three of the more famous ones. The father of my fraternity broter was part of the Legionarios del Trabajo down in the central valley of California. Like now, the fraternal organizations served as a support network for their members. They pooled their money so that they could throw each other celebrations for special occassions. Back then, Filipino males outnumbered Filipina females at a 20 to 1 ratio. Anti-miscegenation laws and other racist policies prevented interracial marriages. A Filipino was often attacked for dating a white woman, and riots often ensued. Filipinos somehow managed to take part in taxi dance halls, social events where they would purchase tickets to dance with women at ten cents a dance. This was a way for the Filipino to combat the loneliness of a bachelor society. There is a great documentary called "Dollar a Day, Dime a Dance." Prostitutes also took advantage of these laws by following the migrants from camp to camp and harvest to harvest. A California business was quoted as saying, "The Filipinos are hot little rabbits, and many of these white women like them for this reason." These organizations also pooled their money to purchase transportation. Often times, eight or more people would share the ownership of a car. One can still see photos of Filipino men dressed to the keys next to one of their brand new purchases. To see some, go to http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu.