After reading the question about who was the first westerner to train in the FMA? I had to go back into some of my earlier research on Filipino/American history. I havent found out who might have been the first westerner to practice, but certainly the Spanish were well aware of the Filipino skill and may have cross - trained with them at some point. What I found interesting was the fact that supposedly Luzon Indios from the Spanish possessions of Las Filipinas first landed in Morro bay, California, in the 16th century and Manillamen settled near what is now New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 18th century.(E. San Juan jr.)
The first true wave of immigration started shortly after the Spanish/American war and has continued ever since. Hawaii was the main port. Many Filipino families moved to Hawaii to work in the sugar plant factories and in the cane fields. During the 1946 sugar plant strikes, over 7,000 Filipino workers took part. And in 1949 approximately 600 Filipino workers were brought in to break up the striking workers being lead by the Longshoremans Union. During the following years you can follow the immigration eastward to California, Alaska, Chicago etc. Following work in canneries, porters on trains, domestic help etc.
Backing up in time a little bit, during the Worlds Fair in 1904, a group of Filipino tribesman were brought and put on display, as well as many other native people from Africa, Ceylon, etc. What was interesting was that after the fair these tribesman didnt get to go back the Philippine Islands for sometime! In fact there was a great debate in the US press that supported returning the tribesman back to their homeland. Below is a short excerpt of a visitor to the Worlds Fair in 1904.
WORLD'S FAIR, ST. LOUIS, 1904
A very interesting exhibit was the Igorot village which occupied six acres of the most picturesque part of the Philippine Reservation. These 114 natives, from three tribes, -- the Bontogs, the Suyocs and the Tinguianese, -- lived in nipa huts built by their own hands. They are among the most conspicuous races of northern Luzon; their hair is straight and black, their chests strong, muscles well developed. The women are generally well formed, erect and graceful; their clothing consists of a woven breech clout of gaudy color for the men, and not much more for the women. There is much tatooing, especially on their breasts, which tells of their head-hunting raids, and some wore strung around their necks the red beak of a bird, signifying that the wearer has taken at least twenty heads. Headhunting among the Bontog Igorots is not only a means of self-defence, but a pastime. After a member of the pueblo has taken home a human head, a month is given to celebration. All Igorot men eat dogs. It is a tribal dish, and twenty dogs were furnished these men each week by the United States government. We watched them preparing and cooking the dogs, as well as eating them. The women are not allowed to eat dogs flesh because the Igorots say they do not care for their women to fight. These natives wear many bracelets and armlets of beads, and are fond of riding horses. We saw them in all their different activities, including the feast dance and many other dances; and at their games, including a curious game with a ball, which they threw about.
When I can find the time I will try to post some more information.
Train Hard, It is the Way.
Steve
The first true wave of immigration started shortly after the Spanish/American war and has continued ever since. Hawaii was the main port. Many Filipino families moved to Hawaii to work in the sugar plant factories and in the cane fields. During the 1946 sugar plant strikes, over 7,000 Filipino workers took part. And in 1949 approximately 600 Filipino workers were brought in to break up the striking workers being lead by the Longshoremans Union. During the following years you can follow the immigration eastward to California, Alaska, Chicago etc. Following work in canneries, porters on trains, domestic help etc.
Backing up in time a little bit, during the Worlds Fair in 1904, a group of Filipino tribesman were brought and put on display, as well as many other native people from Africa, Ceylon, etc. What was interesting was that after the fair these tribesman didnt get to go back the Philippine Islands for sometime! In fact there was a great debate in the US press that supported returning the tribesman back to their homeland. Below is a short excerpt of a visitor to the Worlds Fair in 1904.
WORLD'S FAIR, ST. LOUIS, 1904
A very interesting exhibit was the Igorot village which occupied six acres of the most picturesque part of the Philippine Reservation. These 114 natives, from three tribes, -- the Bontogs, the Suyocs and the Tinguianese, -- lived in nipa huts built by their own hands. They are among the most conspicuous races of northern Luzon; their hair is straight and black, their chests strong, muscles well developed. The women are generally well formed, erect and graceful; their clothing consists of a woven breech clout of gaudy color for the men, and not much more for the women. There is much tatooing, especially on their breasts, which tells of their head-hunting raids, and some wore strung around their necks the red beak of a bird, signifying that the wearer has taken at least twenty heads. Headhunting among the Bontog Igorots is not only a means of self-defence, but a pastime. After a member of the pueblo has taken home a human head, a month is given to celebration. All Igorot men eat dogs. It is a tribal dish, and twenty dogs were furnished these men each week by the United States government. We watched them preparing and cooking the dogs, as well as eating them. The women are not allowed to eat dogs flesh because the Igorots say they do not care for their women to fight. These natives wear many bracelets and armlets of beads, and are fond of riding horses. We saw them in all their different activities, including the feast dance and many other dances; and at their games, including a curious game with a ball, which they threw about.
When I can find the time I will try to post some more information.
Train Hard, It is the Way.
Steve
