DevCabana

October 23, 2014October 24, 2014 DevCabana TBT

Throwback Thursday: Boxing & Tacoma, Before Pacquiao

In 1922 flyweight boxer Francisco Guilledo won the American Championship over Johnny Buff in Brooklyn. The knockout victory was favorably covered by the New York Times. By the summer of 1923 Guilledo became the World Champion after defeating Welsh fighter Jimmy Wilde. Guilledo was also known by his boxing name “Pancho Villa”. He is considered the first World Champion out of Asia. Throughout the 1920’s Pancho Villa’s boxing career took him through places like Australia, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and of course Manila.

Back then the Philippines was a U.S. Territory, and Filipinos were considered American Nationals. There was a steady flow of commerce and interaction across the Pacific. One aspect of sports history was that the “sweet science” was brought over from the Seattle area by Eddie Tait of Tacoma to the Philippines. So Filipino boxing has its origins from the Pacific Northwest. Although Tait and his partners have been characterized as proto-Don Kings or profiteers, without them Filipino boxing may have come later. From Greater Seattle: “You’re welcome Manny Pacquiao.”

Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guillerdo is now part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Watch Pancho Villa’s 1923 World Championship Fight HERE.

by Devin Cabanilla

October 16, 2014October 16, 2014 DevCabana TBT

Throwback Thursday: NastyNes, 206, & Music

In music history DJ NastyNes Rodriguez can be located at the foundation for hip hop growth in Seattle. His Posse was on Broadway helping the scene happen in a pre-digital Seattle age. He ran radio shows, produced NASTYMIX Records, and worked with many local artists. This transpired in a time where music was on cassettes, vinyl, or radio only. (MTV wasn’t big yet. Don’t even try imagining iTunes.) Nes was honored by FANHS in 1992 with the Very Important Pinoy award for his contributions. When you look back at early Seattle hip hop history, Nes was there for hip hop culture.

“Not only am I the first (West Coast Rap show) DJ, but a Filipino DJ and reppin’ the 206!” – Nes Rodriguez

1985 Filipino Youth Activities Washington D.C. Tour Benefit Dance Flyer, FANHS Archive

Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: NastyNes, 206, & Music” →

October 9, 2014October 9, 2014 DevCabana TBT

Throwback Thursday: Fil-Am, Public Market, & Starbucks

Before the Starbucks Coffee Company was at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, the Filipino Coffee Company, ca. 1909 was there!

Seattle’s Filipino Americans have had a continued presence in the Public Market for generations. Many people take a leisurely afternoon to experience the colorful culture of the Market. For snacking in the afternoon you can find longanisa with a local Filipino soap opera attitude. There are giant bouquets for sale by the Ilocano flower vendors here. Also, there’s the great Seattle past time of watching people throw fish at each other to experience .

The above image shows “Batango” blend coffee, which is likely a transliteration of Batangas. Kape Barako is still grown in the Philippines today. Whether Filipino beans or Starbucks, Seattle still has some of the best coffee around.

by Devin Cabanilla

(user photos via Flickr Creative Commons license)

October 2, 2014October 5, 2014 DevCabana TBT

Throwback Thursday: A Kid’s Yo-Yo

My 5-yr old son began playing awkwardly with a Yo-Yo recently. I began showing him the tricks I’d learned as a kid. My uncle taught me how to “walk the dog”, and do “the cradle” trick moves. It was a wonderful place of nostalgia for me. Throwback Thursdays posts are all about fun nostalgia and a chance to remember the little things in life. However, in the larger scheme of history it is often forgotten that the Yo-Yo was popularized by Filipino Americans and shaped modern Americana!

The primary twirler who brought the Yo-Yo into the mainstream was Filipino Pedro Flores. In the 1920’s a Yo-Yo probably sold for around 10 cents. Flores opened different factories making wooden Yo-yo’s and was the main innovator for using a slip-string on the axle to extend spin for trick moves. Donald Duncan saw a child playing with a Flores Yo-Yo and decided to later work with Pedro Flores. By the 1930’s Duncan eventually bought full ownership of the enterprise and created Duncan Yo-Yo. Today, a single mint condition Flores Yo-Yo is worth $2,000, while Duncan Yo-Yo’s are now a dime a dozen. Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: A Kid’s Yo-Yo” →