DevCabana TBT

Throwback Thursday: Kona Kai

We’re going far back with this post, all the way to August of the year 2014.

This post is about you Greater Seattle FANHS, and the time we had at the Kona Kai Resort for the national conference. There was a large contingent of us from Seattle for the conference. See the Storify below to travel down summer memory lane.

FANHS 2014 National Conference

Share your great memories of any past conferences in the comments section.

If you’ve enjoyed exploring our Seattle events and online posts during this Filipino American History Month, we want you to join our membership  or volunteer with FANHS Greater Seattle throughout the year!

Thanks for FAHM2014 everyone!  TBT posts will convert to a monthly series.

//storify.com/devincabanilla/thanks-fanhs-san-diego/embed[View the story ” Thanks FANHS San Diego” on Storify]
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

DevCabana TBT

Throwback Thursday: NastyNes, 206, & Music

IMG_0590.JPG 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

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

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

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!

Filipino_Coffee_Co_Seattle_ca_1909
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
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(user photos via Flickr Creative Commons license)