The period between the 1920s to 1960s gets recognized as
learning about the hxstory there myself. However, I hope
the golden age of the Hollywood film industry. As LA grew
this play challenges you to discover your roots and the
in business, so did the number of jobs available for Filipino
stories of where you come from. They deserve to be
immigrants and Filipino Americans. In 1933, anti-miscege-
honored, but if you donʼt unearth them, who will? Now, the
nation laws allowed Filipinos to marry whites, introducing
characters you will see in the play come from different
American born Filipino children. Not long after, Filipina
backgrounds and encompass different identities. “Sino Ako
women were allowed to legally immigrate to the States and
Sa Iyo” pushes for Filipino/a/x and Fil-Am identified
mainly came between 1946 to 1965. Thus, Filipino
individuals to ask “who am I to you?” to 1) America, and
households were established and 2nd generation
2) their fellow Filipino community members. Our people,
Filipino-Americans became more common. “Sino Ako Sa
our culture, and our work are taken for granted. How
Iyo” is set in the 1950s where all these environmental and
many Filipinos are genuinely celebrated in history? On the
cultural factors come together. By then, a rich community of
other hand, we may all be friends and community
Filipinos and Filipino-Americans flourished with members
members, but do we really know each other? Do we really
deriving from different perspectives and backgrounds.
listen to each other? Do we really understand each other?
Folks were of different ages, islands and generations. They
What does success and happiness mean to you? Do they
set aside their differences and used this space for political
come from the same place? Are they the same thing? “Sino
and cultural solidarity.
Ako Sa Iyo” is a commentary on the themes of community,
This a story compiled from and influenced by the lost
colorism, identity, happiness, the definition of success and
narratives of Filipino/a/x-Americans residing in the
how it all culminates and influences the Filipino diaspora. I
Hollywood and Los Angeles region during the 1950s. The
hope this story challenges you. I hope you think critically. I
plot is fiction yet the setting and certain experiences are
hope you resonate. I hope you are moved. Being script
real. Although it is not directly stated, the characters and
writer and director has been a hard but indescribably
this story take place mainly in what is now known in Los
amazing journey. I cannot wait to share a piece of myself
Angeles as Historic Filipinotown. The Filipino enclaves in
with you.
Los Angeles were and are more dispersed. Los Angeles Filipinoʼs may not know about the rich history that lies bounded by the streets of Hoover, Temple, Beverly, and
Mona Mesa 2018 PCN Scriptwriter/Director
Glendale. As an LA Native, I am still uncovering and
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