On Monday, May 20, NaFFAA joined national and community partners in celebrating the historically significant book Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong. As the first book about Larry Itliong, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) with Cesar Chavez, the book gives a glimpse of Filipino American history and the solidarity between Filipino and Mexican farm workers that created the largest farm labor movement in the history of the United States.

Attendees of the event watch a performance from Wayway Linsahay of the Talaandig tribe using the kumbing jaw instrument.

Sponsors of the D.C. event included:

  • Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance D.C. Chapter;
  • Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Consulting;
  • Filipino American National Historical Society;
  • Filipino Young Professionals of Washington, D.C.;
  • Mabuhay;
  • National Federation of Filipino American Associations;
  • Rita M. Cacas Foundation;
  • University of Maryland Asian American Studies Program; and
  • Washington, D.C. Mayor’s Office of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs.

Sponsors of the nationwide tour included:

  • Bridge and Delta Publishing;
  • University of California Davis Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies;
  • Filipino American National Historical Society;
  • Little Manila Rising; Pin@y Educational Partnerships; and
  • PapaLoDown Public Relations Agency. 

Ben Deguzman, Director of the DC Mayors Office on APIA Affairs, and Gayle Romasanta, co-author of Journey for Justice, hold a fireside chat around the book, the vision, and the late Dr. Dawn Mabalon.

The event featured a tribute to the late, Dr. Dawn Mabalon, author of the book, a series of performances and speeches from community leaders, such as Tito Jon Melegrito with Tanghalang Pilipino, Marlan Maralit (New Virginia Majority), Gem Daus (FANHS National) , and Ben Deguzman (DC Mayor’s Office on APIA Affairs). The event ended with a Q&A and book signing with co-author and publisher Gayle Romasanta.

Contact the Filipino American National Historical Society and Bridge+Delta Publishing for more information on book tour dates in other cities.

Cities on the National Book Tour