“Mabuhay,” presents the story of Filipinos in Texas. Filipino presence began as early as the 1820s, when Francisco Flores, a Filipino sailing on a Spanish ship, took up residence in Rockport. The exhibit takes its name from the Tagalog word meaning “welcome.” Mabuhay details Filipino culture, culinary traditions, military service, and other aspects of Filipino life in Texas. The ITC developed Mabuhay with the assistance of a Filipino community advisory board.
Also showing, “Singgalot: The Ties that Bind,” originally from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service. Singgalot, roughly translated from the Filipino Tagalog language as “Ties that Bind,” initially explores the experience of Filipinos as colonial subjects and nationals, and further examines their struggles to acquire full citizenship as immigrants in the United States throughout the previous century. The exhibition uses rare photographs and illustrations from the National Archives, the Library of Congress and personal collections to provide a glimpse into the dynamic story, culture and contemporary issues of Filipino Americans.