May 13th / Pinoy Roots: A Local History of Filipinos in the Bay Area

Seating is limited. Registration is recommended. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, join us for a special two-part local history talk highlighting the longstanding presence and contributions of Filipino communities in the Bay Area. Presented by two members of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), this event explores the migration stories, community formation, and cultural legacies of Filipinos in both Vallejo and San Jose—two cities deeply shaped by their Filipino residents.

The first presentation features Mel Orpilla, local historian, author of Filipinos in Vallejo from Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, and a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). Orpilla will trace the roots of one of the oldest Filipino communities in Northern California, beginning with early arrivals in 1912 and the draw of steady, well-paying jobs at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He’ll explore how Vallejo’s Filipino population grew through successive waves of immigration—especially after the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act—and how this community established deep roots, built families and businesses, and became a politically empowered force, despite being largely overlooked in traditional histories.

In the second presentation, Robert V. Ragsac—founder of the Pinoytown Walking Tour and a member of the FANHS Santa Clara Valley chapter—will illuminate a lesser-known chapter of Filipino American history in San Jose. He’ll guide attendees through the story of Heinlenville Chinatown, founded in the late 19th century, which evolved into a multicultural business district that welcomed Japanese and Filipino patrons and entrepreneurs alike. In the 1920s–30s, a portion of this neighborhood became known as “Pinoytown,” a vibrant enclave where Filipino immigrants lived, worked, and built community. Ragsac, a self-described “History Detective,” brings this layered history to life as he highlights the cultural and economic importance of Pinoytown and ongoing efforts to preserve its legacy in what was once called the Valley of Heart’s Delight.

Mel Orpilla is a second-generation Filipino American, founder of the Filipino American National Historical Society of Vallejo, and a journalist who writes a popular column for the Vallejo Times-Herald. A passionate advocate for Filipino culture and heritage, Orpilla frequently lectures on Filipino American history to both large and small audiences. He is also a martial artist and instructor of Balintawak Arnis, an ancient Filipino fighting art, at the Island Warriors Dojo in Vallejo. Orpilla has traveled extensively to regions significant to Filipino history, including Mexico, Hawaii, and Southeast Asia, and documents these journeys through photography. He has collected many never-before-published images related to the Filipino community in Vallejo, some of which have been featured in local museums.

Robert V. Ragsac, Sr. is a retired aerospace systems engineer, having worked in the commercial and defense aerospace industries in various research, development and project management positions. He was born and raised in the North 6th St. Chinatown area (now Japantown) of San Jose, California. Robert is actively documenting, preserving and representing the social and cultural history of the First Wave Filipinos and Filipinas who immigrated in the 1920s and 30s and settled in Santa Clara Valley. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Moffett Field Historical Society, and the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) National Museum (Stockton CA).

This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Mountain View Library. 

Date:

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Time:

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Location:

Mountain View Public Library

585 Franklin Street

Mountain View, CA 94041

1st Floor Program Room

Presenter:

Mel Orpilla and Robert V. Ragsac, Sr.