Finding Manilatown

Finding Manilatown Now booking interviews, taking referrals, and story submissions!

We are currently producing an ongoing documentary series called Finding Manilatown with the goal of creating a platform for multi-generational Filipino immigrants to tell their stories.

Ipaglaban ang International Hotel.Opo. Hanggang ngayon pinagpapatuloy namin ang laban na ipakita sa mundo ang istorya ng...
01/29/2022

Ipaglaban ang International Hotel.

Opo. Hanggang ngayon pinagpapatuloy namin ang laban na ipakita sa mundo ang istorya ng inyong mga buhay at paglalakbay bilang dayuhan. Mahalaga pa rin po kayo sa amin.

—

Fight for the International Hotel.

Yes. Until now we continue the fight to show the world the stories of your lives and your journeys as foreigners. You’re still important to us.

—

After almost 30 hours of interviews and countless stories shared, we are in the swing of story producing, editing, and still searching for the stories that build roads to each other and bridges to the past. We are excited about what’s to come this year and are so thankful for the community that has stepped up to lift this project up.

And thank you all for connecting us with your families and friends who have been generous with their time and stories. The work continues.

(Original poster designer unknown. Please DM us if you know who we should credit!)

🇵🇭Manilatown: An Anthology sneak peek! 🇵🇭Things are moving along for our show, a few key cast and crew announcements wil...
10/28/2021

🇵🇭Manilatown: An Anthology sneak peek! 🇵🇭

Things are moving along for our show, a few key cast and crew announcements will be made soon! In the meantime, please enjoy this concept art for a character in the pilot episode, courtesy of our talented, multi-hyphenated costume designer, Clare Adamos!

Interested in learning more about how you can be a part of Manilatown: An Anthology? Email us at [email protected].

“The ethnic studies movement has its roots in California, where students protested in the late 1960s at San Francisco St...
10/12/2021

“The ethnic studies movement has its roots in California, where students protested in the late 1960s at San Francisco State University and the University of California, Berkeley to demand courses in African American, Chicano, Asian American and Native American studies.” (Associated Press. Jocelyn Gecker, October 8, 2021)

As we celebrate the great news that an ethnic studies course will be mandatory to earn a high school diploma (starting in 2029), let’s not forget people like Manong Oscar Peñaranda - an educator, activist and poet - who helped build out the curriculums in San Francisco State in the 60’s.

In a very candid interview we talk about ethnic studies, his mentors, the five Manongs he’d bring back to hang out with, the validation of Filipino American experiences, and his eventual return to the International Hotel.

Can’t wait to share with you all. And in case you all were wondering: yes, he’s still the coolest cat on the corner of Kearny and Jackson.

In 2020, DFA (department of foreign affairs) reported assisting 2,575 potential victims of human trafficking identified ...
10/05/2021

In 2020, DFA (department of foreign affairs) reported assisting 2,575 potential victims of human trafficking identified by overseas missions in 2020, of which the majority experienced illegal recruitment.

I’m meeting one of the many actual Filipino victims of human trafficking, who’s journey to eventual freedom out here in the Bay Area is an inspiring one. Stay tuned.

(Photo credit: Empire Files: The Hidden World of US/Philippines Trafficking, YouTube)

The Mayaguez Incident as its now known, happened in 1975 a month after the Khmer Rouge took control of Phenom Penh. The ...
10/04/2021

The Mayaguez Incident as its now known, happened in 1975 a month after the Khmer Rouge took control of Phenom Penh. The American vessel was seized along with the crew in it. At least two of the crew captured, were Filipino American marines.

A perspective of the incident is included as an episode on Manilatown: An Anthology. Thanks to for sharing the story that belonged to her mother, father and brother.

One of the first stories I wrote for Manilatown: An Anthology (the show), was inspired by my parents’ courtship. Because...
10/02/2021

One of the first stories I wrote for Manilatown: An Anthology (the show), was inspired by my parents’ courtship. Because back in the day they didn’t really “date” they “ligaw’d.”

They both were new immigrants and worked factory jobs while attending classes. I’m not sure if they were already together in this photo, but it was around this time that in an effort to woo my mom, my dad told her a little white lie: “I wrote you that song.” A popular song that played on the radio. He fooled her for a minute, but eventually won her over. It’s a song that would withstand the times and whenever I hear it, I smile and I think of the moment, in that act of desperation, my dad would say anything and do anything for his dream girl. Today, is their 39th wedding anniversary.

It’s stories like theirs that kept pushing me to write, to show the world that Filipinos are romantic comedy leads of their own unique love stories. I can’t wait to share more soon as we head into pre-production on the pilot! Woohoo!

In the meantime - happy anniversary to these two crazy kids whom I love and appreciate very much.

❤️❤️❤️

The institution that is Bindlestiff (on Sixth Street) has been fostering Filipino talent since the 80’s. I’m so excited ...
09/30/2021

The institution that is Bindlestiff (on Sixth Street) has been fostering Filipino talent since the 80’s. I’m so excited to be speaking to a handful of their original players, directors, and writers about the studio’s mission: To cultivates artists who reflect and celebrate the diverse values, traditions, and histories of Pilipino and Filipino American cultures through bold artistic expression and community engagement.

(Photos courtesy of our Associate Producer, Bindlestiff OG, a hilarious Showrunner herself, Bernie Rosquites)

Did you know that the Grand Theatre showed Filipino films in the 70’s? Check out the theatre marquee sign featuring Jose...
09/25/2021

Did you know that the Grand Theatre showed Filipino films in the 70’s? Check out the theatre marquee sign featuring Joseph Estrada, Darna, and Vilma Santos!

I’m very excited to meet and speak to the Filipino family that managed the theatre up until Philippines declare Martial Law in 1972. Stay tuned!

(The photo appeared with "San Francisco Movie Theaters Then and Now," a 2011 SF Gate article by Peter Hartlaub. Photo by Susan Ehmer for the Chronicle)

We are currently producing an ongoing documentary series called Finding Manilatown with the goal of creating a platform ...
09/24/2021

We are currently producing an ongoing documentary series called Finding Manilatown with the goal of creating a platform for all multi-generational Filipino immigrants to tell their own stories. We are now booking interviews, taking referrals and story submissions!

Please contact our producer, Mariel Miranda Gutierrez if you or someone you know:

⭐️Was a former resident of the International Hotel prior to its 1977 demolition

⭐️Lived in San Francsico and moved out into the East Bay

⭐️Is a first generation immigrant with an interesting migration story

⭐️Feels disconnected to the concept of ‘being Filipino’

⭐️Is a Bay Area artist, exploring culture identity through their art

⭐️Just wants to share a cool story!

The purpose of the interview is to supplement the fictional TV series Manilatown: An Anthology in order to highlight true stories. If you would like to turn your unique story into a short film, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

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San Francisco, CA
94111

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