Delano 'Manongs' honored by U.S. labor department

The forgotten Filipino heroes of the Delano grape strike are finally getting the recognition they rightfully deserved.

Filipino-American labor organizers and civil rights activists Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and Peter Gines Velasco were recently inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor in Washington D.C., thanks to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su.

After witnessing farm workers toil under brutal conditions for meager wages, the Delano Manongs led a five-year labor strike against their employers – the California grape growers.

The strike resulted in better pay, benefits, as well as the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union.

Su said despite the harsh environment in the fields, the three Filipinos saw the possibility for justice and dared to create change by demanding fairness for workers that Itliong, Vera Cruz, and Velasco changed the course of U.S. history.

Latino farm workers led by Cesar Chavez ultimately joined the Delano grape strike that left a big impact in U.S. history.

"It was Larry Itliong with his fierce intellect and strategic mind who organized Filipino farm workers to say enough and to say we have to go on strike," Su said.

Families of the Delano Manongs received honor on their behalf.

Sandra Itliong-Bowman, daughter of Larry Itliong who also worked in the field, said her father, together with other farmworkers, were brought into the U.S. with big promises only to live in camps with little water and little electricity.

"My father said, if he’s going to stay here, he’s going to make a better life for everyone else," said Itliong-Bowman. 

"He was the voice for the people who could not speak English. Now we're recognizing him, the two and uncle Pete and uncle Phillip, they’re our uncles, and this is just a glorious day for us."

Danny Pasquil, a district director of the U.S. Labor department, said the three labor leaders' induction to their hall of honor reflects "all of the Manongs and Manangs from the early generations that came over here."

Filipino-Americans who witnessed history as young activists back then said the Manongs’ examples as labor leaders set them on a path for public service to continue advocating for workers' rights especially immigrant workers.

"Manong Phillip shared with us that our struggle never stops," said former Cerritos mayor Mark Pulido. "The work of democracy is never done and the work of justice is never done."