SJSU Unveils Filipino American History Mural Honoring Farmworker Leaders

Filipino American students and alumni at San Jose State finally have the permanent artwork they spent years asking for.

The mural

The four-paneled mural wraps a cement pillar outside the Diaz Compean Student Union. Lead artist Francesca “ChiChai” Mateo is a 2013 SJSU global studies graduate. Volunteers painted parts of it at a community paint day on Sept. 4, according to SJSU. The university unveiled it Friday, Oct. 30, during Filipino American History Month.

It features Filipino American leaders of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, the union behind the Delano grape strike: Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and Pete Velasco. Other panels show the Santa Clara Valley as the “Valley of Heart's Delight” and SJSU alumni, including journalist Lloyd LaCuesta and professor emerita Estella Habal, San José Spotlight reported.

Years of advocacy

SJSU said the mural grew out of years of work by the Filipino Alumni Network, alumni and community leaders. A community campaign led by the network raised $100,000. About $50,000 of that will go to long-term care of the mural, founder Alan Gouig told Spotlight.

“It reflects the strength of a community, the persistence of student and alumni advocates and the importance of preserving the stories that shape our collective identity,” SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said.