Southern California festivals honour Filipino labour leader Larry Itliong ahead of his 25 October day

The Pilipino Workers Center scheduled 'Reclaiming History' festivals in Chula Vista and Los Angeles this October to honour Filipino farmworker history, leading up to California's Larry Itliong Day on 25 October, his birthday.

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The Pilipino Workers Center scheduled two Larry Itliong Day festivals in Southern California this October to honour the Filipino American labour leader, leading up to California's official Larry Itliong Day on 25 October, his birthday, Kapwa Justice and INQUIRER.net reported.

The first festival was scheduled for 10 October at Montevalle Park in Chula Vista. The Los Angeles festival was set for Saturday 24 October at the Bresee Foundation grounds, with free admission. Both were themed "Reclaiming History" and focused on the Filipino farmworkers who launched the Delano Grape Strike in 1965.

The Los Angeles programme listed cultural performances, a mini film festival, a Filipino farmers market and food fair, an art exhibit tracing the Delano Grape Strike through traditional Filipino materials, and photo installations featuring jeepneys, a tricycle and a full-size bahay kubo. It was presented with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with City Council District 13 and the Bresee Foundation.

Born in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, Itliong helped lead about 1,500 mostly Filipino farmworkers off the Delano grape fields, then sought the support of the National Farm Workers Association. The two groups later merged to form what became the United Farm Workers. California designated his birthday as Larry Itliong Day in 2015 and inducted him into the California Hall of Fame in 2021, and the U.S. Department of Labor added him to its Hall of Honor in 2024 alongside Philip Vera Cruz and Peter Gines Velasco.