The majority of the year the newsroom at our company has been developing a podcast series on our Filipino encounter in Juneau. We’re excited to share the story with you.
Mga Kuwento -Mga Kuwento – “the story” in Tagalog is the creation from executive producer Tasha Elizarde. Tasha was born within Juneau and spent many hours contemplating her own experiences as an Filipino American in Juneau when she began working with us as a fellow in community engagement. In order to tell the more of the tale of how Filipinos have become the largest group of immigrants in Juneau She came up with not just an audio series and an exhibit at the Juneau Douglas City Museum that focuses on the rich history and contributions of a group that is too often ignored and an event that brings the community of Juneau together to be a part of celebrating.
Here’s the story behind Mga Kuwento, in Tasha’s own words:
“I was a young person when my grandmother passed away, however, it was via Mga Kuwento that I’ve learned about her reprimands for children who caused trouble in the hall and also helped Filipino families settle into Juneau as they first moved to Juneau. Her tale, along with those of the many who’ve helped shape Juneau throughout the last century, are fast disappearing.
Mga Kuwento is an attempt to find these stories and bring them to the forefront once more. The exhibit, our podcast and weekend celebrations are a declaration of our evolving identity and an invitation to the entire Juneau community to honor our place in the history of Juneau. .”
In the podcast, we delves into various elements that comprise the Filipino experience, including the social and economic reasons that brought people in Alaska to begin with, the relationship between Alaska Native as well as Filipino community; and the significance that the Juneau’s Filipino community Hall as a venue for people to honor and stay in touch with home as well as efforts to keep relationships with the Philippines in the present.
We’re extremely pleased with this project, and thankful for Tasha for her visionary leadership and vision. We’re also thankful to everyone who gave their knowledge and experience in order to guide the project, as well as our community members who contributed to bring it to life.
I hope you’ll take the time to listen as we join in uplifting those of neighbors as well as our fellow Alaskans throughout Filipino American History Month.
Below are some dates that you must keep in mind:
New PODCAST AIRING | October. 6: The latest KTOO podcast, Mga Kuwento, premieres. Check it out on your favorite podcast application or search for this on ktoo.org.
EXHIBIT STARTS on October. 6 between 4 and 7 p.m.: An exhibit featuring photos of the 20th century, dance and parade costumes, family memorabilias and works of art will be on display until Nov. 22 in the Juneau-Douglas Museum. Come join us for an evening of First Friday celebration featuring Filipino desserts prepared by local chefs.
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY October. 7 from noon to five p.m.: The entire community is invited be a part of Filipino Community, Inc. for a feast that blends Filipino tastes as well as performances, cultural workshops and a historic installation in the Filipino Community Hall located at 251 South Franklin Street.
