SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District Unveils Restored Filipino American History Mural “Ang Lipi Ni Lapulapu” at Sunday Streets

Reclaiming downtown San Francisco as a destination for Filipinx arts and culture for Filipino American History Month

San Francisco, CA - September 10, 2024 - SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District unveils the restoration of the first mural depicting the history of Filipino immigration to the Americas, named “Ang Lipi ni Lapulapu”, which translates to “The Descendents of Lapulapu”. The restoration of Ang Lipi ni Lapu Lapu will be celebrated as part of the Community Block Party during the SOMA Sunday Streets on October 13, 2024 from 12-5PM. Come by the Heroes Village (at Lapulapu and Bonifacio Street) to see the 40-year old mural fully restored for the first time, and enjoy photo opportunities with the MAHAL Jeepney, community performances, inaugural 2024 Parol making workshop, and a taste of Philippine ice cream flavors from the SOMA Pilipinas Sorbetes cart.

The 90-foot wall mural looks like a shield on the side of Dimasalang House, historically significant housing (located on Lapulapu Street between Rizal and Bonifacio Street), and was created 40 years ago in 1984 by muralist Johanna Poethig. 

Named after Lapulapu, a Datu chieftain who is credited to have killed Magellan in the Battle of Mactan, the original mural was created with support from Vicente Clement, Marcos era political prisoner, and poet and Vietnam veteran, Presco Tabios. It is a history lesson on the waves of immigration starting from the 300 year old Galleon Trade that went from Manila, to Acapulco and down the California coast. 

“Filipinos, very likely the first people from South East Asia to jump ship in the Americas, had a town in Louisiana (Saint Malo). Then came the agricultural and fish workers, nurses, doctors, teachers. Carlos Bulosan told their story in his novel America is in the Heart. Larry Itliong organized labor. Boxer Pancho Villa and Olympic gold medalist diver Vicky Manalo Draves are at the center position midway up the wall. Manong Benny took his place next to Lapulapu looking sharp.” shares, muralist Johanna Poethig. “I wove the famous Banawe rice terraces with textile patterns from Mindanao. Jumping off at the top is a motherland figure posed for by Alleluia Panis, dancer, choreographer and cultural activist who is a treasure to the cultural life of the San Francisco Bay Area. I was young and poor in those days so I skimped on planks for our scaffolding making the climb to the 9th level extra exciting. Marcos was still in power and his self exiled opponent Ninoy Aquino had just been killed the year before, shot in the head at Manila International Airport just as he returned home. We painted a small figure of him surrounded by the portraits of Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo and Tandang Sora, the Mother of Balintawak who provided care and refuge to the revolutionaries.”

Artist Johanna Poethig now 68, originally painted the mural 40 years ago. 

New additions to the mural in the restoration include WWII Comfort women, like Lola Narcisa Claveria and WWII veterans who fought for justice from the US government to receive fair benefits. Their stories are a testament to the endurance and determination of the Filipino people amidst colonial relations between the Philippines and the U.S. Another addition to the mural is a Freedom Torch with the words “People Power” on the handle to represent the historic non violent revolution that ousted dictator Marcos as well as the ongoing fight for freedom and democracy. Local artists Mariel Paat and Dev Heyrana (all of Filipino descent) and technical assistant Pablo Raiz-Arroyo supported Johanna Poethig in the restoration project sponsored by TODCO.

Reclaiming downtown San Francisco as a destination for Filipinx arts

A newly launched SOMA Pilipinas Google arts map, makes it easier for locals and visitors to engage with over 10 new public artworks, most of them created in the last year. There are now over 40 pieces of public artworks across the cultural arts district, including cross walks, light installations, murals, a vintage jeepney, and more. The arts map will be updated regularly.

SOMA Pilipinas has been forging collaborations and partnerships with the city’s Office of Economic Workforce Development (OEWD), and organizations like Children’s Creativity Museum, Renaissance Entrepreneur Center, SF MOMA, SOMA West CBD, Yerba Buena CBD (YBCBD), to bring over a dozen new murals to downtown.

“Despite decades of displacement and a global pandemic, Filipino residents, artists, cultural institutions, activists and entrepreneurs continue to be at the heart of SOMA’s cultural scene, community life and economic resilience. We’re excited that the Filipino community is finally getting the recognition that we’re due as we contribute to downtown's recovery and continue to fight for equity and sustainable community and economic development,” shares Raquel Redondiez, Director of SOMA Pilipinas

Event details for the Ang Lipi ni Lapulapu mural unveiling and celebration:

Come by the Heroes Village (at Lapulapu and Bonifacio Street) to see the 40-year old mural fully restored for the first time, and enjoy photo opportunities with the MAHAL Jeepney, community performances, inaugural 2024 Parol making workshop, and a taste of Philippine ice cream flavors from the SOMA Pilipinas Sorbetes cart. Free RSVP Here.

12-5PM MAHAL Jeepney photo opps
2PM Parol Workshop Begins
3PM Mural Dedication and Program

The month of October has been nationally recognized as Filipino American History Month (FAHM) since 2009. This year, events in the cultural district during FAHM include:

For more information, to volunteer, sponsor or donate to SOMA Pilipinas visit somapilipinas.org

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About SOMA Pilipinas - SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District was officially recognized by the City of San Francisco in 2016. It is dedicated to preserving and promoting Filipino culture and history, supporting community artists and cultural workers, and fostering economic development through cultural arts and community partnerships.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Recognized as San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District in 2016, SOMA Pilipinas serves as a crucial cultural and economic hub for the region's substantial Filipino community. Despite a strong presence and contribution to the cultural arts ecosystem since the 1990s, 

many legacy Filipino cultural groups, including SOMA Pilipinas, struggle with securing dedicated spaces due to institutional racism, displacement, and high real estate costs.

SOMA Pilipinas honors over 120 years of Filipino history in San Francisco, dating back to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). The district is a pivotal cultural center for Filipinos in California, who represent the largest and fastest-growing Asian-Pacific Islander community in the state. Home to thousands of Filipino families and seniors, SOMA Pilipinas is also an employment hub for Filipinos in various sectors.

The district is home to unique cultural institutions like Bindlestiff Studio, the nation’s only dedicated Filipino-American performance space, and Arkipelago, one of just two Filipino-American bookstores in the U.S. High-profile annual events such as the Pistahan Parade and Festival, the Parol Lantern Festival, and Kultivate Labs’ Undiscovered SF festival bring over 50,000 visitors to the district each year.

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