Delano Manongs: California park named after Filipino American labor leaders

A park in San Jose, California, has been named after Filipino American labor leaders of the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott in 1965.

The park was named Delano Manongs to honor the farmworkers involved in the social justice and labor movement led by Larry Itliong, who revolutionized labor rights in the U.S. "Manong" is an Ilocano term meaning "elder brother."

Delano Manongs Park, which features a playground and picnic tables, is located at the corner of Gimelli Way and Beechnut Drive in East San Jose.

The San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services held the dedication ceremony at the park along with Filipino community leaders and elected officials.

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“The city of San Jose values its Filipino-American community, and we’re blessed to be surrounded by such a loving community,” said Magdalena Carrasco, council member of San Jose.

In 2021, Daniel Lazo, a member of the Filipino American non-profit group “Lead Filipino,” submitted the Capital Avenue park’s name as a community poll entry. After six months and two public opinion surveys, the name “Delano Manongs Park” earned the most votes.

“Not only did I find the name fitting to recognize our Filipino American history, but this was a time of a lot of Asian hate and racism especially to our senior community,” Lazo said. “This name really honors our lolos and lolas, and preserves that history that the Asian American has always been resilient and organized.”

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