STOCKTON – Oct. 25 is Larry Itliong Day in California and it’s a day to celebrate the legacy of Filipino Americans who were instrumental in not only cementing rights for farmworkers but also for inspiring young Filipino Americans.
Larry Itliong was a Filipino American, who made the Central Valley his home and the workers in the Central Valley his people.
In 1965, Itliong brought labor workers to boycott in the Delano grape strike.
But it wasn’t until recently that Itliong was finally credited for his work in the California labor movement.
“My father, I know was a loving, giving, dedicated man, he lived his life for the people,” said Patty Itliong Serda, Itliong’s daughter.
She sees the impact her father left behind.
“My goal and inspiration is to teach my kids to know their history and tell our stories because even though it’s about Filipinos, it’s about American history,” Serda said. “It’s not that well known, but it’s beginning to.”