Exhibition Summary

A Journey Home: Camp Roxas and Filipino American History in Guam

The Filipino community, one of the largest ethnic communities in Guam, has a long and complex history on the island that initially began during the Spanish colonial period in the 1600s. The more recent history of Filipinos in Guam is associated with the aftermath of World War II when they were recruited by United States military contractors to assist in rebuilding an island devastated by war. This recruitment lasted for almost three decades with tens of thousands of Filipinos arriving in Guam.

A Journey Homeis an interpretive photographic exhibition which details the 60-year history of the Camp Roxas Ilonggo community in Guam through archival photographs and interpretive panels. The exhibition tells the story of the initial Filipino immigrants to Guam, the Ilonggos from Iloilo Province, who arrived in 1946 at Camp Roxas in Agat, Guam. Their arrival and settlement laid the foundation for future generations of Ilonggos to become Filipino-Americans and part of the Guam community. Theirs is a true immigrant story marked by struggle, perseverance, hard work, adaptation and ultimately success.

The exhibition journey mirrors that of the Ilonggos to Camp Roxas and beyond.

Programming in conjunction with the exhibition includes a film and discussion series by Dr. James Sobredo, Associate Professor in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Sacramento on February 14 discussing “Contract Labor Migration from Iloilo: Recollections of Camp Roxas Revisited,” and Stephanie Castillo, a Hawaii-based Filmmaker on February 28.  Additionally, a screening of Manongs, a film by Linda Mabalot will be presented on March 13.  All events will take place at the War in the Pacific National Historic Park, T. Stell Newman Visitor Center at 6:30pm.

This exhibition is sponsored by the Guam Humanities Council, National Endowment for the Humanities, University of Guam, Guam CAHA, NEA, Office of the Governor, Bank of Guam, Pacific Islands Club, IT&E, Jones & Guerrero Company, Inc., Shell Guam Inc., Carlsmith Ball LLP and Outrigger Guam Resort.