Join us on Zoom for a discussion about the preservation of oft-disregarded cultural and community histories, and the overlapping fight against urban redevelopment. QM-Jerome Foundation Fellows Abang-guard (Maureen Catbagan + Jevijoe Vitug) will be joined by panelists from Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Museum, FANHS Delano, and Little Manila Rising.

RSVP via Zoom webinar.

About the Panelists:

Dominador “Domi” Tomate, representing FANHS Delano. Dominador “Domi” Tomate was born and raised in Delano and experienced the Farm Labor Strike on September 8, 1965 personally when he lived in the labor camps. In his youth, he participated in Filipino organizations that included the Caballeros De Dimas Alang and Kern County Fil-Am Association.  In college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he was one of the four founding members of the Pilipino Cultural Exchange and helped with Delano’s first Philippine Weekend in 1975 by writing the play, “The Rhyme of San Juan Rico”.  Between 1979 and 1985, he was the president of Philippine Weekend and is currently a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society (“FANHS”) , Delano Chapter.  He earned his college degree in journalism and has written books on martial arts and business management.  He is currently working on his memoirs entitled, “Delano Flips”.

Erwin Mina, representing FANHS Museum. Erwin Mina’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and commitment to the community. Born Delano, California and raised in a farm labor camp, he grew up amidst the challenges of the 1960s, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Delano Grape Strike, and the Vietnam War. As the son of a Sakada and a war bride, he was deeply influenced by his parents’ struggles and the wisdom of the Manongs, who instilled in him the importance of education and self-respect. Despite facing marginalization in various aspects of life, Erwin persevered and earned his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University. His career in Silicon Valley saw him in executive leadership roles at major companies like Siemens, HP, Seagate, and Nvidia, where he made significant contributions to the tech industry. In retirement, Erwin turned his focus to giving back to the Filipino community, becoming the Board President of the FANHS National Museum in Stockton, CA. He is dedicated to outreach initiatives that help Filipino American youth connect with their heritage, empowering them to thrive in a competitive society. Through his work, he continues to uplift and inspire the next generation, fostering a sense of identity and purpose.

Elaine Labson, representing Little Manila Rising and is the Deputy Director at Little Manila Rising, where she oversees the organization’s health programs and helps guide teams toward both short- and long-term goals. She plays a key role in advancing health-related initiatives while building out LMR’s school-to-social justice framework. One of her favorite parts of the work is connecting with directors not just as colleagues, but as whole people—supporting their growth and leadership while nurturing the culture and values that ground LMR’s work in South Stockton. A proud South Stockton native, Elaine first got involved with LMR after returning home from Sacramento, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Public Health with a focus on community health education. She later completed her Master’s in Public Health with an emphasis on health education, leadership, and policy. What brought her to the work was a deep desire to serve her community, rooted in her experiences as a youth at St. George’s Church and shaped by a vision for a healthier, more equitable future for the next generation—including her own child. Outside of work, Elaine is a food lover, cook, coastal road-tripper, yoga practitioner, wife, mom, dog mama, and music enthusiast who occasionally pulls out the DJ controller for fun. Stockton isn’t just where she’s from—it’s everything. Her path hasn’t always been linear, but it’s always led her back home. Through her work, she honors her community, her mentors, her ancestors, and the younger version of herself who knew she was meant to help lead change.

Abang-guard is a collaborative project between artists Maureen Catbagan (b. Quezon City, Philippines, 1975) and Jevijoe Vitug (b. Pampanga, Philippines, 1977). Catbagan received their BFA from SUNY, Binghamton University and MFA from CUNY, The City College. Vitug received his BFA from St. Scholastica’s College, Philippines and MFA from San Francisco Art Institute. Catbagan and Vitug’s collaboration began in 2017 through their occupation as museum guards. Abang-guard has performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (2022); Governors Island, NY (2022); ARoS Public Atelier, Denmark (2022); Abrons Art Center, New York, NY (2021); and Socrates Sculpture Park and Flux Factory, Queens, NY (2019), among others. Their work has been included in group exhibitions at 601 Artspace, New York, NY (2023); PS122 Gallery, New York, NY (2023); and HUB-Robeson Galleries in Pennsylvania State University (2023); among others.