Exhibit | Centering Philippine and Filipinx American Histories: Selections from The Bancroft Library

About

The Bancroft Library's collections of materials relating to the Philippines span nearly 500 years. Highlights in this exhibit include a transcript of an Inquisitorial trial from 1646, a prayer book written in the Cebuano language, and UC Berkeley Filipino student publications from 1905 to the present. The exhibit also features selections from the personal papers of acclaimed author Jessica Hagedorn, including typewritten drafts of her novels, poetry, song lyrics, and a screenplay, as well as childhood drawings and writings.Bancroft's renowned Latin American collections offer up intriguing examples of documents produced by the Spanish Empire as it exploited the islands' natural, cultural, and human resources. Examples include the transcript of the Inquisitorial trial of two women accused of being spiritual mediums, a manuscript written in the Jawi script, which is based on Arabic script promising religious freedom to the Muslim residents of the island of Mindanao, and materials regarding the trade between Manila and Mexico.The personal papers and published works of UC Berkeley professors Bernard Moses (1846-1931) and David Barrows (1873-1954) document their early involvement with American colonialism in the Philippines, especially their work in redesigning the Filipino education system. In the aftermath of a brutal war, Americans viewed education as a tool for pacifying a conquered population. Documentation of these professors' white supremacist views is contrasted with the work of Filipinx and Asian American scholars who use their words to critique colonialism and its racist underpinnings.Educational opportunities have brought students from the Philippines, and later Filipinx American students, to Berkeley since the early 20th century. The exhibit includes examples of four student publications — two published in the first two decades of the 1900s and two more contemporary examples — that provide evidence of these students' political engagement and their determination to make their voices heard.Selections from the personal papers of acclaimed author and performance artist Jessica Hagedorn are also on display, including examples of her novels, plays, poetry, song lyrics, a screenplay, childhood drawings, and writings. Hagedorn employs a kaleidoscope of pop culture references, songs, images, and quotes from historical figures, and a galaxy of characters representing various cultures, classes, genders, races, and nationalities in her depictions of the Philippines and Filipinx America.Open hours may vary. Please view the The Bancroft Library hours (https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/visit/bancroft) page for the most up-to-date information.