STOCKTON, Calif. — It's a story erased from history and Gayle Romasanta from Stockton is changing that. She wrote a children's book with the late historian Dr. Dawn Mabalon. It's titled "Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong."
"It's still very much not well known," Romasanta said. "It's so important to tell these stories because we really need to understand as a people, as a general population, how we intersect in history."
Larry Itliong was a Filipino American labor organizer and civil rights activist. He played a main role in the Delano Grape Strike and the founding of the United Farm Workers union, but his story is often hidden in the shadows.
"You need to heal from that, if you've been absolutely erased from history and you actually were many reasons why certain events even happened," Romasanta said. "There needs (to be) healing across the board, and what does that look like? It looks like a musical."
Romasanta is now telling the story of Larry Itliong through music. She's the writer and executive producer for "Larry the Musical: An American Journey." The musical is based on the book. It covers Itliong's story from birth in the Philippines in 1913 to the proclamation of "Larry Itliong Day" in California in 2015.
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"We never dreamt that we could take this story and put it on the stage," Romasanta said. "We never dreamt that we could see actors like us."
Eymard Cabling is an actor and plays elder Larry in the musical. He's proud Filipino American actors are finally taking center stage. He also explains how much he admires Itliong.
"The one word that comes to my mind is gratitude because I'm so thankful to be with a bunch of Filipino creatives, actors and producers all around," Cabling said. "I get so inspired by people who are passionately fighting for what they believe is right for the good of all, and not just one person, but everybody. And, I just love that part of his story."
It's the first Filipino American musical to celebrate Itliong's life and the demand is high, with opening night selling out at the Brava Theater in San Francisco. Romasanta wants the musical to inspire more stories about Filipino people, history and culture.
"Wherever we are, we should be telling this story," Romasanta said. "I hope it spreads more dreams and more creation."
"Larry the Musical" is playing at the Brava Theater now until April 14. For dates, showtimes or to purchase tickets, visit the musical's official website.
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