THEAlvaradoArchiveX - The Alvarado Project

MISSION STATEMENT

Rooted in the groundwork formed in 1997 by The Alvarado Project, THEAlvaradoArchiveX seeks to inspire the next generations to unlock their own her/history and family narrative. We are a group of intergenerational volunteer artists, writers, activists and educators. As active agents hosting our rich multicultural voices, we hope to help promote Filipino American literacy based on the historic photographs of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado. Through furthering the preservation of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado’s photography and archive collection, we invite others to bridge stories of our past to the path of restoring traditional knowledge of self-discovery.

1st Fil Methodist This church was an active community center of worship and social activities. Standing at left are Cristino Vicerra, his eldest son Frank, and Mrs. Juanita Vicerra, his wife. The building at 2012 Sutter Street is now the Japanese Community Youth Council.

1st Fil Methodist
This church was an active community center of worship and social activities. Standing at left are Cristino Vicerra, his eldest son Frank, and Mrs. Juanita Vicerra, his wife. The building at 2012 Sutter Street is now the Japanese Community Youth Council.
Farmers Market, San Francisco, 1950s Javierra, known as Jackie, is the Filipino woman in native costume at left. She grew and sold strawberries, artichokes, sugar beets, and other produce. Ties were strong between Filipino urban and rural communities.

Farmers Market, San Francisco, 1950s
Javierra, known as Jackie, is the Filipino woman in native costume at left. She grew and sold strawberries, artichokes, sugar beets, and other produce. Ties were strong between Filipino urban and rural communities.
World War I Veteran's Funeral, San Francisco, 1950s Marcelo Ocreto and Ignacio Ocreto pay their respects at the open casket of their uncle and cousin Ciriaco P. Ocreto, who served in the U.S. Navy.

World War I Veteran's Funeral, San Francisco, 1950s
Marcelo Ocreto and Ignacio Ocreto pay their respects at the open casket of their uncle and cousin Ciriaco P. Ocreto, who served in the U.S. Navy.
Mrs. Norberta Alvarado, San Francisco, 1959 Ricardo Alvarado married Norberta Magallanes from Biliran, Leyte, in the Philippines in 1959, bringing to a close his photographic record of Filipino American life in postwar America. Thereafter, he devoted himself to his family.

Mrs. Norberta Alvarado, San Francisco, 1959
Ricardo Alvarado married Norberta Magallanes from Biliran, Leyte, in the Philippines in 1959, bringing to a close his photographic record of Filipino American life in postwar America. Thereafter, he devoted himself to his family.
The Harvest, California, 1950s Filipino migrant workers harvested bell pepper, lettuce, celery, artichoke, and asparagus crops. In earlier times, Chinese and Japanese had worked the same fields. In the 1930s, Mexicans and European American migrant workers from the South and the Midwest joined Filipino pickers.

The Harvest, California, 1950s
Filipino migrant workers harvested bell pepper, lettuce, celery, artichoke, and asparagus crops. In earlier times, Chinese and Japanese had worked the same fields. In the 1930s, Mexicans and European American migrant workers from the South and the Midwest joined Filipino pickers.
Interior, Telephone Market, San Francisco, 1950s Sophie and her husband owned the Telephone Market.

Interior, Telephone Market, San Francisco, 1950s
Sophie and her husband owned the Telephone Market.
Two Women Dancing, California, 1950s Urban and rural Filipino women alike enjoyed music and dancing.

Two Women Dancing, California, 1950s
Urban and rural Filipino women alike enjoyed music and dancing.
Kitchen Workers, Letterman Army Hospital, 1950s African Americans and Filipinos kept the hospital kitchen humming like a well-oiled machine, working closely and cooperatively at the Presidio army

Kitchen Workers, Letterman Army Hospital, 1950s
African Americans and Filipinos kept the hospital kitchen humming like a well-oiled machine, working closely and cooperatively at the Presidio army
Candidates for Queen, San Francisco, 1950s Three young ladies—Anita Alfafara, Ethel Canlas, and Luz Incarnacion—vied for the title of queen at this box social. Local queen candidates entered regional contests sponsored by Filipino Americans throughout the West Coast. Like their immigrant parents, second-generation Filipinos felt the racial tensions of the times. But social, athletic, and scholastic clubs upheld and preserved Filipino culture.

Candidates for Queen, San Francisco, 1950s
Three young ladies—Anita Alfafara, Ethel Canlas, and Luz Incarnacion—vied for the title of queen at this box social. Local queen candidates entered regional contests sponsored by Filipino Americans throughout the West Coast. Like their immigrant parents, second-generation Filipinos felt the racial tensions of the times. But social, athletic, and scholastic clubs upheld and preserved Filipino culture.
A Veteran and His Bride, Salinas, Calif., 1940s Severino and Annie Sison stand on the steps of a church following their wedding after World War II. Many Filipino American veterans married during and after the war.

A Veteran and His Bride, Salinas, Calif., 1940s
Severino and Annie Sison stand on the steps of a church following their wedding after World War II. Many Filipino American veterans married during and after the war.
Pinoy Cook, Letterman Army Hospital, 1950s This member of the hospital staff posed during Christmas preparations at the Presidio army base.

Pinoy Cook, Letterman Army Hospital, 1950s
This member of the hospital staff posed during Christmas preparations at the Presidio army base.
Musicians, California, 1950s This mixed band of Pinoy, Latino, and African American musicians entertained at a house party in the 1950s.

Musicians, California, 1950s
This mixed band of Pinoy, Latino, and African American musicians entertained at a house party in the 1950s.
Cockfighter and Friend, California, 1950s Cockfighting was popular in the Filipino community. Families came from miles around to gamble on the contests and enjoy the spectacle.

Cockfighter and Friend, California, 1950s
Cockfighting was popular in the Filipino community. Families came from miles around to gamble on the contests and enjoy the spectacle.
Migrant Farm Children, 1950s This portrait of three children was made during one of Alvarado's visits to a California farm area. Photo by Ricardo Alvarado.

Migrant Farm Children, 1950s
This portrait of three children was made during one of Alvarado's visits to a California farm area. Photo by Ricardo Alvarado.
Women in the Countryside, California, 1950s These young women posed on the fenders of the photographer’s 1941 Chevy

Women in the Countryside, California, 1950s
These young women posed on the fenders of the photographer’s 1941 Chevy
Pinoy Band - photo by Ricardo Alvarado San Jose, California, 1950s Music was often a highlight of gatherings. Social life also centered in clubs, cafes and Filipino-owned restaurants.

Pinoy Band - photo by Ricardo Alvarado San Jose, California, 1950s
Music was often a highlight of gatherings. Social life also centered in clubs, cafes and Filipino-owned restaurants.

The Exhibit Team

Janet Alvarado

Project Leader

Janet Alvarado of San Francisco is responsible for all facets of the collaboration overseeing this project. Her first exhibition relays the poignant story of her father’s work, the Filipino American Photographer Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado (1914 – 1976). Through My Father’s Eyes is a signature, one of a kind project that has been highly regarded by The Smithsonian Institution and completed a successful national tour from 2002 – 2006. This experience, commitment and vision drive this current work in “Compositions—A Filipino American Experience” an important stepping stone in making the treasured photographs worthy of wider viewership. Janet serves as Executive Director, Curator for The Alvarado Project.

thealvaradoproject@gmail.com

Alohi Vega Alvarado

Project Leader

Alohi – meaning Shining, Brilliant is native born of Maui, Hawaii. She is an artist, freelance model and designer. In high school, Alohi pursued live theater performance and art. Currently featured in Arise Roots – Here I Am (https://youtu.be/gSguT7FntpM) on location recently in paradise – Maui. In 2021, Alohi was featured in underwater fashions by Justin Drew, Fashion Le Cour. Alohi, a third generation Alvarado comes from a long lineage of Creators.

Mark Anthony Hernandez

Project Leader

Born in San Francisco, Mark Anthony Hernandez is the great-grand nephew of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado. Mark, an alumni of University of Southern California earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering. He served as Executive Board member of the Filipino cultural club Troy Philippines, directing the Pilipino-American Culture Night in 2006. He continues to be involved in the business community consulting in an accounting firm in New York City. Professional memberships include the Young Filipino Professional Association, International Society
of Filipinos in Finance & The Alvarado Project SF. He strives to help future generations to connect to their under-represented past.

Mark Jayson Quines

Project Leader

Mark was born in Daly City, CA, a photographer living in San Francisco Bay Area. He uses photography to document personal cultural narratives and explore contemporary subcultures and identity. In his first solo exhibition NOBODY, Michael Jordan is a metaphorical vehicle connecting his ubiquitous image through ephemera and people in urban communities. Other projects to follow consider converging interest within his youth and current observations of having been born and raised in the Bay Area. He is a driving force behind THEAlvaradoArchiveX capturing newer audiences.