Bohol Circle Immigrant Park: America’s 1st Park Named After A Fil-Am Organization

 

The first month of 2023 marks a historical moment as Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, the first recreational park in the United States named after a Filipino American community organization, was opened to the public.

    Photo by: Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco

Aside from the numerous members of the Filipino American community who attended its grand opening celebration, the event was also studded with officials such as Representative Barbara Lee, City Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, and Vice Mayor Tony Daysog, a member of the Filipino American community himself. Neil Ferrer, the Philippine Consul General in San Francisco, also attended the said inauguration.

It was confirmed by Dr. Lily Ann Villaraza, a board member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, that Bohol Circle Immigrant Park is indeed the first recreational park in the US that is named after a Filipino American organization.

                             

     Photo by: Bohol Circle Organization

Bohol Circle, Inc. is the first and oldest Filipino American nonprofit in the United States as it was founded in September 21, 1936 by seven Filipinos—Roman Torregosa, Carl Cagaanan, Dal Jayag, Gaudencio Guyot, Victor Cainia, Antonio Deloso, and Eleuterio Cagaanan. Its primary purpose was to help the Filipino immigrants in the area to receive a respectful burial. Eventually, the founders realized that helping the said community financially through a mutual aid may be more beneficial for them, especially for urgent circumstances. Bohol is a province in the major island of Visayas in the Philippines, the home of all seven founders of the organization. Subsequently, the term “circle” was used to denote the members’ struggles and their bond.

Through the contribution of their members, Bohol Circle, Inc. was able to acquire land in Alameda. After years of conceptualization, the organization acknowledges various people who made the project come into fruition. “There are several people to appreciate for the success of this huge endeavor namely: Bob Balandra, Cynthia Bonta, Gary Cagaanan, and Jon Philip Abello Jr. for starting the journey several years ago that I am honored to have finished. Thank you so much Cynthia for guiding me in finishing this journey. Additionally, thank you to all the BCI Officers, namely President Myrna Cajilog, for your support,” Dr. Crystal Faith Cajilog-Espinosa said, an officer from the Bohol Circle, Inc.

Last September 2017, Bohol Circle, Inc. was also able to memorialize their organization when Bohol Circle Lane in Alameda was officially opened, in time for their 81st anniversary.

Bohol Circle Immigrant Park is situated at 2901 5th Street in Alameda, California, facing the Oakland Estuary. This waterfront park offers several amenities such as bicycle paths, picnic area, playground, and paved walking/bike trails. The park is open from dawn to dusk, but lighted athletic facilities are only open until 10:00PM.

Other parks with Filipino heritage present in the country are Delano Manongs Park in San Jose, the first public park in the city named after a Filipino American, Unidad Park in Los Angeles, a home to the nation’s largest Filipino American mural, and Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle which holds a bronze bust of the Philippine national hero, made by a late FIlipino master sculptor.


References:

https://news.yahoo.com/first-park-named-filipino-american-194608584.html
https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/Recreation-Parks/Bohol-Circle-Immigrant-Park


Photo Courtesy: Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, Bohol Circle Organization

Authored by: Alyanna Raiza Reyes

Alyanna Raiza Reyes is a Business Administration intern at PinoySeoul Media Enterprise. Based in the Philippines, she is presently a senior Marketing Management student at the University of Santo Tomas.