Al Robles
Encyclopedia
Alfred A. Robles was a Filipino American
poet and community activist in San Francisco. Born in 1930, he was the second eldest in a family of ten brothers and sisters, and grew up in the Fillmore district of San Francisco. A community character, he was instrumental in the political fight against the city to stop the demolition of the International Hotel
on Kearny Street
.
Al Robles combined heritage with experience. His poetry and community work honored Filipino elders (Manongs) and also inspired and encouraged the young students, activists, writers and artists to connect to their Filipino heritage. Verses about traditional Filipino foods, his experiences in Hawaii, New Mexico, and community personalities in San Francisco resulted in countless poems, and two published works: "Looking for Ifugao Mountain: Paghahanap Sa Bundok Ng Ifugao 1977 by Children's Book Press,'and'Rappin' with Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark, published in 1996 by UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
In 2008, Filmmaker Curtis Choy released a documentary about Al Robles, Manilatown in the Heart, Time Travel with Al Robles focusing on his many personalities and community roles. It has been shown at countless film festivals, including the 2009 DisOrient Film Festival, in Eugene, OR, Asian Pacific Heritage Month 2009 in Los Altos Hills, and the 2009 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, where it was a Finalist for the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary.
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
poet and community activist in San Francisco. Born in 1930, he was the second eldest in a family of ten brothers and sisters, and grew up in the Fillmore district of San Francisco. A community character, he was instrumental in the political fight against the city to stop the demolition of the International Hotel
International Hotel
International Hotel may refer to:* International Hotel , a historic building* The I-Hotel, a residential hotel and community center in San Francisco, California* The former name of the Las Vegas Hilton...
on Kearny Street
Kearny Street
Kearny Street in San Francisco, California runs north from Market Street to The Embarcadero, with a gap on Telegraph Hill. Toward its south end, it separates the Financial District from the Union Square and Chinatown districts. Further north, it passes over Telegraph Hill.-History:Kearny Street...
.
Al Robles combined heritage with experience. His poetry and community work honored Filipino elders (Manongs) and also inspired and encouraged the young students, activists, writers and artists to connect to their Filipino heritage. Verses about traditional Filipino foods, his experiences in Hawaii, New Mexico, and community personalities in San Francisco resulted in countless poems, and two published works: "Looking for Ifugao Mountain: Paghahanap Sa Bundok Ng Ifugao 1977 by Children's Book Press,'and'Rappin' with Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark, published in 1996 by UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
In 2008, Filmmaker Curtis Choy released a documentary about Al Robles, Manilatown in the Heart, Time Travel with Al Robles focusing on his many personalities and community roles. It has been shown at countless film festivals, including the 2009 DisOrient Film Festival, in Eugene, OR, Asian Pacific Heritage Month 2009 in Los Altos Hills, and the 2009 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, where it was a Finalist for the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary.
Poetry
- Ifugao Mountain: Paghahanap Sa Bundok Ng Ifugao (1977)
- Rappin' with Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark (1992)