In a significant step towards inclusivity, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has unveiled the addition of ‘Filipinotown’ to the wrap of the Seattle Streetcar on the First Hill Line.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment in acknowledging the contributions of Filipino Americans to the heart of the city, particularly the Chinatown-International District (CID).
Cynthia Mejia Giudici, who played a vital role in advocating for this recognition, first noticed the omission while waiting at a stoplight on 12th Avenue South and Jackson Street in 2023. As a streetcar passed by, she was struck by the absence of Filipino representation in the nearby neighborhoods highlighted by the streetcar’s wrap.
“What was missing? And why?” she recalled, reflecting on the legacy of the Manongs—first-generation Filipinos who played a crucial role in Seattle’s history.
The unveiling ceremony on Wednesday drew a diverse crowd, including several Manongs and Manangs (elder Filipino women), who gathered to celebrate the recognition of Filipinotown.
In its blog post commemorating the event, SDOT noted, “The Filipinotown addition signifies much more than aesthetic enhancement. It symbolizes the deep roots of Filipino Americans in Seattle and their longstanding contributions to the city, from early labor movements to thriving businesses and vibrant cultural traditions.”
Giudici collaborated with the Wing Luke Museum to conduct extensive research documenting the Filipino presence in the CID, focusing on the small businesses and gathering spots where community members worked and socialized.
Devin Cabanilla, a fellow advocate for the Filipinotown initiative, emphasized at the ceremony, “Our American experience is memorable; our time here and diversity should be recognized.”
Cabanilla went on to highlight the importance of acknowledging the struggles faced by the elders before them, reinforcing the value of diversity in the city.
The fight for the recognition of Filipinotown began in earnest in 2017 when the Seattle City Council officially acknowledged the area as part of the CID.
This landmark decision laid the groundwork for the designation that ensures the Filipino community’s place in Seattle’s rich history.
Giudici articulated the significance of this recognition, stating, “Filipino Americans must be recognized for their contributions, their existence, their sacrifices.”
She added, “The update honors a long history and corrects a long-standing oversight. It symbolizes decades of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering love for place and people—our kababayan. It affirms our past, empowers our present, and ensures that future generations of Filipinos know they belong and always have.”
Many organizations, including the Filipino American National Historical Society and the Seattle FilipinoTown Coalition, galvanized support for this recognition alongside various community leaders.
Adiam Emery, interim director of SDOT, expressed pride in the initiative, stating, “As the city’s steward of the streetcar and in close partnership with King County Metro, SDOT is proud to help celebrate the rich Filipino American history with the ‘Filipinotown’ update.”
Emery described the addition as a meaningful reminder of the diverse communities that contribute to Seattle’s identity.
Chera Amlag, co-owner of Hood Famous Bakeshop, Cafe & Bar, also shared her emotional response during the ceremony. “As I saw this Streetcar and Filipinotown come down, I could not help but start to tear up,” Amlag said, reflecting on the impact of her business in fostering a sense of belonging for Filipinos in the community.
Having opened in 2019, Hood Famous is the first Filipino food establishment to set roots in the CID in 35 years. Amlag encouraged others to start businesses in the area, saying, “We weren’t the first and we won’t be the last.”
The celebration continued as attendees enjoyed the inaugural ride on the Filipinotown Streetcar, which took them to Hood Famous, further cementing the community’s pride in their heritage.
image source from：https://nwasianweekly.com/2025/05/filipinotown-seattle-streetcar-unveiled-representing-inclusion-in-cid/
