How cool - check out that classic T-Bird out in front too!
A friend of mine, Ms. Eloisa Gomez Borah, (a trustee of the Filipino American National Historical Society or FANHS) told me about this place. She sent me a few links (at the end of this post) which detailed the history behind the Philippine Islands condos which used to be home of the P.I. Market.
A quick note about the use of "P.I.". Many second generation folks like myself use the abbreviation P.I. when referring to the Philippines. I didn't learn until later that the term P.I. is not only the incorrect way to refer to the Philippines, but is also offensive or considered "disrespectful" to some Filipinos. I grew up saying P.I. because that's what my parents said. Back then, I never thought about it's meaning or other significance. One of my older educator friends, a retired Filipina teacher is irked by the use of "P.I." because it is the colonial name of the Philippines (1898-1946) when the Americans were ceded the Islands at the end of the Spanish American War from Spain, the previous colonial masters. Up until the end of WWII, the country was called The Philippine Islands and were under colonial rule. The proper term is the Republic of the Philippines (or RP). I just plain call my parents' homeland, The Philippines now. She also said that P.I. is also the shortened version of a the curse word, "Putang Ina" (Puta = from the Spanish word "whore" and Ina = from the Filipino word for "mother"). Not a phrase you want to use in polite conversation.
I personally don't think most people mean to be disrespectful when referring to the Philippines as P.I. Is it historically correct? No, but for some, it's a shorter and faster way to say Philippines.
The plaques were installed by the FANHS Central Coast Chapter at the opening of the condos in 2008 and commemorated the P.I. Market and its role in Pismo Beach post WWII up to the early 1980's. According to the article (linked at the end) from The Clam Chronicle, Filipinos settled in various areas on the West Coast, working the agricultural fields and in industry. Many of these immigrants were young Philippine nationals who left their families back home to make a better a life for themselves. Pismo Beach, along with other key cities along the Central Coast (Wastsonville, Salinas, Guadalupe) was an enclave to Filipino laborers back in the 30's.
Back then, due to discrimination, Filipinos (and other minorities) were relegated to the bad parts of town and recreational activities revolved around the red light district where the gambling halls, pools halls, and taxi dance halls (where Filipinos would buy rolls of tickets to dance with white women) were located. Discrimination was not only found in the post Depression job market, but extended towards voting rights (there were none because as "nationals" they were neither citizen nor alien, no thanks to American colonization and the Tydings-McDuffy Act of 1933), and anti-miscegenation laws (such as the case of Roldan vs. L.A. County, 1933).
After WWII ended, the Philippines was granted independence from U.S. rule and Filipinos were seen as an ally rather than a threat. The post War economy was on an upswing and many Filipinos were able to own land and businesses such as the historic P.I. Market ,which became a hub of activity for the Filipino community. The original market was torn down but the art deco facade still remains in this new condo complex geared towards visitors/renters.
The next two photos below feature the glass blocks and hardware on the doors from the original P.I. Market.
I wish I could have seen the neon sign lit up at night. I can just picture the nattily dressed Filipino shoppers in their hats, three piece suits, or belted shirt dresses and high heels hustling and bustling in the store. Women with their children in tow as they shopped for hard to find Philippine vegetables like ampalaya (bittermelon) , talong (eggplant), opo (loofah squash), and bataw (hyacinth beans) as Big Band and Swing music plays in the background...
See the historical articles in their entirety here:
"A Page in History" by Effie McDermott from page 8 of The Clam Chronicle, Vol. 14, Issue 3 (August 2008) along with a thread from the Element Owners Car Club (you'll have to scroll down) where one of the members talks about how his grandfather used to own the PI Market (in the comments dated 1-23-2009).
Up next, giant mollusks.
3 comments:
I feel the same way about the term "P.I." mostly because I recall hearing it referred to enlisted Navy men as a place to "hook up" and it that word has always connected me with that experience. I know a few people feel that same about Tijuana as "T.J." as well. Good piece of history!
I've never heard of the Philippines referred to as PI, which is good since I probably would have inadvertently offended someone. It's interesting learning about all the historical stuff.
hi darlene - yeah, i know what you mean. thanks for reading and commenting.
hi c - well, to be honest, not a lot of us 2nd gen Filipino Americans even know or care about the P.I. term and not a lot of people i know personally are NOT offended by it.
My friend is older (60's) and was anti-martial law in the 70's, anti-Marcos, etc. She is very progressive and is a recently retired educator. i appreciated her filling me in on the history of the term.
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