2025-2029 Events

Thursday, December 4, 2025 5 - 8 PM

at the California History Center

The fourth annual CHC Donors and Members Recognition Dinner – featuring guided painting with Foothill College art professor Jeffrey Levitch, music with DJ Joseph Miclette, food from Maggiano's, and wine from House Family Vineyards. Community members, faculty, staff and students attended. Thank you for joining us!

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Thursday, October 30, 2025

at the California History Center

• 11 AM  - 12:30 PM Documentary
• 12:30 AM - 1:30 PM Lunch
• 1:30 PM - 3 PM Q&A Panel

Documentary: "Manilatown Manang"

Momentum Series: Filipino-American History Month

Guest Speakers:

• Dr. Estella Habal, activist, educator, scholar, and Professor Emeritus at San Jose State University
• Jeanette Gandionco Lazam In the 1970s, Jeanette was among the young leaders who moved into the I-Hotel to help organize its defense, ultimately standing by elder Wahat Tampao during the historic 1977 eviction. Decades later, on June 3, 2021, she became the last evicted tenant to reclaim residency at the new International Hotel Senior Residences.
• Caroline Julia Cabading, Executive Director of Manilatown Heritage Foundation and film director of "Manilatown Manang" documentary

CHC presented a special community preview and screening of “Manilatown Manang”, a documentary honoring I-Hotel Tenant Defender Jeanette Gandionco Lazam. The screening was followed by a Q&A with Dr. Estella Habal, Jeanette Gandionco Lazam and Caroline Julia Cabading. The documentary was well-attended by De Anza students, faculty, and community members, followed by a delicious lunch and a powerful and moving Q&A, moderated by Political Science instructor Laura Chin. This California History Center event enjoyed support from Manilatown Heritage Foundation, Social Sciences and Humanities Division, Office of Equity, APASA | IMPACT AAPI, and the Foothill-DeAnza District Foundation. Special thanks to faculty Vivian Bejarin for all her help.

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Imagine Kearny Street Panel, with moderator Laura Chin and speakers Jeanette Gandionco Lazam, Dr. Estella Habal, and Caroline Cabading

Photo credit: Jibril Alvarez

Imagine Kearny Street exhibit was mounted by Manilatown collaborators artist Cat Lauigan and curator Sabrna Oliveros

Photo credit: Jibril Alvarez

Manilatown Heritage Foundation and California History Center collaborated to bring this event to the students and De Anza community

Photo credit: Jibril Alvarez

SSH Division Dean Elvin Ramos’s Momentum Series provided a delicious meal for attendees

Photo credit: Jibril Alvarez 

This special fundraising event offered a new look at the California History Center and the role of local history in the future, based on the needs of our students and how we can reconnect the communities of the past and present to create a view of the future.

Learn more about the event

Read LaVoz Article About The Event

Renowned historian Dr. Gregorio Mora-Torres discussed his book, newly published by La Raza Historical Society. He spoke about how the ethnic Mexican community of Santa Clara Valley contributed to the growth of San José and to the national Chicana/o movement.