71 I When Communities Lead: Little Manila Rising's Blueprint for Health and Healing

Overview:

We explore the powerful story of Little Manila Rising, an organization founded to preserve the Filipino American legacy in Stockton, California, and uplift the South Stockton community. We hear how founders rallied local residents to prevent the destruction of historic neighborhoods and created a movement rooted in ancestral legacy, heart-centered activism, and holistic care. We learn about programs tackling health inequities, environmental justice, mental health, and youth development, all shaped by listening to community needs. Through initiatives like the Healing PUSO project and ECHO, we witness how blending Western and traditional Filipino healing practices, offering free clinics, and providing culturally responsive mental health support have made a tangible impact. Centering community voices and advocating for policy change, Little Manila Rising exemplifies the importance of accessible, culturally anchored healthcare that truly cares for the whole person.

Three Takeaways:

Community-Led Preservation as Health Work
Little Manila Rising started as a preservation movement to protect Filipino-American heritage in Stockton, especially after systemic destruction through redevelopment. But as described by Hannah and Tessa, saving these physical and cultural spaces proved foundational to the community’s well-being—demonstrating that historical and cultural preservation itself is acts of healthcare, fostering identity and resilience (Hannah, 00:00:26–00:02:55).

Deeply Personal and Spiritual Motivation
Tessa makes clear that the organization’s work is “heart-centered” and “spirit-led,” guided by the dreams and struggles of their ancestors. Staff are deeply connected on a personal level, honoring not just their community but also familial and ancestral legacies. This kind of motivation sets the tone for sustainable and authentic advocacy work (Tessa, 00:04:03–00:04:39).

Holistic and Culturally Rooted Healthcare Delivery
Through programs like Healing PUSO and Echo, Little Manila Rising offers both Western and traditional healing modalities, including Filipino massage, acupuncture, and sound healing. By blending these approaches, the clinics honor diverse health beliefs and needs, which community members find more welcoming and effective than traditional mainstream healthcare (Tessa, 00:11:37–00:15:19).

Resources:

• Little Manila Rising

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