Archipelago, a community classroom
The first class visit back in the Spring of 2023.
Last month we welcomed Cleveland High School’s Filipino/a/x American (FilAm) U.S. History class. As a curriculum partner, we welcomed the first class just 2 years ago and it was a group of about 7 students… this year, we hosted 30 students! We are so proud to see this curriculum grow and to see so many students of different cultural backgrounds participating.
2025 Filipinx U.S. History Class visit. The third year of the curriculum.
When we received the email to plan this year’s school visit, we began to approach it as we had in previous years… until we heard the headcount. For those of you who have visited us, you might know our restaurant is very small and intimate. We only serve 12 guests per dinner. So we got creative and split class into two groups, taking turns between two experiences.
Splitting the class between our two spaces.
We took one group on the dining journey that most of our guests are familiar with and the other, behind the scenes into our process of finding, uncovering, and creating each experience — of course with sweet cheesy snacks to support that brain power.
Our student lunch was a 4 course tasting menu. Opening with a Carlos Bulosan lumpiang sariwa, moving to a Maria Orosa slider, to an Auntie Dorothy fried chicken, finishing with a Jose Rizal Park putong pula. The condensed menu allowed for more time to dive further into these local stories and their connection to the land and ingredients. Together we discussed, shared, and explored with our senses.
In the behind the scenes room, our team set it up like secret underground archive, holding hints of the history that has been missing from our U.S. history books, and today, actually being removed from government sites and federally funded museums. With the nourishment of meryenda (sara sara and ensaymada) students searched the room for photos to uncover – each had hints of earmarked pages, encouraging the students to search through the books that filled the room. It was a fruitful addition to our student experience that sparked questions, curiosity, and an empowerment to do more.
Enrico Abadesco, this year’s Cleaveland Highschool Filipinx U.S. History instructor, joining in with the students
Thank you to Rico, Jimenez, Liab, Mary, and to the students and parents for letting us continue to be a community classroom. It means the world to us to be able to connect, share, and learn and as always, to keep our stories alive.
Huge thank you to our sous chef and community organizer, Ronnette Sanchez for leading the charge on organizing this event and to our volunteers, Meesh and Robert. Thank you for never hesitating to give your time to the community.