Documentary short Oakland Ilokana honors the legacy of a Filipino grandmother

Elenita O’Malley’s documentary short “Oakland Ilokana” premieres on Oct. 4 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, focusing on her grandmother Marie Rivera Yip's experiences as a Filipino immigrant. Over three years, O'Malley collected footage to highlight the significant yet often overlooked contributions of Filipino women during the 1920s and 1930s. Yip's family history includes the establishment of one of Oakland's first Filipino-owned businesses, Philippine Cleaners and Laundry Agency. O’Malley stresses the importance of documenting family stories, especially those of elders, to preserve cultural heritage.

The film delves into themes of identity and the shared connections between generations, revealing the impact of migration on personal and communal histories. O’Malley’s last interview with her grandmother took place shortly before Yip's cancer diagnosis, emphasizing the urgency of capturing these narratives. The project was funded through grants and community donations, showcasing local support for cultural storytelling. O’Malley hopes viewers will be inspired to explore and document their own family histories.