The Filipino community of Stockton gathered in respectful remembrance and honor of Dr. Dawn Mabalon, a celebrated historian and influential presence, now immortalized through a dedicated portrait at Delta College. As a former student and fervent advocate for Filipino history and community empowerment, Dr. Mabalon's portrait officially lit up the Delta College forum, aptly renamed in her honor, symbolizing her enduring impact.
During a heartfelt ceremony filled with poignant memories, attendees filled the seats of the auditorium, the same one where Dr. Mabalon's scholarly journey began, to celebrate a life notably shortened by a tragic accident in 2018. Recounted by her sister, Darleen Mabalon, according to CBS Sacramento, "It's overwhelming because she was a student here," said Darleen Mabalon. "She sat in these classrooms. To know she's going to be here, she gave birth to hundreds of activists, students, some on the panel today were her mentors, so it's all full-circle. My sister was very powerful."
Dawn Mabalon's legacy is far-reaching, encompassing her roles as a co-founder of the Little Manila Foundation and as a guiding force in the fight for social justice and preservation of Filipino history. Her work earned her multiple accolades and solidified her status as an advocate on both a national and global stage. According to her sister in a statement to CBS Sacramento, "Decades of fight and struggle, we worked alongside Caesar Chavez, which was Larry Itliong. We were a part of the biggest strikes that would help with the union labor," Darleen said. "That was one of the biggest things I learned from my sister. She wanted to make sure we had a voice."
Further honoring her legacy, the Stockton Unified District has championed ethnic studies, providing students the option to explore Filipino history, Latino history, and Black history, a testament to Dr. Mabalon's enduring influence. Embodying the values symbolized by the Filipino sun—unity, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty—her spirit lives on through her impactful initiatives. Darleen told CBS Sacramento, "They are now deep in the community, there's the asthma initiative, social justice, after-school programs woven with ethnic studies, Darleen said. "There's so many ways kids can learn about their history and not just Filipino-American history, Mexican-American history, Black studies, all these things STEM from everybody organizing, little Manila sparked fires in different communities because who are we if not standing together?"
In tribute to Dr. Mabalon's passion for community and storytelling, Little Manila Rising posted on social media, inviting the community to the portrait installation and dedication at San Joaquin Delta College's Dawn Mabalon Forum. The event, a gathering to celebrate Dr. Mabalon's contributions to Stockton and the Filipino community, was held on October 11. The post stated, "Dr. Mabalon gave Stockton her heart. She preserved the stories of our elders, fought for the survival of Little Manila, and showed us the power of telling our own history." The message ended with gratitude, "Thank you Dawn, we miss you," sourced from Little Manila Rising Instagram post.
