Film premieres October 4, 2025 at Oakland Asian Cultural Center during Filipino American History Month
OAKLAND, Calif. — The new documentary “Oakland Ilokana” will premiere on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 3 PM at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, coinciding with Filipino American History Month. Directed by Bay Area filmmaker Elenita Makani O’Malley, the film tells the story of her grandmother, Marie Veronica Mendoza Rivera Yip – affectionately known as “Lola” Marie.
“Oakland Ilokana” follows Elenita as she embarks on a personal journey to understand her maternal legacy. Guided by Lola Marie’s vivid storytelling, the film traces four generations of Bay Area Filipinas while exploring themes of displacement, resilience, and cultural inheritance.
Born in Oakland in 1934, Lola Marie was among the first American-born Filipinas. Her life reflects key chapters of Filipino American history – from her family’s first footsteps in Hawai‘i, to growing up in Oakland Chinatown, to raising children in the East Bay, and later facing health challenges in her 90s.
Produced in collaboration with Balay Kreative, the East Bay Community Foundation, and the City of San Leandro,“Oakland Ilokana” highlights the importance of preserving cultural memory and passing down stories across generations.
“Through learning pieces of my Lola Marie’s story, I’ve started to understand my own,” says O’Malley.“Her voice has helped me connect across generations, and I hope this film inspires others to reflect on the stories that shaped them.”
What: “Oakland Ilokana” film premiere
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 3 PM
Where: Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Oakland, CA
Admission: Free and open to the public
For more information, visit: www.elenitamakani.com/oaklandilokana
ELENITA MAKANI O’MALLEY
