Discovering the World’s Pinoy-Inspired Places

Everywhere you go in the world, you’ll find at least one place that is named after a famous Filipino figure. From long-winding streets to open parks, these Pinoy-inspired places not only celebrate our national heroes but also specific individuals who’ve made their mark globally. Let’s take a look at 4 examples.

1. Agbayani Retirement Village

Located in Delano, California, this mission-style haven was built in 1974 for Filipino farm laborers who were displaced by strict immigration laws. This village was named after Paulo Agbayani, a laborer who passed away during the Delano Grape Strike. And now, it stands as a testament to the sacrifices of Filipino workers in the United States.

2. Victoria Manalo Draves Park

This two-acre park in San Francisco, California, is named after Victoria Manalo Draves, the first Filipino-American Olympic gold medalist. This Pinoy-inspired place is located near her childhood home and includes sports facilities and gardens. So it now honors her historic victories from the 1948 Summer Olympics, specifically in springboard and platform diving.

3. Timicheg Tunnel

This railway tunnel in Ghent, Belgium is one of the Pinoy-inspired places named after a figure from indigenous communities. Timicheg was a Bontoc Igorot who, back in the early 1990s, was brought to Europe for a “human zoo” exhibit. Looking back, his tragic story sheds light on how the indigenous people were exploited during colonial times.

4. Pilita Street

If your parents or grandparents have heard “Ang Pipit” or “Matud Nila,” they’re familiar with the work of Pilita Corrales. But not only is she known as the “Asia’s Queen of Songs.” She’s also the first female recording star in Australia! All the more reason residents from the Forest Hill district named a street in her honor.

READ: Pinoy Expressions and their Origin Stories

These Pinoy-inspired places not only honor the achievements and sacrifices of our kababayans. They also tell stories of resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring global influence of our heritage, inspiring future generations to remember and celebrate our roots.