In Focus: Remembering Linda Mabalot

If there were one person whose impact bridged histories, forged intergenerational and cross-cultural solidarity, and resurrected VC from deep crisis, it has to be Linda Mabalot. In light of this year’s Filipino American History Month, we spotlight Linda to remember, share and celebrate her vigorous life, work and legacies.

Linda Mabalot was the beloved Executive Director of Visual Communications from 1984 to her passing in 2003. The daughter of a Sacramento River Delta farmer and graduate of UC Davis, Linda moved to Los Angeles in 1977 and fell in love with the city.

Linda helmed VC at the organization’s most challenging time when survival was top priority while maintaining its commitment to serving the Asian Pacific American community and media artists, leading the organization through many technological and organizational transitions and transformations.

As a photographer, sound recordist and media artist, Linda has contributed significantly to the Filipino American history and storytelling. The 1978 short documentary film Manong portrays the lives of the first wave of Filipinos in America most of whom settled as farm workers. Among the interviewed was Philip Vera Cruz, a Filipino farmer and labor activist who played a leading role in the historic Delano Grape Strike started in 1965, and helped found the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee. Often remembered as Linda’s “baby,” the film linked the history of first-generation Filipinos in California to the statewide farmworkers’ movements of the 1960s as well as exponentially lifting the stature of Vera Cruz as a genuine Asian Pacific American mentor, role model, and pioneer in the years after the film was completed.

Linda was also a collaborator who supported on a multitude of creative projects by other Asian Pacific American artists, documenting grassroots movements and constantly handing the mic to community members and leaders fighting for changes. She was a community champion who was involved in many arts and community-based organizations both locally and nationally — such as co-presiding the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC) from 1992–1995 and co-founding the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) in 1992 which still lives on today — and a visionary who tirelessly sought for new ways of creative presentation and engagement.

An innovative book project published in 1991 THAT documentS the remarkable body of film, video, and radio produced by Asian and Pacific Americans from the 1960s to 1990s. Linda MABALOT was credited as the publisher.

Photographic exhibit PLANTING ROOTS: A Pictorial History of Filipino Americans in California (1984).

Photographic Exhibit HEADING EAST: California’s Asian Pacific Experience (1998).

The Visual Communications family misses Linda deeply. Many spoke of Linda’s wild laugh and unstoppable energy when remembering her. As Executive Director of Visual Communications, Linda Mabalot sought to ensure the viability and long-term success of Asian Pacific Americans in the media arts, while instilling and inspiring much joy and trust into the work.

In light of the impending 20th anniversary of Linda’s passing next year, VC will plan a series of exhibitions to honor her legacy. Meanwhile, visit https://vcmedia.org/latest-news/vcconnect-howzit for a curated list of Linda’s work as part of VC’s virtual showcase program, VC Connect.

Happy Filipino American History Month!