Day 245: Manila House, Washington, D.C.

📌APIA Every Day (245) - The Manila House, located at 2422 K St. NW in Washington, D.C.’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, served as a vital social and cultural hub for the Filipino American community from the 1930s through the 1950s. Purchased in 1937 by the Visayan Circle, a Filipino organization, the house initially operated as a boarding house for bachelors. Over time, it evolved into a gathering place for Filipinos in the area, including government workers, cab drivers, students, and artists. Managed by Asuncion Gaudiel and her husband, Gil, the Manila House became well-known for its home-cooked Filipino meals and its role as a community meeting space.

The Manila House played a significant role during World War II, providing a space for Filipinos to express concerns about the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and share news from home. Many of its patrons worked in government or served in the military, reflecting the demographic trends of Filipino immigrants in the D.C. area at the time. The house hosted events, dances, and meetings for the Filipino community, often at the cost of ten cents or fifty cents for entry and became a focal point for preserving cultural identity.

Among its visitors was Bienvenido N. Santos, a Filipino writer and government official who frequented the house in the 1940s. Santos later used the Manila House as inspiration for several of his literary works, including stories in his award-winning collection, The Scent of Apples. The house’s cultural significance was further cemented when it became the official address of Filipino publications like Bataan Magazine and the Filipino Reporter, which served as platforms for Filipino voices in D.C.

Although the Manila House ceased operation as a community hub in the 1970s and the property now houses St. Paul’s Episcopalian Parish offices, its historical significance has been preserved. In 2017, it was designated as a Literary Landmark by the American Library Association in recognition of its association with Bienvenido N. Santos. This designation highlights the house’s role in the history of Filipino immigration to Washington, D.C., and its contribution to the cultural and literary heritage of Filipino Americans.

LEARN MORE:

Positively Filipino: The Manila House in Washington, D.C.

Boundary Stones: A Filipino Literary Landmark: The Manila House in D.C.

DC Historic Sites: Finding Asian American History: Manila House

The Historical Marker Database: The Manila House

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