The Rita M. Cacas Filipino American Community Archives Collection

The Rita M. Cacas Filipino American Community Archives documents Filipino American communities in the Washington, D.C., metro area (including Maryland and Northern Virginia) and in the state of Maryland more broadly. The collection also documents significant historic events related to the transition of United States' occupation of the Philippines (1898-1946) to the country's independence, including Filipino military and government service under the United States in the two World Wars. The collection includes evidence and documentation of historic special events such as dances, celebrations and receptions, and social/professional clubs of D.C. area Filipinos. Family records include the Brazal, Cacas, Fuñe-Palangdao, Panaganiban-Chapman, Quidangen-Sarmiento, and Toribio families among several others. Also included in the collection are newspaper clippings and press release photographs concerning Filipino and Filipino American dignitaries, officials and military personnel. Finally, the collection contains materials related to art, research, and publishing projects completed by Rita M. Cacas. Materials in the archive include photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications, ephemera, audiovisual materials, and electronic records. The Rita M. Cacas Foundation (RMCF) has partnered with the UMD Libraries to create this collection and supports the community archives in a variety of ways. Additional materials for the archives are welcome from members of the local community