Inang Siling, Lugao, and Easi Kasberg at the grave of Ibay Salayaw, March 28, 2022
The Philippine Village Historical Site is currently working to place markers at six gravesites of individuals who died and were buried in St. Louis during the 1904 World’s Fair.
Updates
January 2022: After reaching the fundraising goal, the down payment was made for six grave markers.
March 2022: Representatives of the Hanunoo Mangyan community visited St. Louis on the death anniversary of Ibay.
April 2022: Received proofs of grave marker designs in progress.
July 2022: Dadao’s brain is identified in the Smithsonian. Conversations with the Meranao community and the Smithsonian begin.
October 2022: Representatives of the Meranao community state that they want Dadao’s brain and body reburied together in a Muslim cemetery in the United States. The Smithsonian cuts off contact with the Philippine Village Historical Site and Indigenous representatives.
August 2023: After The Washington Post mishandled an exposé on the Smithsonian’s racial brain collection, a statement was released that the Smithsonian will transfer remains in their possession to the National Museum in Manila, including the brain of Dadao, without the knowledge or consent of her community. There has been no further information from the National Museum.
January 2024: After receiving no communication from the Smithsonian or National Museum, the Philippine Village Historical Site made the decision to move forward in honoring the remains of the individuals at the cemetery in conjunction with the placement of the historical marker.
Honoring the Dead: Memorial Fundraiser
Contribute towards grave markers for six individuals who died at the 1904 World’s Fair.
Ibay “Salayaw” (Hanunoo Mangyan from Bulalacao, Mindoro)
Falayay (Aeta or Igorot from either Mariveles or Bontoc - unconfirmed)
Basilio (Magbukun Aeta from Mariveles, Bataan)
Maliquido (Soldier in the Philippine Constabulary from Cotabato, Mindanao)
Dadao (Meranao from Marawi, Mindanao)
Louisa Francis Bihinang (Magbukun Aeta, born and died in St. Louis)
My name is Janna Añonuevo Langholz, and I’m a local researcher and the caretaker of the Philippine Village Historical Site. Between April 2021 and January 2022, I located the graves of six individuals from the Philippines who died during the 1904 World’s Fair and were buried at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis: Ibay Salayaw, Falayay, Basilio, Maliquido, Dadao, and Louisa Francis Bihinang.
These six IPs (Indigenous Peoples) died from sickness during the fair, and their graves have been unmarked for 118 years. I am raising funds to place six individual markers at their gravesites. More information about these individuals can be found on my blog.
The grave markers will be ordered from Classic Monument in St. Louis. The total cost, including taxes, will be $3,942.00. The estimated production time once designs are approved is 8-10 months.
Special thanks to BIBAK, Kinding Sindaw, the Mangyan Heritage Center, and Parangal Dance Company for their assistance and efforts to locate next of kin. Anyone of Magbukun Aeta, Meranao, or Bontoc heritage or connected to the Mariveles, Bontoc, Cotabato, or Marawi areas who may be a descendant and has additional information about these individuals, please contact me.
The project was funded overnight! I am so grateful for the incredible support from the community.
Together we raised $5,368 out of a goal of $3,942.
The additional funds will be set aside for the commemoration and future Philippine Village Historical Site initiatives. Please check back for updates or follow me @jannanonymous on Instagram for day-to-day progress.
The purchase of grave markers is made possible by our community. Thank you to the following individuals for their generous support in honoring these individuals.
Hope Ainsworth
Mila Inés Aispuro
Michael Allen
Dana Ampong-O’Connor
Michael Arcega
Roxanne Atienza
Nadine Badra
Christian Bañez
Alegra Batara
Ariana Berberabe
Daphney Bitanga
Princess Bizares
Sam Bleisch
Crystalynn Brendia
Aprille Grace Brillantes Buado
Kelvin Burzon
Anthony Cabrera
Canullas Family
Kiara Gail Castillo
Jennifer Cayanan
Kim Chan
Sarah Chaudhary
Arielle Sabio Claypool
Eryan Cooper
Todd, Shearry, Selby, Payton & Georgi Warren and Eufrocina Miranda Cunningham
Alisa Damaso
Kalven Duncan
Chanel Athena Estrada
Rome F.
Danika Fernandez
Amanda Flores
John Yoyogi Fortes
Keegan Gelvoria
Alyssa Noelle Geniza
GFL Designs
K. Go
Rebecca Goldschmidt
Kat De Guzman
Cammie Lewis Holiday
Ikahn Family (Jeffrey, Trisia, Arielle, Isaac, Elias & Madeline)
Rialin Jose
Jordan Knecht
Juni Lazo
Rosie Lopolito
Christine Mallari
Mary Manibog
Manila Candle
Rene Marquez
Annabelle Martin
Pedro D. Mendoza Jr.
Cher Musico
Kevin & Kaleo Nadal
Carlyle Nuera
Ranzen Ocampo
Daniel O’Connor
Gabrielll Padua
Pamela Parayo
Miel Paredes
Eutalia De la Paz
Monira Quejada
Derrick Quevedo
Karinina Quimpo
Bea Ramos
Michael James Reed
Godiva Reisenbichler
Jake Ricafrente
Sherwin Rio
Jocyl Sacramento
Elizabeth Salley
Sylvia Scheuler
Hannah Schierbeek
Mikkel Snyder
Eric Solano
Janina & William Sommer
Raisa Solis
Ebony Soy
Elinor Stark
Kiernan Steiner
Laidric Stevenson
Joana Stillwell
Ashley Topacio
Richard De La Torre
Nicky Uy
Liana Van Zen
JC Macawile Wach
Amber Jams-Gordon Winters
Beverly Yanuaria
Amanda Yates
Charlene Young
Robin Young