Bundok: A Hinterland History of Filipino America

Adrian De Leon's book explores the history of Northern Luzon and its Indigenous people, showing how they were affected by imperial and capitalist extraction. He argues that the Filipino race emerged from the labor, subjugation, archiving, and resistance of native people and offers a new perspective on the US Pacific empire.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

From the late eighteenth century, the hinterlands of Northern Luzon and its Indigenous people found themselves at the center of imperial and capitalist extraction. In his captivating book, Adrian De Leon delves into the lives of the people of Northern Luzon, spanning across space and time. By seamlessly combining the broad scope of global history with the personal narratives of individuals, De Leon presents a fresh perspective on the United States' Pacific empire, starting from the native and migrant communities that were at the core of colonialism and its everyday unraveling.

The journey begins with the emergence of Luzon's tobacco industry in the late eighteenth century, marked by the documentation of workers by the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association. De Leon then traces the movement of people and ideas across the Suez Canal, highlighting the experiences of Filipino farmworkers in the American West. Throughout this intricate narrative, De Leon meticulously reconstructs the Filipino as a racial category that emerged from the labor, subjugation, archival practices, and resistance of native people.

The author's imaginative construction of an archive provides a comprehensive history that holds the potential to reshape our understanding of race-making in the Pacific world. By delving into the lives of ordinary individuals and communities, De Leon offers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the complexities and struggles of colonialism and its aftermath. His book serves as a valuable contribution to the field of history, shedding light on the lesser-known narratives of the Pacific region and challenging prevailing narratives of power and exploitation.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469676470