Mana Receives Mellon Foundation Grant to Continue Storytelling Initiatives in Alaska
September 24, 2025
Anchorage, Alaska — It brings us so much joy to share that Mana, fiscally sponsored by Umoja, has received a Mellon Foundation grant to support Filipino American storytelling, culture, and community initiatives across Alaska.
Mana aims to tell the history of Filipinos in Alaska and beyond by centering relationships and community first. True to our name — which is Tagalog for heritage, to inherit — our mission is to preserve stories for the next generation and empower others to document their own. “We have over 1,000 VHSs and DVDs we need to archive and preserve and I’m excited to dive into that,” exclaimed co-founder and storyteller Joshua Branstetter. “Not only will we honor our elders and communities across Alaska, but we will pass stories onto the next generation.”
At Mana, we are seeing firsthand the urgent need to preserve our culture through storytelling and establishing rich connections with elders before they are no longer with us. This Mellon Foundation grant will support travel, additional exhibits, and community workshops that will foster larger awareness and strengthen community connections for the next two years.
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Mana is a multimedia collective that collects and documents generations through storytelling by sharing histories of Filipino Americans across Alaska. For more information about Mana and the space it’s creating in Alaska, visit www.manaalaska.com.
Mana Sweeps Leadership Awards for Cultural Impact and Community Storytelling
July 20, 2025
Anchorage, Alaska - Founders and Mana team members honored with statewide and national awards for their visionary work uplifting Filipino American voices. All four members of the Mana leadership team were recently recognized with prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to cultural preservation, public engagement, community storytelling, and executive leadership.
Tasha Elizarde was named Emerging Journalist of the Year (2024) by the Asian American Journalists Association for her work highlighting Filipino American narratives in Alaska. Shayne Nuesca was named University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Journalism and Public Communications 2025 Alumni of Distinction for demonstrating excellence in her career of journalism and community impact. Lastly, Joshua Albeza Branstetter and Pearl-Grace Pantaleone were listed among the list of Alaska’s 2025 Top Forty Under 40 by the Alaska Journal of Commerce for their role in founding Mana and extensive volunteer work across the state. Each award reflects Mana’s growing presence as a cultural force in Alaska and beyond.
“We’re proud to see our team’s hard work being recognized,” says Pearl-Grace Pantaleone, Co-Founding Storyteller and Community Engagement Director of Mana. “These awards are not just personal honors, they reflect the resilience, creativity, and community power behind Mana’s mission. They give us a chance to proudly represent our movement and encourage the next generation of leaders.”
Founded to celebrate and preserve Filipino American history in Alaska, Mana has hosted statewide events, launching an award-winning exhibit to kick off Alaska's inaugural Filipino American Heritage Month, and connected artists, advocates, elders, and youth through storytelling. With another exhibit and collaborations on the horizon, Mana empowers all to join its growing movement to amplify voices and intergenerational stories. They are gearing up for her annual event during Filipino American History Month this October.
For more information about Mana and the space it’s creating in Alaska, browse through our website.
Left to right: Pearl-Grace Pantaleone, Joshua Branstetter, Shayne Nuesca.
Tasha Elizarde.
Mana Honored with Excellence in Museum Field by Museums Alaska
October 1, 2024
Anchorage, Alaska - Mana, an innovative leader in community-based heritage preservation, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Museum Field Award by Museums Alaska. This recognition celebrates Mana’s outstanding debut exhibition, “Mana: The History We Inherit,” and contribution to preserving Alaska’s rich cultural heritage, especially through its commitment to engaging communities and fostering deep connection between Alaskans and their shared history.
The award was presented at Museums Alaska’s annual conference during the welcome and award ceremony on Thursday, September 26, which gathers professionals from across the state to celebrate achievements in museum work, heritage preservation, and education. The Excellence in Museum Field Award recognizes institutions that demonstrate innovation, leadership, and excellence in the museum field, and Mana has proven to be a trailblazer in these areas.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this award,” said Tasha Elizarde, co-founder of Mana. “Our mission has always been to uplift the stories of Alaska’s diverse communities and ensure that our heritage is preserved and passed onto future generations. This recognition by Museums Alaska is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, and to the support we’ve received from the people of Alaska.”
Since inception, Mana has worked closely with Filipino-Americans, local historians, and cultural institution to curate and promote an exhibit that reflect the vibrant, and multifaceted history of the state Through innovative programming digital storytelling, and national collaborations, Mana has embraced being a media collective by fostering deeper connections between people, places, and history.
For more information about Mana and its award-winning work, visit www.manaalaska.com.
Mana Celebrates Alaska’s 2nd Filipino-American History Month Across the State
September 24, 2024
Anchorage, AK — Mana is proud to announce a statewide celebration of Filipino-American History Month this October. As a part of this special occasion, the Mana team will be traveling to Ketchikan, Fairbanks, and Anchorage to engage with communities, share stories, and honor the contributions of Filipino-Americans to Alaska’s rich cultural tapestry with a traveling exhibit.
This marks the second year that Filipino American History Month will be celebrated under the banner of Mana Alaska. Last year’s successful launch of our inaugural exhibit, “Mana: The History We Inherit,” laid the foundation for this year’s expanded programming. The exhibit, which focuses on the oral histories of Filipino elders across the state, has been instrumental in raising awareness of the Filipino community’s historical presence and influence in Alaska.
Event highlights include, but not limited to:
Ketchikan: Friday, September 27, 6:30-8:30pm
AK Legends Cider & Winery
Bridging Our Stories - Homeland to Birthplace
Featuring Special Exhibit by Mana
More information at: https://ketchikankapamilya.org
Ketchikan: Friday, October 4, 5-8pm
Main Street Gallery
ARTober ART Walk
Featuring pieces from Mana
More information at: https://ketchikankapamilya.org
Fairbanks: Saturday, October 5, 4-8pm
Pioneer Park’s Alaska Centennial Center
Filipino-American Society of Fairbanks presents a Filipino Cultural Celebration featuring pieces from Mana
More information at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipino-cultural-celebration-tickets-1002202142587.
Anchorage: Wednesday, October 16, Time TBD
Location TBD
University of Alaska Anchorage’s Kabayan Community student gathering with Mana presentation and tableMore information at: https://www.instagram.com/kabayan.uaa/
Filipino American History Month was officially recognized in Alaska in May 2023, with the passing of SB 23 by Representative Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage. The Filipino presence in the state dates back to the early 1900s, when workers migrated to support the fishing and canning industries. Today, Filipinos make up one of the largest Asian American communities in Alaska, and Mana is committed to ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations. For more information please email mana.akhistory@gmail.com.
Mana to take the stage at FANHS conference in Houston after successful debut exhibit
Mana takes its first exhibition on the road. First stop: Houston, Texas.
Anchorage, AK — Following the success of its exhibit, “Mana: The History We Inherit,” Mana continues its mission to preserve and uplift Filipino American history in Alaska. The media collective will kick off its next phase of work with an engaging event at the 20th Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) National Biennial Conference.
Event Details
Title: “Mana: Bridging Filipino American Generations Through Storytelling in Alaska”
Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CST
Location: United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Website: fanhs2024.com
The founding members of the Mana team will lead an interactive workshop focusing on the power of storytelling to connect generations within the Filipino American community in Alaska. In this one-hour workshop, Mana will share insights on collecting oral histories from Filipino elders across the state, ranging from World War II military bases in the Aleutian Islands to the canneries of Kodiak.
Participants will learn about:
Centering relationships to uncover unrecorded Alaska history
Curating a museum exhibit to honor the Filipino community
Hosting a landmark celebration with more than 1,500 attendees for Alaska’s inaugural Filipino American History Month
Attendees will be able to engage in the oral history process, exploring what it means “to inherit” through the lens of storytelling and intergenerational connection. Mana will also discuss the collective’s future plans to record and showcase the often-overlooked stories of Filipinos in Alaska.
Additionally, photographic art from Mana’s first exhibit will be on display. Participants are encouraged to email mana.akhistory@gmail.com with questions about making media, curating exhibits, and more.
Family statement on the defacement of their ancestral image at Anchorage Museum
A statement from the family whose ancestral image was defaced at the Mana exhibit in the Anchorage Museum.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2024
Contact: mana.akhistory@gmail.com
Mana Alaska is issuing this statement on behalf of the family whose ancestral image was subjected to defacement at our exhibit in the Anchorage Museum. The family has asked to remain anonymous to prevent further harm to their family and elders.
"The incident, which occurred on January 18th, was first discovered not by the museum staff but by a member of our family. They were shocked to find a crude sticker defaced on their grandfather's face in the Mana exhibit, a space dedicated to honoring Filipino-American history. This particular photograph holds sentimental value, capturing the beginning of our grandfather's American dream. Although the museum extended a private apology to our family during a formal meeting held a week after the incident, the museum’s lack of urgency, their seeming indifference to its impact, and the insufficient protection of our communities’ heirlooms has left us heartbroken and disappointed.
We hope the museum will implement more robust preventive strategies, elevate customer service standards, and provide comprehensive training to improve responsiveness and empathy. We advocateforthese improvements to protect not just our family but all communities from facing similar distress in the future.
We also wish to convey to the community that defacing or vandalizing historical artifacts is deeply disrespectful. To the person responsiblefordefacing our grandfather’s collage: our beloved grandfather was the patriarch of our family and a respected member of the Filipino community. While it may have been a mere 'sticker' in your eyes, the challenges endured by our family are not as easily peeled away."
Mana Filipino American exhibit defaced at Anchorage Museum
We stand in unity to protect our stories.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2024
Contact: mana.akhistory@gmail.com
Mana’s statement in the recent defacement of our exhibit at the Anchorage Museum
We are extremely disheartened and disappointed to share that one of the community contributions to our exhibit at the Anchorage Museum was defaced.
We have reached out to the museum to: (1) seek answers to understand what happened; (2) understand how this occurred under the museum’s supervision; (3) agree on actions the museum plans to make to address this incident; and (4) ensure our exhibit is treated with the same respect and attention as other exhibits in the museum.
We feel extremely disrespected — on behalf of our entire team, our community and especially for the family whose contributions of their late family member were damaged. This serves as a reminder that, as Filipino Americans, we need to take hold of our narratives and build platforms where our voices and communities are genuinely valued.
We stand in unity to protect our stories, continue to honor our history, and strengthen our community voice.
‘Mana’ history project launches during Alaska’s first Filipino American History Month
Mana celebrates its launch with a museum exhibit and community event.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2023
Contact: Shayne Nuesca, mana.akhistory@gmail.com
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA — An oral history project centering Alaska’s Filipino elders will debut in Anchorage this October on Filipino American History Month.
Mana Alaska is an oral history archive created by Joshua Albeza Branstetter, Shayne Nuesca and Tasha Elizarde honoring Alaska’s Filipino elders with photos and stories sourced by younger generations. The first collection, Mana: The History We Inherit, will be unveiled at the Anchorage Museum Atrium on Oct. 28, during Alaska’s first Filipino American History Month since the signing of House Bill 23 enshrining Filipino American History Month into state law.
Filipinos settled in Alaska beginning in the late 18th century. Yet, little is known about their origin stories and the communities they helped build. With narrative storytelling connecting the past and present, Mana is a window into the histories of Filipinos in Alaska.
“The word ‘mana’ means to inherit, but it also means to pass down. As storytellers, we’re learning from our elders and bringing that wisdom to our generation and the next,” said co-founder Shayne Nuesca.
“I want people to see our elders the way I do: beautiful, layered, hard-working individuals who have shaped our state for the better,” said co-founder Joshua Albeza Branstetter.
“I want other Filipinos to look at Mana and think, ‘Wow, I never knew how incredible my community is. I'm so proud to be a part of it,’” said co-founder Tasha Elizarde.
There will be free admission to the museum on Oct. 28, made possible by Filipino Community of Anchorage Alaska, Inc., along with an event at the atrium showcasing Filipino culture and highlighting Filipino-owned businesses. Special programming from 11-1 will include live performances, guest speakers and food, with traditional celebratory dish lechon. Rep. Genevieve Mina, who spearheaded House Bill 23, will provide the keynote address and leaders from the Filipino community will also take part in the program.
RELATED LINKS
Website
‘Mana’ oral history project brings Alaska’s Filipino stories to life
A new oral history project will document the stories of Filipinos in Alaska.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2023
Contact: mana.akhistory@gmail.com
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA — Filipinos settled in Alaska beginning in the late 18th century. Yet, little is known about their origin stories and the communities they helped build. With narrative storytelling connecting the past and present, “Mana: The History We Inherit,” is a window into the histories of Filipinos in Alaska.
“Mana,” an audio-visual archive, will honor Alaska’s Filipino elders with photos and stories sourced from Filipinos across Alaska. Journalist Shayne Nuesca, documentarian Joshua Branstetter and community builder Tasha Elizarde are the project leads and organizers of “Mana” which will kick off with a pop-up exhibition and community event at the Anchorage Museum this October.
“Mana” invites Filipinos from all regions of the state to contribute to the archive. The public can submit their stories for consideration for the exhibition at manaalaska.com. Submissions are due July 15. The exhibition will open October 28.
“The vision we have for ‘Mana’ is incomplete without stories from our community from Anchorage to Utqiagvik, Juneau to Kodiak and beyond. We want as many Filipinos in Alaska as possible to share their part of history,” said “Mana” co-producer and editor Shayne Nuesca.
“I want people to see our elders the way I do: beautiful, layered, hard-working individuals who have shaped our state for the better,” said executive producer Joshua Albeza Branstetter.
“I want other Filipinos to look at ‘Mana’ and think, ‘Wow, I never knew how incredible my community is. I'm so proud to be a part of it,’” said co-producer Tasha Elizarde.
“Mana” (pronounced MAH-nuh) is the Tagalog root word meaning “inheritance” or “to inherit.” Along with sharing the oral history of Filipinos in Alaska, the exhibition is a gift to future generations — what they will inherit.
The exhibition is independently produced by the Mana team.
RELATED LINKS AND CONTACTS
Website