'Paghahanap Kay Maura' tells untold story of Filipinos during 1904 World's Fair, creator says

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 21) — The Washington Post has published its first Tagalog article that tells the previously untold story of Filipinos who were brought to the United States to be put on display at the 1904 World's Fair.

“Paghahanap Kay Maura” focuses on a girl named Maura who was one of the Filipinos brought to St. Louis in Missouri to be part of the fair’s Igorot Village, but died there even before the event began.

Maura’s story is currently being uncovered by Filipino-American activist and artist Janna Añonuevo Langholz.

“The fact that this was a young woman who was clearly abused and has never been acknowledged in 119 years felt like it was a story that really needed to be told,” Langholz told CNN Philippines’ New Day on Monday.

She said she started researching about Maura in April 2021, which was also the latter’s death anniversary.

Upon learning about Maura’s death, Langholz said she wanted to pay respects to her, but her grave remains unknown.

This pushed Langholz to follow her story.

Meanwhile, visual artist Ren Galeno was one of those who created the illustrated narrative of “Paghahanap Kay Maura.”

Galeno noted that it was important to make sure that everything around Maura was vivid and textured to bring her to life given the limited information about her.

The artist said that doing this project also made her emotional as she researched and put herself in the shoes of Filipinos who were abused during one of the darkest times of Philippine history.

Langholz said that aside from Maura, a study is also still ongoing for 16 other Filipinos who were brought to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair.