Debra Panganiban Louie

Board of Directors

As an undergraduate student studying psychology and teacher education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Debbie led the first student directed seminar on Filipino American History.  It was during the research phase of preparing to offer this course, which included reading “America Is in the Heart” by Carlos Bulosan, that Debbie was inspired to visit Stockton, California.  The class included many notable guest speakers that included FANHS Co-Founder Dorothy Cordova, Writer Al Robles, Poet Luis Syquia, and Union Organizer Larry Itliong.  A Stockton native, Manong Larry’s tape recorded lecture is among the archives donated to Little Manila and his voice can be heard as you walk about the Little Manila Center.

It was also in Stockton where Debbie met and made many lifelong friends, including her husband, Clarence Louie, a fourth generation Stocktonian, whose great-great grandfather, Louie Sun Hawk, immigrated from Canton, China in 1882 and made Stockton his American home.  His sons and grandsons, including Clarence’s father, Lung On Louie, owned and operated the Foo Lung Market on Washington Street and after the destruction of Little Manila and Chinatown in the ‘70’s, relocated to the Filipino Center where it continues to do business today.

For over 25 years, Debra has worked at San Joaquin Delta College as a Counselor and Professor. She is now enjoying retirement.