California roadway named after late Filipino American leader Alice Bulos

DALY CITY

State Route 35 through Daly City was named after civic activist and leader Alice Bulos

A portion of California highway was officially dedicated to a late leader in the Filipino American community in northern California.

Part of State Route 35 through Daly City was named in honor of the woman known as Tita Alice. Bulos, who passed away in 2016, mentored local community leaders and politicians and a force in empowering Filipina Americans.

About of a third of Daly City's residents are Filipino Americans. Together with other AANHPI groups, they form a majority of the city.

Assemblymember Phil Ting sponsored ACR 165, which authorized the Alice Pena Bulos Memorial Highway. The dedication Saturday (July 16) was attended by leaders, Bulos' friends and relatives from the San Francisco Bay Area.

“We see the influence of Alice Peña Bulos throughout our communities, as well as in elected local and state government leadership. That’s why she’s considered the Godmother of Filipino American politics and empowerment. It’s my honor to carry the legislation that celebrates her legacy,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), in a press release.

Bulos was born in the Philippines on March 31, 1930. After earning her degrees at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, she became Professor of Sociology, then Chair of the department. In 1972, she moved to California, where her quiet activism began.

ALICE BULOS

In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the National Council on Aging, becoming the first Fil-Am selected by a sitting president to serve on a federal post. She also served on the Filipino American Caucus for the California Democratic Party, the National Filipino Women’s Network, and the National Asian Pacific Democratic Council. Bulos passed away in 2016 at the age of 86.

“Throughout her life, ‘Tita Alice’ was committed to opening doors for young Fil-Ams who wanted to enter public service and politics, but did not see themselves represented in those places of power.

"Tita Alice has left an everlasting mark in commuters all over California and especially here in the Bay Area where she called home," said Ting.

"While she is no longer with us, her memory lives on in her family and the numerous friends, supporters, and pupils she inspired over her decades of service,” stated the Filipino American Democratic Club of San Mateo County.

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