Abstract Philip Vera Cruz (Dec 25, 1904 – June 12, 1994) was born in Saoag, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He worked on farms in the Philippines before traveling to the United States in 1926. Vera Cruz worked several odd jobs around the Midwest, but was not active in any union before moving to California in 1943 and becoming a farm worker. He joined the Agricultural Worker Organizing Committee (AWOC) and soon became a leader in farm workers rights. In 1965 he was an active force in the AWOC decision to...