Filipino American History Month

October

In 2009, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution to commemorate Filipino History Month on October.

In so doing, this measure states that it:

Recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans and as a time to renew efforts toward the examination of history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation.

It is unfortunate that a decade after, there has been no buzz about Filipino American Month and so most people are still saying "that's the first time I've hear about this".

And this is precisely why this house resolution was passed so that Americans can be taught their history as a nation and to find out how we all got to where we are right now.

Asian Hispanics

National Hispanic (Latinx) Heritage Month is celebrated September 15th to October 15th and it is widely advertised and celebrated.

It is unfortunate that it coincides with the Filipino American History Month and overshadows it.

Hispanics and Filipinos have much in common, so it is fitting that both share half of the month to celebrate these similarities.

But it is also just fitting that starting October 16th to October 31st, the buzz needs to simmer down for Latinx and shift to Filipinx, for while there are similarities between the two cultures, there are also a lot of differences (let's do lumpia after a burrito). 

Why October

In 1991, October was chosen by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) as the month to celebrate Filipino American History Month.

This is to commemorate the arrival in the United States of the first Filipinos, who landed in Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587. For over two hundred years Filipinos have routinely arrived in the U.S. mainland through the Manila Acapulco Galleon Trade (1565 - 1815).

This year, it will be 434 years since the first Filipinos arrived in North America. In contrast, Jamestown was established in 1607 (414 years ago) and the Mayflower arrived in 1620 (401 years ago).

Workers Rights

Incidentally, October is the birth month of Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong (born October 25th, 1913). He is one of the founders and first leaders of the United Farm Workers Union (a fact that has been largely lost through the passage of time).

First Filipino Settlement

A casual google search should tell us that as early as 1763, Filipinos established their first (recorded) North American settlement in St. Malo, Louisiana.

There were other Filipino settlements throughout the Louisiana bayous, with the largest being the Manila Village in Barataria Bay. 

Waves of Immigrants

From 1763 to 1906 other Filipino groups arrived in the U.S., settled in, started families and started businesses. Millions of Americans may be surprised when they check their DNA and notice they have Filipino blood. This is why. 

In 1906, after the Philippine Islands was bought by the U.S. from Spain, Filipinos became U.S. Nationals and more Filipinos were able to travel, study, work and migrate to the U.S., for 40 years up until the Philippines declared independence in 1946.

Today Filipino Americans can be found in all industries across the United States and is one of the largest Asian groups in America along with the Chinese and Asian Indians.