Celebrate Filipino American History Month

Celebrated in October, Filipino American (Fil-Am) History Month honors the history, pursuits, accomplishments, and legacy of Filipinos in the United States. It also serves to provide a link between Filipinos in the U.S. and Filipinos in the Philippines by showcasing their shared culture and heritage. 

Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian American group in the nation and the second largest ethnic group in California. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, when Luzones Indios, native Filipino sailors conscripted into the Spanish navy as labor during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California, on Oct. 18, 1587. After years of advocacy by individuals and organizations, in 2009 the United States Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month.  

In celebration of Fil-Am History Month this year, the Filipino American National History Society (FANHS) is highlighting the 50th anniversary of the First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention, which took place at Seattle University in 1971 and brought together 300 young Filipino American participants from the West Coast of the United States. The convention is hailed as the beginning of the Filipino American Movement and helped bring to light issues like Filipino farmworkers rights and anti-martial law to the forefront of the Filipino American Movement. This year, FANHS is honoring the youth who have advocated, and continue to advocate, for social justice for the Filipino American community for the past 50 years.

Adapted from the Filipino American National Historical Society website. 

The museum celebrates cultures from across Asia all year long. Learn more about our other Cultural Celebrations.

• Events

  Polyrhythmic Percussion of the Philippines (Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, 5:30 PM)

   

   

• Art Activities

  Create a mixed-media painting inspired by artist Pacita Abad

  Make an identity zine inspired by activist and artist Carlos Villa

   

• Virtual Storytelling

  Storyteller Ann Riley tells “Odon the Giant” 

  Storyteller Miriam Mills tells “Odon the Giant” (preschool version) 

  “Odon the Giant” draw-along activity

   

• Recipes

  Yana Gilbuena’s pancit molo

  Watch Yana make her pancit molo as part of the museum’s virtual At the Table series 

   

• Explore the Collection

  Native Song by Santiago Bose 

  Pattern Recognition by Jenifer K Wofford 

  Farmers working and resting by Fernando Amorsolo

  Learn about a pair of trousers from Mindanao with Natasha Reichle, Associate Curator of Southeast Asian Art

  Philippine Art: Collecting Art, Collecting Memories on Google Arts & Culture

   

• Books and Other Resources

  Here Wee Read’s list of picture books celebrating Filipino American History Month 

  Carlos Villa Teacher Packet with resources and lesson plans 

  Leo Valledor Teacher Packet with resources and lesson plans 

  Watch highlights from the 2011 Filipino American History Month Celebration