Despite the rollback of the DEI of it all, it’s October and Filipino American History Month is still in full effect. As the title of the month entails, FAHM is celebrated every October to the rich history of Filipinos in America. First established by the Filipino American National Historical Society in 1992 and officially recognized by Congress in 2009, the month marks the earliest recorded arrival of Filipinos in what is now the continental U.S. on October 18, 1587 in Morro Bay, California. Throughout the month, DIASPORA will be giving shine to Fil-Ams, but we do that year round so it’s nothing new for us.
Nonetheless, if you have any Fil-Am friends, colleagues or if you just see a Filipino in public, give them some extra love this, they’ll appreciate it!
Here are just SOME of the events you can look forward to throughout the month of October:
Filipino American History Month Celebration: Manila Inasal x SoCal Filipinos, October 4, 6 p.m.- This one-night-only event features exclusive off-menu creations crafted just for this evening. Proceeds benefit the SoCal Filipinos Scholarship Program, empowering future Filipino American leaders.
Fiesta Filipino Night Haven City, West Covina,, October 4, 5-9:30 p.m. – This event will feature a Filipino street food experience with local vendors, live OPM by The Crux Rising and Kat Padlan and activities like face painting for the kids. This celebration is presented by SisigLA and coincides with Filipino American History Month.
City of Long Beach 4th Annual Filipino American History Month – From Quotas to Communities: Filipino American Migration and Movement, Long Beach Civic Center, October 7, 2 p.m.
FILLED Market: Filipino American History Month Celebration, ROW DTLA, October 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – October is Filipino American History Month, and we’re celebrating in a BIG way: Filled Market will be popping back up at @smorgasburgla on Sunday, October 12.
Labor of Love Panel Discussion, Democracy Center, October 12, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Great Leap is excited to partner with the Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum to present Labor of Love Pandel Discussion: Workers, Arts, and the Struggle for Justice. Panelists Victor Viesca (Cal State LA), Faith Santilla (artist and organizaer) and Quetzal Flores (musician & organizer) will join moderator Jim Herr of JANM’s Democracy Center for a conversation about how movements are remembered, inherited and renewed.
Filipino American History Month & Larry Itliong Day, Cal State L.A., October 28, 12 p.m. -3 p.m. – A day of food, activities, vendors, resources, performances, and so much more! The event will celebrate, learn, and honor the trailblazing spirit of Larry Itliong and others who have contributed to Filipino American history. The AAAS 2300: Filipino Studies class will present a timeline of Filipino American history, and two students will share insights on the mic. Let’s celebrate and honor the legacy of Larry Itliong and those who shaped our history.
