The History Behind Filipino-American History

In 2009, the Congress of the United States officially recognized October as Filipino American History Month. But why is the month dedicated to Filipino Americans and why is it important?

The documented origin of Filipino Americans goes back to 1587 during the Manila-Acapulco Trade era. During this era, Native Filipino sailors were enlisted for labor in the Spanish navies that went between Mexico and the Philippines. Some of these sailors were aboard the Manila Galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza which landed at the Morro Bay in California on October 18, 1587. The arrival of Filipino Americans in the United States is what Filipino American Month celebrates.

It took years of advocating in order for October to be formally deemed as Filipino American History Month. The idea was first proposed by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) in 1991, and the first celebration followed a year later in October. California was the first to formally recognize the month in 2006 when their Department of Education dedicated October to Filipino American History Month on its official calendar. In 2009, Senator Leland Yee of California introduced a resolution to have it recognized state-wide. Finally, in 2009, the Senate of the 111th Congress passed a formal resolution to recognize Filipino American Month during the entirety of October.

Even though the month particularly celebrates the arrival of Filipinos on United States land, it also allows Filipino Americans to celebrate their culture and shared history. It is not widely known that Filipinos were the first Asians to arrive in the United States and that their arrival was before the Pilgrims arrived. There is minimal representation of Filipino history even though the United States had occupied the country for many years. Furthermore, Filipinos are commonly left out of Asian American Studies because the courses typically focus on East Asian experiences. Also in the 80s and 90s, Filipino Americans were not able to hold leadership positions for Asian American organizations. This exclusion still occurs today, despite Filipino Americans being the second largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States. That is why it is so important that Filipino American History Month is celebrated.

Though October is coming to an end, there is still time to educate and be educated on the history of Filipino Americans, from their cultural impact to the injustices they have faced.