State Legislature Recognizes October as Filipino American History Month

As October approaches, Assemblymember Alex Lee’s legislation, House Resolution 112, celebrates the month as Filipino American History Month in recognition of the contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans. 

“Filipino Americans have played a pivotal role in advancing equal rights and social equity in our communities,” said Assemblymember Lee. “Filipino Americans were at the forefront of the farmworker movement as they fought for better pay and working conditions. The legacy of Filipino farmworkers at the time lives on to this day. And the stories of Filipino Americans extend far beyond the farmworker movement. From the fields of public service and education, to technology and health care, Filipino Americans are making a big difference in our society every day.” 

Filipino Americans have made vast contributions to the farm labor movement, uniting farm workers in their fight for better wages and working conditions. The Delano Grape Strike led by Filipino American labor leaders is one of the most important labor movements in U.S. history. The first wave of Filipino immigrants, often referred as the manongs, arrived in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century. Thousands worked in agricultural fields across California, but farmworkers often endured harsh labor conditions and poor wages. Despite the many risks they faced, Filipino American labor leaders like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz organized over 1,500 farm workers from the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) in the 1965 Delano Grape Strike, where workers crossed the picket lines to strike against grape growers in Delano, California. They then joined forces with César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and other Mexican American labor leaders of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA). Together, AWOC and NFWA formed the labor union United Farm Workers and pushed forward a boycott of table grapes.

Beyond their labor struggles, Filipino Americans have also played an integral role in the fight for housing justice. From the 1960s to 1970s, Filipino American activists and residents of San Francisco’s International Hotel organized a campaign against the displacement of its tenants. The I-Hotel, located in what was once the thriving Manilatown, has since become a symbol of Asian Americans’ identity, resilience and the fight for affordable housing.

Today, Filipino Americans continue to make significant impacts on all facets of society. They have served the public in a wide range of capacities, including Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Attorney General of California, as well as city, state and federal lawmakers, among others. In music, Filipino Americans have made major influences across various musical genres, whether it be jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop or contemporary music. When it comes to health care, Filipinos represent roughly 20% of California’s registered nurses workforce, and Filipino nurses have long played a crucial role in the American medical system.

HR 112, which passed the State Assembly, recognizes the diverse contributions of Filipino Americans who have helped shape the social, cultural and economic fabric of the country. Assemblymember Lee represents the most Asian American district in California, and the Filipino American population accounts for the district’s third largest Asian American group.

Community organizations are pivotal in empowering Filipino Americans through advocacy, education, outreach, and beyond. In Assemblymember Lee’s district, the City of San José named a city park the Delano Manongs Park in 2022. It was driven by community members and volunteers, with the community organizations Leadership, Education, Activism and Dialogue (L.E.A.D) Filipino and the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Santa Clara Valley Chapter leading the effort. The City of Milpitas also named a city park recently in honor of the Filipino Americans who led the Delano Grape strike.

”Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity and Resilience is the 2024 national theme for Filipino American History Month (FAHM),” said Dr. Angelica Cortez, Founder and Executive Director of LEAD Filipino and National Trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society, the sponsors of HR 112. “We uplift this message through educational dialogues, workshops and community events like our October 11th Philippines Flag Raising Ceremony at San Jose City Hall and October 18th Silicon Valley FAHM JAM Festival. This theme not only captures our presence, but our essence. They encompass our collective past and shared future. FAHM is just as much about understanding the historic contributions, stories and experiences of Filipina/x/o Americans as it is about advancing our community's future and that’s what we do on a daily basis.”

“We are grateful for Assemblymember Lee's leadership in securing the passage of HR 112 marking October as Filipino American History Month (FAHM),” said Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, Professor Emeritus of Asian American Studies at UC Davis, and Founder and Executive Director of the Amado Khaya Initiative. “As one of the oldest, largest, fastest growing Asian American ethnic groups in the great state of California, Filipino Americans have often, unfortunately, been absent from the state's history books and general public knowledge. Over the last century, not only have we contributed our labor as agricultural workers in the fields of California, or in hospital rooms across the state, we've also taken leadership in advancing workers’ rights for all with the leadership of the likes of labor leaders Larry Itliong and Zenei Cortez. This resolution is an important milestone for the Filipino American community, but it is also important for many other communities in California. During a time when the teaching of more inclusive histories is being contested, the marking by the California Legislature of FAHM serves as an affirmation of the importance of grappling with the lessons of history, however uncomfortable they sometimes may be. Learning, understanding, healing and transformation happens when we confront the histories that challenge us.” 

“One of California’s greatest strengths is the beauty of our diverse communities,” said Kirin Macapugay, Vice Chair of the Commission on Asian and Pacific American Islander Affairs. “With California being home to the largest population of Filipino/a/x Americans in the country, this resolution recognizes the impact Fil-Ams make in the state. When the presence of a people is not just recognized, but celebrated, it fosters a sense of belonging, greater engagement, and growth for all.” 

“The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) aims to nurture the next generation of diasporic leaders through immersive initiatives and leadership development. Through its efforts, FYLPRO has empowered Filipinx American leaders to become influential advocates for their communities around public health, civic engagement, equity and inclusion and socio economic progress,” said Genevieve Jopanda, President-Elect of FYLPRO. “We are thankful to Assemblyman Alex Lee for sponsoring HR 112 promoting the vibrant history of the Filipinx American community so that our many contributions continue to be honored and advanced.” 

“Filipino American History Month holds profound significance, particularly through the lens of the Filipino American National Historical Society, which was founded in 1982 by Dr. Fred Cordova and Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova,” said Ann Reginio, National Trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society. “October was chosen to commemorate the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States on October 18, 1587, symbolizing over four centuries of Filipino contributions, challenges, and triumphs in America. This recognition represents more than a historical footnote; it is a statement of inclusion, validating that Filipino American history is U.S. history.”

Reginio added, “Each year's chosen theme by FANHS serves to deepen the public’s understanding of the Filipino American experience. The 2024 theme, ‘A History of Struggle & Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience,’ underscores the multifaceted ways in which Filipino Americans have engaged with systemic oppression while forging paths of empowerment. Whether in the 1924 Hawai’i sugar strikes, the FBI arrests of Filipino labor leaders Chris Mensalves and Ernesto Mangaoang, or the continued fight for justice in cases like the 1999 murder of Joseph Ileto, Filipino Americans have been at the forefront of critical social movements. This month of reflection and celebration ensures that the legacies of struggle, solidarity, and resilience continue to shape the present and future of Filipino Americans in the U.S.” 

Assemblymember Alex Lee’s presentation of HR 112 on the Assembly floor and introduction of guests can be seen here, along with photos of the Filipino American History Month reception hosted by the Assemblymember.