Filipino American History Month
October is Filipino American History Month!
Sponsored by:
Filipino American National
Historical Society (FANHS)
Metro New York Chapter
On October 17, 1587, the first documented “Filipino” landed in the United States in Moro Bay, CA. In 1763, Filipino Seamen established a settlement in what is now known as Louisiana. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Filipinos came to the US as pensionados (sponsored students) and non-sponsored students. And after the Asian Immigration Act of 1965, Filipinos came to the US in unlimited numbers, mainly as professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, engineers), but also as students, military service personnel, and domestic care workers.
New York is now the state with the third largest population of Filipino Americans and the largest population of Filipino Americans on the East Coast. Filipino Americans stand out as a thriving and prominent community among the great number of immigrants who have made the Empire State their home. Some notable Filipinos and Filipino Americans in NY include:
- Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal visited the US in 1888 and stayed at the Fifth Avenue Hotel (now the International Toy Center) on 23rd and Fifth Avenue
- After the Spanish American War in 1898, many pensionados enrolled at local institutions like Columbia, NYU, Fordham, and Cornell
- The earliest documented Fil-Am organization in the tri-state area was officially the Filipino Knights of Rizal organized in 1923. The earliest Filipino social club was the Filipino Women’s Club organized in 1927.
- Filipino military service men immigrated to NY after WWI and WWII; many settled in Brooklyn and subsequently Long Island
- Post-1965 Filipino immigrants formed settlements in various ethnic enclaves in Metropolitan NY, in the Queens neighborhoods of Woodside, Jack Heights, and Jamaica.
In 2010 NY Governor David Paterson and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed October as Filipino American History Month in New York State and New York City. This year, we continue to celebrate October to mark the 424 years that Filipinos have been in the US.
Filipino American History Month (FAHM)
Calendar of Events
September 18: 5-9pm
FANHS Karaoke Kickoff Fundraiser for FAHM
Je’Bon Restaurant (15 St. Marks Place, New York, NY)
Come sing your favorite karaoke songs along with pin@ys from various organizations in NYC. Donate $1 for every song you sing! Proceeds will go toward the Filipino American History Month activities.
September 23, 24, 25: 3pm or 7pm
Universal Filipino: A Hip Hop Theater Production
at the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Café (236 E. 3rd St., New York, NY)
Come support a Filipino American artist’s one-man show!
September 30: 6-9pm
FAHM Opening Ceremonies & Photo Exhibit
Philippine Center (556 5th Avenue, New York, NY)
Help us kick off Filipino American History Month with a bang! We will be announcing the winners of the 1st Annual FANHS Community Awards and will have our “Filipino Americans in New York” Photo Exhibit on display.
October 3, 7pm Give Up Tomorrow Film Screening with Director Michael Collins The Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University is hosting the winner of the Tribeca Film Festival’s 2011 Audience Award.
October 3, 7pm Amigo Film Screening The Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University. See the John Sayles film about the forgotten Philippine American War, as seen by the people caught in the conflict.
October 16: 3pm (tentative time)
Filipino Youth Open Mic Night
FAHSI/Philippine American Center (185-14 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, NY)
Come support Filipino American youth in their spoken word and poetry. Share your own poem or a sing a song too! All are welcome!
October 27: 6-9pm
FAHM Closing Ceremonies & Talent Showcase
Queens Museum of Art (NYC Bldg., Flushing Meadows Park Corona, NY)
Support Filipino American artists in this star-studded event. Lineup to be announced soon! Visit www.fanhs-nyc.org. $5 suggested donation
October 29: 8pm
The Outstanding Filipino Americans (TOFA) Awards
Carnegie Hall (57th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York, NY)
Come support outstanding Filipino American people and organizations for their service to, and representation of, the Fil-Am community of New York. FANHS is proud to be receiving a “Heritage Award.”
