This fall, communities across Michigan and the nation will honor the legacy of Filipinos in the United States.
October is Filipino American History Month, a time to uplift the contributions of Filipino Americans across the generations while continuing to advocate for a just society, according to the Filipino American National Historical Society.
“Like other immigrant groups, Filipino American immigrants have contributed significantly to building communities, strengthening the U.S. economy, enriching the nation’s cultural fabric, and advancing movements for labor rights, racial justice, and immigrant equity,” the society said.
Filipino Americans represent the third-largest Asian ethnicity in the United States at about 4.6 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey, as reported by the Pew Research Center. This includes more than 52,000 Michigan residents of Filipino descent, per Census Bureau data.
The month is a nod to centuries-old Filipino roots in North America, recalling the Oct. 18, 1587, arrival of Filipino sailors to present-day Morro Bay, California, per the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
Here’s what to know and how to celebrate Filipino American History Month:
When is Filipino American History Month?
Filipino American History Month is held in October.
What is Filipino American History Month?
Filipino American History Month honors the history and achievements of Filipinos in the United States, per the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
Who are Filipino Americans?
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino descent, from newly arrived immigrants from the Philippines to second- or third-generation Americans and beyond.
The earliest roots of Filipinos in North America date to the 16th century, with Filipinos arriving in present-day Morro Bay, California, on Oct. 18, 1587, according to the Zinn Education Project.
Widespread Filipino immigration to the United States began in the 20th century, sparked by U.S. colonial rule in the Philippines, per Stanford University. Discriminatory immigration laws limited Filipino population growth until 1965, when the passage of the 1965 Immigration & Naturalization Act ended restrictive national quotas for Asian immigrants, the Filipino American National Historical Society noted.
Thus, the second half of the 20th century saw thousands of Filipinos immigrate to the United States, among them nurses, engineers, physicians, domestic workers and teachers, per the Filipino American National Historical Society.
California is home to nearly 40% of Filipino Americans, including the Los Angeles and San Francisco metro areas, with significant populations also living in Hawaii, Texas, Florida, the New York City metro area and Nevada, according to U.S. Census Bureau data cited by the Pew Research Center.
Filipino American adults are mainly Christian at 74%, including a large share being Catholic, while 23% report having no religion, per the Pew Research Center.
How did Filipino American History Month get started?
Filipino American History Month is held in October to commemorate the Oct. 18, 1587, initial arrival of Filipinos in the present-day continental United States, per the University of California San Francisco.
The U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in 2009, the university’s website said.
The month has been held annually since 1992, though the Filipino American National Historical Society had been marking the month since 1991, per the society.
What is Michigan’s Filipino population?
Michigan is home to over 52,000 Filipino Americans, the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey estimated, including those identifying as Asian alone or in combination with other races.
Community organizations like the Filipino American Community Council of Michigan, Philippine American Community Center of Michigan, Filipino American Community of West Michigan, Philippine Chamber of Commerce – Michigan and Filipino student organizations at universities and colleges across the state provide resources to keep Filipino Michiganders connected.
How can you celebrate in Michigan?
If you’re looking to embrace your Filipino roots or simply learn more about Filipino culture, this month will be a great chance to begin.
Here are some ideas to celebrate Filipino American History Month in Michigan:
If you’re looking to dine Filipino during the month, here are Michigan restaurants, food businesses and grocery stores to check out:
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Filipino American History Month is celebrated in October
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
