5 ways to celebrate Filipino-American History Month (FAHM)
Last updated: Sep. 2023It’s Filipino-American history month (FAHM), b!tches! I am Filipino-American myself and think that this is a great way to learn more about Filipino-American history, and see how, we, as Filipinos, helped shape history.
Why are we celebrating?
The first Filipinos documented to arrive in America was October, so this is why we celebrate! They arrived in California, and this is our way of commemorating that. In fact, Filipino-Americans are the third-largest racial group in California.
Filipino-Americans have contributed a lot to America and it’s time we all understand the impact and struggles that we’ve endured throughout the years.
FAHM was first recognized and celebrated statewide in California in 2006, and celebrations have only increased since then.
This year’s theme is 1898: Recognizing 125 Years of Philippine-American History. 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish American war and led to the U.S. annexation of the Philippines. This was an important mark and year in Philippines history (FANHS, 2023).
How to celebrate
There’s so many different ways to celebrate! Let’s look at how we can do that.
1. Dive into History and Culture
There are many ways to celebrate FAHM and the first one can be learning more about Filipino-American history and culture; this helps us understand the successes, but also struggles that Filipino-Americans have faced. There have been developments of three institutions that have helped recognize Filipino-Americans and ensure that our voices are heard. This includes: Filipino-American Studies (FAS), the Filipino-American National Historical Society (FANHS), and Filipino-American History Month (FAHM).
All of these initiatives allow Filipino-Americans to have a voice and to be recognized in history. It’s so important that our experiences are recognized and our histories are told, considering we are a large ethnic group in the U.S.
In 2019, there were about 4.2 million Filipinos in the U.S. That’s hella Filipinos! The most populated states are California, New York, Hawaii, Nevada, and Illinois.
2. Filipino Food
If you’re in any of these states, find your closest Filipino restaurant! Or your closest Filipino restaurant with American influences, that’s hella common these days. OR get some Jollibee, which just so happens to be the best chain fried chicken in the U.S.(; Filipino food is the best and you cannot change my mind, so support your local Filipinos!
Click here for my favorite Filipino restaurants in the Bay Area.
3. Art
Perhaps the easiest way to learn more about Filipino-American History is through different art forms, like in museums, books, music, dance, etc. Some of my favorite books, just to learn more about experiences, but also more about Filipino-American culture are: The Body Papers, Arsenic and Adobo, and America is not the Heart.
There is an extensive list of books by Filipino-American authors, which can be found here.
There are so many important figures from history, too, that we should all know. First and foremost, is to recognize the Filipino veterans and Filipina survivors from WWII. A long way to dignity is an online exhibit that portrays Filipino veterans’ experiences and struggles.
Among important figures is Larry Itliong, who was a labor leader and organizer that led labor organizations throughout the West Coast. He was able to recruit more than a thousand people to join the Agricultural Workers Organization Committee (AWOC). He became known in the 1960s when he successfully led The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta to demand farm workers’ rights.
Larry Itliong is one prime example of Filipino-American historical figures. I know many of you know who Cesar Chavez is, but did you also know about Larry Itliong and that Filipinos and Mexicans united to form the United Farm Workers (UFW)? I honestly didn’t even learn about Larry Itliong until I entered college and, though it kinda pissed me off that I didn’t know, it opened me up to learning more about Filipino-American history, which I encourage you to do, too!
4. Supporting Filipino-American Businesses
There are hella Filipino businesses like Sunkissed Pinay, UGAT Clothing, and KuyAte clothing, just to name a few, that could definitely use your support! These are Filipino-American owned small businesses that sell jewelry, clothing, and stickers.
Here is a more extensive and detailed list of other businesses you can support!
5. Participate in Events
Find the closest events near you! This month, there are going to be different Filipino-American events that are going on to learn and celebrate Filipino-Americans. I guarantee there’s one near you!
If you’re unsure how to find your local celebrations, try to find your local Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)!
6. Support Local
I know I said 5 ways, but I mean the last way is supporting your local Filipino-American b!tches, aka ME! Please continue to read my upcoming blog posts related to FAHM the next couple weeks(: and also, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my blog! Also, follow all of my socials @ukaelyle and @xoxokaels for more updates and fun things.
Here’s to learning more about how Filipino-Americans have been shaping history! Let’s get it!
mahals,
kaels
too bad ain’t me<3
(mahals: our abbreviation for “mahal kita” translating to “i love you” in Tagalog)
References:
Filipino American National Historical Society. (2023, August 16). Filipino American History Month – October 2023. http://fanhs-national.org/filam/filipino-american-history-month-october-2023/
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