ShareThis
October 16, 2011
The passing of S. RES. 287 designating October 2011 as Filipino American History Month marks the beginning of a new era in our lives as immigrants and citizens of the United States. For one, it recognizes not only our presence but more importantly, our contributions to the history of this country and the fabric of American life.
The Senate Resolution established that the first documented Filipinos in the U.S. were the “Luzones Indios,” who set foot in Morro Bay, California on board the Manila-built galleon ship “Nuestra Senora de Esperanza.” The Filipino American Historical Society pegged the year 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the U.S. in St. Malo, Louisiana.
As the third largest Asian American group in the U.S. with a population of approximately 3,417,000 people, Filipino Americans have certainly made notable contributions to the economic, social, cultural and other aspects of American life.
In addition to the 250,000 Filipinos who fought under the U.S. flag during World War II, there’s a long standing history of our FilAm servicemen and servicewomen serving in the U.S. Armed Forces from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Worthy of recognition are the 9 Filipino Americans who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force.
In U.S. hospitals, nursing homes and throughout the healthcare industry, Filipino American doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals have made their indelible mark, by their commitment, dedication and service to the industry.
There are also numerous Filipino American talents whose individual or group contributions to music, dance, literature, education, business, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, science, technology, fine arts and various other fields have enriched America’s landscape and history.
Filipinos all over the U.S. should mount a celebration as big as, if not bigger than the Philippine Independence. But in keeping with the mood of the time, our celebration must place more emphasis on substance and symbolisms rather than on form. Stepping out of our comfort zones and lending a hand where it is useful, participating in or contributing to movements or projects that contribute to easing the pain and inconvenience of a bad economy will bode well in our mainstream society than having an ostentatious party. Think soup kitchen, wounded soldiers and sick children and old people in hospitals, neighbors in dire need, a community needing TLC (Tender Loving Care) and many more charitable endeavors.
The Filipino American Historical Society and other groups that worked towards getting this S. RES. 287 passed and the AB 199 allowing the inclusion of the role of Filipinos in World War II in the social sciences school curriculum signed by California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. deserve our commendation.
Thanks to you, the various significant contributions Filipino Americans have made to the United States will be written, taught and learned and never again ignored or forgotten.