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East County News Service
Photo: Brett Sayles (Pexels)
October 10, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Filipino American History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans in the United States. It is also a time to learn about the rich and diverse history and culture of the Philippines and its people.
California and San Diego have a special connection to Filipino American history, as they are the places where the first Filipinos arrived in the continental United States. On October 18, 1587, a group of Filipino sailors landed on what is now Morro Bay, California, aboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza1. They were the first modern Asians to set foot on American soil, and they established trade and cultural exchanges with the native Chumash and Obispeño peoples2, according to Bing AI.
San Diego is home to the largest Filipino American population in California, and the second largest in the nation. According to the 2020 census, there are more than 200,000 Filipino Americans living in San Diego County, making up about 6.5% of the total population. Filipino Americans have contributed to various fields and sectors in San Diego, such as education, health care, military, arts, entertainment, sports, politics, and more.
Todd Gloria is the current mayor of San Diego and the first person of color and of Filipino descent to hold that office. He was elected in November 2020 and took office in December 2020. He is also the first openly gay person to be elected mayor of San Diego and the first openly gay man to hold the post. He previously served as a member of the California State Assembly, the president of the San Diego City Council, and the interim mayor of San Diego in 2013-201412.
JoAnn Fields is a Filipino American community leader and advocate in San Diego. She is the public relations director for the Asian Pacific Islander Initiative, a coalition of organizations that works to empower and uplift API communities. She is also the founder of the Lumpia Club Luncheon, a network of Filipino American professionals that meets monthly to discuss issues and concerns within the community. She has organized and participated in various events and initiatives to celebrate Filipino American history and culture, such as the Filipino American Friendship Day, the So Sarap! Philippine Festival, and the Filipino American History Month Festival345.
Some other famous Filipinos in San Diego and California are:
- Rob Bonta, the current attorney general of California and the first Filipino American to hold that position. He was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in March 2021 and confirmed by the California Legislature in April 2021. He previously served as a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 18th district, which includes parts of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro6.
- Lee Ann Kim, the founder and former executive director of Pacific Arts Movement, a nonprofit media arts organization that organizes the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, one of the largest showcases of Asian cinema in North America. She is also a former television journalist who worked for KGTV Channel 10 News as an anchor and reporter for 11 years .
- Manny Pacquiao, a professional boxer, politician, and philanthropist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. He is the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is also a senator of the Philippines, representing the PDP-Laban party. He has a home in San Diego, where he trains at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club.
There are many ways to celebrate Filipino American History Month in San Diego, such as attending film festivals, cultural events, food fairs, exhibits, workshops, and more. Some of the highlights include:
- The San Diego Filipino Film Festival3, which showcases the works of Filipino filmmakers from around the world and promotes Filipino cinema as a form of art and education.
- The So Sarap! Philippine Festival1, which features Philippine folk dances, singers, food, and fun for the whole family.
- The Filipino American History Month Festival4 at La Jolla/Riford Library, which includes stories, photos, and memorabilia highlighting the history of Filipinos.
- The Filipino American History Month Celebration4 at Logan Heights Library, which offers karaoke, Filipino food, and parol-making (traditional star-shaped lanterns).
- The Bilingual Storytimes4 at various libraries across the city, which introduce children to Filipino language and culture through stories and crafts.
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