Filipino History Month Honors A Long Legacy Of Persistence

The United States Congress marked October as the official month for Filipino American History in 2009. October acknowledges the arrival and legacy of Filipinos in the US because it was when the Filipinos first arrived in California. The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) then initiated it to become a month in 1991. FANHS was also very passionate about making it about history rather than “heritage.” Heritage means culture and traditions while history means past events and experiences. A resolution organized by Senator Leland Yee to recognize the month was passed by the California State Assembly in 2009.

Filipinos arrived in the US on Oct. 18, 1587 on a Spanish ship that arrived in Morro Bay, California. Filipinos at that time were known as Indios Luzones, who are indigenous people of the island Luzon. This date documents the first Asians who arrived in America. At this time, the Manila Galleon Trade, where Spain traveled to Mexico and the Philippines to trade goods, was happening. As they landed in Lake Morro, Pedro de Unamo, the commander, eight Indios Luzones and the rest of the crew claimed the land for Spain. On the third day upon landing, the crew met two Chumash Indians which ended up in a conflict, killing one Spaniard and one Filipino. After that, Unamos’ crew ceased the exploration.

In 1763, Filipino immigrants settled in St. Malo, Louisiana. They are known as Manilamen. Manilamen were Filipino sailors who were mistreated by the Spanish, so they deserted the ships and landed on the shore of Lake Borgne. After arrival, Manilamen built Saint Malo, a fishing village that had harsh conditions but made it easier to hide from the Spanish. They introduced an ancient Chinese tradition called “dancing the shrimp”, where they would stomp on dried shrimp in order to remove the shells. This technique revolutionized Louisiana's culinary history as it helped preserve dried shrimp before the invention of refrigerating.

Another part of Louisiana history Filipinos took part in was the Battle of New Orleans. This was when the British Empire wanted to separate Louisiana from the United States. Manilamen fought under Andrew Jackson which helped the US win against the British.

After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the US annexed the Philippines and soon-to-be US territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, Hawaii and Wake Island. This initiated the Philippine-American War in 1899. Filipinos had misunderstood the US’s intentions against Spanish colonial rule when they thought the U.S wanted to support the Philippines.

Emilio Aguinaldo, former president of the Philippines, intended to fight against American troops. This plan backfired because America had advanced arm forces and trained troops while the Philippines had an insufficient amount of weapons,very little ammunition and a lack of allies. The war ended with 20,000 Filipino and 4,200 American soldiers dead. Civilians were also affected by disease, starvation and brutality.

Overall, the Philippine-American War had an impact on US foreign policies in Asia such as using the Philippines as a terminal for trade with China, increased military involvement in Asia and the building of a foundation for America to interfere in Asia's civilization.

Carlos Bulosan was a Filipino writer who immigrated to America in 1930. After he arrived, he became a migrant worker and worked in farms and canneries. Life as a migrant worker was not easy because of the Great Depression and economic crash. Workers were also abused. Bulosan was inspired to write stories from his experience of being a migrant worker, as well as writing articles on advocating for immigrants’ rights. He was also self-taught in writing stories and poetry. He eventually decided to start publishing newspapers in California. He is famous for, "America Is In the Heart”, a novel that reflected the Filipino immigrant life. It explains experiences such as racism, violence, exploitation, poverty and chasing the “American Dream”. He gave the working-class a voice and acknowledged the struggles immigrants faced. His work is used in Asian American literature to this day. Bulosan is remembered for advocating for independence and his involvement in radical left-wing labor and literary circles.

The US government considered Bulosan to be a threat because he revealed the harsh treatment towards the working class and the US foreign policies in the Philippines. At one point, Filipinos were even classified as aliens. This was because of the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, an act to give the Philippines independence. When this was passed, Filipinos were forbidden from joining labor unions and doing the jobs they had held in the merchant-marine service. Those who worked in seaports and factories were fired. However, it also set a structure for the Philippines to gain its independence.

This led to the Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935. It was a law that helped unemployed and poor Filipinos financially during the Great Depression to return to their country. Although it seemed ethical, this made more Filipino immigrants leave the US due to discrimination.

On Sept. 8, 1965, Mexican and Filipino farm workers worked together to create the Delano Grape Strike, a boycott where workers stopped picking grapes because of poor conditions and pay. Filipino farmworkers, known as manongs, endured grubby fields, making them sick and causing them to suffocate in the dust. There was no healthcare and workers barely had breaks and were often ignored when they spoke up.

Larry Itliong was the leader of the farmworkers movement. Meanwhile, Mexican Americans were under Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, whose intention was to not strike, unlike the Filipinos.

Andy Imutan was one of the original workers during the Delano Grape Strike. He had spoken about his experience before the unification of Mexicans and Filipinos. “There was no unity between the Mexicans and Filipinos. The growers were very successful in dividing us and creating conflict between the two races. Although we tried to discourage and reason with the Mexicans that this was just hurting everyone, we weren’t able to convince them,” Imutan said.

Eventually, he and Itliong convinced Chavez to form an alliance and the United Farm Workers Union was made.

The strike went on for five years. During the strikes, police attempted to sabotage the workers’ efforts, some said farm owners would cut off water supply in the workers’ destitute homes. Chavez used Mahatma Gandhi's method of a hunger strike, which attracted attention to the movement.

In 1970, farmers were finally promised greater pay along with healthcare and protection from pesticides in the fields.

As Filipinos continue to make history in America, let's not forget recent events that remind us that Filipinos are making history overseas. On Sept. 21, 2025, Filipinos marched the streets of Manila to protest against flood control corruption. Floods are one of the most common disasters in the country. The country is more likely to experience these disasters due to waterways, narrow rivers and forest degradation.

Sept. 21 also marks the declaration of martial law by former President Ferdindand Emmanuel Marcos Sr. in 1972. This day represents economic corruption and human rights abuses when martial law caused a recession and social conflicts.

Current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised infrastructure to control the floods, which the government never did. These are called “Ghost Projects”, a type of corruption where projects the government approved are unfinished or never implemented. Politicians exploit these projects and use them as “patronage tools” to win the public's favor and personal gain.

Philstar Global states, “...funding for flood control projects was supposed to have 274.9  billion pesos but Marcos Jr. ordered its removal, citing that its current budget for this year remained unspent.”

As this information is ongoing, it’s said that the money was used for infrastructure such as walls, drainage systems, dikes, slopes and riverbank protection.

Tens of thousands of people protested in Manila and over 200 people were arrested. Some of these arrests were because of cruelty towards the police.

Althea Trinidad, a student activist, said to the Associated Press, “I feel bad we wallow in poverty and we lose our homes, our lives and our future while they rake in a big fortune from our taxes that pay for their luxury cars, foreign trips, and bigger corporate transactions.”

The anime series “One Piece” also plays a role in these protests, and it isn’t just the Philippines that is leading a revolution in Asia; Nepal and Indonesia are also protesting against their government. In these countries, people wave the “One Piece” flag as a sign of freedom and rebellion. The flag is a skull wearing a straw hat with a black background.

According to The Guardian, Filipino protestor Eugero Vincento Liberato stated, “We see the flag as a symbol of liberation against oppression… that we should always fight for the future we deserve.”

As of Oct. 2025, anticorruption protests will happen every Friday held by the Trillion-Peso March movement. These protests include candle lighting and noise bombardment, signaling justice and truth for the citizens.

Filipinos continue to contribute around the world. This month is celebrated through fiestas, festivals, feasts and educational activities. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Long live Philippines!

Photo by Monica Real | The iconic Philippines flag hangs with pride.