2023 Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States in October 18, 1587. Filipinos arrived aboard on the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and arrived on Chumash and Obispeño lands (Morro Bay, California). The Filipino American National Historical Society introduced October as Filipino American History Month back in 1992. Today, many people in our community celebrate this month by organizing events to raise awareness about the role of Filipino Americans in U.S. history.
Filipino American history encompasses the effects of colonialism and war, labor, global migration, and activism of the diaspora in this country. At San Diego Public Library, we celebrate Filipino American history, heritage, and culture through programs, book displays, and our collections.
Quick links:
Featured Programs
Filipino American History Month Celebration
Monday, October 16, 2023 | 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Logan Heights Library
Everyone is welcome! Bring the whole family to sing Karaoke, eat Filipino food and make your own parols.
Filipino American Heritage Month Exhibit
Friday, October 1, 2023 - Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | Hours of Operation | La Jolla/Riford Library
The exhibit includes stories, photos and other memorabilia highlighting the history of Filipinos.
OnView: Landsick- Rizzhel Javier
October 11-November 13, 2023 | Central Library- 2nd Floor Display
Landsick explores the hybridity of culture, complexity of intergenerational relationships and study of binational families.
Story Times
Libraries across the City are hosting story times and crafts that explore Filipino American History Month! Click on each event to learn more.
- Piñata Meets Jeepney: A Special Spanish and Tagalog Storytime with Ms. Katia and Mr. Dennis
Monday, October 2, 2023 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library - Bilingual Storytime: Tagalog (Oras ng Kwento sa Bilingguwal: Tagalog)
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library - Tiny Tots University/Universidad de Pequeños: Celebrating Filipino American History Month
Thursdays, October 12 & October 26, 2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Skyline Hills Library - Bilingual Baby Story Time
Monday, October 16, 2023 | 12 p.m. -12:45pm | Logan Heights Library - Filipino American Storytime
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Mira Mesa Library - Bilingual Storytime at Skyline Hills Library: Tagalog Storytime
Friday, October 13, 2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Skyline Hills Library - Bilingual Storytime at Skyline Hills Library: Tagalog Storytime
Friday, October 27 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Skyline Hills Library
Children’s Crafts
Learn about Filipino and Filipino American culture through children’s crafts at these locations:
- Create-It Thursday: Sarimanok Bird Craft
Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library
Registration required. - Flapping Sarimanok Craft with Toshwerks!
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Mira Mesa Library
Registration required. - Create-It Thursday: Philippine Kite Craft
Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library
Registration required. - Saturday Craft Session: DIY Mini Pabitin
Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Linda Vista Library
Author Event
Filipino American History Month Author Panel: Stories of Some Filipino Americans of San Diego, California
Monday, October 2, 2023 | 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library
In honor of Filipino American History Month, the City and County of San Diego Filipino American Employees Associations present an author panel featuring the 2023 book, Stories of Some Filipino Americans of San Diego, California.
Join us for an exciting talk featuring the founder of the Asian Journal, Simeon G. Silverio, Jr., Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) President Joe Mazares, retired Filipino Studies professor Felix Tuyay, and former college counselor Salvador Flor. They will talk about community building and activism, and stories of the Filipino American community.
Film Screenings
In genres ranging from a documentary to a lumpia-armed super hero movie, explore Filipino American history through film at movie showings around the City:
- Imelda
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 6 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | North University Community Library - Easter Sunday (Rated PG-13)
Monday, October 9, 2023 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library - Maid in Malacañang (NR)
Monday, October 23, 2023 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 pm | La Jolla/Riford Library - Lumpia with a Vengeance (NR)
Monday, October 16, 2023 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library
Resources
- Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO)
- Filipinos in San Diego
- Filipino-American Cultural Association of North San Diego County (FACO)
- Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture
- House of the Philippines
- Filipino American National Historical Society
- Filipino-American Materials: A Resource Guide
Videos
Conversations with Poets
Philippine Fright Night
Presenter: Rachel Esguerra & Bernard Cayetano
Presenter: Azalea Ebbay