Filipino-American Culture & History
INTRODUCTION
Filipino American History Month is a month-long commemoration and appreciation of rich Filipino American culture and experience. Many Americans around the United States celebrate the month of October in honor of Filipino American history and culture.
According to the 2023 U.S National Census, 4.4 million Americans are of Filipino heritage. Since Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian American group in the U.S, it is important to recognize the contributions they have played in the shaping and molding of the country.
Spreading the knowledge of the rich Filipino American culture and history is vital for the empowerment of these often forgotten heritages and the parts they have played.
REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is subdivided into seventeen (17) regions – eight (8) in Luzon, three (3) in the Visayas, and six (6) in Mindanao.
LUZON
National Capital Region
Cordillera Administrative Region
Ilocos Region
Cagayan Valley
Central Luzon
Calabarzon
Southwestern Tagalog Region
Bicol Region
VISAYAS
Western Visayas
Central Visayas
Eastern Visayas
MINDANAO
Zamboanga Peninsula
Northern Mindanao
Davao Region
Soccsksargen
Caraga
Bangsamoro
GEOGRAPHY
LUZON: Most of the island, a roughly rectangular area, lies north of Manila in a north-south orientation, while south of Manila are two peninsulas, Batangas and Bicol, which extend south and southeast, giving Luzon its irregular shape.
VISAYAS: High mountains characterize most of the Visayan Islands with the exception of Samar and Masbate, which are exceedingly hilly. Panay has extensive eastern plains where sugarcane and rice are farmed. Negros has large western plains on which sugarcane is grown.
MINDANAO: The island has narrow coastal plains, and broad, fertile basins and extensive swamps are formed by the Mindanao and Agusan river systems. Lake Lanao (Lake Sultan Alonto), created by a lava dam, has an area of 134 square miles (347 square km). The island has a marsh-game refuge and bird sanctuary.
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Based on the 2020 census, the regions with the highest population are, in descending order, Calabarzon (16,195,042), the National Capital Region (13,484,462), and Central Luzon (12,422,172). Almost 40 percent of the national population are found in these three (3) regions alone.
The National Capital Region (NCR), also known as Metropolitan Manila, is the capital region of the Philippines! Manilla is located in the region of Luzon and considered to be more of an urbanized geographical region. Whereas Visayas is considered the "festival" and island hopping/scenery region (i.e. Cebu in Central Visayas), Mindanao is known for their strong agricultural roots and titled as the “Pioneer Land”. Palawan--though known as a province of the Philippines--is greatly known for its tourism and fishing spots. A total of 765,991 tourists visited Palawan province in the first half of 2023, making it one of the best tourist locations around the world.
It is important to understand that depending on the three main regions you visit, the language varies from person to person. Though Tagalog is the main language spoken in the Philippines, many areas have dialects and subcategories of different languages. These regions are important because the culture can vary from each subregion. Since the Philippines have strong Spanish influence from colonization and their culture has direct latin-influence, it is key to understand the diversity of regions as some were more impacted by colonization than others.
A common geographical distinction is often made between Igorot (Tagalog for ‘mountaineer’) on Luzon, and Lumad (‘indigenous’) for those in Mindanao, with others in Luzon and the Visayas using their collective name, such as the Manobo, Mangyan, etc
Ten upland tribal groups on Luzon have been identified: Ifugao, Bontoc, Kankanay, Ibaloi, Kalinga, Tinguian, Isneg, Gaddang, Ilongot and Negrito. Ifugaos of Ifugao province, Bontocs of Mountain and Kaling-Apayao provinces and Kankanay and Ibaloi of Benguet province were all wet-rice farmers who have for centuries worked their elaborate rice terraces. Groups such as the Ibaloi were the most influenced by Spanish and American colonialism and lowland Filipino culture because of the extensive gold mines in Bengue.
The Lumad groups of Mindanao have faced, and continue to face, long-term displacement and legalized land dispossession, which is also a threat to other indigenous communities in the Philippines. The southern Philippine island peoples of Mindanao are resource-rich and were formerly under-populated compared to the northern island peoples of Luzon.
HISTORY OF FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
Filipino American History Month (FAHM) is celebrated annually in October, honoring the arrival of the first Filipinos in the US on October 18, 1587. The American Congress declared October 2009 as FAHM, and February has been designated as such by various states and localities. The first FAHM was declared in 2009 by the U.S. Congress, and in 2015, President Obama celebrated it at the White House.
FILIPINO-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS
The first recorded arrival of Filipinos was on October 18th, 1587. Since then, from the Yoyo on your work desk to the man who collaborated with Cesar Chavez as a labor-organizer, Filipinos have significantly contributed to the America of today.
Over 260,000 Filipinos fought in WW2 on behalf of the United States; several serving as Nurses or Medical aides, spies, messengers, and guerilla fighters during the most pivotal parts of the Pacific conflict.
Filipinos are greatly known for their medical contributions in the workforce, although it’s important to recognize roles served beyond that. The United States established several nursing and medical schools in the Philippines during the late 19th century, making educational opportunities common knowledge to citizens in poorer barrios. During the 1960s, a significant influx of Filipino healthcare professionals came to America and have since shown dedication and commitment as healthcare professionals.
Filipinos have contributed to the arts, aeronautical field, teaching, comedy, legislative, and engineering practices in great significance.
DID YOU KNOW? TRADITIONS!
The Philippines is known for its melting pot of ethnic groups and local languages. From its emphasis of honoring elders to the most colorful festivals and parades, the Philippines does not fall short when it comes to their cultural traditions.
Have you ever experienced Bayanihan?
Although there is no direct translation for ‘Bayanihan,’ it refers to collective effort towards an objective for someone in the community who needs it— all without expecting recognition or personal gain. A great example of “working towards the common good” would be citizens carrying a hut or house to a new location without pay or compensation for a neighbor. In modern times, Bayanihan may refer to resource centers and charity services for those in need or seeking assistance (i.e. shelter, career counseling, etc).
Spread between the country’s youth and elders, it’s very common in Filipino culture to take courtship romantically and seriously. Harana— also known as a serenade— had been used in the past to demonstrate a person’s commitment to another through “musical promise,” often a singer playing an instrument outside the window of their match’s home. Friends of the serenader would often accompany them as backup singers as well. Although modern times doesn’t have Harana as prominent from its historical roots, courtship and song is still considered one of the most relevant topics among youth. Singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments are still relevant in modern times and are especially encouraged to newer generations.
Festivals or “fiestas” are also a well practiced tradition in the Philippines. These colorful parades and social gatherings often have traditional Filipino clothing and dances, along with free food and “community spirit”. The Sinulog Festival which is celebrated in Cebu on the 3rd Sunday of January is a religious celebration meant to honor the “Child Jesus” and is held for a whopping 9 consecutive days.
Have you been to a debut? A Philippine Debut is the cultural coming-of-age ceremony. Comparable with the Spanish tradition, Quinceañera, a Filipino debut is celebrated on the 18th birthday of a young woman or the 21st birthday of a man. Typically ending with a party and beginning with a reception, debuts are one of the most looked forward to milestones in a young person's life.
These are just a few of the most important celebrations and traditions that Filipino people have celebrated for decades.
REFERENCES
Marshall, V. “Commemorating Filipino American History Month: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, The National World War II Museum, 19 Oct. 2022, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/commemorating-filipino-american-history-month.
https://www.sites.si.edu/s/archived-exhibit?topicId=0TO36000000TzxJGAS
https://www.philatlas.com/regions.html
https://www.britannica.com/place/Visayan-Islands#:~:text=High%20mountains%20characterize%20most%20of,on%20which%20sugarcane%20is%20grown.