California Attorney General Rob Bonta is the 2023 National Larry Itliong Leadership awardee

LOS ANGELES – During Filipino American History Month last October, the state celebrated the more than 400 years of Filipino presence in the United States. Filipinos, numbering around 4.4 million nationwide, have a deep and rich history in California.

Many have heard of the Mexican American labor leader Cesar Chavez. But few are aware of the all-American national hero of Filipino descent, Larry Itliong. He was the union organizer and civil rights leader who invited and led Chavez to join the 1965 Delano Grape Strike.

This was a triple grand slam of organizing Filipino seasonal workers, uniting with Mexicans and unifying the American people in boycotting California grapes. It was a historic victory in 1970, acknowledged by the late Senator Robert Kennedy for its milestone impact in the US and around the world.

To cap off the 2023 Filipino American History Month, the Filipino American Voice United (FAVU) hosted a gala awards dinner at the Carson Community Center on Oct. 28.

The 2023 Larry Itliong Leadership Award was presented to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. From left, Carson Mayor Emeritus Jim Dear, FAVU Chairman Nimfa Y Gamez, Bonta, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, FAVU Director Evelyn Andamo, FAVU President Jerry Perez de Tagle and City of Tacoma Commissioner Maricres Valdez Castro. CONTRIBUTED

The event recognized leaders who served above self, who fought against the odds and achieved victory for their community and country.

During the event, the 2023 Larry Itliong Leadership Award was presented to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The inscription on the plaque presented to Bonta read: “Your actions and accomplishments exemplify the Filipino American spirit of valor and victory, of courage and character in uniting people and succeeding against the odds.”

The award celebrates Filipino-American virtues and exemplifies the greatness of the American spirit.

It also provides the momentum for the October 25th Movement: Larry Itliong National Day and for awarding a posthumous White House Freedom Medal Award to Itliong.

The October 25th Movement: Larry Itliong National Day  aims to push for the recognition of Itliong not only in the United States but also in the Philippines and around the world, as FAVU petitions the United Nations, the International Labor Organization and the Committee on Migrant Workers to recognize the Fil-Am labor leader and civil rights icon.

Jorge Perez de Tagle lives in the US and the Philippines. He taught at Syracuse University, New York. He was among the 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs in the Philippines in 2009 and is currently chair of the Alliance for Asian American Voters.