Chicago Area Fil-Am History Month events
CHICAGO — The Filipino American National Historical Society announces the theme for the 2020 Filipino American History Month: The History of Filipino American Activism.
The theme highlights the myriad ways Filipino Americans have participated in social justice movements, including but not limited to, the United Farmworkers Movement, the fight for Ethnic Studies, Hawaii Sugar Plantation strikes, Washington Yakima strikes, and Anti-Martial Law Movements across multiple decades. It honors the history of Filipino American solidarity with other communities in their fights for equity and justice, including the Black Lives Matter Movement, American Indian Movement, Civil Rights and Voting Rights, Women’s Rights, LGBTQ Rights, and Environmental Justice.
This year FAHM honors the advocacy of r Filipino American healthcare workers who are actively protecting and fighting for our lives everyday amidst this global pandemic. The year 2020 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Filipino American Far West Convention in Seattle, whose overarching theme was EMERGENCE and is credited in part as the start of the Filipino American movement. 2020 also marks the 75th anniversary of The Battle of Luzon in the Philippines – one of the bloodiest battles of World War II; it is also the 90th anniversary of the Watsonville Riots of 1930 — one which has been credited as an impetus for Farmworkers Rights.
Chicago Area FAHM events in 2020
All times are in Central Standard Time (in the United Sates)
Oct 1, Thursday to Oct 31, Saturday – 2nd Filipino Restaurant Week in Chicago. The event will run for the whole month of October. Contact Jan Paul Ferrer [email protected], .
Oct 2, Friday at 4pm to 5pm – 2020 FAHM Celebration Kickoff. A welcome address from the Consul General Gina Jamoralin. Tito Ruben and Consul General will give awards to outstanding Filipino Americans and organizations who have been active participants and supporters of Filipino American activism in order to inspire and foster our civic responsibility in the Filipino American community. The FAHM proclamations from the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago will be read.
FANHS also reminds everyone that the month is HISTORY month, not “Heritage” month. “History” encompasses the experiences and events that have shaped our lives, as well as culture and heritage. In celebration of the FAHM, the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA) and the Philippine Consulate of Chicago (PCG) invite you to support Filipino owned restaurants by limited dining in or take-out orders of Filipino food. Paula Arnedo: [email protected]
Oct 1 Thursday to October 31 Saturday – Virtual Exhibits of Filipino artifacts, photographs and objects plus paintings and art works made by Filipino artists. Contact Laurence Anthonie Tumpag [email protected]
Oct 3, Saturday at 730pm – Sponsor – Philippine Consulate General in Chicago and the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago. Contact Noly Dulay [email protected] and Tito Ruben [email protected].
US Premiere screening of award winning movie EDWARD at the Davis Drive-In Theater (to ensure safe social distancing) in Chicago. Presented by Asian Pop-Up Cinema (Sophia’s Choice) in cooperation with FYLPRO, the screening is a fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a 501 C3 NFP of high performing, next-generation leaders that have a passion for advancing the Philippines and the Filipino people. Tickets are at $150 per car, with a max of 6 per Chicago reopening guidelines. Limited slots for 30 cars only. Everyone is encouraged to treat our Frontliners to EDWARD the movie! For tickets, trailer, drive-in FAQ and other info, go to www.asianpopupcinema.org/edward100320. Contact Lakhi Siap [email protected] or call 708-528-6321 – Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO).
Oct 8 Thursday at 7pm – Watch Filipino health care worker and singer/artist Emil Nicolasin sings the National Anthem at the Chicago Bears Game sponsored by Advocate Hospitals.
Oct 9 Friday – #FilipinoAmerican film “Yellow Rose” — starring Eva Noblezada, Princess Punzalan and Lea Salonga — will be released in theaters on Oct. 9. Filipina American filmmaker Diane Paragas’ “Yellow Rose” tells a spellbinding story about an undocumented Filipina teenager Rose (Tony-nominated actress and singer Eva Noblezada) who fights to achieve her dream of becoming a country music star.
Oct 10 Saturday at 10 a.m. – “Songs of Peace and Justice – a children’s virtual music experience rooted in teaching our children songs that are rooted in our struggle for justice. This experience is suited for preschool aged children and their families but all are welcome to join us on Zoom for FAHM with the Filipino American National Historical Society of Chicago, Greater Chicago Chapter. Contact Clarissa Aljentera. To attend, Please register here https://forms.gle/hZFiPHfaTTdX2enu9 and a link for Zoom will be sent before the event
Oct 14 Wednesday at 12 Noon – Lunchtime Chat 1 – Stories of Filipino Activism and Heroism. This week’s topic is the history of activism in the Midwest and the organizing that went into domestic workers rights. In celebration of the FAHM, AFIRE, CIRCA Pintig and the Filipino American National Historical Society of Chicago Greater Chicago Chapter invite you to the weekly virtual podcast on Zoom every Wednesday at lunch time for three weeks. 10/14-10/28. Part of CIRCA Pintig’s Raising Voices: Stories from the Homefront virtual storytelling series, for more information visit: www.circapintig.org. Contact Ginger Leopoldo [email protected] and Kristina Tendilla [email protected]
Oct 21 Wednesday at 12 Noon – Lunchtime Chat 2 – Stories of Filipino Activism and Heroism. This week’s topic is to discuss and invite folks who are in the fight for ethnic studies with Dr. Anna Guevarra, Founding Director of Global Asian Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Part of CIRCA Pintig’s Raising Voices: Stories from the Homefront virtual storytelling series, for more information visit: www.circapintig.org. Contact Ginger Leopoldo [email protected].
24 Saturday at 3pm – Open MIC featuring Youth Voices. In celebration of the FAHM, the CIRCA Pintig and the Filipino American National Historical Society of Chicago Greater Chicago Chapter, and PACF invite high school and college students to showcase their songs, poems, spoken words, music, visual art and other artistic talents following the theme of History of Filipino American of Activism. more information about competition details, visit: [email protected].
Oct 25 Sunday at 2pm – Honoring the Filipino American Pioneers – the Philippine American Foundation will host a virtual event to honor and present awards to some of the Filipino American pioneers who have displayed outstanding service to the community. Contact Adeline Fajardo at [email protected] and Evelyn Natividad at [email protected].
Oct 26 Monday at 7:30pm – Community Advocacy and Cultural Representation in Food – Discussion highlights – historical rise of advocating for cultural representation in food; cultural appropriation and community education and action; various reactions and response to Barkada wine bar in Washington DC. Contact Geri Aglipay [email protected].
Oct 28 Wednesday at 12 Noon – Lunchtime Chat 3 – Stories of Filipino Activism and Heroism. This week’s topic is the activism and the sharing of stories by the health care and essential workers during the pandemic. Guest panelists include Terrence Yee, former President of Illinois Nurses Association and Bryan Ranchero, Child Nurse Consultant at Public Health DHS Illinois. Contact Ginger Leopoldo [email protected].
Oct 29 Thursday at 7:00pm – “Pulong ng Bayan” – An Update on Co-Curation – A town hall virtual meeting discussion on the co-curation project of the Field Museum in partnership with the Filipino community. Contact Jamie Kelly [email protected] and Tito Ruben [email protected]
Oct 30, Friday at 7pm– FAHM Closing Celebration and Lingua Franca Netflix Party, Movie Producer Jhett Tolentino, the Filipino Grammy and Oscar Award winner will be joining us in the discussion before and after the movie. Lingua Franca is a film that chronicles the struggles of an undocumented Filipina transwoman who tries to stay in the United States to get herself a green card. Sponsored by the Midwest Pilipino American Coalition (MPAC) and Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO). Contact LouellaCabalona at 708-528-6321 or [email protected] and Everett Icao at [email protected].
