Biden greets Filipinos to kick off October, Fil-Am History Month

President Joe Biden greeted the Filipino community to kick off Filipino American History Month (FAHM), which was first recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2009.

In a statement released by the white House the president said,  “Filipino American History Month gives us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and milestones of Filipino Americans across the Nation.”

“Their contributions are reflected in some of our Nation’s greatest triumphs and struggles. When the United States and our allies overcame enemy forces to bring World War II to an end, Filipino Americans were fighting on the frontlines to make our victory possible. When Filipino farmers workers organized across the Nation, including the Delano Grape Strike in California, they catalyzed permanent changes that improved the conditions of farm labor in the United States,” Biden added. He noted that Filipino Americans have continued to serve and sacrifice on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telesforo Trinidad campaign graphic.

Filipinos’ recorded presence in the continental United States dates as far back as October 1587

Fil-Am California Attorney General Rob Bonta proudly tweeted a warm MABUHAY:

“As CA’s first #FilAm Attorney General, I’m proud to celebrate the vast contributions of the Filipino American community to our nation & state. Filipino American history IS Californian history AND American history.”

Among the community celebrations is the commemoration of 50th anniversary of the First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention in Seattle University in 1971, when over 300 young Filipino American delegates from the West Coast of the US gathered, starting an annual get-together until 1975.

Also, a month-long exhibit in October will be held by Bataan Legacy Historical Society, the USS Hornet Museum, the Friends & Family of Nisei Veterans and the USS Telesforo Trinidad Campaign for Filipino American History Month.

The centerpiece of the exhibition will be Telesforo Trinidad, a Filipino sailor who received the Medal of Honor in 1915 for his heroic actions on board the USS San Diego.  A campaign is being conducted to name a U.S. Navy ship after Telesforo Trinidad.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC), will hold a free health screening and education event on Thursday Oct. 28, dubbed as “Health Day sa Konsulado” to mark the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-U.S. Diplomatic Relations at the Kalayaan Hall Philippine Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ferrer also announced that extension of the overseas voting registration period for the 2022 Philippine National Elections for Filipinos is until Thursday Oct. 14, 2021, at the Philippine Consulate General at 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California.

Filipino voters may register at the Consulate Mondays through Fridays except holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and on Oct. 9, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), for a special Saturday overseas voting registration.