Sierra Canyon Celebrates Filipino American History Month

Filipino American History Month is celebrated in the United States in October. Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans. The celebration of Filipino American History Month commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when Filipinos were crossing the Pacific Ocean as sailors on majestic Spanish galleons (ships) and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. 

 

The Philippines is located in an archipelago constituting over 7,500 islands. The history of the country is that of immigration and occupation, also gives clues to the people's identity:

'Taglish' is something you hear a lot in the Philippines, especially in Manila, Luzon, Mindoro, and Marinduque. As the word suggests, it combines Tagalog, the most widely spoken language, and English. In 1987, a variant of Tagalog became the base for the official language of the Philippines. Tagalog and English are used profusely for education and business, and Tagalog has the most literature of all the Filipino languages. However, you would be wrong to suppose that these were the only languages. Scholars estimate there are 75 to 150 different languages and dialects in the Philippines.

Family bonds are important to Filipinos. The elderly are honored and respected, and children are taught to say 'po' and 'apo,' showing respect to their grandparents, from an early age. There is a special greeting to show veneration, 'mano,' whereby you take the hand of an elderly person and place it on your forehead as if receiving his blessing. Extended families live together, and even distant members are given the title of cousin. Children have several sets of godparents so that the support system is strong. There may be a few houses grouped on the same piece of land or in the same neighborhood so that children from different parents are part of one household and single aunts and uncles or grandparents look after them while parents work. The major festivals are celebrated together. If a family originates outside the city, they journey back to the rural area where they have their roots to celebrate.

Geographical location and ethnicity mean that food varies from area to area. It is spicy but not eye-watering hot. There is one staple true to all; when in the Philippines, you will always see plain steamed rice on the menu. However, fish is eaten daily and may be salted or fried. Chicken is popular, as is pork, although the Muslim population does not eat it. Much of the food is served cold. Vegetables are prepared in soups or stews and there are plenty of fruits. If you enjoy desserts you will relish the coconut milk with fruit salad.

Filipinos know how to party. Throughout the year, there is bound to be a holiday or festival. Every municipality has a patron saint whose day is celebrated extravagantly in the homes and streets. Residents anticipate the event months in advance. A feast is prepared, and they go from one house to another, tasting dishes. The church and plaza are decorated with lights and bunting, and a procession is held with dancing and music. According to the festival, Filipinos dress up in vivid costumes, sporting masks, and headdresses. Fireworks and firecrackers complete the excitement.

Other holidays include Christmas, Rizal Day, which takes place on December 30, making it part of the New Year's Day celebration, Easter, All Saints Eve, and secular holidays like Bataan Death March, Labor Day, and Independence Day on 12 June. Sino-Filipinos celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown, Manila, and Muslims enjoy the Islamic Feasts for the end of Ramadan and the Haj.