October is Filipino American History Month, a national celebration marking the anniversary of the first Filipino immigrants in the United States. In Seattle, a strong Filipino American diaspora has found a home. There are numerous ways to celebrate Filipino American History Month in Seattle.
On Sunday, October 9, Filipino Storytime Seattle and Hood Famous Cafe + Bar are partnering for a reading of “BUKO” by Jennifer Estacio. The owner of Hood Famous, Chera Amlag, will be reading the book, and the event will host music and food as well. More details, including registration info, can be found here.
On October 14, Hood Famous is hosting an informational open house for an upcoming Filipino American US History course offered in eight middle and high schools throughout Seattle. [CQ] On Oct. 14, visit the cafe to find out more about the class and meet some of the instructors. Another open house, this time for the Youth Development Program & Innovation Learning Center in Hillman City, is being held Oct. 28 with the Filipino Community of Seattle.
The Greater Seattle chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is holding a Filipino American History Month Youth and Community Summit on October 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clover Park High School (11023 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499). Students in grades 6-12, teaching staff, parents and community members are invited to immerse themselves and learn about Filipino American history and culture. The event will feature workshops, cultural displays, performances, demonstrations, contests and food.
The Filipino Community of Seattle is holding its 87th Anniversary Gala on October 27, celebrating another year of the organization and raising money for its future. The event will be held at the Filipino Community Center as well, though tickets are now unfortunately sold out.
On October 30, the Wing Luke Museum is hosting a celebration of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) with historian and Founder/Executive Director Dorothy Cordova from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The event will also include a video history of FANHS created by Damian Cordova, a multigenerational panel from the Filipino American community, and more. Register in the link.
Camille Ungco PhD from the UW College of Education, and the Filipino American National History Society has compiled a list of Filipino American History Month resources for Seattle Public Schools, including books for primary and secondary grades, podcasts and websites. You can see the list here.
The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) recommends participating in Filipino American History Month in multiple ways. FANHS suggests reading Filipino American Studies books such as Filipino Americans: Transformation and Identity, (edited by Maria P. P. Root) – regarded as a foundational comprehensive text in Filipino American Studies, support arts and media that advance Filipino American Studies, such as the indie comedy Lumpia with a Vengeance (playing in theaters in Seattle the weekend of October 14 and in Renton on the weekend of October 21) or Larry: The Musical (theater), and conduct and share oral histories that highlight regional experiences of Filipino American history.