President Joe Biden this week paid tribute to the “achievements and aspirations” of Filipino American leaders and community members to celebrate Filipino American History Month.

In a message dated Oct. 21, President Biden praised Filipinos and Filipino Americans for “[enriching] the very essence of who we are as people.” He commemorates those who “represent the best of who we are as a Nation,” highlighting “athletes and artists, entrepreneurs and engineers, public servants and health care workers, and so much more.”

President Biden stated that reflecting on the Filipino community’s “proud history and heritage” can help us better understand “realizing the full promise of America for all Americans.”

In the conclusion of his message, President Biden expressed hope for what lies ahead: “Dreamers and doers like you embody the possibilities of this great Nation – and that is a big part of the reason why I have never been more optimistic about our future.”

In 2009, the United States recognized October as Filipino American History Month (FAHM), following the Filipino American National History Society (FANHS) passing a proclamation a year prior.

This month-long celebration honors the arrival of the “Luzones Indios” on the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza on October 18, 1587, at what is now Morro Bay, California. This marks the first documented presence of Filipinos in the mainland United States.

According to the Pew Research Center, Filipino Americans account for about 17% of the nation’s total Asian American population; about 4.1 million reside in the United States as of 2022. Unlike most Asian-origin groups, more Filipino Americans are U.S.-born than immigrants. 

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.

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