SACRAMENTO, CA — The State of California celebrates Filipino American History Month in October to recognize and honor the cultural history and profound contributions of the more than 1.6 million Filipino-Americans that proudly call the Golden State home.
Designating October as Filipino American History Month emphasizes the importance of celebrating the diverse tapestry of California’s Filipino-American population and their significant contributions throughout American history. This proclamation reaffirms the State’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, diversity, and understanding among all residents.
The Filipino community has shaped California’s history with a strong legacy of achievements in fields including arts, sciences, politics, and business. The late, great Modesto “Larry” Dulay Itliong (1913-1977) was a prominent Filipino-American labor leader and activist known for his pivotal role in organizing farmworkers in the United States. Itliong founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union in 1956 in Stockton, and co-founded the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) in 1959 to improve the wages, working conditions and rights of farm workers. On September 8, 1965 AWOC led by Itliong began the famous Delano grape strike, which, eight days later was joined by the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, and went on for five years and is recognized as one of the most pivotal labor actions in United States history. During the strike, AWOC and NFWA merged to form the United Farm Workers (UFW). In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Itliong was posthumously inducted in 2015 into the California Hall of Fame.
The leadership of Filipino-Americans in public service is exemplified by California State Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta holds the distinction of being the first Filipino-American to hold this prestigious position. Prior to becoming Attorney General, Bonta was a member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (AAPILC) as an elected Assemblymember representing District 18 including Alameda County. During his tenure as an Assemblymember in the California State Assembly, Bonta passed significant legislation that left a lasting impact. In January 2013, Bonta introduced legislation aimed at mandating California public schools incorporate the history of immigrants, including Filipino Americans and their pivotal roles in the farm labor movement. Assembly Bill 123 was signed into law by then-Governor Jerry Brown in October of the same year. Worth noting is that Bonta’s mother, Cynthia Bonta, played a crucial role in organizing Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers for the United Farm Workers. Some of his other notable achievements include advocating for criminal justice reform, tenant protections, and environmental initiatives. His dedication to serving the people of California and his accomplishments as Attorney General and a legislator have made him a prominent figure in the state’s legal and political landscape.
Celebrating Filipino American History month throughout October, various events, educational initiatives, and cultural programs will take place across California to showcase the Filipino community’s history, achievements, and ongoing impact to the cultural and economic vitality of the state. These celebrations serve as a testament to California’s commitment to recognize and preserve the cultural contributions and diversity that enriches the lives of all Californians.
For more information about Filipino American History Month events and activities in California, please visit: http://fanhs-national.org/filam/
