Celebrating Filipino American History Month 2022

Dear friends,

Three decades ago in 1992, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) first introduced October as Filipino American History Month with a formal resolution from the FANHS National Board of Trustees. The U.S. Congress later recognized October as Filipino American History Month in 2009.

The month-long celebration is intended to commemorate the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States. That occurred on Oct. 18, 1587, when Filipino sailors, called “Luzones Indios,” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California.

This year, the FANHS has chosen the following theme for the 2022 celebration:

Celebrating Our History and Legacies:
50 Years of Filipino American Studies,
40 Years of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS),
and 30 years of Filipino American History Month

As that theme suggests, this year 2022 marks several anniversaries in Filipino American history. First, 50 years ago, the first Filipino American Studies (FAS) classes were taught at UCLA and UC Davis in California. Second, in 1982, Dorothy Laigo Cordova founded the FANHS—the oldest national Filipino American organization and the only national group committed to promoting and preserving Filipino American history. Finally, as I mentioned above, October 1992 was the first time that Filipino American History Month (FAHM) was celebrated in the United States—a year after FANHS passed a proclamation (spearheaded by Fred Cordova).

Here at Andrews University, we are grateful for our own Andrews Filipino International Association (AFIA) leadership for putting together the following Filipino American History Month celebratory events for our Andrews University community:

Oct. 4: Filipino American History Month Tuesday Choice
11:30 a.m., Campus Rec Center
Various Filipino Games/Dances + Short Talk

Oct. 6: Kinetic Worship
7:30 p.m., University Towers Chapel
Residence Hall Co-Curricular

Oct. 18: Filipino American History Month Tuesday Choice
11:30 a.m., Campus Rec Center
Various Filipino Games/Dances + Short Talk

Oct. 22: AFIA Aunties’ Potluck
After Church at Michiana Fil-Am SDA Church, 8454 Kephart Lane, Berrien Springs
Potluck at Various Locations at the AFIA Aunties’ Houses

Nov. 12: AFIA Sabbath
11:30 a.m., Michiana Fil-Am SDA Church
Church Service and Potluck

I look forward to celebrating with all of you this October as our campus family takes the opportunity to affirm and appreciate the contributions of the Filipino community to our campus, church, this country and the world.

Best,

Michael Nixon
Vice President for University Culture & Inclusion