Celebrating Filipino American History Month

How FUSO’s events promote Filipino pride and tradition

JESSICA MILLS /  ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Since 1992, the United States has celebrated Filipino American History Month during the month of October. It marks the anniversary of the first recorded evidence of Filipinos’ arrival in America on Oct. 15, 1897, aboard a Spanish ship in modern-day Morro Bay, California. 

The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco explains that the official month honors the history, pursuits, accomplishments, heritage and legacy of Filipino Americans and provides a link between Filipinos in the U.S. and Filipinos in the Philippines by showcasing their shared culture and heritage. 

As the second largest Asian American group in the U.S. and the third largest ethnic group in California, Filipinos have a prominent role in influencing the culture and history of both the country and California. The Washington Immigrant Network says Filipino Americans are one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the U.S. 

The Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization (FUSO) hosts various events during October to recognize and commemorate Filipino students, culture and history. 

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the 37th annual “Friendship Games,” hosted by California State University Fullerton, will take place. Managing Editor of The USD Vista and FUSO Vice President External Mei Flory coordinates the event and maintains relations with Filipino organizations outside of USD to create a sense of community within San Diego. 

“[Friendship Games] basically involves 40 plus Filipino organizations coming together and competing in field games, dance performances as well as ‘SPUF-ing’ — [spirited] chanting toward other schools,” Flory said.

 SPUF stands for “spirit, pride, unity, friendship” and are the core values of the games. It encourages both school pride and the building of relationships between groups and those in attendance. 

For Flory, she found a sense of belonging since joining FUSO during her fall semester as a first-year. 

“As a non-Filipino on the [executive] board of a Filipino club, Filipino History Month has taught me a lot about a different culture that I initially had no ties with,” Flory said. “Seeing how prideful and happy people were in [FUSO] inspired me to start looking into the club and the culture more.”

USD junior and FUSO Co-Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Mia Tabladillo has also been a part of FUSO since the fall semester of her first year. As one of the commissioners, Tabladillo helps with cultural events like Kamayan Night, which is open to the public and hosted on Oct. 29. 

“This is our biggest cultural event of the fall semester,” Tabladillo said. “It’s a night where we can practice traditional Filipino culture like the practice of Kamayan, sharing a meal with our hands with various Filipino foods.” 

Kamayan night typically includes Lumpia, Lechon (a cooked pig), Ulam (loosely translates to side dishes), Pancit Palabok (a noodle dish) and desserts like Bibingka Malagkit (Filipino rice cake) and Turon (fried banana rolls). The evening also features student performances. 

“They perform whatever they would like to,” Tabladillo said. “We also do traditional cultural dances. This year we will be doing Pandanggo Sa Ilaw, which involves men and women dancing together to emulate the fireflies at night in the Philippines.” 

USD junior and FUSO Co-Commissioner Caitlyn Parel explained some of the deeper meanings behind the tradition. 

“More specifically, ‘kamay’ means hand, such as when you shake hands with one another to greet one another and bring each other closer together,” Parel explained. “Kamayan eating was the style of eating before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines and was a physical way of connecting with the food and the land that nourishes us. This dinner is a way of embracing unity amongst the Filipino community, as well as feeling more like a family by sharing our food in an intimate way.”

This year, FUSO is also bringing in a new dance called Malglalatik, a type of dance where male dancers incorporate coconut shells.

“It’s for the guys to show energy and what Filipino culture is about: just being ‘happy-go-lucky’ in my opinion,” Tabladillo said. 

Parel appreciates the community and memories FUSO’s events create.

“It’s never [just] the food or activities that makes me want to both attend and host these events, but it’s about the experiences I create and share as we celebrate the Filipino culture,” Parel said.

With events that honor Philippine culture and tradition, FUSO provides many opportunities for all to celebrate Filipino American History Month.