Since 1992, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) has been celebrating October as Filipino American History Month (FAHM) across the United States. The month of October is significant in Filipino American history, commemorating the first recorded arrival of Filipinos in the continental United States of America on Oct. 18, 1587, in what is now Morro Bay. Filipino American History Month also recognizes the contributions of Filipino veterans who fought alongside American troops during World War II.
In 2009, October was first recognized as FAHM by the United States Congress, and in 2015 President Barack Obama hosted the first FAHM celebration at the White House.
FAHM celebrates and honors the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans in various fields, including arts, sciences, education, medicine, politics, civic engagement, activism and emerging technologies.
On Oct. 14 and 28, Union City Council and Alameda County Board of Supervisors respectively declared October 2025 as Filipino American History Month. The Alameda Board of Supervisors recognized Filipino American National Historical Society – East Bay Chapter (FANHS EBC) and Filipinos for Justice (FAJ) for their contributions to Filipino American culture and life in Alameda County.
The official FANHS theme for 2025 Filipino American History Month was “From Quotas to Communities: Filipino American Migration and Movement,” highlighting the journey of Filipino immigrants into the United States and the significance of the 1935 Filipino Repatriation Act and the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act.
Several FAHM events were held in the Bay Area during this past month of October. The East Bay Chapter of FANHS (FANHS EBC, covering Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) held three successful events.
The FAHM Celebration in Hayward, in its second year, was held at Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) Performing Arts Center on Oct. 4 in collaboration between FANHS EBC and HUSD.
On Oct. 25, the biggest FANHS EBC FAHM event was held in Union City, at Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School, named after Filipino American farm labor leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz. This was a collaboration among FANHS EBC, The Pilipino American Society for Education (PASE) and New Haven Unified School District.
Gracing these FAHM celebrations were elected and appointed public servants of Union City, Dublin, Fremont, Newark, Hayward, Pinole and Alameda, including California State senators and assemblymembers.
These FANHS EBC FAHM celebrations include martial arts demonstrations, cultural performances, traditional music and dance, organizer and keynote addresses, and more. Event booths showcased Filipino inspired/branded products and food. Filipino American Civic engagement and sports groups were also represented at the events.
