The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) dedicates the month of October in a resolution to celebrate Filipino Americans as their history and culture substantially contributes to the development of California.
California is home to a large community of Filipino Americans from kindergarten through grade 12. They are the second largest Asian-American group in the United states, and the third largest ethnic group in California.
“There was a change from Filipino American Heritage Month to Filipino American History Month. Last year around this time I, along with other board members, was taught the difference between heritage and history. The term heritage is used interchangeably, but there is a difference,” said Sweetwater Union High School District Board Member and Trustee of Area 5, Paula Hall.
Under its multicultural educational policy, SUHSD recognizes that each student needs an opportunity to understand the common humanity underlying all people. Filipino Americans made substantial contributions to the growth and development of California’s government, industry, commerce, agriculture, science, literature, and the arts. The resolution allows for students to learn that national history as the story of many peoples under one nation.
“History is quite important. The term history comes into the lives, experiences and events of people and their impact on society. While heritage refers to cultural traditions that are passed down,” Hall said.
The resolution urges educators to involve students in appropriated lessons, meaningful instructional activities and programs during October to commemorate Filipino Americans. Celebrating Filipino American History Month in October dates back to their first recorded presence in the continental U.S which, according to Filipino American National Historical Society (FAHNS), occurred on Oct. 18, 1587 when “Luzeons Indios”came ashore to Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed to what is now known as Morro Bay, California.
According to FAHNS, the first introduction of Filipino American History Month was in 1992 when the late Dr. Fred Cordova, along with his wife, FANHS Founder Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova introduced the resolution to the FANHS National Board of Trustees. It wasn't until 2009, when U.S Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month.
“Filipinos had a presence in the new world for over 400 years. Isn't that amazing? I know that there are so many parts of history that we can learn about from not only American history, but from different groups that come to reside in California and America. I really appreciate that we were given the opportunity to recognize that,” Hall said.
