Note: Audio Commentary is exclusively available to our First Readers.
As a reminder: I will be taking a break from publishing letters for Filipino American History Month (FAHM) to engage with YOU! 💙❤️💛
Filipino American History Month is dedicated to curating FAHM-related content from our community.
So if you have any recommendations (e.g., books, articles, your favorite influencers addressing FAHM, events, etc.), simply REPLY to any of our newsletters!
And if you’re not yet a subscriber, subscribe for FREE now! 💌
From the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)
October is Filipino American History Month
Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans.
The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California.
In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month.
The late Dr. Fred Cordova, along with his wife, FANHS Founder Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, first introduced October as Filipino American History Month in 1992 with a resolution from the FANHS National Board of Trustees.
Across the nation, FANHS Chapters, colleges and universities, museums, and community groups will be commemorating Filipino American History Month with various activities and events to bring awareness of the significant role Filipinos have played in American history.
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). Since then, FAHM has been celebrated annually all over the country – with initiatives by FANHS chapters, local community nonprofit groups, government organizations, and college student organizations.
In 2009, U.S. Congress declared October as FAHM, and in 2015, President Obama celebrated the first FAHM at the White House.
Beyond the Margins: Centering Intersectional Filipino American Histories
The theme for FAHM 2026 recognizes the contributions, struggles, and lived experiences of Filipino Americans whose stories have been typically overlooked, underrepresented, or excluded from traditional historical narratives.
By centering intersectional histories (including but not limited to those of women, LGBTQ+ people, Indigenous Filipinos, Moro/Muslim Filipinos, people with disabilities, multiracial Filipinos, undocumented migrants, adoptees, and other marginalized communities), we move toward a fuller, more nuanced, and more inclusive understanding of Filipino American history.
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P.S.S. Depending on the number of replies, please note that I may not reply to everyone’s messages (thank you in advance for respecting my boundaries — mainly a one-woman band over here 🙋🏻♀️). Pay attention to our newsletters in October to see if your recommendation made it in!
For First Readers
Jen opens up Filipino American History Month with candid reflections and optimism. She shares why she chose to take a break from reading letters this month to engage exclusively with podcast subscribers.
She also shares her updated Vision Board for the final quarter of 2026—available to view in the Family Potluck Group Chat —along with resources to build your own vision board.
