CONNECT with the City2024 Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States in October 18, 1587. Filipinos arrived aboard on the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and arrived on Chumash and Obispeño lands (Morro Bay, California). The Filipino American National Historical Society introduced October as Filipino American History Month back in 1992. Today, many people in our community celebrate this month by organizing events to raise awareness about the role of Filipino Americans in U.S. history.
Filipino American history encompasses the effects of colonialism and war, labor, global migration, and activism of the diaspora in this country. At San Diego Public Library, we celebrate Filipino American history, heritage, and culture through programs, book displays, and our collections.
Featured Programs
Filipino Cultural Night
Thursday, Oct. 24 | 4 - 6 p.m. | Logan Heights Library
Enjoy an evening of crafts, food, resources and other activities for the whole family, while supplies last.
Filipino American Heritage Month Exhibit
Oct. 1 – 17 | Oct. 24 – 31 | La Jolla/Riford Library An exhibit that includes stories, photos and other memorabilia highlighting the history of Filipinos.
It's Not Your Lady Gaga's Monsters: Freaks, Ghosts, and Tita's Tsismis About How Strange You Are to the Family
Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 6 p.m. | Central Library
Learn about the metaphor of monsters—like the manananggal—in filipino folklore and how it relates to queer and femme bodies in a presentation with Joseph Ruanto-Ramirez.
Youth Programs
Libraries across the City are hosting story times and crafts that explore Filipino American History Month! Click on each event to learn more.
Dirty Kitchen, an Ilokano-American Story
Saturday, Oct. 19 | 11 a.m. | North University Community Library
Local author Jean Juarez Torres reads Dirty Kitchen, a story of a grandmother teaching her grandkids how to make pinakbet.
Create-It Thursday: Flapping Sarimanok Bird Craft
Thursday, Oct. 17 | 4 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library
Learn about and craft a Sarimanok bird. Registration required.
Create-It Thursday: Jeepney Craft
Thursday, Oct.23 | 4 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library
Craft a jeepney bus! Registration required.
DIY Pabitins at the Teen IDEA Lab
Thursday, Oct. 24 | 4 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library
Teens (12 – 18) are invited to make these festive filipino pabitins!
Adult Programs
Poetry Reading from San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez
Saturday, Oct. 26 | 2 p.m. | University Heights Library
City of San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez will do readings, answer questions and collaborate on a group poem!
Yellow Rose Film Screening
Monday, Oct. 24 | 6 p.m. | Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library
In rural Texas, a Filipino teen longs to make her mark on the world of country music. When an unexpected opportunity comes her way, she must make a choice between family traditions or her dreams.