Filipino American Cultural Profile Language Education

Congress has established two months in celebration of Filipino American culture in the United States. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated in May. Upon becoming the largest Asian American group, Filipino American Heritage Month was established, celebrated in October.

1 Cultural Profile

Despite race relations problems of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries pervading the American northwest, most Filipino Americans today find it easy to integrate with American society. Filipino nationals have been living in an American-molded society for over a century. The country was a United States territory and later a commonwealthAlternative meaning: the Commonwealth of Nations The English noun Commonwealth dates originally from the fifteenth century and in different contexts indicates one of: # a nation, state or political unit # a state founded on law by agreement of the people from 12 December 1898Events January 1 New York City annexes land from surrounding counties, creating the City of Greater New York. The city is geographically divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. January 13 Emile Zola's J'accus to 4 July 1946Events January January 4 Theodore Schurch becomes the last person to be executed for offences committed under the Treachery Act of 1940 January 7 Allied recognize Austrian republic with 1937 borders the country is divided into four occupation zones Januar. Even after the Republic of the Philippines was established, it continued the flow of popular American culture into the country - from major league baseballBusch Stadium in Saint Louis, Missouri. Baseball is a team sport in which a small hand-sized ball is thrown and hit with a bat. Scoring involves running and touching markers on the ground called bases, hence the name. The ball itself is also called a base and professional basketballBasketball is a ball sport in which two teams of five players each try to score points by throwing the ball through a basket. Basketball is highly suited to viewing by spectators, as it is primarily an indoor sport, played in a relatively small playing ar to Coca-ColaCoca-Cola (also known as Coke is a popular carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants and vending machines in over one hundred and forty countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company, which is also occasionally referred to as Coca-Cola or Coke, from MTV and Big Macs to text messaging. Philippines sports pages headline MLB and NBA sports scores from the mainland United States everyday. While elements of Americana has been embraced - or imposed - in Filipino society, there has been at times some incidents of anti-American sentiment in the Philippines. Nevertheless, there isn't much of a culture shock when Filipino nationals migrate to the United States.

1.1 Language

Recent immigrants to the United States from the Philippines don't have much of a language barrier to overcome. Except for some communities in Hawai'i, the language barrier is almost nonexistent with the exception of various accents. The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country following the United States and the United Kingdom. English is the official language of instruction and government in the modern republic. While an overwhelming majority of Filipino nationals and Filipino Americans do speak English fluently, most also speak Ilokano, Tagalog and Visayan at home. Tagalog (also known as Filipino ) is the sixth most spoken language in the United States. Like most immigrant groups in the United States, fluency in Tagalog and various Filipino languages tends to be lost among second- and third-generation Filipino Americans as they become further acculturated into mainstream American society.

1.2 Education

Filipino Americans tend to be highly educated. For example, the American Medical Association has deemed medical and healthcare education in the Philippines to equal the level of medical and healthcare education in the United States. Only Japan shares that distinction among the Asian nations. It is easy for Filipino nationals to enter the American healthcare workforce, inspiring them to settle and seek United States citizenship upon arrival. In fact with the shortage of American nurses created in the 1980s, clinics and hospitals in the United States have been hiring directly from the Philippines offering substantial salaries. According to the United States Census Bureau, 60,000 Filipino nationals migrated to the United States every year in the 1990s to take advantage of such professional opportunities.

40% of adult Filipino Americans are college and university graduates holding advanced degrees in the arts and sciences. Some Filipino nationals come to the United States for a college or university education, return to the Philippines and end up migrating to the United States again to settle. Younger generations of Filipino Americans born in the United States tend toward achieving college and university education, boosting the 40% statistic over time. Most study architecture, business administration, economics, education, engineering, medicine and nursing.

1.3 Economics

As a result of the level of education Filipino Americans have, the community enjoys substantial economic well-being. This is especially true for those working in nursing where the United States suffers a deficiency in skilled labor. With the shortage of nurses in America, clinics and hospitals have been more than enthusiastic to pay top dollar for Filipino American nurses and certified nurse assistants.

There is however an issue over pay parity in non-healthcare professions in the United States. Filipino Americans architects and engineers are paid less than their Latino and African American counterparts. This is also true for those working in the corporate environs and education. The discrimination is found to be worse among Filipino Americans seeking entry-level positions and for those who join the hospitality industry.

1.4 Religion

Unlike most other Asian Americans, Filipino Americans largely share mainstream American religious beliefs and values. This is in part due to the Philippines being one of only two Catholic-majority countries in Asia (the other being East Timor), which is also the nationally recognized religion. The introduction, and subsequent adoption, of Roman Catholicism and christian values in the Philippines came as a result of 333 years of Spanish colonial rule over the archipelago. Filipino Americans tend to be devout in their faith traditions: attending church services every Sunday, reading the Bible and reciting the rosary, sending their children to costly parochial schools, and even donating to Catholic charities. There are a number of religious minorities subordinate to Catholicism in the Filipino community, with Protestant Christianity composing the majority of the difference.

1.5 Settlement

First and second generation members descending from various Asian countries have a tendency to form close-knit neighborhood communities of their own in the United States. This has been historically true for the Chinese American and Vietnamese American communities. Filipino Americans however have a tendency to settle in a more dispersed fashion, settling down in communities across the country without a need for establishing ties with other Filipino Americans in a locality. Based on several sociological field studies and surveys, there are more instances of Filipino American families finding themselves in areas without other Filipino Americans than experienced by other Asian groups.

Though the trend of dispersement is true, there are instances where Filipino Americans do form close-knit neighborhoods of their own. This is especially true in states like California and Hawaii. A few townships in these parts of the country have established Little Manilas, civic and business districts tailored for the Filipino American community.

2 21st Century Challenges

2.1 Identity Crisis

When people speak of Asian Americans, they tend to think of Chinese Americans or Japanese Americans but almost never Filipino Americans. Sociologists identify the label of "Invisible Minority" as indicative of an identity crisis of the Filipino American community. Many Filipino American groups are leaping into action with campaigns to increase Filipino American consciousness by promoting unique accomplishments and talents.

In June of 2002, Philippines Republic President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and representatives of U.S. President George W. Bush presided over the grand opening and dedication of the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, Hawai'i. It is the largest Filipino American institution in the United States with the goal of preserving Filipino American history and promoting the distinctive Filipino American culture nationwide.

2.2 Invisible Minority

Ease of integration and assimilation has gained the Filipino American the label of "Invisible Minority." Unlike other Asian Americans, recent Filipino immigrants tend to not stand out as much: they speak English fluently, they are highly educated, they have economic well-being and they are Christians. The label of "Invisible Minority" also extends to the lack of political power and representation of, by and for Filipino Americans. In the mid-1990s, only 100 Filipino Americans held elected office. All except for one served at the municipal or state legislative level.

2.3 Repatriation

As a result of the passage of Philippines Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003, Filipino Americans are eligible for dual citizenship in both the United States and the Philippines. Also afforded is the right of overseas suffrage, the ability to vote in Philippines national elections from the United States. Overseas suffrage was first employed in the May 2004 elections in which Philippines Republic President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was swept into a second term in office. To facilitate these special immigration opportunities, 11 consulates general were established in the United States. Each consulate general administers the consular needs of a larger region of the country. The consulates general are located in: Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Guam; Honolulu, Hawai'i; Los Angeles, California; Saipan; San Francisco, California; South Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York; Washington, D.C..

2.4 Immigration

After the attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, the United States government felt compelled to crackdown on Filipinos residing in the United States who have failed to meet the requirements of their original visas for entry citing a threat to national security. Many Filipinos have entered the United States on temporary education and work visas but often choose to stay well past their visa expiration dates. The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service was dissolved and Congress replaced it with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in hopes of becoming much more aggressive in the battle against visa fraud.

2.5 Racial Discrimination

Filipino Americans are leaping into action against racial discrimination in the workforce. Despite the level of education Filipino Americans have attained, the community continues to see discrepancies in the way salaries are proportioned among the different ethnicities represented at many firms. Filipino Americans seek across-the-board pay parity in all industries.

2.6 War Veteran Benefits

During World War II, over 200,000 Filipinos fought in defense of the United States against the Japanese in the Pacific theater of military operations. More than half died. As a commonwealth of the United States before and during the war, Filipinos were legally American nationals. With American nationality, Filipinos were promised all the benefits afforded to those serving in the armed forces of the United States. In 1946, Congress passed the Rescission Act which stripped Filipinos of the benefits they were promised. Of the 66 countries allied with the United States during the war, only Filipinos were denied military benefits.

Since the passage of the Rescission Act, Filipinos had migrated to the United States to lobby Congress for the benefits promised to them in lieu of their sacrifices. Over 30,000 of such veterans live in the United States today, most are United States citizens. Sociologists introduced the phrase "Second Class Veterans" to describe the plight of these Filipino Americans. Since 1993, numerous bills were introduced in Congress to return the benefits taken away from the Filipino American veterans. Each time, the bills died in committee. The struggle continues today.

3 Holidays & Celebrations

Extremely hospitable in nature, Filipino Americans are fond of celebrating with familes, extended families and friends. It is not unusual for a family to host as many as a dozen occasions each year (i.e., baptisms, birthdays, funerals, holidays, showers, weddings). Celebrations are highlighted by large buffets of traditional Filipino food including but not limited to adobo (savory soy sauce and vinegar stewed beef, pork or chicken), lumpia (egg rolls), pancit (fried noodles) and fresh grilled fish. Ilocano food tends to be bitter in flavor including pinapaitan (beef stewed in bile broth) and bittermelon casseroles and omelets. Often such affairs can grow to become major neighborhood block parties as families haul out folding chairs and bales of paper plates.

Filipino American fondness for celebrating has most recently led to the establishment of larger community wide festivals celebrating the Filipino culture. Most festivals occur in May during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Flores de Mayo, a Roman Catholic harvest feast in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

**Major Celebrations in the United States**
Date	Name	Region
April	Easter Salubong	nationwide
May	Asian Pacific American Heritage Month	nationwide
May	Filipino Festival	New Orleans, LA
May	Filipino Fiesta and Parade	Honolulu, HI
May	Flores de Mayo	nationwide
June 12	Fiesta Filipina	San Francisco, CA
June 12	Philippines Independence Day	nationwide
June	Pagdiriwang	Seattle, WA
July	Pista sa Nayon	Seattle, WA
September 27	Festival of San Lorenzo Luis	New Orleans, LA
October	Filipino American Heritage Month	nationwide
December 16 to 24	Simbang Gabi Christmas Dawn Masses	nationwide
December 25	Pasko Christmas Feast	nationwide
December 30	Jose Rizal Day	nationwide

4 History

1587, first Filipinos in North America landed in Morro Bay near San Luis Obispo, California

1763, first permanent Filipino settlements established in North America near Barataria Bay in southern Louisiana

1781, Antonio Miranda Rodriguez chosen a member of the first group of settlers to establish the City of Los Angeles, California

1898, United States annexes the Philippines

1899, Philippine-American War begins

1903, first Pensionados, Filipinos invited to attend college in the United States on American government scholarships, arrive

1906, first Filipino laborers migrate to the United States to work on the Hawaiian sugarcane and pineapple plantations, California and Washington asparagus farms, Washington lumber, Alaska salmon canneries

1920s, Filipino labor leaders organize unions and strategic strikes to improve working and living conditions

1930s, first Filipino women and children migrate to the United States

1939, Washington Supreme Court rules unconstitutional the Anti-Alien Land Law of 1937 which banned Filipino Americans from owning land

1946, Republic of the Philippines established

1955, Peter Aduja becomes first Filipino American elected to office becoming a member of the Hawai'i State House of Representatives

1965, Congress passes Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate ease of entry for skilled Filipino laborers

1974, Benjamin Menor appointed first Filipino American in a state's highest judiciary office as Justice of the Hawai'i State Supreme Court

1975, Governor John A. Burns (D-HI) convinces Benjamin J. Cayetano to run and win a seat in the Hawai'i State Legislature despite Cayetano's doubts about winning office in a white and Japanese American dominated district; Kauai's Eduardo E. Malapit elected first Filipino American mayor

1987, Benjamin J. Cayetano becomes the first Filipino American and second Asian American elected Lt. Governor of a state of the Union

1990, David Mercado Valderrama becomes first Filipino American elected to a state legislature on the mainland United States serving Prince George's County in Maryland

1991, Seattle's Gene Canque Liddell becomes first Filipino American woman to be elected mayor serving the suburb of Lacey City

1992, Velma Viloria becomes first Filipino American and first Asian American elected to the Washington State Legislature

1993, Mario R. Ramil appointed Associate Justice to the Hawai'i Supreme Court, the second Filipino American to reach the court

1994, Benjamin J. Cayetano becomes the first Filipino American and second Asian American elected Governor of a state of the Union

2000, Robert Bunda elected Hawai'i Senate President and Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. appointed Hawai'i State Supreme Court Justice

5 Notable Filipino Americans

Peter Aduja , first Filipino American elected to political office
Benny Agbayani, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals baseball player
Diosdado Banatao, Silicon Valley engineer and businessman
Bobby Balcena , Cincinnati Reds baseball player
Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss America 2001
Lynda Barry, hapa cartoonist, most known for Ernie Pook's Comeek and Marlys, published in salon.com and other independent papers
Carlos Bulosan , Filipino American author and labor activist
Robert Bunda , first Filipino American legislative president
Tia Carrere, actress
Benjamin J. Cayetano, first Filipino American governor in U.S.
Bobby Chouinard , Baltimore Orioles baseball player
Emy Coligado , actress, famous for her role as Piama, Francis' wife, in Malcolm in the Middle
Natalie Coughlin, Olympic swimmer, gold medalist
Andrew Cunanan, serial killer, murdered Gianni Versace in 1997 before killing himself
Victoria Manalo Draves , diver who was first woman to win two gold medals in springboard diving at the 1948 Olympics in London.
Josie Cruz Natori , fashion magnate
Pedro Flores, father of the yo-yo (Donald Duncan purchased the company and renamed it Duncan Yo-Yo Co.)
Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist for Metallica
Chad Hugo , music producer and musician; one-half of The Neptunes
Andrea Jumapao, first Filipino American to participate (on a national level in the United States) in the Miss USA-World 1976 competition held in Boston, MA. as Miss Oregon.
Lalaine, one of the main stars of Lizzie McGuire
Loida Nicolas Lewis , chairman and CEO of TLC Beatrice International Holdings and founder of AALDEF (Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund)
Gene Canque Liddell , first Filipina American mayor in U.S.
Allan Pineda Lindo aka Apl.de.Ap, musician; member of the Black Eyed Peas
Eduardo E. Malapit , first Filipino American mayor in U.S.
Michelle Malkin, syndicated columnist
Neal McCoy , country music singer
Benjamin Menor , first Filipino American state Supreme Court justice
Paolo Montalban , actor
Lou Diamond Phillips, actor
Jenifer Rosales , LPGA golfer
Ernie Reyes, Jr. , actor
Lea Salonga, Broadway performer, singer, actress
Rob Schneider, Saturday Night Live performer, actor
Bobby Scott, U.S. Representative from Virginia (D)
Edward Soriano , Lieutenant General (3*) of U.S. Army
Shannyn Sossamon. actress, 40 Days and 40 nights , A Knight's Tale
Antonio Taguba, Major General (2*) of U.S. Army, author of the Taguba Report which uncovered major prisoner abuses in Iraq
Tamlyn Tomita , actress, The Joy Luck Club (half- Japanese and half-Filipino)
Jasmine Trias, American Idol contestant
Brian Viloria , olympic boxer
Camile Velasco, American Idol contestant

6 Further Reading

6.1 Nonfiction

Nichol Bryan, Filipino Americans, ABDO Publishing Co., 2003
Carlos Bulosan, America Is in the Heart: A Personal History, University of Washington Press, 1995
Yen Le Espiritu, Home Bound: Filipino American Lives across Cultures, Communities, and Countries, University of California Press, 2003
Barbara Mercedes Posadas, The Filipino Americans, Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 1999
Dorothy B. Fujita-Rony, American Workers, Colonial Power: Philippine Seattle and the Transpacific West, 1919-1941, University of California Press, 2002
Maria P.P. Root, Filipino Americans, SAGE Publications, 2004
Maria P.P. Root, Filipino Americans: Transformation and Identity, SAGE Publications, 1997

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