October is Filipino American History Month!

Why October Hits Different: Filipino American History Month & What It Means for Us

By The PASO Foundation

Look, we're going to be real with you—history class didn't always hit the way it should have. But October? October is when we get to rewrite that narrative and tell our story the way it deserves to be told.

The Plot Twist Nobody Taught You in School

Here's something that'll blow your mind: Filipinos landed in what's now California in 1587. Yes, 1587. That's 33 years before the Mayflower even left the dock. Let that sink in for a second.

While the history books were busy celebrating Plymouth Rock, they conveniently forgot to mention that Filipinos were already here, already making moves, already building the foundation of what would become the largest Asian American community in the country.

This October, we're not just celebrating Filipino American History Month—we're reclaiming space that was always ours to begin with.

The 2025 Theme Telling Our Migration Story: "From Quotas to Communities"

This year's theme hits different because it's literally about the journey—"From Quotas to Communities: Filipino American Migration and Movement." And the timing? Chef's kiss.

We're marking two major anniversaries:

• 90 years since the 1935 Filipino Repatriation Act (yes, they literally tried to pay us to leave)

• 60 years since the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act (the game-changer that opened doors)

Here's the tea: The U.S. government once passed laws specifically designed to keep Filipinos out or send us back. Fast forward to today, and we're the second-largest Asian American group in the country. That's not just resilience—that's a whole comeback story.

From Quotas to Communities is about understanding:

• How immigration laws tried to control who could come here (spoiler: it didn't work)

• Why your lolo or lola's immigration story probably involved jumping through impossible hoops

• How we built entire communities despite—and sometimes because of—these restrictions

• The path from being "tolerated" to being essential parts of American society

Think of it like this: They built walls, we built communities. They created quotas, we created culture. They said "you can't," and we said "watch us."

Ohio's Filipino Story Started with One Person (Sound Familiar?)

Back in 1920, Martin Conde became the first known Filipino to call Cleveland home. Just one person. One brave soul who said "bet" and moved across the world.

By 1927, Juan Reyes opened a boardinghouse on E. 82nd and Wade Park—basically creating the OG community hub. Fast forward to today, and we've got the Philippine American Cultural & Civic Center in Parma, hosting everything from line dancing to Pista Sa Nayon.

The point? Every major movement started with regular people just trying to live their lives and lift each other up. The PASO Foundation has been doing exactly that since 1967, and honestly, we're still just getting started.

"Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, di makararating sa paroroonan."

Dr. Jose Rizal said it best: "He who does not look back at where he came from will not reach his destination."

This isn't just a cute quote for your Instagram story (though it would look fire there). It's literally the blueprint for how we move forward. You can't GPS your way to the future without knowing where you started.

Looking back doesn't mean living in the past—it means understanding the shoulders you're standing on. It means recognizing that:

• Your lola's cooking isn't just delicious—it's a cultural archive

• Your tito's stories about "back home" aren't boring—they're oral history

• Your parents' obsession with karaoke isn't random—it's cultural preservation through vibes

How to Actually Celebrate (No, It's Not Just Posting on the 'Gram)

Real talk: Filipino American History Month hits different when you actually engage with it. Here's how to get involved beyond the performative posting:

Show Up IRL

• Come through to PASO events at the Cultural & Civic Center in Parma

• Volunteer for our humanitarian projects (we donate to disaster relief)

• Join our weekly line dancing sessions—yes, it's exercise, but make it cultural

Learn the History They Didn't Teach You

• Google "1924 Hawaii Sugar Strike" (major Filipino labor moment)

• Look up Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong (labor heroes who don't get enough credit)

• Stream Filipino American artists who are currently doing the thing (we've been in hip-hop since day one, btw)

Support Filipino-Owned

• That Filipino restaurant you keep meaning to try? Go this month.

• That Filipino creator making content? Share their work.

• PASO Foundation? We're a 501(c)(3) that could use your support (just saying 👀)

Have the Conversations

• Ask your Filipino friends about their family's immigration story (if they're comfortable sharing)

• Talk to your elders—their experiences are living history

• Share what you learn with people who might not know

Why This Matters in 2025

We're living in a time where representation isn't just nice to have—it's essential. When you see yourself in history, you see yourself in the future. When you understand struggle and resilience, you understand power.

Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the U.S., but how often do we see ourselves reflected in mainstream narratives? How many times have we had to explain our own culture to people who think we're all nurses (even though, yes, 20% of California's registered nurses are Filipino, and that's incredible)?

This month is about visibility. It's about saying "we've been here, we're still here, and we're not going anywhere."

The PASO Way: Looking Back to Move Forward

At The PASO Foundation, we're all about that Rizal energy—honoring where we came from while building what comes next. Since 1967, we've been:

• Creating spaces where Filipino culture thrives (shoutout to our Cultural & Civic Center)

• Supporting education and humanitarian projects

• Building community through events, gatherings, and real talk

• Making sure the next generation knows their story

We're not just preserving history—we're actively creating it. Every event, every conversation, every person who walks through our doors is part of a living, breathing legacy.

Your Move

Here's the thing about history: it's not just what happened yesterday. It's what happens today. It's the choices you make right now about how to show up, who to support, and what stories to amplify.

This Filipino American History Month, we're inviting you to be part of the story. Whether you're Filipino, Filipino American, or just someone who wants to learn and support—there's space for you here.

Check out our upcoming events. Follow us. Show up. Bring a friend. Let's make history together.

BTW - here's some event highlights from 2025!