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First-Ever Filipino American History Month Celebrated at West Orange Public Library

WEST ORANGE, NJ – The first-ever celebration of Filipino American History Month was held Oct. 27 at West Orange Public Library, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Library, United Asian Voices, and the West Orange High School Asian Culture Club.

The United States Congress first recognized October as Filipino American History Month in 2009. The date commemorates the arrival of the first “Luzones Indios” to America on Oct. 18, 1587, via the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza into Morro Bay, California.

According to the 2021 US Census, Filipinos (4.4 million) make up the third largest Asian-American group, behind 5.2 million Chinese (except Taiwanese) and 4.8 million Indian nationals.

The family-friendly event featured arts and crafts, games, flags, and the reading of Filipino books. Displays showed different aspects of Filipino culture, including embroidery; Parol, a traditionnal Filipino lantern used during the Christmas season; jeepneys, a popular form of transportation; and Kamayan, a Filipino feast of foods laid out on banana leaves and eaten with the hands. A display table at the entrance featured Filipino literature.

Various Filipino snacks were available for sampling, but the Halo-halo booth was the most popular attraction. Halo-halo (“mixed-mixed” in Tagalog) is a dessert with its origins traced back to Japanese migrants to Manila in the 1930s and is considered the unofficial national dessert of the Philippines. It is made of crushed ice, evaporated milk or coconut milk, ube (purple yam) jam, sweetened kidney or garbanzo beans, coconut strips, sago, agar, boiled taro or soft yams in cubes, flan, slices or portions of fruit preserves, and topped with a scoop of ube ice cream.

Dr. Gonzalo “Zal” Velez, long-time Deputy Mayor of West Orange, who passed away in 2021, was a huge supporter of Filipino culture in town and around the world. He and his wife Josie (current Chair of the Public Relations Commission) have long volunteered and promoted events that highlight Filipino heritage. (See below for a list of contemporary popular Filipino personalities).

"The event was a resounding success, bringing together residents of West Orange to learn more about the rich heritage and culture of the Philippines," noted UAV member Cecilia Pulmano, who is of Filipino descent.

The UAV steering committee added, "This event provided a wonderful opportunity for the community to connect with one another, share their stories, and celebrate their cultural identity. It was a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and a deep sense of pride in their heritage."

With the success of the first Filipino American History Month, there is sure to be another. For this and other events, email United Asian Voices at uavwestorange@gmail.com or follow UAV on Facebook or Instagram.

Contemporary Personalities of Filipino Heritage

Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R, Darren Criss, Lea Salonga, Josie Natori, Monique Lluillier, Roman Gabriel, Dave Bautista,Tia Carrere, Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Scherzinger, Hailee Steinfeld, Bruno Mars, Enrique Iglesias

FAHM