American History From Another Perspective

The uniqueness, importance, and relevance of Filipino American History Month cannot be emphasized enough.

As you know, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer commissioned by Spain, is the first European to arrive in what is now the Philippines. In the Battle of Maktan, Lapu Lapu killed Magellan and became the first native Filipino chieftain to successfully resist foreign rule.

The story begins with Enrique, a slave who was bought in Malacca (area in Malaysia). He confirmed Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan’s belief that there was land beyond Malacca. Enrique was eventually brought before the King of Spain to explore the trade routes near the Philippines with Magellan's expedition.

When Magellan landed on what is now known as the Philippines in 1521, he became an ally of Datu (Chieftain) Humabon of Cebu. Humabon and his queen, Juana, were converted to Christianity, along with 400 other subjects. Magellan planted a cross (known as “Magellan’s Cross”) and gave Queen Juana a statue of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) to commemorate the event.

It was not until 1565 that explorer Miguel Legazpi formally conquered the Philippines in the name of Spain.

Another challenge to history is credit is given to Magellan for being the first to circumnavigate (go around) the world. But actually, it was Enrique who was the first because he had traveled to many regions before becoming the slave of Magellan!

Filipinos did not willingly accept Spanish conquest. Within over 300 years of Spanish colonization, there were 81 recorded accounts of revolts around the islands. One famous revolt was led by a woman named Gabriela Silang, who continued the “Ilocos Revolt” in 1763 after her husband died. Ideas of freedom and self-determination were present in the Filipino people, and this desire for independence and justice against unfair an unfair Spanish system was the background for Filipino leaders of the Philippine Revolution.

In addition to Filipinos escaping their lives on galleons by landing in Morro Bay (1587) and Louisiana (1760), two men from “Manilla” applied for Hawaiian citizenship. Hawaii was a sovereign nation with a legitimate government at that time. Hawaii would ultimately be annexed by the United States in 1893 with the overthrow of its government.

These are all examples of the multi-faceted and intermingled histories of Filipinos, Americans, and Filipino Americans. All these events contribute to the fabric of a different view of America—a Filipino America. History, tragically, is often taught from one perspective. It is the aim of events like Filipino American History Month and ethnic studies programs and departments to illuminate other perspectives.

Building Filipino American Community

On the third day of Filipino American History Month (FANHS), I proudly write about Louisiana manilamen. ”Manilamen” or Filipino sailors - veterans of the Manila galleon trade (1565-1815) contributed to the shrimp harvesting industry in southern Louisiana by pioneering methods for separating the heads from the shells of dried shrimp.

The earliest permanent Filipino Americans to arrive in the New World landed in 1763, later creating settlements such as Saint Malo, Louisiana and Manila Village in Barataria Bay. These early settlements were composed of formerly pressed sailors escaping from the arduous duties aboard Spansh galleons and were "discovered" in America in 1883 by a Harper's Weekly journalist.

Settlements such as Manila Village in Jefferson Parish and St. Malo in St. Bernard Parish were founded in the mid-nineteenth century and became home to Filipino sailors and laborers. With houses plat-formed on stilts, the fishermen caught and dried their precious commodity, shrimp, for export to Asia, Canada, South and Central America. Weather conditions eventually destroyed St. Malo in 1915 and Manila Village in 1965

On July 24, 1870, the Spanish-speaking residents of St. Malo founded the first Filipino social club called Sociedad de Beneficencia de los Hispano Filipinos to provide relief and support for the group’s members, including the purchasing of a burial places for their deceased.

At the turn of this century, Louisiana was already home of several hundred Filipinos, with over two thousand of the Manilamen in the New Orleans community alone. Inaccurately, the census of 1910 had set the Filipino population in the United States at the low figure of only 160.

The Filipino Cajuns can trace their roots eight generations with many descendants still living in Louisiana today.

First Contact

October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM). In honor of FAHM, I am proud to share the following information about a little known aspect of Filipino American history.

The first recorded arrival of Filipinos in what is now Morro Bay, California was on October 18, 1587, as sailors and crewmen on the Spanish galleons of the Manila-Acapulco Mercantile.

On October 21, 1995 the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) unveiled a plaque commemorating the landing of these first Filipinos in California. The Morro Bay Celebration Edition of the FANHS newsletter Generations (Fall 1995) said in part:

“After a year of planning and fund raising activities, California Central Coast Chapter will dedicate a national historical marker to commemorate the landing of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza in Morro Bay on Oct. 18, 1587. This marked the first presence of Filipinos (referred to in the ship’s logs as Luzones Indios) in the continental United States.”

Happy Filipino American History Month

Today marks the first day of Filipino American History Month (FAHM). It is recognized during the month of October. The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) first declared Filipino American History Month in 1988. In California, Washington, and Hawaii, where a large number of Filipino Americans reside, the state government has taken steps to statutorily establish FAHM.

"Manong Artifacts" Exhibit at the Asian Art Museum

There is an event at the Asian Art Museum to celebrate Filipino Culture and History for October, which is Filipino American History Month.

The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), Stockton Chapter will exhibit "Manong Artifacts" including clothing, grooming aids, and early photos from the 1920s through the 1940s.

The event will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the Asian Art Museum Web site at http://www.asianart.org/filamhistory.htm.