Celebrating Filipino American History Month 2023

This month is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of Filipinx Americans to the United States. 

Filipino American History Month (FAHM)* was established in October 1988 to commemorate the first recorded presence of Filipinxs in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when "Luzones Indios" came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. As we enter FAHM, we celebrate and recognize the vibrant and diverse Filipinx community at UC Berkeley.

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Headshots of Abigael and Brian

Get to Know Cal’s Pilipinx Community

Two students share resources, clubs, orgs.

Honoring Filipino American History Month

A message from leadership to the campus community.

Student Organizations

View all student clubs and organizations

Alumni Organizations

Sather Gate, UC Berkeley

Pilipinx American Alumni Chapter (PAAC)

Founded in 1987, PAAC is one of the culturally-affiliated Cal alumni chapters chartered through the Cal Alumni Association (CAA) of UC Berkeley. PAAC promotes professional networking and social opportunities through campus and community volunteer service as well as sponsorship of student mentorship and scholarship programs. PAAC is committed to supporting the alumni, students, CAA and campus at UC Berkeley. Join the Facebook group or follow @calpilipinxalumni on Instagram. 

Night photo of the Campanile with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Berkeley Club of the Philippines

This group aims to connect the Berkeley community in the Philippines and serve as a platform for alumni and students to network with each other and stay engaged with the university. 

Faculty Spotlight

Headshot of Catherine Ceniza Choy

Catherine Ceniza Choy

Professor of Ethnic Studies

Her most recent book Asian American Histories of the United States is a finalist for the 2023 Dayton Literary Peace Prize in nonfiction. In 2023, Choy was the recipient of the Agnes Dillon Randolph Award. This award recognizes her outstanding scholarship documenting the experiences of Filipino nurses in U.S. history and the importance of that history for understanding ongoing issues in healthcare, including the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Filipino nurses. A recent essay is Transforming Ephemera Into Evidence: Reflections on Catalina Cariaga’s Cultural Evidence.

Headshot of Joyce Dorado

Dr. Joyce Dorado

Teaching Professor and Associate Dean for Research-Practice Partnerships in the School of Social Welfare at UC Berkeley and the Co-Founder and Director of  Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS)

Dr. Dorado is a nationally recognized expert in partnering with schools and other youth-serving systems to create trauma-informed, equitable, and healing organizations.

Headshot of Vernadette Gonzalez

Vernadette Gonzalez

Professor of Ethnic Studies

Professor Gonzalez's more recent book is Empire's Mistress, Starring Isabel Rosario Cooper. Their next project is titled "Bangtan Remixed: A Critical BTS Reader" and will be coming out in 2024. 

Headshot of Professor James Nuñez

James Nuñez

Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, a Hanna Gray Fellow of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and an Investigator of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub

The core interest of his research group is to understand the regulatory principles of the human genome. 

Headshot of Jose Eos Trinidad

Jose Eos Trinidad

Assistant Professor in the Policy, Politics, and Leadership cluster at the School of Education

His research explores how organizations affect school improvement and inequalities, education policy, and institutional change. 

Topics

Events

October 25 is Larry Itliong Day

In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom declared October 25 as "Larry Itliong Day" across California to honor Itliong's work in civil and labor rights activism. Learn more about Itliong’s civil and labor rights activism and read the Governor’s proclamation

Student, Staff, and Faculty Resources

Library Guides

*We refer to the month as Filipino American History Month to align Congress' resolution that officially recognized October as "Filipino" American History Month and use "Filipinx" when addressing individuals and the community. We acknowledge the use of multiple “umbrella” terms, such as Filipino/Filipinx/Pilipinx and the many intersectional identifying terms people embrace. We respect and appreciate how community members choose to self-identify.

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