February may not be Filipino American History Month

February may not be Filipino American History Month, but there are still significant events and individuals that have contributed to the Filipino American community's history during this month. In this blog post, we will highlight some of the key events and individuals that have impacted the Filipino American community in February.

1. Filipino American War Veterans Day - On February 18, we celebrate Filipino American War Veterans Day. This day commemorates the brave Filipino soldiers who fought for the United States during World War II. Despite their heroism, these soldiers were not recognized as US veterans until 2009, when the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation was signed into law.

2. Jocelyn Enriquez - February is also the birth month of Jocelyn Enriquez, a prominent Filipino American singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in the 1990s with her hit songs, "Do You Miss Me?" and "A Little Bit of Ecstasy," and became a trailblazer for Filipino American musicians in the mainstream music industry.

3. Cesar Chavez and Larry Itliong - February is also a significant month for the Filipino American farmworker movement. On February 20, we honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez, a prominent labor leader who fought for the rights of farmworkers, including Filipino Americans. He worked alongside Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong to organize the Delano Grape Strike in 1965, which led to the formation of the United Farm Workers Union.

4. Typhoon Haiyan Relief - In February 2014, the Filipino American community came together to provide relief to victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines. Filipino Americans across the country organized fundraisers and sent aid to support the affected communities.

5. The 1946 Rescission Act - On February 18, 1946, the US Congress passed the Rescission Act, which revoked the promise of US citizenship for Filipino nationals who served in the US military during World War II. This law left many Filipino American veterans without citizenship rights, despite their service to the country.

While February may not be Filipino American History Month, there are still significant events and individuals that have contributed to the Filipino American community's history during this month. By recognizing and celebrating these events and individuals, we can honor the contributions and achievements of the Filipino American community and promote greater awareness and appreciation of their rich history and culture.