October 2018 Proclaimed Filipino American History Month in Sanfo
San Francisco County and City Mayor London N. Breed presents a special proclamation to Consul General in San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto Jr. declaring October 2018 as Filipino American History Month in San Francisco. (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO 09 November 2018 – October 2018 is proclaimed as Filipino American History Month in the city and county of San Francisco by San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed at the San Francisco City Hall on 19 October 2018.
The proclamation also honors posthumously Filipino Community historian, social activist and San Francisco State University professor Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, who co-founded Stockton’s Little Manila Foundation. She is believed to be the first Filipina to earn a Ph.D. in American History from Stanford University, and penned the award-winning book “Little Manila is in the Heart: The Making of the Filipina/o American Community in Stockton, California.”
Aside from Dr. Mabalon, the proclamation further honors the West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center on its 50th anniversary. It is the oldest non-profit corporation in Northern California that continues to serve the Filipino Community.
Consul General to San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto Jr. thanked Mayor Breed for the honor and for allowing the celebration of Filipino American History Month at the City Hall.
“On this occasion, we honor and thank our forebears, and our culture bearers, for sparking love for everything Filipino among Filipino Americans, for honoring our heritage by being the best they can be and contributing to both their beloved countries,” Consul General Bensurto said.
He also emphasized that Filipino-Americans are no longer part of the minority population today. He added that Filipino-Americans are making a difference in various fields from information technology, education and arts, to health care, public service and governance.
Based on recent data, there are four million Filipino-Americans in the United States.
“Fil-Ams who have connected with their Filipino roots, their fellowmen, and members of their host communities have proven that they are a strong and resilient people who have been empowered since that historic Morro Bay landing of our ancestors on 18 October 1587,” the Consul General said.
Consul General Bensurto also encouraged the community to work together, in pursuit of common dreams and aspirations, whether as individuals or as members of a larger society. He underscored the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco’s commitment to spark, connect, and empower next generations of Filipinos by moving them to fall in love with the Philippines and everything Filipino.
The 13th annual celebration of Filipino American History Month at the City Hall was held in cooperation with the City Hall and members of the Filipino American Community. END
Consul General in San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto Jr. addresses the Filipino-American Community at the San Francisco City Hall. (From left) Filipino-American and Senior Adviser to the Mayor Marjan Philhour, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and Consul General Bensurto. (San Francisco PCG photo)
(From left) Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano, Senior Adviser to the Mayor Marjan Philhour, Mr. Matthew Bensurto, Madame Mariza S. Bensurto, Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr., Mayor London Breed, Fil-Am Community leaders and children from the Bessie Carmichael Elementary School choir. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr. encourages the Filipino-American Community to stay resilient, united and supportive of one another. (San Francisco PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/.