A celebration of Filipino American History in Chicago Public Library Edgewater

Event Date: October 12, 2024 (1-2PM)

Please join us for a celebration of Filipino American History Month at the Edgewater branch. Created by the founder of the Filipino American National Historical Society, Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, and her husband Dr. Fred Cordova, in 1992, Filipino American History Month commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the United States, when the “Luzones Indios” arrived on October 18, 1857.

Chicago boasts a large and vibrant Filipino American community, and the Chicago Public Library will join their celebration with a reception featuring Consul General J. Susana V. Paez of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, who will bestow a gift to the Chicago Public Library on behalf of the people of the Philippines.

At the invitation of the Chicago Public Library, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth of the 48th ward, the first Filipina elected to the Chicago City Council, will speak on her experiences as a Filipina American activist and community leader, and the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago will give a presentation on local Filipino history.  Also on hand will be local authors Rey de La Cruz (Ballesteros on My Mind) and Zee Lacson (Twice Removed) to give readings from their works.  Refreshments will be provided from local Filipino bakeries and specialty shops.  Registration is recommended.

This and related events were facilitated through the generous support of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, The Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago and the Friends of the Edgewater Library.

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