Celebrating Filipino American History Month at the White House

The Filipino American community once again made its mark on history as it was invited to the White House to celebrate Filipino American History Month. This year’s event was a momentous occasion that brought together Filipino American leaders, artists, and activists.

The roots of this annual celebration can be traced back to 2015, when FYLPRO alum and former White House Initiative on AA and NHPIs Deputy Director, Jason Tengco, spearheaded the inaugural Filipino American History Month celebration at the White House. This historic event ignited a wave of community engagement and collaboration, fostering strong bonds between Filipino American organizations like the National Filipino American Lawyers Association, Filipino American National Historical Society, Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro), FilipinoVeteran Recognition and Education Project (FilVetRep), and many more.

This year's event was equally inspiring, featuring a diverse group of Filipino American trailblazers. From the talented rapper Ez Mil to the visionary creator of Filipino Barbie, Carlyle Nuera, the event showcased the immense talent and creativity within the Filipino American community. Also present were Chad Hugo from The Neptunes, beauty influencer patrickstarrr, and documentary filmmakers Michele Josue and Carlo Velayo from Nurse Unseen—representing the diverse range of achievements by Filipino Americans.

The atmosphere was more than just a celebration—it was a testament to the ongoing journey of representation, resilience, and leadership within the Filipino American community. It is clear that these events do more than honor history—they inspire the future. They create a platform for partnerships and foster relationships that lead to meaningful progress.

The Chicago Asian Network is proud to be part of this vibrant celebration and is committed to supporting ongoing representation that reflects the heart and soul of this community. Here’s to pushing forward for even greater leadership, advocacy, and unity that uplifts not just the Filipino American community, but the whole Asian American community.