Educator Guide For Filipino American History Month

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is proud to recognize and celebrate Filipino American History Month, during which time we honor and celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Filipino Americans. The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) began observing Filipino American Heritage Month in 1992, and in 2009, Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month.

As we celebrate our country’s Filipino American history, it is important that we also address any barriers or challenges that Filipino Americans may face in their efforts to thrive. We all know that America is stronger, both here at home and on the world stage, when we harness the strength of every voice and every community that makes up our nation.

We aim for SDCOE to be a place where, in accordance with our board goal of providing educational opportunities and support, all students are successful — while this October, we prioritize the specific needs of Filipino Americans, these resources can impact all historically marginalized communities in our policy and ongoing dialogues.

Who Are Filipino American Students?

According to the FANHS, Filipino Americans make up the second-largest Asian American community in the U.S. and the third largest racial group in California. Filipino Americans have played a critical role in the history and culture of the U.S. and California — and Filipino American History Month is a designated time for recognizing and celebrating those accomplishments. Celebrating Filipino American History Month in classrooms and schools can help students and families feel seen, heard, and valued –– and it creates space for all students to learn about the contributions of Filipino Americans to our country’s prosperity and spirit. 

What Our Students And Community Members Are Saying

We seek to listen to diverse voices within our community and honor their knowledge and beliefs about educational concerns and best practices for our students. These statements were shared by Asian/Pacific Islander American students and community members.

• Center students’ languages, literacies, cultures, and histories
• Diversify the curriculum, ensuring positive representation
• Support parent/family voice
• Ensure safe and inclusive classrooms
• Learn about and accommodate for cultural holidays
• Collaborate with community partners

More information: Watch our SDCOE Asian American Student Experience Panel where students speak to their experiences in education. 

Supporting Filipino And Filipino American Students In Schools

Intentionally learning about our Filipino and Filipino American students, families, and colleagues –– during Filipino American History Month and throughout the year ––builds understanding, fosters inclusion, and nurtures allyship. SDCOE offers the following educator guides to support and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students in schools.

• SDCOE’s Guide to Observing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• SDCOE’S Stop Asian American and Pacific Islander AAPI Hate

“Dalawang Baybayin” Virtual Intercultural Exchange Program

The “Dalawang Baybayin” (Two Shores) Virtual Intercultural Exchange program partners schools in San Diego County with similar schools in the Philippines. The purpose of the Two Shores program is to provide participating schools opportunities for authentic and meaningful collaboration to expand horizons, remove barriers and promote communication, intercultural understanding, and global competence. Follow the link below to learn more about this program and how you could implement this innovative work in your school or district.

Resources For Educators

• The Asian American Education Project: Lesson Plans, Resources, Webinars, Free Streaming of KPBS’ “Asian Americans”
• Asian American Art Museum
• California Teachers Association
• Duty to Country: Filipino Veterans’ Untold Story
• Early Edge California
• National Public Radio (NPR): Filipino Farmworkers
• PBS Docuseries: Out of the Boondocks
• Twinkl Teaching Resources Video: What is Filipino American History Month?

Books by Grade Level

Please find the books below and additional resources on SDCOE’s Equity Library.

Grades TK-3

• A is for Adobo: ABCs of Filipino Culture by G.M. Reyes
• Abadeha: The Philippine Cinderella by Myrna de la Paz (author), Youshan Tang (iIlustrator)
• Cora Cooks Pancit: Children's Book, Picture Book, Bedtime Stories by Dorina Lazo Gilmore (author) and Kristi Valiant (illustrator) 
• From Manila With Love: a Balikbayan Story by Amy Luna Capelle, illustrated by Auri Asuncion Yambao (English/Tagalog)
• Filipino children's favorite stories: fables, myths, and fairy tales by Liana Romulo, illustrated by Joanne DeLeon (English/Tagalog)
• Lolo's Sari-Sari Store by Sophia N. Lee
• Oh My Kulay: Colors, Fruits, and Veggies in Filipino by Jocelyn Francisco (author) and Jamie Lee Ortiz (illustrator)*
• Pan de Sal Saves the day: a Filipino Children's Story by Norma Olizon-Chikiamco, illustrated by Mark Ramsel N. Salvatus
• Tagalog Picture Dictionary: Learn 1500 Tagalog Words and Expressions by Jan Tristan Gaspi (Author), Sining Maria Rosa Marfori (author)
• Maribel’s Year by Michelle Sterling (author) and Sarah Gonzalez (illustrator)
• Sari-Sari Summers by Lynnor Bontigao
• Tucky Jo and Little Heart by Patricia Polacco
• We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America by Joanna Ho (author) and Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya (illustrator) 
• When Lola visits by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Aaron Paul Asis

Grades 4-8

• Freddie vs. the Family Curse by Tracy Badua*
• Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (author), Isabel Roxas (illustrator)
• Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio (author) 
• Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong by Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta
• Larry Itliong Leads the Way for Farmworkers' Rights by Rose Zilka (author) 
• Strike!: The Farm Workers' Fight for Their Rights by Larry Dane Brimner (author) 
• The House that Lou Built by Mae Respecio
• The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly
• The Untold Story of Larry Itliong: Labor Rights Hero (First but Forgotten) by Cristina Oxtra (author) 
• We Belong by Cookie Hiponia (author)

Grades 9-12

• America is Not The Heart by Elaine Castillo
• Arsenic and Adobo by Mia. P. Manansala 
• Blame This On The Boogie by Rina Ayuyang
• Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido (author) 
• Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn 
• Filipino: Forgotten Asian Americans by Fred Cordova
• Filipinos in San Diego by Judy Patacsil, Rudy Guevarra Jr., Felix Tuyay, and the Filipino American National Historical Society San Diego
• Halina Filipina: A New Yorker in Manila by Arnold Arre
• I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir by Malaka Gharib
• Letters to Montgomery Clift by Noel Alumit 
• Private Lessons by Cynthia Salaysay
• Rolling the R’s by R. Zimora Linmark
• Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz
• The Mango Bride by Marivi Soliven 
• The Patron Saint of Nothing by Randy Ribay 

College and Research Books

• Brown Skin, White Minds: Filipino-/American Postcolonial Psychology by E.J.R. David
• Global Divas: Filipino Gay Men in the Diaspora by Martin F. Manalansan 
• Homebound: Filipino American Lives across Cultures, Communities, and Countries by Yen Le Espiritu
• Locating Filipino Americans: Ethnic and Cultural Politics of Space by Rick Bonus
• Pinay Power: Theorizing the Filipino/American Experience ed. Melinda L. de Jesus
• The “Other” Students: Filipino American, Education, and Power eds. Dina C. Maramba and Rick Bonus

* Indicates local author