Mabuhay! October is Filipino American History Month!

Here are a few facts about Filipino American history that might surprise you and make you say “Talaga?” (Really?)



IFPTE Local 21’s main headquarters is located in SOMA Pilipinas, also known as the Filipino Heritage and Cultural District. Talaga?


 


The current director of SOMA Pilipinas is a former Local 21 member, Rachel Redondiez. Talaga?


 


A Filipino accountant sued the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the State Board of Accountancy for discrimination, and won. Franco Consolacion’s civil rights lawsuit opened the doors for more foreign-born accountants of color to practice in California. Talaga?



It was Filipino farmworkers, led by Larry Itliong, who first went on strike and ignited the Delano Grape Strike that’s been largely credited to Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. Talaga?


October 25 was declared Larry Itliong Day to honor his major, but still-unrecognized contribution to the California labor movement. Talaga?



The sponsor of the bill creating Larry Itliong Day is the first-ever Filipino American legislator in California, Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), who was born in the Philippines. Bonta’s parents were labor organizers. Talaga?