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Home , Bataan Day, Bonifacio Day, Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipinos, George Dewey, Pensionado Act

From ‘ of the ’ Language and Culture

THE LURE OF ADVENTURE IN A FOREIGN LAND • TAGALOG is the country’s language. Literally, it brought many to the of America. How- means “People of the River” (Taga-ilog) as early ever, most came for job opportunities and improved livelihood. was built along River. • a member of the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages IMMIGRATION BEGAN early in North American history: • also called “Pilipino” and spoken in south of Central • First recorded Filipino landed in America in 1587 on the • ENGLISH is the language of business, government and education Coast, with Spanish explorer Pedro de Unamuno • with Tagalog, it is taught in elementary and high school • 1763: Filipinos settled in after jumping ship from • spoken by most people throughout the Spanish plying trade routes between Manila and • 87 are spoken in the . Known as Filipino Cajun or Manila Men, they developed shrimp and fish drying industry in Louisiana CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS have been influenced by • 1903-1905: First wave of immigration: approximately 500 the Chinese, Malayan, Spanish, and American cultures and are called “Pensionados” evident in the unique Filipino society: • supported by U.S. government through of • gestures common in United States are also common to 1903 under administration of William Taft, Civil Gover- Filipinos, however, beckoning is done by waving all fingers nor of the Philippines BORDERED BY: with palm facing down • 1906-1934: Second wave of Filipinos arrived in U.S.: mostly • Sea to the west and north of the islands • friendly, informal greetings, commonly a handshake for both male, single, with little education, and looking for a better • the to the east men and women life; found jobs as farm laborers, domestic help, cannery • the and coastal waters of to the south • taught to show respect to adults when addressing them workers • It is approximately 7,700 miles southwest of . by using the special words “Po” and “Ho” • 1944-1965: Third wave of immigration: mostly military men • hospitality is of great importance to make guests feel at ease; who served with the armed forces (USAFFE) in the Philip- CLIMATE IS TROPICAL “hostess” should not be used to refer to the lady of the • with average annual temperature of 79.6 to 81.6 degrees F. • personal and family honor are highly valued; individualism • 1966 to present: Fourth wave: mostly educated profession- • northern half of the country has pleasant, near-cool weather is less important than the family; to one individual als, doctors, , accountants, nurses, entrepreneurs from November to ; hot, dry from March to ; rainy reflects on the family and is avoided at all cost season from July to October with rains and • casual and fun-loving people, but sensitive; insincerity is FILIPINOS IN THE U.S. number than 1.4 million • southern half of the country has less variable climate; seldom easily detected and can ruin a relationship • IN MICHIGAN, 13,786 Filipinos, or .15% of state’s pop. affected by tropical depressions • Filipino formal clothing includes: • STERLING HEIGHTS is the home of 913 Filipinos • average annual rainfall varies from 77.26 to 129.08 inches • for men, an elaborately embroidered tunic ( or • There are 2,081 Filipinos in Macomb County throughout the country -colored) made of finer fabric than the everyday variety • terno for women, a full- length dress with butterfly sleeves Religious Beliefs Physical Characteristics HOLIDAYS OBSERVED: THE OF THE PHILIPPINES IS UNIQUE • New Year’s Day of the Philippines (FILIPINAS) among Asian countries in that it is predominantly Christian. • Day, : surrender of Filipino and American • about 83% Roman Catholic, introduced to the islands by the soldiers in Bataan to the Japanese army in 1942 The PHILIPPINES is geographically located at the center of Portuguese explorer, in 1521 • National Heroes Day, Southeast making it a vital link between the east and the west. • sailed under the of and King Charles V who • Day, : declaration of independence • the country consists of more than 7,100 mountainous islands financed the expedition from Spain in 1898 by Gen. divided into three main : • conversion to began almost immediately • Philippine-American Friendship Day, : granting of • Luzon - Northern part of the country; formerly known as • approx. 6% are members of Philippine Independent Church; independence by United States of America in 1946 Lusong, it is the largest of the • own used in all ceremonies • All Saints Day, November 1 • - central part composed of several large islands • 5% Muslim; was brought by early Arab traders before • , : death of founder of , • - southern part; Mindanao is second largest the coming of the a nationalist brotherhood, in 1897 island in the country • they settled in the southern part of the islands, particularly • Day • total land is 115,600 square miles, the same size as Mindanao • Day, Dec. 30: death of Dr. Rizal at Bagumbayan, 1896 • Manila: chief city; City: country's • their descendants, the Moros, have remained true to their • Local fiestas are celebrated and provide more enter- • current pop. is 65.7 million, a density of 570 persons/sq. mile faith and very independent tainment; brass bands march through colorful decorated • over 8.5 million people live in metropolitan Manila • have attempted several times to secede from the Philippines streets, dances and games held at the town plaza throughout (includes , , and ) • approximately 3% Protestants the day, and a never-ending supply of food at every house’ • 95.5% are of Malay descent; about 1.5% are Chinese • another 3% Buddhist, introduced by early Chinese traders dinner table for friends and strangers alike. • remainder include aboriginal , Igorots, and

Published by the City of Sterling Heights Community Relations Department History National

BY CROSSING LAND BRIDGES FROM ASIA more than 25,000 "THE GREAT MALAYAN" , Dr. Jose P. Rizal y Mercado years ago, it is believed, the Negritos and Aetas were the first settlers. (1861 - 1896) awakened the nationalistic sentiments of the • 10th-: Various groups from and other Malay Filipinos against abuses by friars and Spanish colonists through Getting to know your... Islands settled in coastal ; began trading with Chinese his books, Noli Me Tangere and . • 14th century: Arab traders spread Islam to ; Arabian • written while pursuing medical studies in (Ger- scholar Mudum and his group proceeded to Archipelago many) and Paris-1887; commemorative in Heidelberg Spanish Era (377 Years) • In 1892, he went back to the Philippines, founded La Liga • 1521: March 16, Magellan arrived in and claimed the Filipina promoting reforms aiming to unify Filipinos; ar- for Spain naming the islands Islas de San Lazarus rested and imprisoned in for four years • 1543: fourth Spanish expedition commanded by Ruy Lopez • On 30, 1896, he was led to Bagumbayan (now, de Villalobos arrived in and ; named the islands Luneta Park), was blindfolded, and shot to death by firing squad Filipino- Islas de Filipinas in honor of Prince Philip of Spain • 1571: Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, of fifth Spanish Famous Filipinos expedition arrived in Manila with Augustinian and Domini- American can friars; declared Manila capital of the whole archipelago FILIPINO WHO CONTRIBUTED TO CIVILIZATION: • 1601: Dominicans founded Tomas, first university • : king of Island (1521) An exemplary • 1872: Three Filipino priests executed for alleged complexity leader who challenged colonial authority in mutiny at arsenal • refused to pay homage to Ferdinand Magellan Neighbors Filipinos Revolt Against Spain • killed the Portuguese colonist in battle (, 1521) • 1892: Andres Bonifacio founded Katipunan, a secret broth- erhood aimed to wage an armed conflict with Spain FILIPINO NAMES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY: • 1896: Bonifacio declared war with Spain; Dr. Jose Rizal executed • Francisco “” Guilledo: 1923, flyweight champ • 1897: Filipino officers abolished Katipunan and installed • : author, ethnic awareness, 1946 Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as President of the republic • Evaristo C. Pecson: author honored by Eugene Field Society The Coming Of The of the National Assoc. of Authors and , 1947, for • 1898: May 1, ’s fleet destroyed the Spanish works on peace and justice Armada at ; June 12, Aguinaldo and his • Vicki Manalo Draves: 1948, first woman in history to win declared Philippine Independence from Spain Olympic medal in platform and springboard diving events • 1899: January 23, Aguinaldo inaugurated first president • Benjamin Menor: 1962, first Filipino-American to serve in • 1899: February 4, Willy Grayson, volunteer shot any state legislature ( State ); first Filipino- and killed Filipino soldier, starting Philippine-American war American to serve in any state Supreme Court (Supreme • 1901: , Aguinaldo captured by soldiers led by Court Of Hawaii) 1974 : pledged allegiance to the United States • Orlando Lagman: seaman, portrait painter of Eisenhower, • 1902: July 4, Pres. T. Roosevelt declared end of Philippine War Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon World War 11 • : lead role in Miss Saigon, awarded Best Actress • 1941: December 8, Clark Field attacked by Japanese planes; in Musical Broadway show Gen. Douglas MacArthur declared Manila “open city” De- • Neille Adams: actress, first wife of late movie cember 24; ordered forces to retreat to Bataan and star Steve McQueen, niece of late Philippine actor/director • 1942: , Japanese forces invaded Manila; MacArthur, with Lou Salvador, Sr. Phil. President Manuel Ouezon, fled to March 17, prom- • G. Monty Manibog: former of Monterey Park CA, ising “I shall return”; Bataan fell, April 9; Corregidor, May 6 recipient of American Bar Assoc. Distinguished Service Award • 1944: October 20, MacArthur landed in Leyte and resumed • Dennis Normandy: 1994, Commissioner of San Francisco full-scale war against the Japanese Utilities Commission • 1945: July 4, MacArthur liberated Manila and the Philippines • Cris Villanueva: 1994, Vice Mayor of Vallejo, CA • 1946: July 4, America granted independence to the Phils. Peace Time & Sterling Heights Ethnic • 1950’s and 60’s: Occasional unrest over inequality between Mayor Richard J. Notte Issues Advisory Committee landowners and tenants threatened stability of the government Mayor Pro-Tem Kathryn George Sharron D. Allen, Chair • 1972: 22, President declared Councilman Richard L. Bracci William Dechavez Councilwoman Deanna Koski Harold Dallou martial law; he ruled by decree controlling political opposition Councilman Steve E. Dutchik • 1983: 21, Marcos’ chief opponent Benigno Aquino Councilman Joseph V. Romano Charles Franz Sterling Heights Ethnic Advisory Committee member Willie assassinated at the Manila airport Councilwoman Barbara A. Ziarko Stojadin B. Naumovski D. Dechavez (seated) relaxes at home with his wife (left) • 1986: February 7, , Marcos lost to , Betty Rush Iqbal Singh Winnie Deustch-Dechavez and his daughter Jacqueline. widow of Benigno Aquino but refused to give up power; People’s City Manager City Liaison: Pat Lehman Power led to his downfall; died in Hawaii in 1989. Steve M. Duchane Dept. Liaison: Sgt. Al Gross • 1992: Fidel Ramos elected president in May elections © 07/02 Copy by Permission Information: (586) 446-CITY