From the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ Language and Culture THE LURE OF ADVENTURE IN A FOREIGN LAND • TAGALOG is the country’s national language. Literally, it brought many Filipinos to the United States of America. How- means “People of the River” (Taga-ilog) as early Manila City ever, most came for job opportunities and improved livelihood. was built along Pasig 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 Luzon • First recorded Filipino landed in America in 1587 on the • ENGLISH is the language of business, government and education California Coast, with Spanish explorer Pedro de Unamuno • with Tagalog, it is taught in elementary and high school • 1763: Filipinos settled in Louisiana after jumping ship from • spoken by most people throughout the islands Spanish galleons plying trade routes between Manila and • 87 dialects are spoken in the Philippines Acapulco. 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 students called “Pensionados” evident in the unique Filipino society: • supported by U.S. government through Pensionado Act 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 • China 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 Pacific Ocean to the east men and women life; found jobs as farm laborers, domestic help, cannery • the Celebes Sea and coastal waters of Borneo to the south • youth taught to show respect to adults when addressing them workers • It is approximately 7,700 miles southwest of San Francisco. 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 house pines • 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; shame to one individual als, doctors, lawyers, accountants, nurses, entrepreneurs from November to February; hot, dry from March to June; rainy reflects on the family and is avoided at all cost season from July to October with monsoon rains and storms • casual and fun-loving people, but sensitive; insincerity is FILIPINOS IN THE U.S. number more 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 • barong for men, an elaborately embroidered tunic (white or • There are 2,081 Filipinos in Macomb County throughout the country pastel-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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES IS UNIQUE • New Year’s Day of the Philippines (FILIPINAS) among Asian countries in that it is predominantly Christian. • Bataan Day, April 9: 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, Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 • National Heroes Day, May 6 Southeast Asia making it a vital link between the east and the west. • sailed under the flag of Spain and King Charles V who • Independence Day, June 12: declaration of independence • the country consists of more than 7,100 mountainous islands financed the expedition from Spain in 1898 by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo divided into three main regions: • conversion to Christianity began almost immediately • Philippine-American Friendship Day, July 4: 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 island of the archipelago • own dialect used in all ceremonies • All Saints Day, November 1 • Visayas - central part composed of several large islands • 5% Muslim; Islam was brought by early Arab traders before • Bonifacio Day, November 30: death of founder of Katipunan, • Mindanao - southern part; Mindanao is second largest the coming of the Spaniards a nationalist brotherhood, in 1897 island in the country • they settled in the southern part of the islands, particularly • Christmas Day • total land area is 115,600 square miles, the same size as Arizona Mindanao • Rizal Day, Dec. 30: death of Dr. Rizal at Bagumbayan, 1896 • Manila: chief port city; Quezon City: country's capital city • their descendants, the Moros, have remained true to their • Local town 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 Quezon city, Pasay, and Caloocan) • 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 Negritos, Igorots, and Ifugaos Published by the City of Sterling Heights Community Relations Department History National Hero 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-14th century: Various groups from Indonesia and other Malay Filipinos against abuses by friars and Spanish colonists through Getting to know your... Islands settled in coastal plains; began trading with Chinese his books, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. • 14th century: Arab traders spread Islam to Malaya; Arabian • written while pursuing medical studies in Heidelberg (Ger- scholar Mudum and his group proceeded to Sulu Archipelago many) and Paris-1887; commemorative statue in Heidelberg Spanish Era (377 Years) • In 1892, he went back to the Philippines, founded La Liga • 1521: March 16, Magellan arrived in Cebu and claimed the Filipina promoting reforms aiming to unify Filipinos; ar- region for Spain naming the islands Islas de San Lazarus rested and imprisoned in Dapitan for four years • 1543: fourth Spanish expedition commanded by Ruy Lopez • On December 30, 1896, he was led to Bagumbayan (now, de Villalobos arrived in Leyte and Samar; 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, commander 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 Santo Tomas, first university • LAPULAPU: king of Mactan Island (1521) An exemplary • 1872: Three Filipino priests executed for alleged complexity leader who challenged colonial authority in mutiny at Cavite arsenal • refused to pay homage to Ferdinand Magellan Neighbors Filipinos Revolt Against Spain • killed the Portuguese colonist in battle (April 27, 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 “Pancho Villa” Guilledo: 1923, world flyweight champ • 1897: Filipino officers abolished Katipunan and installed • Carlos Bulosan: 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 Americans of the National Assoc. of Authors and Journalists, 1947, for • 1898: May 1, George Dewey’s fleet destroyed the Spanish works on peace and justice Armada at Manila Bay; June 12, Aguinaldo and his Cabinet • Vicki Manalo Draves: 1948, first woman in history to win declared Philippine Independence from Spain Olympic gold 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, Nebraska volunteer shot any state legislature (Hawaii State Senator); first Filipino- and killed Filipino soldier,