Las Vegas Shines Light on Filipino American Journey as FAHM Celebration Begins
LAS VEGAS, PHLV News Desk — The City of Las Vegas officially kicked off its observance of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) as City Hall illuminated its exterior in red Thursday evening, honoring the enduring legacy and contributions of Filipino Americans whose history has become woven into the fabric of the United States. The celebration drew community leaders, families and youth advocates to downtown Las Vegas, highlighting a heritage that spans more than four centuries in America.
Filipino American History Month is observed nationwide each October, commemorating the arrival of the first recorded Filipinos in what is now the continental United States on Oct. 18, 1587, when Filipino sailors known as "Luzones Indios" landed in present-day Morro Bay, California. The observance was first championed by the Filipino American National Historical Society in 1992 and gained national recognition through congressional resolutions in 2009 recognizing October as Filipino American History Month.
The month-long celebration serves as a reminder of the many ways Filipino Americans have helped shape the nation, from agricultural workers and labor organizers to military veterans, healthcare professionals, educators, entrepreneurs and public servants. Their contributions have been instrumental in building communities and strengthening the social and economic foundations of the United States.
Las Vegas has continued to expand its recognition of that history. In 2023, then-Mayor Carolyn Goodman issued a proclamation officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month in the city, calling upon residents and visitors to celebrate the Filipino American community and its contributions to Las Vegas' diverse cultural landscape.
This year's observance carried additional significance because of the strong participation of Filipino American youth, a development community leaders described as encouraging for the future preservation of history, identity and civic engagement.
Among those attending was Filipino American youth participant Rolly Uclaray, who reflected on the meaning of the celebration for his generation.
"For me, Filipino American History Month is about being my parents' American dream and finding ways to make that dream meaningful in my own life. It's about taking everything they worked and sacrificed for and making it all come together in a way that honors their journey while creating my own," Uclaray said.
Fil-Am youth Rolly Uclaray shares what Filipino American History Month means to him during a conversation with PHLV Radio’s President and CEO Johann Sayson.
Organizers said the presence of young Filipino Americans demonstrates that the stories, sacrifices and achievements of earlier generations continue to resonate with a new generation seeking to understand its place within the broader American experience.
As City Hall glowed red against the downtown skyline, attendees reflected on a journey that stretches from the first Filipino sailors to today's thriving Filipino American communities across the nation. That journey, they said, is not merely a chapter in history but an enduring part of America's story itself.
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