by Edwin Quinabo
Building Filipino communities is at the heart of Filipino Americans’ future
Filipino Americans just got another mainland hub. Home to 250,000 Filipino Americans and growing, Clark County or more popularly known for its most famous city Las Vegas, officially proclaimed the area along Maryland Parkway between Desert Inn and Flamingo roads as “Filipino Town.”
Las Vegas’ Filipino Town joins a growing list of already distinctly “Pinoy” districts and neighborhoods on the mainland: Historic Filipinotown-Los Angeles in Westlake, SOMA Pilipinas-San Francisco in South of Market (SoMa), Little Manila-Queens, NYC in Woodside, Daly City-San Mateo County, CA, Mira Mesa-San Diego, Beacon Hill-Seattle, Washington, and Southwest district- Houston, Texas.
Spearheaded by Rozita Lee, a longtime Las Vegas resident and advocate for the Asian American Pacific Islander community, said “Filipino Town is here to show we contribute tremendously to this community. We have doctors, nurses, teachers, workers in casinos. We have people who take care of your parents, uncles, and aunties.”
Like other Fil-Am mainland hubs, Filipino Town is already a vibrant hub for Filipino culture and commerce, anchored by Seafood City supermarket, Jollibee, Red Ribbon Bakery, and many other Filipino-owned businesses, especially within the Boulevard Mall. Other ethnic businesses will be opening and Lee said part of her masterplan is opening a Filipino museum showcasing Filipino artifacts and promoting Filipino artists.
Lori Miel, a second-generation Filipino living in Ewa, is thrilled that Las Vegas now has a Filipino Town which was established April this year. “Hawaii Filipinos have a special connection to Las Vegas because many Hawaii Filipinos have made Las Vegas home. Venturing off the strip like along Charleston, when I visit Las Vegas, I see many Filipino owned businesses even outside of the new Filipino Town. Some areas there feel like you’re in Waipahu’s business district.”
She adds, “Why are Filipino towns across mainland communities important? I think at the heart of Filipinos’ future in the U.S. is the communities we Filipinos are building. When we are together in shared spaces as a community, we are stronger and happier. We feel connected and empowered.”
Immigration and Population centers
The Filipino American community is one of the largest and fastest-growing Asian American groups in the United States. They represent the third largest Asian American group, with 4.45 million Filipinos, according to recent census data.
Each Filipino community have their own unique migration story. Migration from the Philippines to the U.S. has occurred in waves since the early 20th century, punctuated by labor needs at farms and plantations common in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest at first, then followed by family reunification, and educational and employment opportunities made possible by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
This Act significantly transformed Filipino immigration to the U.S., leading to a dramatic increase in their population and the emergence of a skilled professional community. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended migrant quotas and welcomed in doctors, nurses, engineers and other Filipino professionals.
Today, Filipino immigration is hampered by a broken immigration system with visa backlogs and unjust deportations, immigrant advocates say.
Where do Filipinos live? California leads all states with 1,705,090 Filipinos while Hawaii has the highest concentration of Filipinos in the U.S. at 25.47% (369,479). Other states well known for their Filipino communities are Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Washington and Nevada.
Lesser populated Filipino communities are popping up in the South (Georgia), the Southwest (Arizona, Colorado), Midwest (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana), East (Pennsylvania) and along the East Coast from the north in Virginia and south in Florida.
In Virginia, their Filipino community of 120,000 trace their beginnings to the U.S. Navy with many Filipinos there being descendants of Navy veterans. Virginia Filipinos have vibrant communities in the Hampton Roads region that includes Virginia Beach and Norfolk. In Virginia Beach, it has the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia. Virginia is home to the highest-ranking Filipino politician in the U.S., the U.S. Rep Bobby Scott of Virginia’s 3rd District who was elected to Congress in 1992 and has been serving at the Hill since then.
Florida’s Filipino community of 180,000 also have their roots in the U.S. Navy similar to Virginia’s. Jacksonville became a major naval center in the 1940s. The highest concentrations of Filipinos in Florida reside in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa Bay.
Cultural events, entrepreneurship, and the success of Filipino American leaders all help raise visibility and foster pride in these communities.
Filipino visibility in the U.S.
It’s a reasonable to say that the Filipino American community punch above their weight when it comes to visibility. Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez just won the 20th season of America’s Got Talent (AGT). Filipinos Darren Criss and Nicole Scherzinger both won a Tony this year for Best Actor and Leading Actress respectively for their roles in Sunset Boulevard. Months earlier Sofronio Vasquez finished on top of The Voice Season 26. On top of the entertainment industry in the U.S. are A-lister singers Bruno Mars, H.E.R., Olivia Rodriguez and comedian Jo Koy.
Jordon Clarkson, Dylan Harper (just recruited, 2025 #2 Draft Pick), Raymond Townsend and Jalen Green are a few basketball stars of Filipino ancestry playing in the NBA. Josh Jacobs, Camryn Bynum, Tyler Allgeier, Andrei Iosivas are some of the Filipino American active players in the NFL.
Beyond entertainment and sports are well known Filipino Americans in various industries like Silicon Valley billionaire venture capitalist Diosdado Banatao; Josephine Santiago-Bond, Systems engineer at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center who helped develop launch systems for shuttle and lunar missions; world renowned fashion designer based in Los Angeles Monique Lhuillier; Lilia Clemente, known as the “Wonder Woman of Wall Street,” a global investment pioneer and philanthropist, whose company Clemente Capital managed over $7.5 billion in global investments; tech billionaire Susan Ocampo whose estimated net worth by Forbes is $2.3 billion; and in government, California Attorney General Rob Bonta who’s been in the national press lately having sued President Donald Trump over the National Guard being federalized in Los Angeles.
“There are countless Filipino American national and local personalities, heads of industry and government and community leaders throughout the U.S. Most notable national celebrity from Hawaii is actress Tia Carrere and the younger generation follow social media star Bretman Rock,” Miel said.
Filipino American Education and Income Levels
Filipino American educational level is higher than the national average with about 50% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Filipino median household income for Filipino Americans is above the national average – Stanford University study has it at $102,998 in 2021 while the Pew Research Cener reported $106,400 in 2023.
Clement Bautista, Honolulu, President of the Filipino-American Historical Society of Hawaii, said “As a group, Filipinos in America are above the national average in terms of education and income, and we need to be proud of and celebrate those who are successful in their occupations and educational attainment.
“However, like other major Asian groups in America, this does not mean all Filipinos are above the national average in education attainment or income. Many Filipino families still struggle with lower paying jobs, and, in fact, many Filipinos have multiple jobs which raises their family income above the national average, especially in multigenerational households. Moreover, cities with the largest numbers of Filipinos also happen to be cities with high costs of living, in particular, regarding necessities such as food and housing,” Bautista said.
What are some historical moments Filipino Americans be proud of?
October is officially recognized as Filipino American History Month, commemorating the arrival of the first Filipinos in 1587 and celebrating the community’s contributions and legacy. Bautista said, “We should remember and recognize the groundbreaking programming at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, including the formation of the Ethnic Studies department (with Dean Alegado), the Center for Philippine Studies, the Philippine Language programs and the outreach program, Operation Manong. Current federal policy is both attacking and trying to dismantle these DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.”
Bautista adds other moments and figures that many in Hawaii’s Filipino community agree on as significant historically:
“Hawaii’s pioneering Filipino labor leader, Pablo Manlapit who, like many Filipinos, was forward-looking in seeking multiethnic labor organizing. His charisma and influence among the growing Filipino labor population had so threatened Hawaii’s oligarchy that they conspired to exile him from Hawaii…twice.
“The 1st and 2nd Filipino American Regiments of the U.S. Army and their service during WWII in the Philippine Campaign is noteworthy. Initially barred from serving in the Army, they lobbied the U.S. government to change policy, allowing them to sign up and help liberate the Philippines.
“I remember two proud moments were when Angela Baraquio was crowned Miss America and Benjamin Cayetano was elected Hawaii’s governor — two firsts in the nation,” Bautista said.
Teresita G. Bernales, Kailua, HI, University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association of Hawaii, Ohana Medical Missions, mentioned historical proud moments: “The arrival and the contributions of the Sakadas hold a special place in the history of Hawaii. World War II Veterans’ bravery and post -war benefits advocacy including U.S. citizenship rights. Formation of organizations like National Federation of Filipino Americans Association (NAFAA) for advocacy and community support and various Hawaii organizations of like nature. Cultural Impact- influences in arts, entertainments, politics and sciences like Carlos Bulosan, writer/activist, Belinda Aquino, expert in Philippine Affairs and Politics, Jessica Sanchez, America’s got Talent latest winner, Diosdado Banatao, Techpreneur known for single-chips, PHY chips, former Governor Benjamin Cayetano, first Filipino American to serve as a state governor in the U.S.”
She adds, “There is a strong community bond evident in Filipino enclaves like Kalihi and Waipahu, and in numerous organizations like the Oahu Filipino Community Council, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, Ohana Medical Missions. Filipinos in the US demonstrate resilience in balancing multiple identities, celebrating heritage through events, food arts and community activities, while contributing to America’s multicultural tapestry.
Personal stories of Filipino values, work ethic, sacrifice, perseverance and collective action passed on generationally
Rose Cruz Churma, community leader, explains, “When I was promoted as project manager at one of the design firms here, my mom and dad came to visit us in Hawaii. He could tell this new job title was stressing me out. I was in a field dominated by men, and I graduated from a foreign university nobody then has heard of—supposedly not accredited by U.S. standards. I recall his counsel then, which I still apply now.
“He said, there are three things that you should remember—in whatever you do make sure that you are competent in whatever you undertake, you are fair and just, and always — you are kind: you need to be compassionate because you are dealing with human beings. Those are the three tenets of my daily actions as an individual, if I were to be effective in affecting my sphere of influence—or be effective in the collective action. We all know that it is through collective action if we are to effect lasting change. Which we saw in February 1986 in the Philippines, and what we are seeing now in almost all major cities of the United States. And this is what we are striving for as we resist the creeping dictatorship here.”
Churma adds, “So I am glad that last year, the Hawai’i Filipinos for Truth Justice & Democracy (HFTJD) and its officers launched the annual commemoration of People Power, when Filipinos showed the world how peaceful collective action can effect change, and how we can show it once more.”
Myrna Lim, attorney and a documentarian/filmmaker in San Francisco, said “My dad was a lawyer in the Philippines. Due to the economic hardship, having 14 children to raise, my parents migrated to the U.S. for a better way of life and opportunities for the family. Being new to the country and having to support a family back in the Philippines, my father worked as a janitor for two years, petitioned my mother, my brothers and sisters.
“My father never gave up nor felt bad about working as a janitor. He persevered, learned, and pursued understanding of how the government worked until he was able to find employment as an eligibility worker in San Francisco. My family worked hard and took advantage of every opportunity presented to them with the American way of life. I, myself, went to City College of San Francisco, then UC Berkeley. I supported myself through schoolwork study programs. I believe that America has been good to Filipinos and Filipinos are grateful for the opportunities. Filipinos want to give back for the betterment of the people and the American way of life, which include Filipinos,” Lim said.
Bautista shared, “My father, Mario Bautista, grew up in Caloocan, Manila. After graduating from UST with a medical degree during WWII, after the war he joined the U.S. Army medical surveillance corps. Needing to earn money to feed the large family displaced by the war, he was later hired to be the medical officer in Guam. In Guam he met my mother, a Chinese woman from Hawaii who was working for the U.S. Army. They eventually married and, via Chicago and extra medical training, settled in Hawaii.
“One of the earliest Filipino physicians in Hawaii, he delivered the first baby at the new Kaiser Hospital (Waikiki) and continued to practice for over three decades. He was very active in the Filipino community. My mother worked as a bookkeeper in several hotels, starting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and, later, opening the Kahala Hilton and Hawaiian Regent Hotels. She was active in labor unions. It is from my parents’ experiences that I continue my involvement in the Filipino community and awareness of Hawaii’s social issues and inequalities,” Bautista said.
Bernales said, “I am proud of my father who as a young USAFFE Captain made the ultimate sacrifice for the U.S. He was honored with a Congressional Medal of Honor in recognition for his outstanding wartime achievements and honorable service to the U.S. during WWII.”
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