First Filipino Landing in the Continental United States

This is the 8th article on my blog series about the Philippines in connection with Filipino-American History Month.

Do you know the significance of Oct. 18 to Filipino American history? The first documented presence of Filipinos in what is now the continental United States occurred some 33 years before Pilgrims from England arrived at Plymouth Rock. ⠀⠀⁣

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On October 18, 1587, the Filipinos — called “Luzones Indios” — were indentured servants and sailors who arrived aboard the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza, which had sailed as part of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. They landed in the area known as #MorroBay, California today.⠀⠀⁣

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From @fanhs_national: “Upon arrival, two Luzones Indios were first sent to shore to scout the land. In spite of observing several local indigenous people (the Chumash people), the landing party (now led by 2 Spaniards) climbed atop a hill and claimed the new land as theirs. The Chumash retaliated - resulting in the deaths of one Spaniard (Felipe de Contreras) and one unnamed Luzon Indio. The galleon retreated and continued onto Acapulco, Mexico.⠀⁣

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For decades, Filipinos continued to work aboard these Spanish galleons, enduring poor working conditions and violence. In the mid 1700s, Filipino sailors escaped these ships and formed settlements in Louisiana. The earliest documented settlement of Filipinos was in St. Malo, Louisiana in 1763; it was also the first documented presence of any Asian group in what would later become the United States.” ⠀⁣

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October marks Filipino American History Month to commemorate the landing of these first Filipinos.

From Wikipedia: On 18 October 1587, the first Filipinos landed in what is now the Continental United States at Morro Bay. They arrived aboard the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza, which had sailed from Portuguese Macau, as part of the Manila galleon trade. During about three days of travels ashore around Morro Bay, the crew of the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza came in contact with the Chumash people, ultimately resulting in the deaths of two crew members: one Spaniard and one Filipino.

Departing Morro Bay after the deaths of the crew members, the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza eventually reached its intended destination of Acapulco. No other Filipino landed in California until 1595. In 1995, a monument on Morro Bay was dedicated to commemorate the events of 1587. October has been designated as Filipino American History Month since 2009 in recognition of these events.

Although the landing was an important milestone, it would not be until the latter half of the 18th century that Filipinos began to settle in what would become part of the continental United States. Beginning in 1992, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) began efforts to commemorate the landing. On 21 October 1995, with the mayor of Morro Bay in attendance, a monument was placed at Morro Bay to commemorate the events of 1587. The monument was placed in Coleman Park. By 2009, after follow-up efforts by FANHS, Filipino American History Month was recognized by California, as well as nationally by resolutions in state and national legislatures; it occurs every October, in recognition of the landing at Morro Bay.

Personal Note: THD will celebrate Filipino-American History Month not with a Special Filipino Dinner just last year, but in our next Cocktail/Happy Hour this coming Friday, Oct 25, Filipino Snacks and Appetizers will be served. This was relayed to me yesterday by our Activity Director, Kellie Schuyler.  

Meanwhile here was my breakfast the other day!  Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese on Muffin toast with yogurt and cut orange.