Mabuhay! Welcome to this celebration of Filipino-American History Month at the World Beat Gallery.

Filipinos have a long and storied history in the Americas. The first Filipino set foot on the North American continent in what is now known as Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587; well before the English settlers at Jamestown or Plymouth. They established the first Asian settlement in North America in the bayous of Louisiana in 1763, St. Malo, and had a profound impact on the shrimping industry.

Fast forward to 2024 and Filipinos are the second-largest Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) group in the US and the second largest AAPI group in the State of Oregon. From medical professionals, to teachers, artists and musicians, the Filipino community in Oregon is vibrant and has made incredible contributions to the state and to the nation.

We hope you enjoy this display that was curated by the Filipino American National History Society of Oregon and the Greater Salem Area Filipino-American Association.

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