Filipino American Historical Society
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About Us

Mission Statement

The Filipino American National Historical Society of Sonoma County formed in 2006. Our mission is to promote understanding, education, appreciation, and enrichment through the identification, gathering and preservation of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in Sonoma County.

To achieve this, we conduct research, preserve data and materials gathered, create and promote published works, and sponsor and participate in public forums and community events.

Board Members

President – Michael Viloria

Vice President – Xander Briones

Secretary – Angie Galupe Pimentel

Treasurer – Brenda Bautista

Member at Large – Holly Calica

Member at Large – Josie Quimado

Chapter History

In 1972, members of the Pilipino Youth Alliance of Sonoma County (PYA), an organization dedicated to youth, cultural, and community activities, began collecting oral histories of local manongs (elders) who first settled in Sonoma County during the early 20th century. Thirty-three years later on a sunny December morning, former PYA members, along with friends and family, gathered at Carrows Restaurant in Santa Rosa to reminisce and revive the effort. On that day, we established the Sonoma County chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). On February 2, 2006, our chapter was officially chartered by FANHS National, which is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Ten days later we held our first official chapter meeting. We then contracted with the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County to hold monthly meetings at their Santa Rosa conference facilities.

Our initial goal was to finish documenting the history of the original manong settlers. By now, most of them had passed away, so chapter members immediately began interviewing their relatives and friends who recalled the manongs' stories, and provided memorabilia chronicling their experiences. Shortly thereafter, our chapter joined Access Healdsburg TV(AHTV), where several members received basic training on filming interviews. AHTV also assisted with our production of a 10-minute documentary film preview. Later that year we joined the Community Media Center of Santa Rosa. That membership proved to be a worthy investment, enabling us to successfully produce the film, Remembering Our Manongs (Elders), Sonoma County's Filipino History.

The rest of our chapter history is captured in the timeline below.

Chapter Timeline

  • February 2006: Chartered FANHS Sonoma County chapter
  • June 2006: Commenced oral history project about first Filipino settlers of Sonoma County
  • November 2006: Produced trailer for planned documentary film. Hosted public screening of trailer.
  • Spring 2007: Received grant from California Council for the Humanities for partial funding of documentary film
  • November 2008: Completed production of documentary film entitled Remembering Our Manongs, Sonoma County’s Filipino History. Hosted public screenings and panel discussions at three different locations.
  • Spring 2009: Remembering Our Manongs aired on PBS, followed by additional Bay Area broadcasts
  • September 2009: Established Kay Baguio Annual Scholarship fund to promote higher education among local youth. Awarded scholarships to graduating high school students annually, 2010- 2019.
  • October 2009: Hosted Remembering Our Manongs screening at San Francisco Asian art Museum
  • June 2010: Presented workshop on “How to Produce and Fund Your Documentary” at FANHS National Conference, Seattle, WA
  • January 2011-2013: Sponsored Warm Clothes Drive, free clothes give-away for those in need
  • May 2011: Hosted Remembering Our Manongs screening, Sonoma State University
  • June 2011-2014: Presented historical exhibits at Filipino-American Community annual Fiesta, Fulton
  • Summer 2011-14: Hosted Annual Picnic for Filipino-American community
  • 2011, 2013: Received Resolution from Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, recognizing chapter’s community contributions
  • November 2011-February 2012:Partnered with Sonoma County Museum to co-sponsor Singgalot, Ties that Bind, a cultural exhibit traveling throughout the U.S. Local events included Opening reception, Remembering Our Manongs film screening and panel discussion, Family Day in conjunction with closing ceremony and Bay Area FANHS Consortium Holiday party/meeting.
  • March 2012: Co-sponsored reading by author Lysley Tenorio, Santa Rosa
  • April 2012: Co-sponsored Asian American Forum, “Embracing and Celebrating Diversity: an Asian American Community Forum,” Sonoma State University
  • June 2012:Remembering Our Manongs film screening at FANHS National Conference, Albuquerque, NM. Participated in Human Race (5 years); Sponsored reading by author Evelina Galang, Penngrove.
  • March 2013: Participated in Santa Rosa International Film Festival with Remembering Our Manongs short screening
  • June 2013: Co-sponsored public concert of visiting Filipino indigenous musician, Waway Saway
  • October 2013: Participated in Catwalk for a Cure cancer research fundraiser, Santa Rosa
  • October 2013-2014: Participated in Opening Ceremony of Filipino American History Month at San Francisco Asian Art Museum
  • November 2013-2014: Performed cultural dance and opening chant at Dia de Los Muertos event, Santa Rosa
  • November 2013:
    • Participated in Rededication of Victoria Manalo Park, with music and dance, San Francisco
    • Coordinated collection, packing, and shipping of donations to victims of Typhoon Haiyan
  • January 2014: Participated in Typhoon Haiyan fundraiser, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Santa Rosa
  • May 2014: Received grant from State Farm Insurance for community work
  • February 2015: Kicked off fundraising drive to establish a permanent Scholarship Endowment fund
  • May 2015: Received Public Proclamation from Santa Rosa City Council, recognizing chapter’s community contributions
  • October 2015: Presented “Many Voices, One Message,” a public event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Delano Grape Strike, and celebrating the collective power of diverse communities working together toward the common good.
  • April 2017: Sponsored member participation in walking tour of San Francisco’s SoMa Pilipinas Cultural Heritage district.
  • May 2017:April Hosted “Kulturang Pilipino,” a celebration of Filipino arts and culture. Hosted a table at Sonoma County’s Finding History Day event at DeTurk Round Barn in Santa Rosa.

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