LAND of the free, home of the brave and a nation of immigrants.
In one of his Independence Day speeches, Pres. Barack Obama said that immigration makes America stronger.
“Immigration makes us more prosperous. And immigration positions America to lead in the 21st century. No other nation in the world welcomes so many new arrivals. No other nation constantly renews itself, refreshes itself with the hopes, and the drive, and the optimism, and the dynamism of each new generation of immigrants. You are all one of the reasons that America is exceptional,” Obama pointed out.
For many decades the “American dream” has been shared among people from all corners of the world, who left their home to come to the United Sates. They’ve build better lives for themselves, while contributing to the development of their newfound home. Such dream can be assimilated through the eyes of its immigrants, including the 3.5 million Filipinos cultivating their lives on American soil.
October marks Filipino-American History Month, to honor the millions of Pinoys and Pinays who have contributed to the success and freedom of US. This month celebrates how Fil-Ams have established themselves not only as an integral part of American culture and society but also as important contributors to the economy. They work and pay taxes and also create jobs, businesses, technologies and innovations that lead to jobs for all Americans. It is a journey that traces back to as early as October 18, 1587, when the first “Luzones Indios” set foot in Morro Bay, Californnia.
In a law passed in 2009, the California State Assembly voted to “designate the month of October 2009, and every October thereafter, as Filipino American History Month.” The measure recognizes this month to focus on the story of the nation’s past from a new perspective by concentrating on the economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions that Filipino-Americans have made in countless ways toward the development of the history of the United States.
Among other reasons, the Filipino-American History accounts for the enduring bilateral relations of the US with the Philippines. Considered as America’s oldest alliance in Asia, this relationship is bound by mutual commitment to democratic values, and historical ties.
In his sojourn to the Philippines last April, Obama described how this partnership “reflects an important Filipino concept in ‘bayanihan.’” Obama said that on behalf of the American people, he is proud to have Filipinos as friends.
According to Obama. the friendship between Filipinos and Americans expresses itself in so many ways. 300,000 American citizens living in the Philippines and millions of Filipinos in the US, who contribute in so many ways to America’s diversity. This binding and personal ties between people bring political, economic and strategic benefits to both Filipinos and Americans.
To make the celebration of Filipino-American History Month sweeter, Filipinos are encouraged to reflect on how kababayans have helped shape and define the America we know today.
(AJPress)
