JUNE 12 will be recognized as Philippine Independence Day in Los Angeles County, according to a proclamation from the county Board of Supervisors.
The motion, authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, reads in part “The Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of this day to Filipino residents in Los Angeles County and the contributions made by Filipino employees who are a vital part of our County workforce and continually dedicate themselves to serving our communities.”
Los Angeles County has the largest Asian American population of any county in the nation and is home to more than 340,000 Filipino Americans.
“Filipino heritage is part of LA County’s DNA. I’m proud to lead our Board in honoring our historical ties with the Philippines and in celebrating the Filipino culture that has enriched us,” said Hahn. “I also want to recognize the Filipino employees who have made invaluable contributions to our County family.”
On July 13, Hahn will host the third annual Philippine American Friendship Day Festival at Don Knabe Park in Cerritos. The celebration hosts music, performances, food, and vendors from across the Filipino American community.
“As the Supervisor who represents the largest concentration of AAPI residents in Los Angeles, including Historic Filipinotown, as well as the San Gabriel Valley I’m proud to join Supervisor Hahn today to lead a motion to proclaim June 12 as “Philippine Independence Day” to celebrate the day the Philippines gained its independence from Spain after 300 years of Spanish rule,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the First District. “We need to both honor the historical struggle and sacrifice required to secure that freedom and celebrate the incredible economic and cultural contributions our Filipino brothers and sisters are making right now every day that are strengthening the diverse fabric of our County.”
After 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, Filipino rebels declared independence on June 12, 1898. After its defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, the United States subsequently annexed the Philippines, and governed the archipelago until full independence was granted on July 4, 1946.
