History
Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity—the Formation of Pacific Rim Heritage Foundation
(With excerpts from article by Guily Fontillas)
The Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity, commonly known as FCSV, was formed in 1929, primarily as a social club to help Filipinos who were not permitted to bring their families with them to America. It served as a refuge for many Filipinos during the Depression. It is one of the oldest Filipino organizations pre-dated only by the Legionarios del Trabajo and the Caballeros de Dimasalang.
In 1958, under the presidency of Mr. Fred Raquel, the organization formally filed for incorporation, adopted its present name and included in its by-laws the building of a Filipino community center. In 1973, FCSV aggressively pushed for HUD to help build a community Center. When it was built, it was required that FCSV share the management with Southgate Recreation and Park District. FCSV eventually lost its share because it could not raise the money to sustain its contribution for its maintenance. In 1976, FCSV purchased a 1.9 acre lot at the corner of 66th Avenue and East Southgate Drive. The vacant lot stands today free and clear and is awaiting the beginning of construction of the building once enough funds have been raised. In April 2000, the FCSV Board organized the non-profit corporation now known as the Pacific Rim Heritage Foundation whose main purpose will be to see that the goal of a community center is achieved.
At present, FCSV serves the community in various ways while continuing its goal to raise the funds to build a Filipino Cultural Center. Through its various programs educational programs such as workshops and seminars, community-wide scholarship awards, Health Faire every quarter at Kapitbahay (a project of FCSV with Seafood City), a lead organization in hosting the Annual Filipino fiesta and other events, it is recognized by state and local governments as the face of the Filipino community. Outreach to the community is enhanced because majority of its board of directors are presidents of other organizations. With its energetic and progressive members, FCSV will continue to promote the Filipino culture, prominently provide leadership in the community, develop young leaders of tomorrow, and at the same time be a role model for other organizations.
History of Filipino Americans
The history of Filipino Americans begins in the 16th century when Filipinos first arrived in what is now the United States. The first Filipinos came to what is now the United States due to the Philippines being part of New Spain. Until the 19th century, the Philippines continued to be geographically isolated from the rest of New Spain in the Americas, but maintained regular communication across the Pacific Ocean via the Manila galleon. Filipino seamen in the Americas settled in Louisiana, and Alta California, beginning in the 18th century. By the 19th century, Filipinos were living in the United States, fighting in the Battle of New Orleans and the American Civil War, with the first Filipino becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States before its end. In the final years of the 19th century, the United States went to war with Spain, ultimately annexing the Philippine Islands from Spain. Due to this the History of the Philippines merged with that of the United States, beginning with the three-year long Philippine-American War (1899-1902), which resulted in the defeat of the First Philippine Republic, and the attempted Americanization of the Philippines.
Mass migration of Filipinos to the United States began in the early 20th century, due to Filipinos being U.S. Nationals. These included Filipinos who enlisted as sailors of the United States Navy, pensionados, and laborers. During the Great Depression, Filipino Americans became targets of race-based violence, including race riots such as the one in Watsonville. The Philippine Independence Act was passed in 1934, redefining Filipinos as aliens for the purpose of immigration; this encouraged Filipinos to return to the Philippines, and established the Commonwealth of the Philippines. During World War II, the Philippines were occupied leading to resistance, the formation of segregated Filipino regiments, and the liberation of the islands.
After World War II, the Philippines gained independence in 1946. Benefits for most Filipino veterans were rescinded with the passage of the Rescission Act of 1946. Filipinos, primarily war brides, immigrated to the United States; further immigration was set to 100 persons a year due to the Luce–Celler Act of 1946, this though did not limit the number of Filipinos able to enlist into the United States Navy. In 1965, Filipino agricultural laborers, including Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, began the Delano grape strike. That same year the 100 person per year quota of Filipino immigrants was lifted, which began the current wave of immigration; many of these immigrants were nurses. Filipino Americans began to become better integrated into American society, achieving many firsts. In 1992, enlistment of Filipinos in the Philippines into the United States ended. By the early 21st century Filipino American History Month was recognized.