Celebrating Filipino American History Month

By: Elaine Lehman

 

Chicago’s Filipinos are a quiet and hardworking part of the city’s fabric. Although scattered throughout the North Side, they do have one common meeting place: the Jose Rizal Center at 1322 W. Irving Park. Carmelito Llapitan, whose name appears across the street on the 3900 block of Wayne (Carmelito Llapitan Court), is recognized as one of the founders of this community center. ( Fremor, David, Chicago Tribune, “Where In The Windy City Is…”, March 5, 1993)

Walking up and down West Irving Park Road in the Lakeview neighborhood, it is easy to not notice. But in early 2017, I looked up and saw that the sign was gone. There was a blank space hanging. After many telephone calls, I learned that it had been inadvertently taken down. I researched City Council proceedings and found the proposed designation ordinance. I contacted our aldermanic ward office and together we worked to restore the sign. On March 31, 2019, we FACC had a wonderful community event, which included the rededication and re-installation of the honorific sign for FACC’s first president Carmelito Llapitan, affectionately known to generations of FilAm as Uncle Carmie. We were happy that our communities, FilAm and Lakeview Graceland West, celebrated with us!

This most unusual year, we extend our d eepest gratitude to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has presented a proclamation to the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, officially designating the entire month of October as Filipino American History Month in Chicago and encourages “all residents to acknowledge the enduring legacy and going impact of the Filipino American community, and join them in celebrating this month.”

We asked for a proclamation from Mayor Lightfoot to commemorate this month! Filipino American communities around the nation are celebrating this occasion. The Filipino American community has contributed to the rich fabric of Chicago since 1906, and we felt our community should take part as well. This year, as we honor the early Filipino Americans who paved the way for us, we also remember the many Filipino Americans lost to COVID-19. Their memories exemplify the Filipino heart and our hopes and dreams. They, too, have inspired us to make this a better and more welcoming world. In all we do, we remember them.

October is an auspicious month for us! Filipino American History Month coincides with honoring the quintessential flower, the chrysanthemum!

Our FACC’s logo, full of symbolism, has the chrysanthemum as its central element, with eight petals representing the eight sun rays on the Philippine flag. Like the sun, it represents foresight and vision. The circle represents unity and balance. The design was thoughtfully selected to emulate traditional Filipino tattoo art while communicating modernity and practicality as we advance into the 21st century.

Fascinatingly, the chrysanthemum – which originated in Asia and has been celebrated throughout the region for hundreds of years., including the Philippines where it represents joy – is the City of Chicago’s official flower. It was designated by Mayor Richard J. Daley and adopted by the City Council on June 17, 1966.

As with celebrating Filipino American History Month, our chrysanthemum logo symbolizes the beauty of Philippine and Philippine American cultures and the unique blend of qualities in the vibrant Chicago communities we serve and are part of.