In 1906, the first significant numbers of Filipino immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on the islands’ sugar plantations. Until 1935, many more came as migrant laborers to West Coast farms and Alaskan canneries. After World War II, approximately 7,000 Filipino soldiers received U.S. citizenship and in 1945, the War Brides Act permitted Filipino wives of U.S. military personnel to immigrate. The 1965 Immigration Act paved the way for Filipino professionals to enter the United States, many of them in the medical field. This latest wave of immigration brought major changes in gender and class in the Filipino American community which now numbers 2.36 million. Filipino-Americans constitute the second largest Asian/Pacific-American group overall, second only to Chinese Americans, according to the 2000 Census.

In 2006, the metro Atlanta Filipino-American community commemorates the centennial of Filipino migration to the United States with a Miss Fil-Am Pageant - a Celebration of Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Migration Centennial Ball on June 10, a Philippine Festival on June 11, with public programs and by sponsoring the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit that will provide a historical overview of Filipino Americans in the United States. The commemorative events will tell the stories of the unique roles of Filipino Americans in the United States—their struggles, contributions, challenges and achievements.

This is an important milestone in Filipino American history, 100 years of becoming American and influencing American society.

The public programs and exhibit will bring the experiences and perspectives of Filipino-Americans in shaping American history and increase the visibility of Filipino-Americans in Georgia.

Today, Metro Atlanta is home to approximately 19,000 persons of Filipino heritage. They contribute to the community as nurses, doctors, engineers, homemakers, students, entrepreneurs and in other roles.

How can you help make the Atlanta Filipino Centennial Commemoration possible? Become a sponsor by giving generously to the PACG (Phil-American Center in GA), a 501 © (3) entity.

For further information:

Metty Pellicer 404-212-0644
metty@mindspring.com

Cecile Bregman 770-507-9141
cecilemd@hotmail.com

Willy Blanco 770-736-8841
wblanco@compuserve.com

Willee Bonus 678-471-4893
Willee.bonus@grizzard.com