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Houston gathering celebrates FilAms' contributions to U.S.

Community leaders and scholars converge in Houston for a national conference that seeks to highlight Filipinos' contributions to the U.S.

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<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5NksgPnN3iw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Houston, Texas recently played host to the 20th national conference of the Filipino American National Historical Society.The event, participated by scholars and community leaders, was a celebration of Fil-Am heritage, history, as well as culture and music.FANHS, which has 2,000 members across the U.S., seeks to preserve, document, and promote the history and contributions of Fil-Ams in the country.Miss America Texas 2022 Avery Bishop, now a candidate for the state assembly&#x27;s District 112 was a speaker at the event. She lauded the FANHS for its service to the community.&quot;So much [is] just forgotten about our community, so much is left behind,&quot; she said. [In] fighting for our rights, education, our resources we are able to ensure that our stories are written down and shared across generations.&quot;One of the highlights was a special performance by 90s Filipino pop sensation Jocelyn Enriquez.Known for her hit singles “Do You Miss Me?” and “I’ve Been Thinking About You,” she captivated the audience with a number that was both nostalgic and high-energy. Fans were transported back to the 90s as Enriquez belted out her classics, bringing the crowd to its feet.But the FANHS Conference was not just about entertainment. It was, above all, a five-day event filled with academic presentations, cultural workshops, and discussions that highlighted the achievements and challenges faced by the Fil-Am community.The organization was founded in 1982 by Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova in Seattle, Washington. It was established to address the lack of recognition and documentation of the Fil-Am experience in U.S. history.&quot;I did a project on Filipinos and Koreans. Hardly anything was available about them in books or schools or anything,&quot; said Cordova. &quot;So, we did a two year project, we went all over the country with researchers and we interviewed people.&quot;She added: &quot;We asked them why did you come? And what were your dreams? We have learned a lot. I was born here, but it is a story that had to be told.&quot;The Texas chapter of FANHS, led by its president Christy Poisot, was crucial to bringing the national event to Houston.&quot;The theme of the conference was encompassing our journeys,&quot; she said. &quot;I think we achieved that from all walks of life multiple generations.&quot;Fil-Am Gina Ortiz Jones, a former undersecretary of the Air Force, was the event&#x27;s keynote speaker. In her address, she spoke about the importance of representation and more leadership roles for her fellow Fil-Ams.&quot;Filipino-American history is American history,&quot; she said. &quot;I&#x27;m thankful for their (FANHS) leadership over the decades to capture our history. That is important as we look at the challenges and opportunities in our country. You don&#x27;t know where you&#x27;re going if you don&#x27;t know where you&#x27;re from.&quot;Attendees viewed the FANHS conference as a reminder of the contributions of Fil-Ams to the cultural, social, and political fabric of the U.S.

Community leaders and scholars converge in Houston for a national conference that seeks to highlight Filipinos' contributions to the U.S.

Houston gathering celebrates Fil-Ams' contributions to U.S.

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Houston gathering celebrates Fil-Ams' contributions to U.S.

ABS-CBN News,

Cheryl Piccio | TFC News Houston

Published Aug 19, 2024 05:22 PM PHT

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Heritage

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