October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM), and the Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) is partnering with SOMA Pilipinas, Kultivate Labs, and small businesses to highlight the Filipino community’s many contributions to the fabric of San Francisco and the City’s investments in its economic vitality.
Throughout the month, the public can participate in free events, discover Filipino-owned small businesses, and explore the many gems in the Filipino Cultural Heritage District through the Office of Small Business’s Shop Dine SF website: sf.gov/filipino-american-history-month.
“This year we mark the 20th year of celebrating Filipino American History Month at City Hall, honoring this vibrant community who have greatly contributed to San Francisco,” said Mayor London Breed. “This community is so core to our arts, businesses and cultural innovations, and are committed to ensuring that every resident and visitor is able to enjoy San Francisco’s rich Filipino history and legacy. I want to thank SOMA Pilipinas, who have led on preserving the cultural heritage of the Filipino community, including creating the City's first Filipino Cultural Heritage District that serves as a hub for the greater community in San Francisco and across the region.”
Mayor Breed hosts the 20th Annual Filipino American History Month Celebration at City Hall on October 10 at 5:30 –8 p.m. with performances and a community service award ceremony.
“The Office of Economic & Workforce Development is excited to highlight the work we are doing with our community partners and small businesses to strengthen and uplift the Filipino community,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director, OEWD. “Filipino heritage has contributed so much to San Francisco’s past, and the community is playing a critical role in our Downtown’s future. We are glad that our investments are ensuring that their vital work continues to grow and shape San Francisco.”
Kultivate Labs, a non-profit economic development and arts organizations, hosts a Kultivate Labs Takeover at Saluhall October 3, 4 – 7 p.m. at the UNSTAGED: First Thursdays Live event on Mid-Market, sponsored by OEWD. Attendees can check out Legacy Filipino martial arts, live art, and cooking demonstrations and groove to DJs Trixamillion, DJ Mark Maiden, and RJKoolRaul. Kultivate Labs is responsible for introducing San Franciscans to the night market phenomenon. Their first UNDSCVRD Night Market in 2017 drew more than 8,000 people. On October 19, with funding from OEWD, UNDSCVRD is back with a Filipiono culture crawl throughout SOMA, including stops at Kapwa Gardens and 5M Park. On November 2, Kultiavate Labs invites the community to submit photos, names, and stories to “undas,” ancestral altars, in Kapwa Gardens.
“Kultivate Labs is proud to partner with the City of San Francisco and the Office of Economic & Workforce Development to celebrate Filipino American History Month by showcasing the creative talents and entrepreneurial spirit of our community,” said Desi Danganan, Executive Director, Kultivate Labs. “UNDISCOVERED SF, the first night market ever funded by OEWD, set the stage for other night markets across the City and has played a key role in supporting emerging Filipino businesses and artists. By continuing to contribute to the cultural and economic vibrancy of SOMA Pilipinas, we are building a sustainable ecosystem for the next generation of Filipino creatives and entrepreneurs.”
SOMA Pilipinas is leading creative place-keeping initiatives that assert the history and legacy of the Filipino community in San Francisco, specifically in 1.5-square miles in the South of Market, Yerba Buena neighborhood. The Filipino Cultural Heritage District is the only one of its kind in the country. The organization is contributing to Downtown’s recovery through investments in new public art and free public events, which are partly funded by OEWD.
With support from OEWD, SOMA Pilipinas is celebrating the unveiling of the restored Ang Lipi na Lapu Lapu mural during Sunday Streets on October 13, noon to 5 p.m. The spectacular, 90-foot mural was the first in the country to depict the history of Filipinos in America. It was painted 40 years ago and was recently restored by its original artist, Johanna Poethig. The mural depicts famous Filipino and Filipino American figures, and the unveiling will reveal new additions. The event will feature Parole-making, an artist presentation, and Filipino ice cream tasting.
Part of the Mayor's plan for an equitable economic recovery ensures that her investments elevate San Francisco's cultural assets and small businesses and provides opportunities for community. “With support from the City, SOMA Pilipinas is able to host large-scale community events that are free to the public and that celebrate the rich history, contributions, and vibrant culture and arts of the Filipino community,” stated Raquel Redondiez, Executive Director, SOMA Pilipinas. “These investments in the local community, small businesses, and local artists provide a foundation for equitable and sustainable economic development.”
Recently, OEWD supported several neighborhood murals in partnership with SOMA Pilipinas by Filipino artists in the Yerba Buena neighborhood. Located on 3rd Street outside of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, What is Legacy Without Liberation? by artist Malaya Tuyay is dedicated to the SoMa neighborhood with themes of “light, safety, connection, honoring ancestors, and beauty.” Located at 1048 Folsom Street, the Pagsasama-sama (“joining together”) mural by artist Chi Chai depicts a rattan pattern that symbolizes the Filipino community coming together and rejuvenating the SoMa neighborhood. Discover all of SOMA Pilipinas’ public art initiatives at somapilipinas.org.
A campaign to promote patronizing local businesses, the Shop Dine SF website has a curated list of Filipino-owned restaurants throughout the City. Mestiza, located at 214 Townsend St. in China Basin, and the Sarap Shop’s SoMa location at 171 Stillman St., both opened with support from OEWD and are anchors in the Filipino Cultural Heritage District.
“We are excited to celebrate FAHM this year in our new brick & mortar location,” said Kristen Brillantes, Co-founder and CEO of The Sarap Shop. “After seven years of dreaming, we finally reached one of our major milestones of growing into our own HQ space! We are so grateful for all the Office of Economic & Workforce Development has provided from programming to grants, to support our growth from pop-up to food truck to permanent space in the Filipino Cultural District. Come visit any time this month! We’ll have specials running to celebrate FAHM and our 8-year anniversary!”
Highlighted retail businesses include ASMBLY HALL, a men’s, women's, and kid’s apparel and accessory boutique, located at 624 Divisadero St. in the NoPa commercial corridor; Diosa Blooms, a family-owned flower shop at 3148 22nd St. in the Mission; and online Arkipelago Books, specializing in titles by Filipino authors.
According to ASMBLY HALL owners Tricia and Ron Benitez, “As a Filipino owned retail business, we look forward to celebrating and promoting our Filipino culture this month, within our store and within our local community. Through the years, we have partnered with the Office of Small Business on numerous events for our store—from merchant walks to art walks. We have also collaborated with our close Filipino partners, aka “barkada”~ Kultivate Labs, Republika SF, Kapwa Gardens, Balay Kreative, and SoMa Pilipinas—all groups that positively impact the Filipino Cultural District in SoMa. We are proud of the work we’ve contributed to the Filipino community and excited to continue making an impact through our Small Business ASMBLY HALL."