FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL  SOCIETY (FANHS)

Mission Statement

“The mission of the Filipino American National Historical Society shall be to promote understanding, education, enlightenment, appreciation, and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation, and dissemination of the history and culture of the Filipino Americans in the United States.”

Purposes

“The purposes for which the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is organized are to research, gather, disseminate and promote Filipino American history, conduct research and studies, provide a repository for research and gather materials, promote and disseminate published works, promote and hold forums and public programs and to conduct businesses and fund-raising events to accomplish these purposes.” –(Article I: Purposes, Bylaws of the Filipino American National Historical Society, a Washington non-profit corporation)   

FANHS National, Stockton, & Hawai’i State Chapter

o    FANHS National:              Founded in Seattle,1982 by Executive Director, Dorothy Cordova.

o    FANHS National:              Chartered in Washington State in1985.

o    FANHS National:              Established a National Filipino American Archive in Seattle.

o    FANHS National:              37 Chapters totaling hundreds of members nationwide.

o    FANHS National:              Exec. Dir., D.L. Cordova, 27 Trustees.

o    Stockton Chapter:           Established FANHS National Museum, Stockton Committee

o    Hawaii State Chapter:    Founded in Honolulu, 2015, by Dr. Patricia Brown

Past Conference Locations

FANHS has sponsored national conferences since 1987. Conferences were described as being, “where community folks of all ages and from all walks of life gather to share and present research and honor those who have produced ground-breaking innovative work in the field of historical research and analysis about Filipino Americans. (FANHS National, 1987).”

This statement continues to stand the test of time into 2020. We only need to visit the FANHS National Archives, review the combined line-up of authors at FANHS’ past Conferences and speak to booksellers to marvel at FANHS’ ongoing work following this 1987 statement.

During the past thirty-three years, much as happened to increase the number of valued publications, and the levels of accomplishments and influences by Filipino Americans. Thirty-three years later, during the 2020 conference, we will be expanding on the 1987 statement by inviting creators, experts, leaders, teachers, and their work on Filipino American History-in-the-making: authors, storytellers, researchers, composers, producers, playwriters, originators, performers, musicians, comedians, and more. The work of the creators and experts mentioned reflect Filipino Americans’ lives, ideas, talents, and beliefs of today, which will quickly become what tomorrow will refer to as Filipino American history.

We continue to find valuable historical data presented in ways other than the spoken or written word. Information sources that were considered unimportant even nonproductive to “learning and getting ahead” in society continue to feed our spirit and, therefore, our minds. The child who is bored or unable to receive the necessary skills to author a book or go on the lecture tour becomes a respected photographer and preserves history as well. Likewise, the child who didn’t go to college to learn how to become a film creator but becomes a historical film director after discovering movies about WW2 becomes a historian. The artist who offers Filipino history on the canvas. There are many forms of creative work that touch our six senses and feeds our spirit and emotions in ways that words cannot. We are inviting such artists to share their work. We will recognize them, honoring their unique means of gathering, presenting, and preserving Filipino American History. We encourage these artists and creators of History-in-the-making to showcase their talents and work at the FANHS 2020 CONFERENCE.

The following is a list of all FANHS Biennial Conference locations and themes:

  • 2020 – Waikiki, Hawaii
  • “Kau Kau Tin: Sharing Filipino American Stories”
  • 2018 – Chicago, Illinois
    • “Community for Cohesion and Collaboration “
  • 2016 – New York City, New York
    • “A Pinoy State of Mind: Building with Our Roots”
  • 2014 – San Diego, California
    • “Kapwa: Moving Forward in Unity”
  • 2012 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
    • “Resilience: A Filipino Legacy in a Global Community”
  • 2010 – Seattle, Washington
    • “A Quest for Emergence: A Retrospective”
  • 2008 – Anchorage, Alaska
    • “Lure of the Salmon Song”
  • 2006 – Honolulu, HI
    • “Sakadas and Beyond: Connect the Past to Inspire the Future”
  • 2004 – St. Louis, MO
    • “A Century Hence, From the St. Louis World’s Fair”
  • 2002 – Los Angeles, CA
    • “Visions & Voyages: Images of Filipinos in America”
  • 2000 – Virginia Beach, VA
    • “Forever Pinay/Pinoy: Legacies of the Filipino American Experience”
  • 1998 – Portland, OR
    • “Legacies of a Revolution: One Hundred Years of Filipinos in the United States”
  • 1996 – New York, NY
    • “The Now Generation”
  • 1994 – San Francisco, CA
    • “Honoring the Bridge Generation: Sons and Daughters of Filipino Pioneers”
  • 1992 – Chicago, IL
    • “Kindred Spirits-Waves Apart”
  • 1990 – Sacramento, Ca
    • “Filipino American History: The Legacy Lives
  • 1988 – New Orleans, LA
    • “Filipinos: An Enigma in American History”
  • 1987 – Seattle, Washington
    • “Who/What is a Pinoy”
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