FILIPINO AMERICANS
Filipino Americans are the third-largest Asian-origin group in the United States, numbering 4.7 to 5 million people. Based on of 2025-2026 data, the largest Asian-origin groups in the U.S. are Chinese Americans (around 5.5 million), Indian Americans (around 5.2 million) and Filipino Americans. Together with Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese groups, these top six represent roughly 81–85% of all Asian Americans. [Source: Pew Research Center]
Filipino Americans were known for their high level of English proficiency, strong Roman Catholic faith, and collectivist values such as kapwa, or shared identity. Large communities were concentrated in states like California and Hawaii, where they played a visible role in local economies and culture.
As of 2023, there were more than 4.6 million Filipino Americans, many of whom were U.S.-born or naturalized citizens. Their cultural outlook often reflected a Western influence stemming from the period of American rule in the Philippines, yet they maintained close family ties and a collectivist orientation that contrasted with mainstream American individualism. Core values such as kapwa (shared inner self), loob (holistic inner self), and utang na loob (debt of gratitude) continued to shape social relationships and community life. [Source: Wikipedia]
Filipino Americans were especially prominent in healthcare professions, particularly nursing, as well as in various service-sector jobs. Their history in the United States dated back to the arrival of early Filipino sailors, known as “Manila men,” in the 16th century, with larger migration waves occurring after the 1898 Treaty of Paris. Tagalog (Filipino) and English were widely spoken, reflecting their bilingual heritage. Despite facing periods of discrimination, Filipino Americans made significant contributions to the U.S. labor force and military over time.
According to a 2010 survey by the Census Bureau, an estimated 2.5 million people of unmixed Filipino origin live in this country. There are a lot more if you count U.S. citizen and temporary workers. There are not so many Filipino Americans in New York City. There are many more or on the West Coast, particularly in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. It is estimated that there are 2.5 million Filipinos in California. There are 15 Filipino-language newspapers in San Francisco.
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Food and Family in a Filipino-American Home
Angela Dimayuga, creative director for food and culture at the Standard hotels and former Mission Chinese Food chef, wrote in the New York Times: When I was growing up in Northern California the scent of rice, still steamy and warm in the rice cooker, was the steady backdrop to my days. It was so constant from one house to the next, so dependable, that’s how I knew: Wherever I found myself, I was home. [Source: Angela Dimayuga and Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, October 7, 2019]
My parents’ story, like that of many Filipino immigrants, also unites East and West. My dad is from Batangas, but my mom met him halfway across the world, in the Netherlands, where she was on tour with the Filipino national folk dance troupe. He’d hitchhiked across Europe and ended up a pageboy at the Philippine Embassy at The Hague.
They made a life together in California, where I was born, and where I would grow up eating lumpia alongside peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches, crunchy hard-shell tacos and instant ramen. And always, at every meal, rice — lots of it, and warm. Northern California is where Filipino migrant farm workers started settling in the 1920s, and which today is home to one of the country’s largest populations of Filipino-Americans
On Being Filipino-American
On being Filipino-American, Tricia Capistrano wrote in Newsweek, “When I was a kid, my grandmother would get upset whenever I told her that I'd be spending the afternoon swimming in my cousin's pool, because it meant that my skin would get darker than it already was. My mom, whose nose I acquired, has one of the widest among her brothers and sisters. She taught me to pinch the bridge daily so that the arch would be higher, like my cousins. Most of her girlfriends got blond highlights and nose jobs as soon as they received their first paychecks, almost as a rite of passage. [Source: Tricia Capistrano, Newsweek, June 19, 2006 /]
“As a teenager, I tried to hang out with the mestizas, because I wanted to be popular like them. It was only when I was 22 years old and moved to New York, where people of different colors, beliefs and sexual orientations are embraced, that I learned to appreciate my brown skin, wide nose, straight, black hair and five-foot stature. Because of the self-confidence I saw in the people I met, I found everyone — in the subway, on the street, in restaurants — beautiful.” /
“I took my infant son on a trip to the Philippines in 2008. I walked away from him for a moment at a baby- goods store in Manila and when I returned, he was surrounded by four women in their 20s who were ogling him. "He is so cute!" they said. "So fair-skinned!" Whether we were in the mall or at church, people would gather around to look at his face. My son is mestizo, of mixed race. My husband is Caucasian with ancestors from Sweden and Slovakia. I am a brown-skinned woman from the Philippines, where many people I know have a fascination with the lighter skinned — probably because our islands were invaded so many times by whites who tried to convince us that they were better and more beautiful than us. We were under Spain's rule for nearly 400 years, the United States' for almost 50. As a result, skin-whitening products fly off the pharmacy shelves. [Source: Tricia Capistrano, Newsweek, June 19, 2006 /]
"Any plans to move back here?" my relatives ask when I visit. "I'll send Emil when he is a teenager so he can become a matinee idol and fund our retirement," I joke. Most of the country's famous actors are of mixed race, and the teen actors who are on their way up don't have to be talented, just fair-skinned and preferably of Spanish, American or Chinese descent. /
How and Why Some Filipinos Came to the U.S.
Family ties—especially the idea of connection and responsibility—have long shaped Filipino migration to the United States. Many arrived through a process known as “petitioning,” in which one family member already in America sponsors another relative to join them. After Edna White married an American and moved to the U.S.—first to Oregon, then Nevada—she petitioned for her mother to follow. Salve Vargas Edelman’s journey followed a similar chain: her mother petitioned for her after being sponsored herself by another daughter who had married an American serviceman. “Because I was single, the family decided I should be the one to take care of our mother, who was not well,” Vargas Edelman explained. “Part of our culture is that we take care of our elders… We believe in the Ten Commandments: Honor your mother and father.” [Source: Sue Halpern and Bill McKibben, Smithsonian magazine, May, 2015]
This sense of duty extends beyond caring for parents and reflects a broader cultural respect for elders and hierarchy within the family. As Vargas Edelman’s friend Cynthia Deriquito noted, “We have this very nice Filipino tradition of respecting our elders… All your siblings, if they respect you, they follow you—from your profession down to how you live your life.” This influence often carries into the next generation, where younger family members model their choices and behavior after older siblings, reinforcing shared values and life paths.
These traditions are also evident in career choices and mutual support within families. Deriquito, a board member of Fil-Am Power and a former nurse, described how caregiving extends into professional life. Nursing, a field strongly associated with Filipino Americans, runs in her family—her brother, two sisters, daughter, and niece all entered the profession. Reflecting on her own experience, she said, “Since I was the first born and my dad died at 47, I sent my three siblings to nursing school. It’s not unusual. It’s not heroic. It’s just what you do.”
There is great demand for U.S. visas in the Philippines. About 16,200 Filipinos emigrated to the United States in 1998. The top five sources of legal immigrants in the United States in 1995 were: 1) Mexico; 2) the Philippines; 3) Vietnam; 4) the Dominican Republic; and 5) China. Source of immigrants in the United States (1992): 1) Mexico (22 percent); 2) Vietnam (8 percent); 3) Philippines (6.3 percent); 4) former Soviet Union (4.5 percent); 5) Dominican Republic (4.3 percent); 6) China (4 percent); 7) India (3.8 percent); 8) El Salvador (2.7 percent); 9) Poland (2.6 percent); 10) United Kingdom (22 percent).
In the 1990s, applicants sometimes pretended they were dentists, doctors, priests or nuns, submitted high-quality fake documents and spent thousands of dollars for classes that offered tips on what to say in during the embassy interviews. In the early 1990s, 72 percent of the female immigrants to New York City from the Philippines were trained nurses. Countries where the most U.S. visas are issued (visas given in 1998): 1) South Korea (619,011); 2) Brazil (575,041): 3) Mexico (548,716); 4) Taiwan (344,901); 5) China (250,503); 6) India (249,715); 7) Britain (243,921); 8) Columbia (176,438); 9) the Philippines (145,043); 10) Israel (129,580).
Filipino Roots in the U.S.
When Joey Tabaco of Ronkonkoma was growing up in Queens during the 1950s and 1960s, his Filipino heritage had remained largely unexplored. The children of immigrants at the time were expected to assimilate into mainstream American culture, often at the expense of their own backgrounds. “Back in the 1950s and ’60s, your job as a kid was to assimilate,” Tabaco, whose parents had emigrated from the Philippines, recalled. “There were no meeting places for Filipinos.” As a result, many in his generation grew up “basically American,” while only later attempting to reconnect with their roots—a journey that, for Tabaco, extended well into adulthood. [Source: Karin Lipson, New York Times, February 24, 2012]
Filipino presence in the United States, however, had begun much earlier. By the time of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Filipino communities had already been established in Louisiana, where settlers built stilt houses along the Gulf Coast and worked as shrimpers. Historical accounts describe them “dancing the shrimp,” a method of stepping on their catch to separate the shells.
In the early 20th century, new waves of Filipino immigrants arrived, often taking on labor-intensive jobs despite facing strong anti-Asian discrimination. Many worked in agricultural fields in Hawaii and California or in fish canneries in Alaska. The United States Navy also became a major employer, though Filipinos were typically limited to roles such as cooks and stewards, reflecting the racial hierarchies of the time.
Over the decades, Filipino Americans gradually expanded their presence into broader areas of society. They served in the U.S. military during World War II, and in the postwar years made significant contributions to fields such as healthcare, the arts, and civic activism. These shifts marked a slow but important transition from marginalized labor roles to more visible and influential positions.
One powerful example of this progress was Dr. Eleanor “Connie” Mariano, who rose from a family background tied to naval service—her father had worked as a steward—to become the White House physician from 1994 to 2001. In 2000, she was promoted to rear admiral, then the highest rank held by a Filipino American in the U.S. military. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I came to the White House by way of the kitchen,” adding that Filipino Americans in the Navy no longer had to advance “through the kitchen, the back door or the garage,” highlighting how opportunities had broadened over time.
First Asian American Settlement in Louisiana Created by Filipino Sailors in the 1700s
The earliest known permanent Asian settlement in what became the United States was established in 18th-century Louisiana by Filipino fishermen known as the “Manilamen.” These settlers created a small fishing village called Saint Malo along the shores of Lake Borgne, naming it after Juan San Maló, a leader among them. The community is widely regarded as the first Filipino—and one of the first Asian American—settlements in North America. [Source: Kimberly Nguyen, Nextshark, May 19, 2021]
The origins of these settlers traced back to the Manila Galleon Trade (1565–1815), a Spanish trading network that connected the Philippines, Mexico, and the Americas. Filipino sailors and indentured workers aboard these galleons sometimes escaped harsh conditions and settled in coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico as early as the 1500s. By the late 1700s, groups of these individuals had formed stable communities in Louisiana’s marshlands, where they lived independently of colonial control.
Saint Malo became a refuge for those fleeing forced labor and exploitation under Spanish rule. The Manilamen built homes on stilts in the wetlands and sustained themselves through fishing and shrimping. Their techniques, including shrimp drying and preservation methods, reflected knowledge brought from the Philippines and contributed to the region’s coastal economy.
Historical documentation of Saint Malo appeared in an 1883 article in Harper’s Bazaar, based on the travels of writer Lafcadio Hearn, though the settlement had existed for decades prior to his visit. Other similar Filipino fishing communities were also established nearby, suggesting a broader network of early Asian settlements along the Louisiana coast.
The Manilamen also played a role in American history beyond their settlements. Some joined forces with U.S. troops during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the final major conflict of the War of 1812. Despite their contributions, they faced legal and racial barriers; under the Naturalization Act of 1790, citizenship was limited to white immigrants, and Filipinos were excluded from naturalization rights for many years.
Over time, the Manilamen integrated into Louisiana’s multicultural society, often marrying into other ethnic communities and helping shape the region’s diverse cultural identity. However, the original settlement of Saint Malo did not survive into the modern era. It was destroyed in 1915 when a powerful hurricane devastated the New Orleans and Mississippi Delta region, erasing one of the earliest chapters of Asian American history.
Children of Filipino World War II Veterans That Can’t Get Green Cards
Art Caleda, a Filipino World War II veteran living in Honolulu, carried shrapnel in his chin as a reminder of his service as a guerrilla intelligence officer aiding U.S. forces. Like thousands of other Filipino veterans, he was granted U.S. citizenship under a 1990 law and later received a one-time $15,000 payment in 2009. However, he and others continued to seek one final benefit: the ability to bring their adult children from the Philippines to the United States. [Source: Washington Post, January 3, 2015]
Caleda and his wife petitioned for their three sons in 1996, but their applications became trapped in a massive backlog of more than 4 million family-based green card requests. Years later, processing delays remained severe, with immigration authorities still handling cases from the early 1990s. The long wait took a personal toll—his wife died before seeing their children reunited, and Caleda grew increasingly uncertain whether the process would ever be completed.
The situation reflects a broader historical context. About 250,000 Filipinos fought alongside U.S. forces during World War II, when the Philippines was still an American territory. Despite their contributions, many veterans spent decades seeking full recognition and benefits. While citizenship was eventually granted, family reunification remained difficult due to restrictive immigration policies and annual caps on visas.
U.S. immigration law limits family-based green cards to 226,000 per year, with no more than 7 percent allocated to any single country. Because of high demand, especially from the Philippines, wait times often exceed 20 years. Efforts to ease these restrictions have faced political opposition, with critics warning about “chain migration,” while advocates argue the system is fundamentally unfair for families who have already waited decades.
Some lawmakers, particularly from Hawaii and California where many veterans settled, attempted to pass legislation granting special exemptions for their children. A 2013 Senate immigration bill even included a provision to give immediate green cards to veterans’ children on humanitarian grounds. However, the bill ultimately failed in the House of Representatives amid broader disagreements over immigration reform.
Famous Filipino Americans
Filipino Americans have made significant contributions across entertainment, labor, politics, and the arts, reflecting the community’s growing influence in American society. In recent years, mainstream visibility has increased through globally recognized performers such as Olivia Rodrigo and Bruno Mars. Other prominent figures include H.E.R., an Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist, and Jo Koy, whose stand-up comedy often highlights Filipino culture and identity.
Filipino Americans and people of Filipino descent have also made their mark in film, television, and theater. Darren Criss became the first Filipino American to win a Golden Globe, while Nicole Scherzinger gained fame as a member of The Pussycat Dolls. Stage and screen talents have included Eva Noblezada, Dante Basco and Lou Diamond Phillips. Bretman Rock has built a major presence in digital media.
In arts, sports and literature, Filipino Americans Robert Lopez became the first Filipino American to achieve EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Authors like Erin Entrada Kelly have earned major literary awards, while filmmakers such as Matthew Libatique and Ronnie Del Carmen have received Oscar nominations for their work in cinema and animation. Manny Pacquiao is a Philippines but he built his boxing career in the U.S. Jordan Clarkson played in the N.B.A.
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens is a half Filipino American actress and singer who rose to fame for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical franchise. She debuted in film with a supporting role in Thirteen (2003) and achieved mainstream success through the Disney Channel films. Her song “Breaking Free” reached the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Following her success in music, including her debut album V (2006) and Identified (2008), Hudgens shifted her focus to acting. She earned critical praise for her role in "Bandslam" (2009) and went on to appear in films such as "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" with Michael Caine, "Spring Breakers" (2013), and "Machete Kills". She also appeared in “Gimme Shelter,” “Bad Boys for Life,” “French Girl” and “Bad Boys 4 ” and the Oscar-nominated Lin-Manuel Miranda-directed musical “Tick, Tick …Boom!” Hudgens executive produced and starred in the film “The Knight Before Christmas” and all three installments of “The Princess Switch” series for Netflix. [Source: Wikipedia]
Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, and raised along the U.S. West Coast. She comes from a multicultural background, with Irish and Native American heritage from her father and Filipino-Chinese-Spanish roots from her mother, who is from Manila. Raised in a Roman Catholic family, she also comes from a musically inclined lineage, with all of her grandparents being musicians. Hudgens’ long-time boyfriend was Zac Efron
"Filipinos are very passionate," Hudgens told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: "You look at Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, wohoo! You don't want to mess with him. My mom, too, is extremely passionate. You don't want to piss her off. I really enjoy it because there's a little fighter inside of me. There has to be a fighter inside of you to stay in this business, or you wouldn't get anywhere." [Source: Ruben V. Nepales, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Asia News Network, March 25, 2011]
In the early 2020s, Hudgens traveled to the Philippines to explore her Filipino heritage in a documentary centered on her family roots. The project marked her first visit to her mother’s homeland and highlighted her identity as an American-born, half-Filipino woman whose global success had been shaped in part by that background. Through the journey, Hudgens sought to reconnect with her cultural origins while sharing the story of her family. [Source: Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, March 22, 2023]
Filming took place in Palawan and Manila, with Hudgens joined by her mother, Gina Guangco, and her sister, Stella Hudgens. Hudgens had often expressed pride in her mother’s journey from the Philippines to the United States at age 25, describing it as a defining influence on her life. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “I feel like ours is such a relatable story to so many women all over the world… The more that we can share, the more we can lift each other up.”
Dave Bautista
The actor and former professional wrestler Dave Bautista is part Filipino. Born in Arlington, Virginia, he was the son of a Greek American mother and a father whose roots traced back to the Philippines. His paternal family history reflected the immigrant experience—his grandfather had served in the Philippine military before moving abroad, where he worked multiple jobs, including as a taxi driver and barber, to support his family. [Source: Wikipedia]
Bautista rose to fame in WWE during the early 2000s under the ring name Batista, becoming one of the defining figures of wrestling’s “Ruthless Aggression Era.” He won multiple world championships, headlined major events such as WrestleMania, and built a reputation as one of the sport’s most dominant performers before retiring in 2019. His success marked a rare moment of visibility for an athlete of Filipino descent in mainstream American professional wrestling.
After transitioning to acting, Bautista gained international recognition for roles in major films, most notably as Drax in Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy and as Glossu Rabban in the Dune series. His performances in films such as Blade Runner 2049 and Glass Onion further established him as one of the most successful wrestlers-turned-actors in Hollywood, bringing broader representation to actors of mixed Filipino heritage.
His early life, however, was marked by hardship. Growing up in poverty in the Washington, D.C. area, Bautista experienced violence and instability at a young age, and by his teenage years he was living independently. Despite these challenges, he often credited his parents—and their immigrant work ethic—for instilling values of resilience and hard work, saying he remained “proud” of their sacrifices and determination. Before finding success, Bautista struggled through a series of jobs, including working as a nightclub bouncer, where an altercation led to legal trouble. He later worked as a lifeguard before turning to bodybuilding, a decision he said helped change the course of his life. At age 30, after a moment of personal crisis, he chose to pursue professional wrestling, a path that ultimately led him to global fame.
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons
Text Sources: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; National Geographic, Live Science, Philippines Department of Tourism, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Natural History magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Times of London, Library of Congress, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.
Last updated February 2026