AURORA | It was more than 400 years ago that Filipinos set foot on the North American continent for the first time, historians and archaeologists say.
Filipino Americans are working across the nation to sustain a cultural footprint, and right here in Aurora, parts of the history are on display for the next year.
A new exhibition highlighting the history and cultural contributions of Aurora’s Filipino community will open April 21 at the Aurora History Museum.
“Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Filipino Community” is part of an ongoing series aimed at promoting understanding of the city’s diverse populations while incorporating their voices into Aurora’s historical narrative.
Museum officials said the exhibit was developed through a community outreach effort designed to gather input from local Filipino residents on how their stories should be represented.
Across the nation, many Filipinos are seeking their cities’ acknowledgment of “Filipino Towns” — a cultural district designation similar to Chinatowns, Japantowns and Koreatowns that highlights the contributions of expat and immigrant populations to a major city’s overall identity.
While the local population of 5,300 Filipino-American residents in Aurora, and about that many in Denver, is growing, Filipino Town isn’t on the horizon yet, officials say.
But the culture and community have made a lasting imprint on Aurora’s diverse community.
The Aurora exhibition explores elements of Filipino culture, including music, art, dance, religion and traditional foods, according to museum director T. Scott Williams. It also emphasizes the community’s contributions to the city’s history.
Displays will feature personal stories from residents and business owners, as well as cultural artifacts, archival photographs, interviews and interactive elements.
Items on display include a Congressional Medal of Honor, Indigenous Filipino-style textiles woven by a local artist and instruments used in the traditional rondalla music ensemble.
Organizers say the exhibit aims to provide residents and visitors with a deeper understanding of Filipino American heritage and its role in shaping the local community.
An opening reception is scheduled for April 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the museum and will include Filipino cuisine, music and dance performances. Additional programming tied to the exhibit will run throughout its duration, including themed Friday night events, guided tours and workshops such as parol lantern making.
That recognition can be through landmarks, event support or even permanent signage.
Filipino culture rising to historic landmarks across the nation
Three years ago, Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown — first designated as a neighborhood in 2002 — constructed a gateway arch, and Little Manila in New York City’s Queens borough debuted an official street sign. Now, Las Vegas has joined the club.
An official “Filipino Town Cultural District” street sign was unveiled last fall to great fanfare — six months after Clark County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution affirming the distinction.
“That was a great day,” Rozita Lee, the original Filipino Town Las Vegas board president, recalled about the county’s approval. “A great day because we realized that the government actually recognized us Filipinos as a valid, solid entity here in Nevada. We were all so happy.”
Lee, 90, has lived in Las Vegas for nearly 50 years. She has seen a 1.2-mile (1.6-kilometer) corridor east of the Strip blossom with Filipino small businesses, a radio station and chains like Seafood City supermarket and Jollibee. Last year, the Filipino Town board’s first step was to gather data to bolster their proposal. Filipinos are the largest Asian group in metro Las Vegas with over 200,000.
They also spread the word among business owners.
“We visited the people that were in the area because we had to knock on doors and let them know of the possibility of this area being named Filipino Town, and would they support,” Lee said. “Everybody said yes.”
Now resigned from the board, Lee is currently planning a Filipino American Museum.
Current board president Bernie Benito is looking forward to making Filipino Town a site that tourists will consider.
“What we’re going to try to do is just to promote it culturally. We’re going to entice developers, investors to come into the area in order to set up their businesses,” Benito said.
Filipino scouts on a Spanish galleon — a heavy, square-rigged sailing ship — landed on Oct. 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California, likely making them the first known Asian people to reach the U.S. It would be nearly 200 years until Filipinos settled here starting in Louisiana and the West Coast.
Pre-World War II, there were some Filipino enclaves made up mostly of single men. They were not as prevalent as Chinatowns and Japantowns. A lot of them either were demolished or floundered as some men moved away, said Joseph Bernardo, an adjunct professor in Asian Pacific American Studies at Loyola Marymount University.
U.S. colonial rule over the Philippines from 1898 to 1946 led to Filipinos studying English and assimilating to Western culture.
“They have a command of English that doesn’t necessarily tie them to an ethnic economy to survive in the United States,” Bernardo said. “They can get jobs as nurses and accountants and lawyers and doctors, et cetera, with greater ease than other Asian immigrants.”
The U.S. Census estimates 4.5 million Filipino people live in the U.S. and less than half are immigrants. Registered nurse is the most common occupation, according to AAPI Data, a research and policy organization.
“More Filipino Americans care about cultural pride and want a community space to reflect that,” said Bernardo.
Today, there are several Filipino Towns, some more active than others. Stockton, California’s once vibrant Little Manila was torn down by a crosstown freeway in the 1970s. But there are historic walking tours hosted by advocacy group Little Manila Rising. In San Francisco, an artist-driven Filipino Cultural Heritage District known as SOMA Pilipinas includes a community center and public art works. Toronto, Canada, also has an active Little Manila.
Filipinotown is part of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Besides restaurants and shops, Cabanilla hopes visitors stop to appreciate landmarks like the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge, named after the writer who advocated for Filipino independence. Or Uncle Bob’s Place, an affordable apartment building named for local Filipino American civil rights activist Bob Santos.
Future goals for Filipinotown include an official sign, events like poetry sessions and a summer block party.
“Our primary vision is to bring back the solidarity that we had when the International District was in its heyday and it was a multicultural place,” Cabanilla said. “I need white people to understand it is not just Chinese, Japanese, East Asian stuff. It has always included Filipinos supporting and living in the district.”
Here in Aurora, the history museum exhibition will remain on display through April 2027.
The Aurora History Museum, is at 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, and open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 3 to 17.
Previous installments of the “Mosaic of Cultures” series have highlighted Aurora’s Ethiopian, Salvadorean, Mexican and Nepali communities.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A sunrise taste of Filipino life
In Filipino homes, the smell that wakes up many families is not coffee brewing or bacon frying, but slices of garlic sizzling in oil.
It’s for a fried rice known as sinangag, a way to use up the previous day’s rice by packing it chock-full of crisp, toasted garlic. Sliced garlic is deeply browned in oil to create golden garlic chips that are mixed into the rice along with a flavorful oil that infuses the entire dish.
For the best texture, use cooked rice that’s been refrigerated until firm. To make enough for this recipe, in a large saucepan, combine 2 cups water and 1½ cups jasmine rice (or regular long-grain white rice) that’s been rinsed and drained. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, then reduce to low, cover and cook for 15 to 18 minutes.
Let the rice stand, covered, for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wide, shallow bowl. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
Garlic Fried Rice with Chicken
Start to finish: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into ½- to ¾-inch pieces
2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
½ teaspoon white sugar
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided
8 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts reserved separately
4 cups cooked and chilled long-grain white rice, preferably jasmine rice (see above)
In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, the sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the chicken in an even layer and cook without stirring until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the chicken, then cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned all over and cooked through, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate; set aside.
Wash and dry the skillet. Set it over medium-low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the garlic. Cook, stirring only occasionally at first then more often once the garlic begins to color, until some of the slices are light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the scallion whites and cook, stirring, until most of the garlic is golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Add the rice, breaking up any clumps, followed by the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook over medium-high, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate the garlic and any browned bits, until the rice is heated through, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices; cook, stirring, until warmed through, about 1 minute.
Off heat, taste and season with salt. Transfer to a serving dish, then sprinkle with the scallion greens and pepper.