1st Little Manila block party celebrates FAHM
By Marivir Montebon
History has been made on October 18, 2026 when the Filipino American community in Queens successfully launched the 1st Little Manila Queens Parade and Block Party to celebrate Filipino American History Month (FAHM).
About 1,000 people joined the parade along 69th Street, followed by an afternoon of performances, cultural demonstrations, community activities, and an awards ceremony on 41st Avenue.
The first recorded wave of Filipinos in the diaspora were seafarers of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, who according to historical accounts came to the shores of Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587. This was long before the American union was created.
Some 70 Filipino Americans, including Judge Eve Cho Guillergan, former Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer, and Atty. Anne del Castillo of the NYC Cultural Affairs Commission, were honored during the event.
The community celebration was blessed with sunshine and gripping cold, and the resolve, that it was the beginning of an annual tradition.
Honoree Noel Pangilinan said in his acceptance speech that the community should stop calling the Filipino enclave as “Little Manila.” He said, “We should work for a Filipinotown in Queens…just like Japantown or Chinatown.” Actress Ching Valdez Aran couldn’t agree more. She said Filipinos have a diverse culture that needs representation, thus Little Manila has to grow.
Woodside is home to an estimated 50,000–70,000 Filipinos living in New York City.
The event recognized Filipino Americans across advocacy, arts and culture, business, community service, education, entertainment and media, healthcare, and public affairs. Among those highlighted were Edwin Josue, real estate professional and community advocate; Joelle Lingat Santiago, immigration attorney and community advocate; Cristina Pastor, journalist; Michael Dadap, composer and guitarist; Ching Valdes-Aran, actress and theater artist; Paul Pfeiffer, artist; Gina Apostol, novelist; Patrick Rosal, poet and educator; Orlando Pabotoy, actor and director; and Kris Reyes of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
“October 18 was a day our community will remember for years to come,” said Raga. “For the first time, we marched through the streets of Little Manila to celebrate a Filipino American history that stretches back 439 years, and to recognize the artists, educators, advocates, business owners, and community leaders who have helped shape New York.
“Seeing generations of Filipino Americans, our neighbors, and friends come together in Woodside was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and what we can accomplish together.”
