Parangal Dance Company delights hundreds of attendees during the 2026 Filipino American History Month Celebration at San Francisco City Hall (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the City and County of San Francisco and the Filipino American community in celebrating the 22nd Annual Filipino American History Month at San Francisco City Hall on 21 October 2026. Held under the theme, Beyond the Margins: Leading with Purpose, Power, and Pride, the celebration honored the contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans in shaping the city’s history, culture, economy, and civic life.
In his remarks, Mayor Daniel Lurie paid tribute to generations of Filipino Americans who have helped shape San Francisco’s neighborhoods, cultural identity, and history. He reaffirmed the City’s commitment to supporting immigrant communities, including through increased funding for immigration-related legal services and the community’s Rapid Response Network. He reiterated San Francisco’s continued commitment to upholding its sanctuary policies and highlighted recent initiatives benefiting the Filipino American community, including the opening of the expanded Gene Friend Recreation Center in the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural District. He further recognized the significant contributions of Filipino Americans to public art, literature, cultural preservation, and community development.
During the program, Mayor Lurie presented a signed proclamation declaring October as Filipino American History Month in the City and County of San Francisco. The proclamation was received by Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon, together with Ms. Raquel Redondiez, Director of SOMA Pilipinas, which is marking its 10th anniversary.
Consul General Talisayon also addressed the attendees, recognizing the historical struggles, achievements, and continuing contributions of Filipino Americans to American society. He emphasized the importance of meaningful representation, community empowerment, and the preservation of Filipino heritage for future generations. He highlighted the significance of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States, commemorated this year, and underscored the vital role of Filipino Americans in strengthening the longstanding friendship and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Consul General Talisayon provided updates on the Philippine Government’s initiatives to further enhance consular services, including the implementation of the Philippine eVisa system and the acceptance of electronic certificates issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for applicable consular transactions. He encouraged eligible Filipino citizens to register as overseas voters for the 2028 Philippine National Elections and highlighted the Consulate’s continuing collaboration with various Filipino community organizations in organizing informational forums on immigration-related concerns, providing free legal consultations with Filipino lawyers, promoting financial literacy, and addressing other issues and concerns affecting overseas Filipinos.
As part of the annual celebration, three outstanding Filipino American leaders were recognized for their notable contributions to public service, professional excellence, and community development. Ms. Jaena Rae Cabrera, Program Manager of the San Francisco Public Library, received the Emerging Leader Award for her work at the Library’s Filipino American Center, where she promotes Filipino American history, cultural education, and community engagement. Mr. James Lim, former Chair of the Hotel Council of San Francisco and President of Philippine International Aid, was conferred the Community Champion Award in recognition of his pioneering contributions to San Francisco’s hospitality industry, commitment to educational mentorship, and philanthropic initiatives benefiting Filipino communities in the United States and the Philippines. Meanwhile, Ms. Sonia Delen, former banking executive and co-founder of the Filipino Food Movement, received the Trailblazer Award for her leadership in the banking sector, public service, humanitarian initiatives, and advocacy for Filipino culture and representation.
Filipino talent and artistry were also prominently showcased throughout the program. Cultural and artistic presentations by the Parangal Dance Company, together with T’boli culture bearer Lyn Buti, highlighted the richness of Filipino indigenous traditions. The program also featured a poetry reading by David Maduli and musical performances by local artists Jackie Chavez, Arianne Del, Michelle Martinez, and GEO.
Following the program, attendees were invited to a Filipino-themed reception and the Escolta SF Pinoy marketplace, which featured locally made products and creations by Filipino American artisans and vendors, providing a platform to showcase and support Filipino creativity and entrepreneurship. To cap the celebration, San Francisco City Hall was illuminated in the vibrant colors of the Philippine flag, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the United States and the significant contributions of the Filipino American community to the city. Full coverage of the event is available through this video link.END
From L-R: Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon, San Francisco Mayor Daniel L. Lurie, SOMA Pilipinas Director Raquel Redondiez, and Mr. MC Canlas during the handover of the proclamation for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the PH-US diplomatic relations and SOMA Pilipinas’ 10th anniversary (San Francisco PCG photo)
From L-R: GEO, Jackie Chavez, and T’boli culture master Lyn Buti performing during the program (San Francisco PCG photos)
Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon (rightmost), Mr. Al Perez, Host Committee Lead and President of the Filipino American Arts Exposition (second from left), and Ms. Michiko Wagner (leftmost) of the Awards Committee pose with the 2026 Filipino American History Month awardees: Emerging Leader Award recipient Jaena Rae Cabrera (third from left); Community Champion Award recipient James Lim (fifth from left); and Trailblazer Award recipient Sonia Delen (third from right), together with family members, prior to the program. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Some of the Philippine-themed merchandise sold at the Escolta SF Pinoy Marketplace (San Francisco PCG photos)
Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon receives the signed proclamation from SF Mayor Daniel Lurie declaring October as Filipino American History Month with local officials at the City Hall’s grand staircase (San Francisco PCG photo)
A snapshot of the event attendees at the City Hall rotunda (San Francisco PCG photo)
Representatives from the Philippine Consulate led by Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon (front row, 3rd from left)
SF City Hall illuminated with Philippine flag colors in celebration of the Filipino American History Month (San Francisco PCG photo)