Oct. 5, 1978, former US president James Earl “Jimmy” Carter designated the first week of May as AsianPacific American Heritage Week.

Under former US president George HW Bush, the event was extended and became a month-long celebration in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843. It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was laid mostly by Chinese immigrants.

Today, the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) pays tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. Cultural celebrations occur nationwide, and now even globally, through different channels of media, art, at schools, in museums, communities, and various social events.

The Asian American and NHPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) communities stand 20 million strong, with Asian Americans showing the fastest growth rate of any major racial or ethnic group in the US.

Filipinos (19 percent or 3.9 million) are the third largest single origin group, next only to Chinese (24 percent) and Indian-origin Asians (20 percent) – and many people originaly from the Philippines have been making waves in the business sector, public offices, healthcare facilities, entertainment industry, academic institutions, and other branches of society.

In celebration of APAHM this year, Asians from all over the globe are enjoined to participate in the Asian Heritage Month Virtual Leadership.

Bearing the theme “Embracing Diversity. Empowering Inclusion. Breaking Barriers,” topics include Philippine-American History, Traditional Filipino Family Values, Guide to the Philippines, Filipino Martial Arts, T’boli Culture.

Already broadcast live on the Suyomano Facebook page https:// suyomano.com/aapi2021/ on May 5 and 12, it has remaining shcedules on May 19 and 26.