The Philippine Consulate General in Houston and the Filipino American National Historical Society – Houston Chapter (FANHSTX) organized a talk titled “Lakbay: Filipino American Migration in South Central America” at Rice University’s Fondren Library.
The discussion featured Dr. Randy Gonzales, a Louisiana-based associate professor and community historian, who traced the migration story of Filipinos to the United States. He highlighted the experiences of the first Filipino settlers in the South Central U.S., emphasizing their courage, resilience, solidarity, and community-building efforts.
Consul General Gunther Sales stressed the importance of understanding and honoring the rich history and legacy of the Filipino community in the U.S. He noted that awareness of this history helps shape the community’s collective future and strengthens its role in driving meaningful change.
The event was held under the 2025 theme for Filipino American History Month, “From Quotas to Communities: Filipino American Migration and Movement,” which marks the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act.
