Save The Date: The FANHS Greater Seattle Summit. October 17th, 2026 @ North Seattle College. Schedule & More Information to Come!
Cecilia Suyat Marshall: A Blessed Life in Civil Rights
Here is a video interview of Filipina American Cecilia “Cissy” Suyat Marshall reflecting on her life, husband Thurgood Marshall, and experiences at the NAACP.
“We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still a long way to go.” – Cissy
Cecilia Suyat went to Columbia University to study as a stenographer and then became an employee at the NAACP where she met many influential people working towards civil rights. She reflects on working in the New York offices of the NAACP as a blessing, possibly from her guardian angel. Although they were working towards equality, she was fearful of Thurgood Marshall’s marriage proposal to her. Although not black or white, many people still treated her as a foreigner. Her sons are Thurgood Marshall Jr. and John W. Marshall.
Thank you to all our FANHS members and our African American supporters who recognize and remember the shared race issues that Black and Brown people have gone through during this October: Filipino American History Month. #FAHM (See FANHS Seattle prior statement on #BlackLivesMatter here)
This interview is from the Library of Congress, conducted on June 30th 2013 by Emilye Crosby. Only 435 people have viewed this YouTube video as of this posting. Share Cecilia’s voice this FAHM. Thanks, dc
Week Two Highlights of FAHM Seattle 2015
October 5th: King County Council declares October Filipino American History Month – Filipino history in North America predates the arrival of the first colonists from Great Britain and continues throughout the U.S. The Metropolitan King County Council today recognized that rich tradition and heritage by declaring this October, “and every October thereafter,” Filipino American History Month in King County.
“It is an honor to be the sponsor of this proclamation, since the district I represent has been the historic home of the Filipino community in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. County,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, the sponsor of the recognition. “Most people do not realize that Filipinos have been in the US longer over 400 years or the contributions that Filipino Americans have made through their labor, public service and heroic war time sacrifices while serving their country.”
The first documented proof of Filipino presence in what would become the United States was in 1587 in what is now California, almost a half-century prior to when the colonists arrived in the “new world.”
October 9th: Filipino American activists and artists Chera Amlag and George “Geo” Quibuyen were honored by the Northwest Asian Weekly on Oct 9th with Visionary Awards. They were introduced by Joaquin Uy, Ethnic Media & Communications Specialist of City of Seattle Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs. (Photo by Ador Pereda Yano)
http://www.nwasianweekly.com/…/food-and-sh-to-consider-fil…/
Chera Amlag & Geo Quibuyen
James Tabafunda, Northwest Asian Weekly:
“Business owners Chera Amlag and George “Geo” Quibuyen know quite a lot about leadership and activism – universal human connection, in other words. The husband-and-wife team work as volunteer community organizers who are not only interested in social change but also in showing that their ideas can help make that change happen.”
October 10th: FANHS Celebrated with a reception and program to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965. In recognition of Filipino Americans and their families, who arrived after the enactment of this important immigration law that transformed and enriched our communities nationwide.
https://twitter.com/devincabanilla/status/653053651703828480
Several lifetimes achievement awards were issued to community leaders who have significantly impacted Seattle: current Seattle University President Steven Sundborg, former FCS President Dolly Castillo, and InterIm Community Development Association former Executive Director Bob Santos.
This annual event was put together by the Seattle University’s United Filipino Club and FANHS National; the event also marks October as Filipino American National History Month. #FAHM
FilAm Fact: After arriving from Europe in October 1900, celebrated author Mark Twain announced himself as an anti-imperialist. Twain was at the forefront of modern Filipino American history as a proponent of democratic rights for Filipinos. In 1901 he became Vice-President of the Anti-Imperialist League and held the position for the remainder of his life. http://goo.gl/YPrSj4
Week One Highlights of FAHM Seattle 2015
October 2nd: Dorothy Cordova traveled from Seattle to Washington D.C. for the White House’s celebration of Filipino American History Month event. #FAHM #FAHM2015 #FAHMseattle
Mel Orpilla recognized both Dorothy and Fred Cordova. Additionally, President Barack Obama gave a message to them recognizing FAHM. This was the first celebration ever of Filipino American History by the White House. View video link here.
October 3rd daytime: the Filipino American Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project & Puget Sound Marine Corps League: “Alaska Airlines hosted a 50th Commemorative of the Vietnam War event along with the USO and Boeing. Alfie Alvarado, Director – Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, gave a thoughtful keynote speech that received a standing ovation. Among the attendees were Marines and Corpsman from Puget Sound Marine Corps League Detachment 336… All attendees were pinned and issued a Challenge Coin.”
October 3rd evening: FANHS Greater Seattle was in attendance for the “FYA Generations” fundraiser dinner along Lake Union. The Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team is the first, oldest, and longest running Filipino American drill team in the United States. It was cofounded in 1959 by Fred Cordova. We are glad to support the new generations of the FYA and their guidance by Chris and others.
https://twitter.com/devincabanilla/status/650563123447926784
FilAm Fact: Thurgood Marshall’s family is Filipino American. His wife was Cecilia Suyat, and his sons are John & Thurgood Jr. The past week in history also coincides with Thurgood Marshall’s birthday, the beginning of oral arguments on the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, and Marshall’s appointment as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
TV Showtimes of “Front Row: Celebrating Brown Brilliance”
Watch on Seattle TV with your friends and family at the following showtimes:
• Thursday, December 11, 2014 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, December 12, 2014 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 13, 2014 9:00 p.m.
Seattle Channel filmed the October 18 Celebrating Brown Brilliance featuring John Pai’s film on Val Laigo, Bengie Santos’ Bayan Choreography, and Victor Noriega’s Symphony Generations, Directions as premiered by Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers.
For more info on this past event contact Maria Batayola at mjumpstart@msn.com. Sponsored by Pinoy Words Expressed Kultura Arts (PWEKA).
Throwback Thursday: Kona Kai
We’re going far back with this post, all the way to August of the year 2014.
This post is about you Greater Seattle FANHS, and the time we had at the Kona Kai Resort for the national conference. There was a large contingent of us from Seattle for the conference. See the Storify below to travel down summer memory lane.
Share your great memories of any past conferences in the comments section.
If you’ve enjoyed exploring our Seattle events and online posts during this Filipino American History Month, we want you to join our membership or volunteer with FANHS Greater Seattle throughout the year!
Thanks for FAHM2014 everyone! TBT posts will convert to a monthly series.
Throwback Thursday: Boxing & Tacoma, Before Pacquiao
In 1922 flyweight boxer Francisco Guilledo won the American Championship over Johnny Buff in Brooklyn. The knockout victory was favorably covered by the New York Times. By the summer of 1923 Guilledo became the World Champion after defeating Welsh fighter Jimmy Wilde. Guilledo was also known by his boxing name “Pancho Villa”. He is considered the first World Champion out of Asia. Throughout the 1920’s Pancho Villa’s boxing career took him through places like Australia, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and of course Manila. 
Back then the Philippines was a U.S. Territory, and Filipinos were considered American Nationals. There was a steady flow of commerce and interaction across the Pacific. One aspect of sports history was that the “sweet science” was brought over from the Seattle area by Eddie Tait of Tacoma to the Philippines. So Filipino boxing has its origins from the Pacific Northwest. Although Tait and his partners have been characterized as proto-Don Kings or profiteers, without them Filipino boxing may have come later. From Greater Seattle: “You’re welcome Manny Pacquiao.”
Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guillerdo is now part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Watch Pancho Villa’s 1923 World Championship Fight HERE.
by Devin Cabanilla