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October 22, 2007
City of San Jose Honors Fil-Am Community in Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall
San Jose, CA - The Philippine flag was hoisted alongside the American flag over San Jose City Hall on Monday, October 22, 2007 in celebration of Filipino-American History Month, an event viewed by the local residents as symbolic of the ascendance of the Filipino community in the city of San Jose.

Mayor Chuck Reed welcomed Deputy Consul General Antonio Morales, representing the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, along with other distinguished guests, in the well-attended and solemn ceremony that paid tribute to the many contributions of the Filipino American community in the development of San Jose, including the bravery and courage of Filipino World War II Veterans who were also honored during the occasion.
Deputy Consul General Antonio Morales (right) help raise the Philippine flag over City Hall with members of the Filipino Veterans, the American Legion - District 13 Honor Guards.
Deputy Consul General Antonio Morales (right) help raise the Philippine flag over City Hall with members of the Filipino Veterans, the American Legion - District 13 Honor Guards.
Deputy Consul General Antonio Morales, in his remarks, gave honor to the Fil-Am community and the veterans, these “heroes,“ he said “make us very proud of our heritage and the many invaluable contributions Filipinos and our veterans have made. This event clearly shows our gratitude and appreciation for the many sacrifices as well as the outstanding achievements they have done that benefited not only a few but all of us present here today.” Mayor Reed and all the city council members echoed this sentiment in presenting Deputy Consul General Morales with a Proclamation declaring October as Filipino American History Month.
Mayor Reed (center) and San Jose councilmembers present Deputy Consul General Antonio Morales (2nd-right) with the city proclamation.
Mayor Reed (center) and San Jose councilmembers present Deputy Consul General Antonio Morales (2nd-right) with the city proclamation.
High-ranking city officials from surrounding cities who attended the ceremonies, including Filipino Mayor Jose Esteves of Milpitas and Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee also signed and presented similar proclamations. Also in attendance were City Hall employees from San Jose, Fil-Am historians and community leaders, students from San Jose State University, youth leaders, seniors, and WWII veterans.

Ron Muriera, Filipino historian and administrator of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), the organization who spearheaded the yearly event, spoke about the Filipino culture and heritage and how Filipinos have progressed from the earliest migrants

Deputy Consul General Morales (left) joins city officials from San Jose and surrounding cities in honoring the Fil-Am community and veterans.
Deputy Consul General Morales (left) joins city officials from San Jose and surrounding cities in honoring the Fil-Am community and veterans.
working the plantations of Hawaii and California to their political and economic ascendance and growth as the second largest Asian community in America.

The ceremony was followed by a special reception held at the Jacinto Tony Siquig Northside Community Center where the Filipino veterans and other guests were treated to traditional Filipino cuisine and a brief program that included a cultural presentation from the senior citizens group from San Jose.
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