{"id":358875,"date":"2026-06-13T04:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T04:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/358875\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T04:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T04:24:18","slug":"san-jose-city-hall-celebrates-128th-philippine-independence-day-the-mercury-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/358875\/","title":{"rendered":"San Jose City Hall Celebrates 128th Philippine Independence Day \u2013 The Mercury News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Both the American and Philippine national anthems echoed as Filipino residents watched the flag of their motherland rise above City Hall, marking 128 years of independence from Spain on Friday, June 12. Attendees marked the historic occasion dressed in traditional barongs \u2014 formalwear finely woven from pi\u00f1a, or pineapple fibers \u2014 as well as elegant Filipiniana outfits and ternos, the traditional formal gowns instantly recognizable by their structured butterfly sleeves.<\/p>\n<p>While Daly City is widely known for having the highest concentration of Filipinos in the region, the broader San Jose metropolitan area boasts a thriving community of about 109,000 Filipino Americans, according to Pew Research data. Other major Filipino American hubs in the Bay Area include Union City and Vallejo. During his opening remarks, Councilmember David Cohen noted that a significant portion of San Jose\u2019s Fil-Am community resides in District 4, the North San Jose area he represents. Statewide, California holds the largest Filipino population in the United States, serving as home to roughly 1.7 million individuals.<\/p>\n<p>The City Hall commemoration was co-sponsored by prominent local organizations, including the Bayanihan Filipino American Foundation and the Filipino American City Employees of San Jose, known as FACES.<\/p>\n<p>Michelle Amores, a division manager for the San Jose Public Library who helped organize the celebration, spoke to the community\u2019s enduring spirit. Reflecting on a City Council meeting held earlier in the week to honor Philippine Independence, Amores shared that Filipinos \u201ccontinue to thrive\u201d in the United States, adding, \u201cNo matter what struggles they face, they remain resilient.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The event was spearheaded and sponsored primarily by District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, the first Filipino American ever elected to serve on the San Jose City Council. Following the formal ceremonies, the gathering transitioned into a vibrant cultural celebration. Attendees enjoyed classic dishes like pancit and lumpia alongside musical performances and traditional folk dances hosted by legacy Filipino American social clubs from across the South Bay.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Flag of the Philippines is raised during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4800\" height=\"344\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-27.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932313\" \/>The flag of the Philippines is raised during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Letty Oineza, of San Jose, left, and Josie Santos, of San Jose, right, dance with the FilCal Heritage Dancers during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4796\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-23.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932322\" \/>Letty Oineza, of San Jose, left, and Josie Santos, of San Jose, right, dance with the FilCal Heritage Dancers during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Arriane Del and Arvin Tristan Monfero sing during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4800\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-14.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932311\" \/>Arriane Del and Arvin Tristan Monfero sing during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Arriane Del and Arvin Tristan Monfero sing during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4797\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-13.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932310\" \/>Arriane Del and Arvin Tristan Monfero sing during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Lerma Garcia, of San Jose, center, dances with the FilCal Heritage group during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4800\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-20.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932324\" \/>Lerma Garcia, of San Jose, center, dances with the FilCal Heritage group during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"FilCal Heritage Dancers are awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the City of San Jose during a celebration of the Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4800\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-9.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932325\" \/>FilCal Heritage Dancers are awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the City of San Jose during a celebration of the Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"FilCal Heritage Dancers perform during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4608\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-22.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932320\" \/>FilCal Heritage Dancers perform during a celebration of  Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"FilCal Heritage dancers line up for food during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4799\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-12.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932326\" \/>FilCal Heritage dancers line up for food during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Evangeline Sangalang is cheered for after receiving a Certificate of Recognition during a celebration Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4800\" height=\"332\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-3.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932289\" \/>Evangeline Sangalang is cheered for after receiving a Certificate of Recognition during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Evangeline Sangalang expresses gratitude after receiving a Certificate of Recognition during a celebration Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4797\" height=\"332\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-4.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932292\" \/>Evangeline Sangalang expresses gratitude after receiving a Certificate of Recognition during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Councilmember Anthony Tordillos gives a Certificate of Recognition to Rose Wenceslao during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4587\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-5.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932295\" \/>Councilmember Anthony Tordillos gives a Certificate of Recognition to Rose Wenceslao during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day at City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Councilmember Anthony Tordillos speaks during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\" width=\"4800\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SJM-L-PHDAY-06XX-1.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"12932287\" \/>Councilmember Anthony Tordillos speaks during a celebration of Philippine Independence Day in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 12, 2026.  (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Both the American and Philippine national anthems echoed as Filipino residents watched the flag of their motherland rise&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":358876,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[584,181,100,2944,88,90,89],"class_list":["post-358875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-jose","tag-events","tag-latest-headlines","tag-news","tag-photos-and-videos","tag-san-jose","tag-san-jose-headlines","tag-san-jose-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358875\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/358876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=358875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=358875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}