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National Heritage Month – May 2024

During National Heritage Month, which is observed each year in May, people’s thoughts turn to Philippine culture. A Presidential Proclamation officially established the ‘Pambansang Buwan ng Pamana,’ as it is called in the native language, to spotlight and celebrate the Philippine culture and heritage with the public. The end goal shares similarities with many other famous ‘Heritage Months’ around the globe — preserving the glorious culture of the nation, raising public awareness about it, and encouraging people to embrace their Filipino identity.

History of National Heritage Month

According to geology, the Philippines have formed over 65 million years when the earth’s crust began to collapse, resulting in underwater volcanic explosions. The settlers began to arrive after that.

People from the Asian mainlands arrived first, followed by the Chinese and, finally, Muslim traders. The world had discovered the existence of this little bit of heaven by the 1500s, and colonization had begun. During this time, European settlers arrived, with Spanish Christians being the dominant power in the region, impacting the local people’s food, culture, and even customs. While the islands had previously existed as distinct nations, the entrance of a colonial force brought this nation together to form a powerful Southeast Asian archipelago. By the 19th century, colonization — and consequently the propagation of Christianity — had become widespread.

Eventually, Filipino nationalists began to advocate for their nation’s freedom. Clashes for independence began and spurred a revolution against Spanish colonial rule. At the same time, a war broke out between the U.S. and Spain, which the U.S. won.

A similar fight in another Spanish colony changed things for the Philippines. The fight for independence between Cuba and Spain saw Cuba ally with the U.S., and Spain eventually lost their hold over its colonies, namely the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

The Philippines were a U.S. territory for around 50 years, during which the Philippines repeatedly fought for their sovereignty, even declaring war against the U.S. in 1899. By 1902, the U.S. had won the first battle, but at a great cost. Eventually, by 1935, the U.S. established a body called the ‘Commonwealth of the Philippines,’ to work towards granting this archipelago their freedom over 10 years. The Philippines was formally recognized as an independent state in 1946, after World War II.

They were finally an independent nation, but the colonial influence manifested itself strongly in this nation — today’s Filipinos are a rich blend of diverse religions and cultures, speak multiple languages with native fluency, and have adopted customs from all over the world.

National Heritage Month timeline

1521
Spain Claims the Philippines

A Portuguese explorer discovers these islands, claims them in the name of Spain and goes on to name them 'Las Felipinas' after the then-king of Spain — King Philip II of Spain.

1897
The Film Industry is Born

On January 1, a moving picture is created for the very first time by the movie-theater house “Salón de Pertierra,” making the Philippines one of Asia's earliest movie producers.

2019
The Role of Libraries

During May, the National Library of the Philippines participates in National Heritage Month celebrations, creating increased awareness of Filipino history via books and libraries.

2021
An Anniversary to Remember

500 years after the Philippines was first discovered by a European explorer, the National Heritage Month celebrations commemorate this event, joining hands with the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines for a bigger impact.

National Heritage Month FAQs

What heritage month is in April?

April is when America celebrates National Arab American Heritage Month (N.A.A.H.M.), which honors the Arab American heritage and celebrates the contributions of Arab American people and Americans who speak the Arabic language.

Is June a heritage month?

June is another heritage month for the U.S. — it is National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, which celebrates the contribution of all Caribbean-Americans throughout U.S. history.

What is a National Heritage month?

A heritage month — which is celebrated in many countries across the world — celebrates and raises awareness about diverse cultures, traditions, and groups of people.

How to Observe National Heritage Month

  1. Immerse yourself in Filipino culture

    There are plenty of ways to understand Filipino culture and heritage throughout this month. You can start by trying out their cuisine, listening to music from the region, reading a book by a Filipino author, watching a Filipino movie, or taking a holiday in this country if your budget allows.

  2. Learn about the Philippines too

    Right from how these islands came to be, to how they gained their independence makes for very interesting learning. Check out different literature on the subject to help you understand this country and its culture a little better.

  3. Show your solidarity

    Embrace the people, respect their culture and heritage, and raise awareness of this month among all the Filipinos you know. You can also approach local cultural agencies and Philippine-based organizations to create various heritage-related activities this month, including workshops, talks, festivities and parties, competitions, and more.

5 Things You Need To Know About Filipino Culture

  1. Their online game is super smooth

    They are not only the 'texting capital of the world,' sending out more text messages than the U.S. and Europe combined, but “Time Magazine's” study showed they rank first in selfie-taking in the world.

  2. They eat five meals a day

    They love food so much that they have multiple meals in one day — including breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a late-afternoon snack, and dinner.

  3. They've got colorful public transport

    They’ve got the colorfully decorated 'jeepneeys' (buses) — leftovers from the Second World War — and they have tuk-tuks and tricycles, which are the main mode of transportation there.

  4. Karaoke is super popular there

    There are karaoke bars everywhere, and it's even used to promote various commercial items, like groceries in supermarkets, etc.

  5. Move over, McD, they've got Jollibee

    This fast-food chain overtook McDonald's in the popularity charts multiple times and has now even spread to other Asian countries, North America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Why National Heritage Month is Important

  1. We're introduced to the Philippine culture

    We see how a population different from us lives, acts, and enjoys. In doing so, we are also getting to explore new traditions and customs, food and drink, and heritage that broadens our horizons and experiences.

  2. It helps us understand our heritage

    It opens up a discourse about how different cultures translate and interact with our history and culture, inviting us to marvel at the similarities and celebrate the differences.

  3. It has an overarching meaning too

    The more we explore another culture through their heritage, the more we see how much we have in common with people from other parts of the world. Many heritage month events, including ours, remind us that the world is more than its differences.

National Heritage Month dates

YearDateDay
2024May 1Wednesday
2025May 1Thursday
2026May 1Friday
2027May 1Saturday
2028May 1Monday
Hurricane Preparedness Week
National Physical Education and Sport Week
Aces Day
Agriculture and Labor Day
Beltane
Blessing Day
Calan Mai
Couple Appreciation Day
CSS Reboot Day
Executive Coaching Day
Frequent Flyer Day
Global Love Day
Great American Grump Out
International Doodle Dog Day
International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day
Labor Day Philippines
Learn to Ride a Bike Day
Lei Day
Marshall Islands Constitution Day
May Day
Mother Goose Day
National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day
National Chocolate Parfait Day
National Infertility Survival Day
National Interpreter Appreciation Day
National Loyalty Day
National Mantra Day
National Purebred Dog Day
National Rotate Your Beer Day
National Skilled Trades Day
National Skilled Trades Day
New Homeowners Day
Phone in Sick Day
Save The Rhino Day
School Principals' Day
Silver Star Banner Day
Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day
Worthy Wage Day
ALS Awareness Month
American Cheese Month
American Wetlands Month
Anxiety Awareness Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Awareness of Medical Orphans Month
Be Kind to Animals Month
Bealtaine Festival
Better Sleep Month
Better Speech and Hearing Month
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Brain Cancer Awareness Month
Building Safety Month
Celiac Awareness Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Chronic Fatigue Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Community Action Month
Correct Posture Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Date Your Mate Month
Deck Safety Month
EDS Awareness Month
Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
Food Allergy Action Month
Fungal Infection Awareness Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
Haitian Heritage Month
Heal the Children Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Homeschool Awareness Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month
Indian Heritage Month
Internal Audit Awareness Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
International Civility Awareness Month
International Drum Month
International Respect for Chickens Month
International Victorious Woman Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Labor History Month
Latino Books Month
Leaders of Tomorrow Month
Lettuce Month
Local and Community History Month
Lung Health Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
Maternal Mental Health Month
May Measurement Month
MCS Awareness Month
Meditation Month
Mediterranean Diet Month
Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Military Appreciation Month
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
National Asparagus Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bicycle Safety Month
National Blood Pressure Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Comfort Month
National Digestive Disease Awareness Month
National Duckling Month
fried egg on national egg month
National Egg Month
National Foster Care Month
National Hamburger Month
National Heritage Month
National Inventors Month
a nurse on National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Moving Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Pet Month
National Photography Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Preservation Month
National Prom Graduation Safety Month
National Recommitment Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National San Architect Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
National Share a Story Month
National Show Your Smile Month
National Sight-Saving Month
National Strawberry Month
National Teen Self-Esteem Month
National Tennis Month
National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Vinegar Month
National Walking Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month
Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month
Neurofibromatosis Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Safety Month
REACT Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Small Business Month
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
Steelmark Month
Strike Out Strokes Month
Stroke Awareness Month
Syringomyelia Awareness Month
Teen CEO Month
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
Ultraviolet Awareness Month
Women's Health Month
Zombie Awareness Month

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