San Jose City Hall celebrates 128th Philippine Independence Day

Both the American and Philippine national anthems echoed as Filipino residents watched the flag of their motherland rise above San Jose City Hall, marking 128 years of independence from Spain on Friday, June 12. Attendees marked the historic occasion dressed in traditional barongs - formalwear finely woven from piña, or pineapple fibers - as well as elegant Filipiniana outfits and ternos, the traditional formal gowns instantly recognizable by their structured butterfly sleeves.

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’s 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.

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.

Michelle Amores, a division manager for the San Jose Public Library who helped organize the celebration, spoke to the community’s enduring spirit. Reflecting on a City Council meeting held earlier in the week to honor Philippine Independence, Amores shared that Filipinos “continue to thrive” in the United States, adding, “No matter what struggles they face, they remain resilient.”

Also spearheading the event was District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos’ office, 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 by legacy Filipino American cultural organizations from across the South Bay.

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 9:01 PM.