culture

Hahn: Filipino heritage is part of LA County’s DNA

Los Angeles, CA – Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 12, 2024 as “Philippine Independence Day” in Los Angeles County. The motion, authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, reads in part “The Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of this day to Filipino residents in Los Angeles County and the contributions made by Filipino employees who are a vital part of our County workforce and continually dedicate themselves to serving our communities.”

“Filipino heritage is part of LA County’s DNA. I’m proud to lead our Board in honoring our historical ties with the Philippines and in celebrating the Filipino culture that has enriched us,” said Hahn. “I also want to recognize the Filipino employees who have made invaluable contributions to our County family.”

Los Angeles County has the largest Asian American population of any county in the nation and is home to more than 340,000 Filipino Americans. On July 13th, Hahn will host her 3rd Annual Philippine-American Friendship Day Festival at Don Knabe Park in Cerritos. The celebration hosts music, performances, food, and vendors from across the Filipino American community.

For the 2nd Annual Philippine American Friendship Day in 2023, Hahn was joined by Filipino-American media pioneer Jannelle So and Noel Omega, president of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations of Greater LA.

“As the Supervisor who represents the largest concentration of AAPI residents in Los Angeles, including Historic Filipinotown, as well as the San Gabriel Valley I’m proud to join Supervisor Hahn today to lead a motion to proclaim June 12 as “Philippine Independence Day” to celebrate the day the Philippines gained its independence from Spain after 300 years of Spanish rule,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the First District. “We need to both honor the historical struggle and sacrifice required to secure that freedom and celebrate the incredible economic and cultural contributions our Filipino brothers and sisters are making right now every day that are strengthening the diverse fabric of our County.”

After 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, Filipino rebels declared independence on June 12, 1898. After its defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, the United States subsequently annexed the Philippines, and governed the archipelago until full independence was granted on July 4, 1946.

More photos of last year’s event available for download here.

Hahn Presents Proclamation of Croatian Culture Week to Consul General of Croatia in Los Angeles in 2023

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to proclaim this week, May 20 through May 26, 2024, as “Croatian Culture Week” throughout Los Angeles County.

Supervisor Hahn lives in and represents the community of San Pedro, which is home to one of the largest Croatian American populations in the United States. Croatian immigrants—largely from the Dalmatian Coast—began to arrive in the area at the turn of the 20th century to work in the harbor’s fishing and canning industries. A second wave of Croatian immigrants arrived after the second world war as refugees from Yugoslavia. Today, there are over 30,000 residents of Croatian descent in the San Pedro area and is home to Croatian American hubs like Croatian American Hall and the Dalmatian American Club.

“San Pedro would not be San Pedro without the Croatian community and the Croatian culture and traditions that have shaped our town,” said Hahn. “There are few other places in the United States where the community rallies behind the Croatian team in the World Cup, or where the average person has even heard of ćevapčići. Croatian Culture Week is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the Croatian community in San Pedro and across LA County.”

This marks the second year that Hahn has proclaimed Croatian Culture Week in Los Angeles County, following last year’s inaugural declaration in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker. This weekend is the 34th Annual Croatian Independence Day Street Party Celebration at Croatian American Hall on Sunday, May 26 from 11:30 am-10:00 pm, featuring traditional Croatian music, dancing and food.