Hi everyone! Happy November!
Three months ago, this group didn't exist. Today, we have 70 people on this list and a working group ready to tackle the nitty-gritty of officially reestablishing the FANHS New Jersey chapter.
That's pretty exciting, and I'm grateful to everyone who's helped us get this far!
But before we get into all of that...
It's Election Day!
Today, November 3, is Election Day! If you haven't voted yet, don't forget to make your voice heard.
We're also keeping an eye on two Filipino American candidates running for local office here in New Jersey:
Venessa Manzano — Running for Emerson Borough Council in Bergen County. Venessa is an educator, community advocate, and founder of the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey.
Jonie Planillo-Pachay — Running for the Lebanon Township Board of Education in Hunterdon County. Jonie is a CPA, certified internal auditor, and longtime community organizer who helped co-found UniPro.
Both were recently featured in TOFA News following endorsements from New York Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Legislature.
Did You Know? Filipino Americans in New Jersey
Since we're working to rebuild the New Jersey chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society, I thought it would be interesting to share a little about our community's presence across the state.
According to APIAVote's 2024 New Jersey fact sheet, Filipino Americans are the third-largest Asian American ethnic group in New Jersey, with an estimated population of more than 150,000.
And we've already seen Filipino American representation in local government across the state!
Some names worth knowing:
Arvin Amatorio — Mayor of Bergenfield.
Marc Pascual — Bergenfield Council Member.
Buddy Deauna — Bergenfield Council Member.
Ace Antonio — Paramus Council Member.
Rolando Lavarro Jr. — Former Jersey City Council President and At-Large Council Member, and a trailblazer for Filipino American representation in the city.
This isn't an exhaustive list, but it's a reminder that Filipino Americans have been contributing to New Jersey's civic life for generations.
If you're curious about where Filipino Americans live across the state, here are two resources worth exploring:
And if you know of other Filipino American elected officials or historical figures in New Jersey whose stories we should highlight, please send them our way!
FANHS NJ: From Interest to Action
Now, back to our chapter updates!
First, a big thank you to everyone who reached out and expressed interest in being part of our smaller working group.
We've already drafted an initial set of bylaws, and we're moving into the next phase of figuring out what it will actually take to reestablish the New Jersey chapter.
That means reviewing the bylaws together, coordinating with FANHS national leadership and trustees, and beginning to shape what programming could look like for our community.
I'm also looking forward to having conversations about roles, responsibilities, and how we build the infrastructure to make this chapter sustainable.
The goal isn't just to get FANHS NJ officially reinstated. It's to build something that can continue growing, serving the community, and preserving our history for years to come.
If you've expressed interest in the working group, thank you! We'll be following up about next steps.
And if you haven't reached out yet but would like to be involved, it's not too late. Just reply to this email.
On the Radar: Upcoming Community Events
There are a few more events coming up across New Jersey and the surrounding area!
November 7 — Small Business Pop-Up Market
Ligaya Grounds, Metuchen
November 22 — Barkada Market: Daytime Banger
Brooklyn, NY
December 12 — Twelve Truck: Not a Silent Night Market
East Brunswick, NJ
Have an event you'd like us to share? Reply to this email! We'd love to help spread the word about what's happening in our community.