Newsletter · June 12, 2026 — BE THE STORY Launches Today
📧 This is the web version of our June 12, 2026 newsletter sent to Fil-Am CAG members.
FIL-AM CAG · JUNE 12, 2026
Today, we begin something big.
Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, kababayan. Happy Philippine Independence Day.
One hundred twenty-eight years ago today, the Philippine flag was unfurled for the first time in Kawit, Cavite.
Today, in Hampton Roads, we unfurl that same flag — and we launch BE THE STORY, a 141-day campaign for our community.
Did you know?
🇵🇭 The first documented Filipinos in America landed at Morro Bay, California in 1587 — 33 years before the Mayflower.
⚓ The majority of the 40,000+ Filipino-Americans in Hampton Roads can trace their family to a Navy ancestor.
📍 We are the second-largest Filipino community on the entire East Coast.
What’s coming over the next 141 days
A daily storytelling drumbeat — and 10 community events you won’t want to miss:
- Mon · Kuwentong Kapitbahay — featured neighbor
- Tue · Tuesday Throwbacks — your family photos
- Wed · What They Don’t Teach You — history
- Thu · Bayanihan — local needs & service
- Fri · Friday Feature — deep-dive story
- Sat · Live event coverage
- Sun · Sunday Reflection
🎪 Save these dates
- Sat Jun 20 — Independence Day Picnic
- Sat Jul 4 — “Two Independences” Cookout
- Sun Jul 19 — Fil-Am Friendship Day
- Sat Aug 15 — Bayanihan Service Day
- Sat Sep 12 — Kuwentuhan Night
- Sat Sep 26 — Voter Registration Drive
- 🎉 Thu Oct 1 — FAHM Launch Gala
- Sat Oct 18 — Larry Itliong Day
- 🌅 Sat Oct 31 — Closing Ceremony
5 ways to BE THE STORY today
2. Share your story. Email hello@filamcag.org with subject “Be The Story”.
3. Nominate a neighbor for Kuwentong Kapitbahay.
4. Volunteer. filamcag.org/volunteer
5. Donate. filamcag.org/donate (Mindanao relief + campaign)
Read the full campaign announcement →
For 128 years we have been free.
For 439 years we have been here.
And the next chapter? That’s yours to write.
BE THE STORY. 🇵🇭
— Angelo Reyes, Chairman
Fil-Am Community Action Group · Hampton Roads, Virginia
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