Recapping 2024: A Year of Unity and Growth for the Filipino American Community

Highlights from the Dallas-Fort Worth Area over the last year

By André Averion, Communications Chair

Published January 3, 2025.

In 2024, the Filipino American community in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area experienced a year rich with cultural celebrations, political milestones, and community initiatives, reflecting both local vibrancy and national significance.

On January 21st the year commenced with New Filipino Teachers in DFW, hosted by the The Filipino Leaders Coalition of North Texas (FILCON) to educate new residents to public transportation options, property guides, and budgeting plans for automobile transportation. 

A few months later on March 23rd the Pilipino American Community Endeavor (PACE) hosted Spring Community Day. This free event included family-friendly activities featuring interactive workshops in yoga, history, wellness, poetry, and art, plus opportunities to connect with local nonprofits and businesses.

In April the Dallas Mavericks partnered with PACE and Saturdae Events for their game against the Houston Rockets on the 7th, where the Mavericks won 147 to 136, a victory marking the beginning of a successful partnership. 

On May 4th dozens of Filipino vendors alongside PACE appeared at the Plano AsiaFest, celebrating the twentieth year to showcase the rich cultures of Asia. Numerous cultural demonstrations, performances, and vendors from all asian backgrounds were brought together for an afternoon of unity for family fun. On the 11th Scoop N’ Buns hosted the 2nd annual Ube Fest, providing ube ice cream, ube tacos, ube banh baos, ube tres leches, ube Churros, ube tanghulus, ube cookies, halo halo, and exclusive ube merch. On the 18th residents of McKinney were treated to the East & West Fest, celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) with various Filipino vendors. 

June began with the annual Pista sa Nayon hosted by Santacruzen June 1st, a traditional Filipino festival featuring music, dance, and cuisine, celebrating Filipino heritage and strengthening communal ties. On the same day the RISE: Tradition Meets Expression Art Market opened presenting a pop-up exhibition featuring AAPI artists in collaboration with Orchid Giving Circle, Dallas Asian American Art Club, and Against The Grain Productions. On the 8th, FILCON hosted Kalayaan, a festival celebrating the 126th Philippine Independence Day at Asia Time Square. On the 23rd, PACE hosted the 2nd DFW Filipino Town Hall, calling together all community leaders, business owners and passionate volunteers to shape the future of Filipino families in DFW together by voicing community concerns and working to develop solutions. 

In August FILCON brought together the DFW community for the DFW Filipino Leadership Summit, where leaders established a community database and shared resources for the remainder of the year. A few days later on Labor Day weekend, the Philippines U18 Softball National Team arrived in DFW for the very first time, competing on the international stage for a chance at the finals. 

In September Pixel Parlour focused on building social media branding for local business owners and community leaders through their “Let’s Get Loud” event, highlighting the need for social media literacy. Just a week later on the 14th Hunger Free Philippines hosted their annual fundraiser to shed light on impoverished communities struggling to meet their basic needs by providing food and supplies through philanthropy in Dallas. On the 28th to major events occurred, firstly the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in North Texas (PACCTX-DFW) providing consular outreach and service support for Filipinos in DFW, and secondly the Filipinas On The Rise Summit arriving in Dallas for the first time, empowering Filipina investors, innovators, businesses and leaders for entrepreneurship growth. 

In October, PACE hosted the 3rd Annual Lone Star Palengke on October 12, which was a highlight of the year. This Filipino market and Kapwa concert showcased local vendors, artists, and performers, emphasizing the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness of the Filipino American community in DFW. In addition, the city of Grand Prairie proclaimed October 12 as Lone Star Palengke Day, encouraging all residents to participate in the festivities as part of Filipino American History Month. This month also saw the 15th anniversary of the PACC TX Gala, where State Secretary Jane Nelson addressed key successes in the Filipino American community. The month ended with the Mexipino festival celebrating both Hispanic and Filipino culture at Scoop N’ Buns on the 26th. 

November started off with Election Day, where organizations like PACE and Asian Texans for Justice partnered to help AAPI residents in DFW vote. Notably this was followed by the Philippine Cultural Festival Gala by Hiligaynon Community of Texas and the Fashioned for Freedom fashion walk by My Refuge House, the latter of which raised funds for women in the Philippines escaping human sex trafficking. On the 14th small business leaders came together for Impact Circle, helping establish collaborative projects and practical business solutions. On the 19th, The Dallas Mavericks hosted Filipino Celebration Night, providing exclusive Filipino x Mavericks merchandise through a partnership recognizing their Filipino fans. The month ended with the Ruel Foundation hosting the inaugural Lechon Fest, where several grillmasters came together for the public to enjoy.

December kicked off with the Ms. International Victory Party hosted by Helping Hands Global Foundation, celebrating the beauty and success of Filipinas. On the 21st Operation Care International provided Dallas with Operation Christmas Gift, providing resources and care to hundreds of impoverished children and homeless adults in the city. The day after, the Cozy Market united small businesses for the holiday season, providing open opportunities across varying cultures.

In 2024, the Filipino American community in DFW exemplified unity and cultural pride, with each event and initiative contributing to a growing legacy of empowerment, celebration, and meaningful impact across the region, with further growth expected for 2025.