Las Vegas City Hall Glows Red to Open Filipino American History Month 2026

Reported by the PHLV Radio News Desk, Las Vegas, with News in Photos by Kuya JoHann & Kuya Sol · Adapted for the web by the PTSNV newsroom · Masthead

Downtown Las Vegas turned red for Filipino Americans. The City of Las Vegas opened its observance of Filipino American History Month on a Thursday evening as City Hall lit its exterior in red. Community leaders, families and youth advocates gathered to honor a heritage that spans more than four centuries in America. The PHLV Radio News Desk report runs on page C-3 of the October 5, 2026 Philippine Times of Southern Nevada.

How the City Hall Lighting Came Together

The lighting followed talks that the National Federation of Filipino American Associations–Nevada (NaFFAA-NV) opened with the office of Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, according to the report. It builds on a step the city took in 2023, when then-Mayor Carolyn Goodman proclaimed October as Filipino American History Month in Las Vegas.

Sally Balecha, chair of the NaFFAA Desert Mountain Region, reminded the crowd why the month matters. She spoke about the duty to preserve and share the stories of Filipino Americans whose sacrifices paved the way. As the program ended, NaFFAA-NV President Dr. Michael Sta. Juana rallied everyone in front of the glowing facade for a commemorative photo.

A New Generation on the Steps

Organizers said the strong turnout of Filipino American youth was the most encouraging part of the night. Youth participant Rolly Uclaray explained what the month means to him: “For me, Filipino American History Month is about being my parents’ American dream and finding ways to make that dream meaningful in my own life.”

The Las Vegas Filipino Advent Chorale’s first community performance

The night also marked the first community performance of the Las Vegas Filipino Advent Chorale. Sol Llasos, the Philippine Times’ Kuya Sol, conducts the group, with his wife, Janet Llasos, at the piano. The chorale formed in 2026 as the church choir of the Las Vegas Filipino SDA Church on West Mesquite Avenue. Some members sang in the former Fil-Am SDA Chorale, which staged a two-hour concert in 2016. The group was also slated to sing and dance at NaFFAA Nevada’s Fiesta Filipino at the M Resort on October 3.

Why Filipino American History Month Is in October

October marks the first recorded presence of Filipinos in what is now the continental United States. On October 18, 1587, “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza at present-day Morro Bay, California, according to the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS).

FANHS passed a resolution establishing the observance in 1991, and the first celebration followed in October 1992. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in 2009. In Nevada, Governor Joe Lombardo proclaimed the month in 2023, citing Filipino Americans’ roles in the armed forces, the labor movement, education, health care, business, the arts and public life, as FilipiNars columnist Doris Lacson Bauer recounts on page A-6 of this edition.

Filipino American History Month 2026 Events in Las Vegas

• Saturday, October 10 — FAHF Gala & Golden Pearl Awards, 6 p.m., Nevada Ballroom, Gold Coast Hotel & Casino. Event details.
• Saturday, October 24 — Asian Lantern Festival, 5–11 p.m., Desert Breeze Event Center. Event details.
• Saturday, October 31 — Philippine Ballet Theatre presents “Sarimanok”, 6 p.m., West Las Vegas Theatre.

The month opened with NaFFAA Nevada’s Fiesta Filipino at the M Resort on October 3. Find more gatherings on the community events calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Filipino American History Month?

Every October. It commemorates October 18, 1587, when Filipino sailors landed at present-day Morro Bay, California, the first recorded Filipino presence in the continental United States.

Why did Las Vegas City Hall light up red?

To open the city’s 2026 observance of Filipino American History Month. The lighting followed discussions between NaFFAA Nevada and the office of Mayor Shelley Berkley.

Who started Filipino American History Month?

The Filipino American National Historical Society, which passed a resolution in 1991. The first observance came in October 1992, and Congress recognized the month in 2009.

What Filipino events are in Las Vegas in October 2026?

Highlights include the FAHF Gala & Golden Pearl Awards on October 10, the Asian Lantern Festival on October 24 and Philippine Ballet Theatre’s “Sarimanok” on October 31.

Related in this issue: The full October 5, 2026 edition · Meet the 2027 Fil-Am Nevada USA queens · Jo Koy’s mom Josie Harrison honored · Filipino Town Las Vegas

Celebrating Filipino American History Month? Send your event to editor@ptsnv.com for the paper and the calendar. Subscribe free to get every issue. To advertise in the October 19 edition, email info@ptsnv.com or call 702-530-0706.