Outstanding Sillimanian joins Fairbanks’ Filipino-American community in celebrating Filipino American History Month

Alumni Update October 13 – 19, 2025

Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee (OSA) Engr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Merto Engle joins the Filipino community in Fairbanks, Alaska, in celebrating Filipino American History Month this October. The month-long observance, organized by the Filipino American Society of Fairbanks, Inc. (Fil-Am), began with a kickoff gathering at the Noel Wien Library on October 4, 2025.

The event commemorated the first documented presence of Filipinos in the United States in 1587, highlighting their enduring contributions to American society.

“Filipino culture is a beautiful blend of indigenous roots, Asian heritage, and Spanish-American influences,” said Shiela May Paragua, Public Relations Officer of Fil-Am.

Community leaders gave presentations reflecting on the Filipino experience and its evolving identity in the U.S.

The highlight of the celebration will be the Filipino Cultural Celebration on October 25, 2025, at Ryan Middle School. It will be a free community gathering featuring Filipino music, dance, cuisine, and traditions.

As a past president of the Filipino American Society in Fairbanks and current Chairperson representing the Fairbanks Fil-Am community, Engr. Merto Engle announced the upcoming San Francisco Philippine Consulate Outreach on October 28, 2025. The visiting consular team will offer services such as passport renewals, dual citizenship applications, civil registry, and legal documentation, allowing the local Filipino community to access these services without the need to travel to San Francisco, the nearest consulate.

With an estimated 300 Filipino-Americans residing in Fairbanks, Engr. Merto Engle continues to play an active role in fostering community engagement while also serving as a Trustee of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI).