The connection between the Philippines and the U.S. goes way back;  from 1898 to 1946, in fact, the Philippines was a U.S. territory.  Thanks to the many cultural and financial connections then and since, over 4 million Filipino Americans now call the U.S. home.  They live in often close-knit communities in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and other states, and are well known for their arts, cuisine, and diverse cultural heritage.  (The Philippine official languages are Tagalog and English, but Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and several indigenous languages are also common.)  Here in the U.S., Filipino festivals and museums reflect and celebrate that unique cultural mix.