Filipino culture now has a permanent home in the heart of Nevada. A new “Filipino Town” was officially inaugurated on Thursday (Friday in Manila) in Clark County, Las Vegas, marking a historic milestone for the more than 200,000 Filipinos living across the state.
The cultural district stretches 1.5 miles along Maryland Parkway between Desert Inn and Flamingo Road. Hundreds of Filipino Americans, community leaders, and visitors gathered to witness the unveiling of the street sign, celebrating a dream decades in the making.
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A Milestone for the Filipino Community
County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who joined the celebration, expressed his solidarity with the Filipino community during the ceremony.
“Today, we are all Filipinos, including me,” Segerblom said during the unveiling event.
Among the day’s most emotional moments was the unveiling of the sign by 90-year-old Rozita Lee, a long-time Las Vegas leader and one of the driving forces behind the project. Lee personally filed the application for Filipino Town years ago, envisioning a cultural hub that honors the heritage of the Filipino diaspora.
“I saw the pride in them, and I was so happy... people loved the fact that we have an area that is designated for us, for the Filipinos,” Lee shared.
Filipinos from across the West Coast and even the Philippines traveled to Las Vegas to take part in the historic launch. Lee emphasized that the establishment of Filipino Town is not just symbolic; it’s a rallying point for the community to engage and grow together.
A Cultural Home and a Vision for the Future
In line with the celebration, the Filipino American Museum at the Boulevard Mall opened its doors for a special preview, showcasing art, cultural items, and historical pieces. The museum is expected to fully open to the public in about a month and will offer programs such as history and music lessons.
Lee also revealed plans to build a cultural center dedicated to preserving and passing on Filipino heritage to future generations.
“Where do we get together to meet, to learn about not only the culture and the history of our country, Philippines, but we have to go forward,” she explained. She envisions a space where the community can hold classes for cooking, youth sports, cultural events, and programs for seniors.
The inauguration also saw the presence of Senator Risa Hontiveros, who expressed pride and solidarity with the Filipino American community in Las Vegas.
“You can tell Filipino Americans, wherever we are, our culture, our heritage, our identity as Filipinos, you can just tell,” Hontiveros said. “My congratulations to you for launching Filipino Town is especially heartfelt, because here, you are setting up a town where your children and grandchildren can get in touch with that heritage, that shared history, those values that we are so proud of as Filipinos and as Filipino Americans.”
The event, live-streamed on Clark County’s official Facebook page, signifies a powerful step in celebrating and preserving Filipino heritage abroad. For many, Filipino Town is not just a district—it’s a home away from home, a legacy for future generations, and a reminder of cultural pride that thrives beyond borders.
