| Filipino British |
 
Famous British Filipinos:
Mutya Buena, Myleene Klass
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| Total population |
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200,000[1]
Over 0.3% of the UK population
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| Regions with significant populations |
| London, North West England, South East England |
| Languages |
| British English, Tagalog, other Philippine languages |
| Religion |
| Predominantly Catholic, Protestantism, Islam, Nonreligious |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Filipino people, Overseas Filipinos, |
Filipino British people are British citizens or immigrants who are of Filipino ancestry. The Filipino British population is the largest Filipino community outside of Asia and North America, and the seventh largest overseas community overall. Filipinos were the United Kingdom's fourth largest source of immigrants in 2006, see Immigration to the United Kingdom. The Filipino British population skyrocketed from less than 20,000 in the mid 1980s to over 200,000 in the mid 2000s. It is estimated that 5 Filipino British people are born into the UK every day.[1]
History
The United Kingdom only had a small population of Filipinos until the late 20th century. The number started to grow in the 1970’s when immigration restrictions on Commonwealth citizens meant that employers had to find workers from other countries. The National Health Service (NHS), hotel and catering industry and clothing manufacturers started to recruit Filipinos. According to the UK Department of Employment, 20,226 work permits were issued to Filipinos between 1968 and 1980. Some 47% of the work permits were issued for those who came to work in hospitals and welfare homes as hospital auxiliaries, catering workers and to nurse-trainees. The second biggest category of work permits were for chambermaids, followed by catering and waitering staff. The NHS started to recruit more Filipino nurses in the 1990s to make up a shortfall in local recruitment. A large number of Filipinos have also arrived as caregivers and work in public and private nursing homes.
Demographics
Population
According to the Manila Times [1], in 2007 there were approximately 200,000 Filipinos living in the United Kingdom, most of them living in urbanised areas[1]. They are the only non-Hispanic ethnic group with Spanish surnames next to Spanish Britons and Latin American Britons (except Brazilian Britons), and Eurasian persons with Spanish surnames born to Filipino fathers and British or other non-Spanish white mothers may be mistaken as Spanish Britons.
Distribution
See also: Lists of U.K. locations with large Filipino populations
The largest Filipino community in the United Kingdom is in and around London, based around Earl's Court. Other towns and cities with significant Filipino communities include Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Barrow-in-Furness, which is home to an extremely successful Filipino community, as well as being the country's largest for a town of its size[2]. Fiestas are held during July and August in various cities throughout the UK.
Economics
According to the BBC, 85.4% of new immigrant Filipinos to the UK of working age are employed, with 12.8% being low earners (people making less than £149.20 a week—half the UK median wage) and 0.61% high earners (people earning more than £750 a week). Surprisingly only 77.91% settled Filipino immigrants to the UK are employed, with a greater percentage—15.38%—being low earners; however also a greater percentage of high earners - 1.28%.[3]
Culture and Community
Community Groups
Anecdotal evidence shows that the Filipino community in Britain is not as cohesive as others around the world, such as Filipino-Americans and Filipinos in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, Filipino Britons have their share of community groups. These include: The Centre for Filipinos, a Filipino advocacy and outreach charity; Lahing Kayumanggi dance company focusing on traditional Filipino dance; Phil-UK, a group for young and second-generation Filipinos in the UK; and The Philippine Centre, a charity promoting culture and community spirit.
The 'Barrio Fiesta sa London', a two-day festival held in Lampton Park, West London, is perhaps the best known and largest gathering for the community in the UK. It is organised and run by The Philippine Centre but draws Filipino community groups and businesses from all over the country. After the 2008 Barrio Fiesta in July, it will have been running for 24 years.
Filipino British Associations
- Filipino Association of Southampton, previously known as Filipino Community (FilCom). Which aims to: Provide unity among Filipinos living in the United Kingdom particularly in the Southampton area. Provide educational, recreational and socio-cultural development to the young Filipinos/Anglo-Filipino born in UK. Assist and guide the young generation to appreciate and maintain the rich cultural heritage of the Filipinos and of the European cultures. Promote good rapport among Filipino members and other Multi-Nationals by better understanding, awareness and acceptance of Multi-Cultural differences. Develop an information network among Filipinos and to offer support to others for a cause. Promote any activities within the law of the land, likely to serve the society, by promoting cultural shows, concerts, festivals and exhibitions. Past Association Chairperson was Alvin Ello and the current chair is Euri Banez. The association has successfully created its Community magazine "Halo Halo" with Nestor Tatel as its Editor in Chief. [2]
- Pinoy Mums UK, a free and friendly online community for Filipino Mothers in the UK of all ages. [3]
Notable Filipino British people
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References
External links
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* People belonging to this ethnic group are as much Asian as they are White British (multiracials)
† Sometimes also cosidered European people
¤ Not from continental Asia but the country's population is significantly or predominantly Asian |
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