Aklanons in America: Our Global Pride and Bridge of Hope

By Guillermo Sumbiling

Across oceans and continents, the spirit of Aklan lives on — in the hospitals of California, the classrooms of Illinois, the neighborhoods of Texas, and the sunny coasts of Hawaii. From the farmlands of Kalibo and Banga to the bustling streets of New York, the Aklanon diaspora continues to grow, shining as part of the more than 4.2 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans now living in the United States.

The early Aklanon immigrants who arrived in the U.S. decades ago were pioneers — farmhands, factory workers, and sailors who carried with them not just luggage, but faith, fortitude, and dreams for their families back home. Today, a new generation of Aklanons thrives as nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, and entrepreneurs, proudly representing one of the most educated and accomplished Filipino communities in America.

Their contributions go beyond personal success. Through remittances, philanthropy, and volunteerism, they help power Aklan’s local economy and social programs — from school scholarships to church repairs, from medical donations to livelihood projects. Every balikbayan box, every donation drive, every trip home during Ati-Atihan or Christmas strengthens the invisible thread that connects Aklan to its sons and daughters abroad.

Aklanons in America are not just achievers — they are ambassadors of goodwill, carrying the values of hard work, humility, and bayanihan wherever they go. They are living proof that no matter where life leads us, the Aklanon heart remains steadfast and generous.

As we celebrate them, may we remember: their story is also ours — a story of courage, perseverance, and love that continues to bind Aklan and America across generations.