Filipino refers to people from the Philippines, a nation of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia. If someone was born in the Philippines or has Philippine ancestry, they're Filipino. The word works as both a noun (“She is Filipino”) and an adjective (“Filipino culture”).

The Philippines has a fascinating history. For over 300 years, Spain ruled the islands, which is why many Filipinos have Spanish-influenced names and the country is named after King Philip II of Spain. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States governed the Philippines until 1946, when the country gained independence. This blend of Asian, Spanish, and American influences makes Filipino culture unique, from the food (like adobo and lumpia) to the languages (many Filipinos speak Filipino and English).

About 4 million Filipino Americans live in the United States today, making them one of the largest Asian American groups. Filipino communities have contributed richly to American life, from medicine and nursing to music, business, and the military.