I am Filipino-American, I came from the 7,000 or so islands of the Philippines. 
From rice terraces of Banaue and the picturesque Davao City in Mindanao. 
From Metropolis of Manila, the sprawling city of Cebu, the serene Palawan and 
the white sand beach of Boracay.

My blood is mixed with the proud Malay race, with Spanish conquistadores, with 
Americans GIs, British merchants, Chinese traders, Indian Sepoys, the native 
Aetas and Manobos, and countless other bloods. I can not say I belong to all 
but all belong in me. I am the melting pot.

My forefathers were skilled warriors who knew what is freedom, one named 
Lapu-lapu, who vanquished an explorer named Magellan, in the battle of Mactan. 
They were were skilled seafarers, who up to these days roam the Celebes Sea as 
fishermen or as traders.They know no boundaries in the southern Philippines. 
My Muslim ancestors are up to now never been conquered not even by the mighty 
soldiers of the U.S. Army.

My grandfathers and their fathers before them fought against and with the 
Americans. Against them in 1899 to 1902 in what the US history called a The 
Philippine Insurrection or in another words a rebellion. Filipinos fought the 
Spaniards and when victory was at hand, the Americans took it from them - so 
how can they rebel when they have not been ruled by them before. The Filipinos 
fought with gallantry but how can they fight a well organized and equipped 
army like the U.S. Cavalry - courage is not enough. The promised of independence 
was gone, a new colonizers came in after the other. It was estimated that 
millions died fighting for freedom. And with them during World War II against Japan. 
Though it was not their war, they fought on the American side because they were 
promised independence, besides there's no Filipino who will refuse to fight a 
good fight.The war totally ruined the country and hundreds of thousands of 
Filipinos died - and yet 54 US Congressional Medals of Honor have not been 
awarded up to this date to deserving veterans. Where is the honor there?

I am exploited just like those before me, those who worked in the sugarcane 
fields and pineapple plantations in the islands of Hawaii, those who worked in 
fields of California in Delano, in Gilroy, in Salinas and others, those who worked
in the canneries of Alaska and Washington states. I worked till my back broke 
and yet I get paid less. 

I am  discriminated just like the other immigrants before me of other race. The 
Italians in New York, the Irishmen in Boston, the Polishs in Chicago, the 
Chinese in San Francisco, the Japanese in Hawaii and the Mexicans in central 
California. Just like me they have dreams - the American dreams. They are no 
greater or no less I paid my dues just like them. 

I contributed as much to this country just like anybody else. I am the doctors
and nurses that filled up the country's shortage of medical people, I am the
programmers and the technicians in the computer industry and the engineers in the 
aerospace that helped put the man in the moon, I am the cooks, the stewards and 
seamen in the US Navy that keep this country safe. I earned my place through hard 
work just like everybody else.

I been here since 1700s. My forefathers jumped ship to protest Spanish injustice.
Their descendants are still living in the bayous of Louisiana up to this date. 

My people have been going to colleges in the US even before other nationalities
started coming to learn the American way - the records show at San Diego State 
University. My people have more college graduates than a lot of other minorities.

And yet I can not seem to know how some of my young generation is not proud of 
my history and culture. You can not shake it or lost it, you are marked for life. 
You have to take what you're dealt with. Just like me, you're Filipino-American. 
My culture is not perfect and so is theirs, we all have good and bad ways - it's 
nothing to be ashamed of. 

I prefer to be called Filipino American because it is truly my identity. I am not 
Spanish Filipino-American nor Chinese Filipino-American nor Visayan Filipino 
American nor Tagalog Filipino-American nor Ilocano Filipino-American nor anything. 
I am the sum not the individual.

I am a Filipino American, I can not changed my heritage, it is in my blood
in my genes and in my past but I will do everything I can to make a difference.
I will not let others dictate my place in this society nor prejudice deter me 
from my goals and destiny.

I am Filipino American, that's who am I.




Continuation by:
Magpili of State University of New York, Buffalo

I am the son/daughter of Filipino raised parents growing up in a society
that doesnt understand what it is to be Filipino.  I am the child raised
in America through American history and Filipino values.  I am the student
who researches my past and is proud to know where I came from. I am the
Filipino who grew up in America who knows that being Filipino doesnt mean
that you have to speak a Filipino dialect, nor know the full history of
the Philippines but you should be proud of where your parents came
from;your ancestors. You should be proud that you are here because of
their hard work, their dreams, that determination. I am Filipino because I
am the realization of a Filipino dream and I'm proud of where that came
from and I'll be proud to be Filipino if that gets me where I'm going....



Continuation by:
ma_rs2010@yahoo.com   
 
I am a Filipino American. From birth to 18 yrs of age I lived in America,
vaguely knowing what it was i was so proud of. By some unforseen turn I
found myself in my motherland. There I saw etched in so many faces, the
deep and enduring people I am a decendent of. After walking with, working
with, laughing and crying with, and praying for the people in the
Philippines...my understanding of what it is to survive in the RP has
become tangible. I have great hope, faith and love for the Filipino
Nation. Let us all Filipino Americans embrace our motherland and raise 
it up!



Continuation by:
lylflippina@aol.com 

I am a Filipino American who's a descendent of spanish conquistadors,
a descendent of aetas and other indigenous people. I was raised to see 
hard work could get you what you want. I was also was raised to pray to 
god and respect our heros who fought for Philippine independence. I learned 
wisdom from our elders and thankful for being blessed by them. 
I am a Filipino American.



Continuation - 03/15/05 by:
rkeeler@san.rr.com

I am Filipino American. I am of Igorot heritage and raised by an 
American.I speak Tagalog, Ilocano, and Kankana-ey. Along the way, I decided to
learn Japanese, Spanish, and French. I've read El Filibusterismo and 
Noli Mi Tangere. I've played the role of Lapu Lapu in a re-enactment of the
battle against Magellan on the Island of Mactan in 1521. I'm in America
now, I don't complain and I don't whine. I do the best I can to show
America how valuable the Filipino people are. I am Filipino American.



Continuation - 04/04/06 by:
balodaki@aol.com
  
I am a Filipino American and proud to be one. I am an Igorot Ibaloi. I ate
rice, bagoong, french fries, hambuger, sushi, pad thai, chinese food and
many more. I like playing basketball with my son. I am also a born-again
christian and love the Lord. By trade, I am an entreprenuer, an inventor
and mechanical engineer. I love the Philippines and my adopted country,
the United States of America. I am a freedom fighter. I am committed for
the advancement of hope, gospel of Jesus Christ and democracy worldwide
because that is my sacred calling...I am a Filipino American.



Continuation - 08/07/06 by:
flipping_beaner@yahoo.com

I am half Filipino American. I was born to a Filipino mother & to a 
father who was Mexican & White. I used to hate being Filipino because my mom 
used to try make me as "Filipino" as possible. I hated it so much because I 
felt like she wanted me to forget I am also 1/3 Mexican & 1/3 White 
after my father's death. Now after I got saved by Jesus it made me realized I 
need to love myself for who I am. I am proud to call myself a 
Filipino-Mexican-White American. 




Continuation - 09/11/06 by:
pssst13@gmail.com

I'm a Filipino American and French Canadian born in PI.  I respect my 
elders, I love manok na adobo and yes I eat using nothing but my 
hands...sometimes using a spoon.  Get it?  spoon... and my French 
Canadian tatay don't even care.  Oh, and yes, I do speak Tagalog! 
I am PINOY! 




Continuation - 10/05/06 by:
mikejokeeee@yahoo.com

I am a proud filipino american who loves my country very much. Many 
american filipinos have nothing good to say about their mother land, due 
to the fact that they have never really seen the true beauty of 
Philippines.  I know not where my ancestors came from, and I do not 
really give a flying dodo. All I know is that I am from the beatiful islands of 
Philippines. And if I have to give my life to make it a better place, I 
would. 




Continuation - 10/14/06 by:
bongds1@juno.com


I am a full blooded Filipino born in PI. I am from sta. Ignacia, Tarlac. 
Just reading these short paragraphs, made me realize how important my 
culture is. It also made me remember my childhood in PI. Most especially 
farming with my dad. He would teach me how to plant rice, peanuts, corn, 
and mix vegetables and also how to catch a fish(tilapia). A typical 5 to 
7 years old kid usually play with neighbor kids, or play with toys, or eat 
fried chicken or pizza, but my family lived in farmland. We depended 
upon what was planted, then when its ready, we as a family would harvest it. 
When I was 9 years old, my family migrated to Hawaii. It was a total new 
environment for me. I guess I was culture shocked. I tried to fit in 
with other kids, but because I was a "filipino boy", I got picked on alot by 
other ethnicities. As I grew into my teens, I've noticed that the 
filipino population in Hawaii was increasing. So then, I met filipino friends. 
"Akala niyo 'di ako marunong mag tagalog ano"? That's right, I learned 
tagalog here in Hawaii via friends, watching TFC, and asking questions 
among my siblings and parents. My main dialect is Ilocano and still 
speak the language. Many young kids who grow up here, forgot their primary 
dialect, some are even ashame to speak their dialect. As I was growing 
up here in Hawaii, I adapt or adopt, learned, and experienced new things. 
At this time, I was a bit confused due to cross-culture effect. But thanks 
to my mom and dad, they kept telling me where I came from and how important 
my culture is. I know merging into a new culture is sometime difficult, 
but it is up to the parents on how they want their kids to grow up. I 
guess you call it parenting style. I am glad to be here and that I am a 
Filipino American. Ilan taon na ako? 27 po. Di pa ako matanda!! 




Continuation - 10/30/06 by:
babygia2000@yahoo.com

I am a Filipina/Italian American. I am very in touch with all three of 
my cultures. I am proud of my heritage. I have been to the Philippines, and 
to Italy, and both are absolutely beautiful countries. I love who I am, 
and I love where I come from. 




Continuation - 02/27/07 by:
 

I am a Filipino.  A naturalized citizen of the United States America.  I 
served her Navy, retiring in 1997. From the Vietnam conflict, to Desert 
Storm, to Desert Shield, and numerous Western Pacific and Southwest Asia 
deployments, I served her with distinction.
I am a Filipino because America and the Navy allowed me to retain my 
heritage and the customs of my parents and my parent's parents.
I am a Filipino but my beloved America will always be first and second to 
none.

I am a Filipino by M.G. SKCS(SW), USN (Ret).



Continuation - 03/26/07 by:
guestofroom2002@yahoo.com 

I was born in the Philippines, my parents took me to America. I am a 
Filipino in AMERICA. I live with Americans and I was happier when I was in 
Philippines because I felt we are all the same, but I am happy in AMERICA 
because now I have a job and I can play video games and because I have a 
job I am not a total "LOSER" AND I CAN TYPE HOW I WANT! AT LEAST I HAVE A 
JOB! 




Continuation - 06/24/07 by:
snowprincess0131@aol.com
 
From the time when my greatest grandparents were born, they had full 
filipino blood implanted in them. From then on, that blood was past on 
from generations to generations as a symbol of our ancestors and our 
people, "the FILIPINOS." As my parent moved to the United States along 
with plenty of other Filipinos, my heritage was changed. Now many others, 
my family, and i aren't just proud Filipinos but proud Filipino-Americans. 
I don't know all about the Philippines and it's people since i wasn't born 
there, but i do know what a true filipino is. 




Continuation - 07/23/07 by:
Rachel_s_w@hotmail.com

I am Filipino american. Born of a filipino mother and an american father. 
I always thought filipinos were funny and talked funny because my mom 
learned english very well. Even didn't have an accent! But i've grown 
accustomed to My filipino heritage and have been to the homeland where my 
mother grew up. It was very beautiful and i appreciate my heritage so much 
more. I hope to return "home" to see other beautiful islands. I am also 
very proud of my american heritage, therefore I am with the United States 
Air Force. I love both my parents and the history that they've given me. 




Continuation - 02/25/08 by:
swtsmilinsistah@aol.com
 
I am Filipino American in and out of appearance. I represent the town 
where the grapes go wild during the summer and picking them becomes a 
back-breaking job especially for filipino parents such as mine. My town 
is Delano.

As a kid, I dreamt of living in a city far away from the dead, flat land 
I compared to as the desert. But as I went through high school and grew 
accustomed to my culture, I knew the basic facts of my history: Ilocano, 
brown and short. Now as I go to SFSU for a better life, educating myself 
to learn my culture leaves me important details of my heritage as a 
filipino. Unlucky as I sound, my parents drilled the knowledge of any 
stereotypical filipino parent into my brain. But I dealt with it through 
my teen years and eventually appreciated how I have grown into my young 
adult years. As I continue learning my filipino culture and becoming 
fascinated by the amount of filipino role models out there, I am amazed 
and honored to be Filipino American. 




 Continuation - 03/23/08 by:
plrae12@yahoo.com
  
I grew up in Philippines for the first 1/2 of my life, and spent the 
other 1/2 in the US.  I long for the happy childhood that I spent back home in 
the mother land, but at the same time, I am grateful for the 
opportunities that America has given me.  Although I am not born in the US..I 
sometimes feel like I am stuck in between.  It has been so long since I have 
returned home that I feel so detached from our traditions.  At the same 
time, I cannot really say that I embrace the American culture whole 
heartedly because it has only been introduced to me during the latter 
half of my life.  Nonetheless..this gives me a new definition of being a 1st 
generation Filipino-American.  I have been given the opportunity to take 
advantage of, and keep the best of both worlds. 

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