Celebrating as a Filipino American

FEATURE

Kumusta mga Kababayan!

Celebrating October as Filipino-American History Month BY HOSANNA DIOCARES

In 2009, the U.S Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. And it is duly late; Filipino Americans are the secondlargest Asian American group in the nation and have had a recorded presence in the US since 1587. Regardless, it is better late than never.

In the young 11 years of the month’s recognition, the pride and celebration of Filipino American identity has spread throughout the nation. Hawai‘i recognizes its strong Filipino American community since they are an integral part of the state’s history during the plantation days and continue to be cultural stakeholders. But besides the adobo fried rice, fangirling about Dante Basco, and karaoke parties, here are some UHWO faculty and students’ experiences as Filipino-Americans.

To you, what does it mean to be Filipino?

“Learning from your ancestors - the ancestral knowledge. There are so many skills that [Western education] deemed as low-tiered - like how to farm or how to sew or how to clean fish - is actually essential ancestral knowledge. Knowing these things and being proud of it! We have a very rich history and heritage. We learn these things from a one-dimensional lens but this pride is multi-layered. We’re not just fulfilling the usual Filipino stereotype of being nurses and caretakers - we’ve fought on the front lines, we waged war for fair pay and unionization. We have matter what happens. Staying close to Christ and reading His

our own indigenous practices and more. It’s all of these things and being proud of it .”

- Rebecca Carino-Agustin, M.A., College Success Advisor.

Why is it important to have a month dedicated to Filipino American History?

“It’s important. It allows Filipinos and non-Filipinos to recognize the challenging journey of past immigrants to come here in hopes of a better future. It also invokes gratitude in younger Filipino Americans, realizing that their ancestors paved the way for them to be where they are, with the opportunities they have now. ”

Do you think living in Hawai’i has contributed to your identity as a Filpino-American? How so?

“My parents and I immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was young. We first lived in the continental U.Ss, and my area was predominantly white and latinx families. When we moved to Hawaii I felt like I related to the people here more because of the large Filipino population, so it helped me establish my identity as a FilAm.”

- Lizchel Ulgade, Senior, Secondary Education

Is there anything specific in the Filipino identity that you feel is important to know for a time such as this?

“For me personally, it’s just to know that God is in control no

- Precious Eligio, Sophomore, Social Sciences.

word gets me through these times, and I’m sure it also helps many others in the Filipino community who share the same faith.”

- Hannah Clark, Senior, Creative Media

What is your favorite part about being a Filipino?

“The Halo Halo milk. Not the ingredients. Just the milk. ”

- Myles Taylan, Senior, Business Administration

For more resources on Filipino American heritage , go to http://fanhs-national.org/filam/ Contact Rebecca Carino-Agustin, M.A ( rtcarino@hawaii.edu ) or the Filipino instructor, Abraham Flores, .r (flores@hawaii.edu ).