8 Obvious Signs You Know You're A Filipino-American
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

8 Obvious Signs You Know You're A Filipino-American

In honor of Filipino-American Heritage month, here's some ways I know I'm Filipino

704
8 Obvious Signs You Know You're A Filipino-American
Personal Photo

It’s Filipino-American Month so I thought I would write about, well, being a Filipino-American! Below are a couple of reasons I know I was raised as a Filipino-American.

1. Being able to instantly recognize another random Filipino and acting like you're family

C’mon, we’ve all been there. You’re on a family vacation and you see your mom smiling at another family and both families end up approaching each other. You hear “Filipino ka ba?”, and then you’re off talking about where everyone is from, what they’re doing today, possibly joining each other for lunch later, etc.


2. Filipino Pride

Why am I writing this article? Well because I have pride. I have never ever ever met a Filipino who said that they dislike being Filipino. We were raised to love the Philippines, to love our roots, because no matter what, being Filipino runs through our veins.

4. Food

I didn’t realize it till I came to college, but wow Filipino food is so good compared to the two star (at most) dorm food. Adobo, champorado, siopao, kaldereta—the list goes on and on.

5. Karaoke

After the Manny Pacquiao fight is over, you know the party goes from a Manny Pacquiao party to a karaoke party. Hook up that Magic Sing and get ready to perform your heart out in front of all your family and friends. Confession: I have never gotten a perfect score :’-(

6. Jollibee

I know this also goes under food, but I love Jollibee so much that it gets its own category. Before the two new Jollibees in Illinois opened up, I had traveled from the Midwest to New York, Las Vegas, California, and Texas during family vacations to get the coveted Chickenjoy. (I’m a big fan of the spicy-licious chicken).

7. Dedication

Growing up as a Filipino-American, I’ve always been proud of the determination for Filipinos to be able to take care of one another and provide support for their families. No one in the family gets left behind. Many Filipino-Americans today work their butts off because they know that life back home can be kind of a struggle in what is considered (not in my opinion) to be a third-world country. When I look at another Filipino, the most apparent quality I see is a person who works hard.

8. Being a FILIPINO-AMERICAN

There’s a reason why Filipino is in all caps. It’s because I’m proud. I’m proud to be Filipino because that means I come from a beautiful country, one that works hard to survive, to thrive, and to enjoy life with the people they hold close to them. I’m proud to be caring, intelligent, dedicated, talented, strong, food-loving, persevering and most importantly Filipino. Being Filipino encompasses all these traits and much more.


There’s a reason why American is also in all caps. It means I’ve been given the opportunity to start a legacy here in America. As a first-generation college student, I have been given the motivation and the chance from my parents to be able to succeed here in the US. My parents could have raised me in the Philippines, but chose for me to live a better life in the US, so they raised me here. I’m thankful, and I am proud to be a Filipino-American.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53505
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34407
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956926
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181658
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments