For those of you who don't know, October is Filipino American History Month! I'm going to tell all of you about the Filipino-American experience, which mainly consists of growing up here but having family overseas.
1. It's not a party until the line dancing starts
Line dancing is purely a Fil-Am thing. When I asked my aunts and cousins in the Philippines if they line-danced they had no idea what I was talking about. What's popular there, especially in schools, is cheerdancing, a mix of cheerleading and dancing. Similar to American dance competitions, they wear different costumes for each song. Especially in the younger years, both boys and girls take part in it.
Here, on the other hand, there are at least three line dancing go-tos that come to mind: "Todo Todo", "The Cupid Shuffle", and the song that mentions the months.
2. Lechon = not a big deal
When you roast a whole pig on a stick and then put it on a table and eat it for dinner at a party, that is called Lechon.
3. For cousins have nicknames... and you know at least one with "boy" in them
We call my cousin Archie "Jboy"...even though his first name doesn't start with a J. And neither does his last name. Filipino nicknames are random.
4. You send balikbayan boxes to your family overseas
In the boxes that we sent, we put clothes I don't wear anymore, food they might like, and new clothes for my male cousins since we don't have any boys in our immediate family. We put a lot of thought into getting things we think they'd enjoy.
5. Your parent(s) refer to the Philippines as home
You don't because America is the only place you've ever lived in, and thus considered home.
6. People think you're Hispanic
This happens even when you don't have Spanish or Latino blood, and it's understandable. A lot of Filipinos have Spanish last names as a result of Spain colonizing the Philippines. Since Spanish soldiers had children with Filipino women, those children inherited some Hispanic features. In addition to that, natives had darker skin and thicker, curlier hair.
7. You have attended or know people who have attended Catholic school.
Although there is one populous region of the Philippines that is Muslim and those who still live in their native villages still practice their own religion (which doesn't involve going to the hospital when they need medical help and instead relying on spirituality), Filipinos and Filipino Americans are predominantly Catholic. I've attended a Catholic school from preschool to second grade, and at college, I've met a lot of Filipino Americans that have attended Catholic high schools.
8. Your little cousins are obsessed with Momoland right now
Both "Boom Boom" and "Bam Bam" by the Kpop group Momoland were HUGE in the Philippines when I was there. They were constantly played throughout the resort town I stayed at during my second week there. My cousin liked to watch the dance rehearsal videos the girl group put out to learn the moves.