Celebrating Filipino American History Month: A Personal Reflection
Today marks the start of Filipino American History Month, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my heritage. Many people who know me are aware that I’m Filipino and white—something I’m incredibly proud of. My grandpa was born in the Philippines and joined the Navy to come to this country. While serving, he met my granny in South Carolina, and their love story helped shape my family.
Although I didn’t grow up fully immersed in Filipino culture—my mom didn’t teach us much about it—I’ve always been aware of my roots. As I got older, and unfortunately, faced some racism, I began to feel a stronger connection to my grandpa’s background. It became important to me to learn more about where he came from, and in turn, discover more about myself.
While I didn’t have a deep cultural education growing up, one thing that always brought Filipino culture into our home was the food. I grew up eating Filipino dishes, and a few of them have become my absolute favorites—Siopao, Chicken Adobo, and Puto. Those flavors will always remind me of family, comfort, and the connection to my grandpa’s roots.
I’m also on a journey to learn Tagalog, though I’m still a beginner. I’m slowly picking up bits and pieces of the language, and I’ve recently started learning Baybayin, the Filipino script. It’s been exciting and empowering to dive into this part of my heritage.
Part of me wishes that my mom had embraced the language and culture more when we were growing up, so I wouldn’t have to learn all of this as an adult. But the journey is still meaningful, and I’m grateful to have the chance to discover and reconnect with my Filipino identity. I’m looking forward to meeting other Filipinos along the way and continuing to learn more about the rich history and traditions of my ancestors.
Here’s a picture of my sister, my grandpa, and me 🙂
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