Filipino-American History Month: Growing Up As a Filipino Far from Home
By: Maxine DeLeon
The United States is sometimes described as a “melting pot” of cultures due to the diversity of its residents and citizens. One of the groups who make up a large part of the country’s minority population is the Filipino community. With October being the month commemorating their history in the US, as an immigrant or as a citizen born and raised here, how is it being a Filipino away from the Philippines?
“I’d say things were very different for me. In the elementary school I attended, students were primarily White or Mexican, I was like one of the four Filipinos in my grade.” Jericho Vale Cruz, one of Olympian’s seniors and a Filipino who grew up in the US, mentions. He adds how out of place he felt among his peers during his early years due to differences in the language they spoke, in the shows they watched, even in the food they ate. In general, what he struggled with was having not many people to relate to and being afraid of judgement based on race.
Another Filipino Olympian student that grew up in America is sophomore Jeanine Lopez, who had a slightly different experience throughout her childhood. “Growing up as a different race I never really experienced any discrimination but at the least I was exposed to new experiences in our culture like the different, unique practices and the various types of food as well.” She explains. However, there were certain times in which she received judgement from other people due to her skin complexion being “too dark for a Filipino.” Although she faced problems both within and outside her household, Jeanine also brought up good experiences as a Filipino in America. “There is a big Filipino population here so it’s like home away from home, and so it’s common to see them around. Because of that fact, I was able to make Filipino friends that understand the culture and have their own experiences that I could learn and relate to.”
Michelle Sumandal, an immigrant who flew to America only last year, also shares her perspective. “At first I was nervous, knowing it would be hard to adjust to a new environment as a teenager. My mom would also often tell me that there’s no such thing as shyness in America, and that I should get used to always speaking in English, so I felt really pressured.” During the first few months of her, Michelle often felt homesick and she would only speak if spoken to. However, after overcoming challenges regarding differences in culture, she is now much happier. She was surrounded by kind people who helped her throughout the adjustment process, such as those who also grew up in the Philippines like her. Now, she has become more outgoing and her social circle began to extend beyond only Filipinos. In addition, speaking often with her friends at home also kept her homesickness at bay. “Of course, I still look forward to flying home to the Philippines once the pandemic passes, hopefully next year.” Michelle wishes expectantly.