Preface…about me....

the COUSINS.......

Dedicated to the "Da Cuzzins"...

I define myself as an uprooted tree and got transplanted in another place and here I am today in America, but I was born in the Philippines. I did not speak Tagalog while growing up in the Philippines considering I came from the north where the common dialect was Ilokano or Igorot. As a matter of fact, I only started speaking Tagalog when I came to America. Back home, I was considered a minority, a g-string cladded and tagged as an Igorot who are the poor and the oppressed. For the purposes of misnomer, this is written in a present first person context so as not to offend anyone. I dedicate this article to the COUSINS the best nephews and the best nieces!

I do not speak with a Filipino accent, but my face reveals my true ethnicity. I do not speak the Philippine national language Tagalog but I take pride in my heritage.

Cyn, Steph, Jen, Deb, Nani & Melanie

I am a Filipino American, and facing the world from day to day has its blessings as well as its challenges. My life, along with my perceptions and worldviews has all been formed by the equal combination of my Filipino roots and my American surroundings.
As a Filipino American, the importance of education and knowledge has been engrained in my brain since I was old enough to speak. There are constant reminders of how much potential there is for success in America, and I am not one to take that for granted. Instead, I am one to take advantage of those opportunities in order to provide for my parents and my family in their retirement.

The respect and thankfulness I have for my parents and how they have raised me to be aware of and proud to be a Filipino American is another foundation, which guides me through my life. Of all of the Filipinos who I have come across, all have been very supportive of my endeavors. The Filipino community that I have had the pleasure of being a part of has been a support group of its own.

The Filipino community is one in which all people could feel as if they are a part of a great big family. This automatic love and sense of friendship that exists between Filipinos is one of the strongest forces of our community. This brotherhood and sisterhood in the Filipino American culture puts an extra boost of strength when I face the world, because I know that I am a part of a culture that is welcoming and accepting of others.

Even if I were to travel to parts of the world where there were no other Filipinos for miles, I would not be intimidated because I would be there to represent those who they are not exposed to. When I face the world, not only am I representing myself and my family – I am representing the Filipino American culture. This responsibility and respect I have for all that I represent guides me in making the best decisions concerning several different aspects of my life.

While this world has is wonderful opportunities and beauty, there are still several negative aspects such as negative stereotypes against Filipino Americans, which act as road blocks in the walk of life. However, when I am faced with such negativity, I do not take it to heart because of my strong sense of self, and because dwelling on it or letting it effect me would do me no good at all.

I do not pretend to view the world as a perfect place, but when I am encountered with narrow-minded thinking, the best way to approach it is to prove the negativity wrong through positive actions. I do not let negativity stop me; rather it gives me even more motivation to succeed in this world as a Filipino American.

As a Filipino American, the world is not only bearable, it is an enjoyable place because I am grateful for all it has to offer, and I enjoy providing my skills and talents to the world. When facing the world as a Filipino American the sun shines a little brighter, the colors of its beauty are even more vivid, the honey is sweeter, life is better ...and cousins for ever!

by "Basho Fat Sumo"

Steph & Jen in Bahamas October 2005