Millenni-eyes: Filipino-style

Happy Filipino-American History Month!

We are a people that love to gather, sing, dance, and eat. We are a people that love to love, and this love is shown through communal unity. The image presented contains a Filipino oil painting by Pulido Sanchez. “Bayanihan”, in the Philippines, refers to the spirit of communal unity. It means helping others to achieve a goal. It comes from the Filipino word “bayan,” meaning town, nation, or community. The concept of Bayanihan derived from the country’s tradition in a village to ask people for help to move a family to a new place. The entire house (which is made from bamboo and nipa/anahaw leaves) is carried from one location to another. This became a symbol of the Bayanihan spirit (From https://www.greateroddsfoundation.org/about)

To be completely transparent, I had no idea Filipino-American History Month existed until a couple of years ago. Being celebrated as a culture for a whole month is a triumph, when growing up I felt the need to disconnect from it because of others’ ignorance of what/who people from the Philippines are. Our islands are in Asia, but our culture and dialect is rooted in Spain. The video A Filipino American Story Since 1587 gives an excellent overview on the history of Filipino-Americans.  If you further want to learn about Filipino culture, here are 3 tips: 1) watch Jo Koy stand up specials, 2) read “Brown Skin, White Minds” by E.J.R. David, and 3) eat traditional food of the Philippines!  With number 3, you are likely surrounded by a vibrant bunch of talented, humorous, welcoming people.

From childhood, through adolescence, and even into adulthood it can be difficult to express emotions and finding who we are in the world. Identity development can be tough. Find someone to talk to at therapeutic practices such as GO! Therapeutic Services & Supervision, LLC or The Hardy Clinic, where expert therapists assist in guiding you towards your best self.