Lulu Santiago
This is the first episode of an upcoming series.
In this new series, we will be talking and interviewing a variety of Filipinos on the topic of how it’s like growing and evolving as a Filipino in this period of time. Each duo put together based on their gender and age will have a different set of questions compared to other episodes. This very first episode involves an interview between my brother (Lyle – 13) and I (Lulu – 14). Lyle is an 8th grader who loves to play soccer, volleyball, and the guitar.
Lulu: What is your perception of the Philippines?
Lyle: I see that the Philippines is a very explorational place and touristy in some places but, in terms of actual places where people live, I think it’s nicer to live life there in the Philippines.
Lulu: What has shaped that view?
Lyle: Something that’s shaped my view would be stories that my Lolo and Lola have told me, tv shows they watch, the music, and the people who have been to the Philippines that I’ve met.
Lulu: How does your experience in school and general life compare to other Filipinos you’ve met?
Lyle: Well, it’s similar because we’re experiencing the same thing but different because we could be in different stages of life and school.
Lulu: Do you ever forget who you are and where you come from?
Lyle: No, I never forget any of those.
Lulu: Explain a bit more.
Lyle: When people talk about their culture I get the chance to talk about myself and how I represent my country. I never forget who I am because the people who surround me are the people involved in my culture. For example, my Lolo and Lola, they’re always talking in Tagalog and watching shows that bring a view of my culture.
Lulu: Do you ever feel that there’s a type of wall between young Filipino Americans and their culture?
Lyle: Well, I don’t think there’s any wall or barrier between their culture and them because it’s their family that reminds them and shows them things about their culture but, the only wall that I think there is for young Filipino Americans is not being fully immersed physically and mentally in the Philippines.
Lulu: What can you suggest for other young Filipino Americans to do in order to educate themselves in their culture?
Lyle: I would say watch and listen more to the people around you.
Going deeper into these questions and responses, I believe that in some way, all Filipinos experience feelings of being different yet also connected when surrounded with people who educate them and inspire them to learn more about their culture.
We speak so much on knowing about our culture and who we came from. I like to define culture as the mistakes and hardships in our past that our elders have passed down. They can take shape in a story, a family, or even a song. Regarding myself and these questions, here are my responses:
What is your perception of the Philippines? – From what I’ve seen and heard about the Philippines, I think it’s such a beautiful place filled with our history and ways we’ve developed our independence and culture. I also believe that it can change how you compare to both being in the Philippines and the U.S. In the Philippines, people are always surrounded by each other and communicate culturally. While in the U.S., there’s a feeling of a bigger independence and not much of a need for always reaching out and depending on one another.
How does your experience in school and general life compare to other Filipinos you’ve met? – I feel that it’s very similar in both topics. We may feel at a certain time that there is no big community for Filipinos and no easy way to connect with others our age. There’s a lot of loneliness when you feel apart from your culture and have no way to connect with yourself. That’s why it’s so important to ask and reach out to family members about their experiences and lessons they’ve learned during their younger years.
Do you ever forget who you are and where you come from? – No. Forgetting who I am and my origins is something I fight hard to involve myself in and remember. Most of the time, being with your Filipino friends and family gives you a way to connect and interact with others.
Do you ever feel that there’s a type of wall between young Filipino Americans and their culture? – In a way, yes. Young Filipino Americans grow up in a different environment compared to kids who grew up in the Philippines and migrated to the U.S. Those kids know their language, their homeland, and their roots. Not saying that some Filipinos don’t anywhere else in the world, but it’s also harder to know those things when people around you don’t take the time to teach you the core values of your culture.
What can you suggest for other young Filipino Americans to do in order to educate themselves regarding their culture? – I think exposing yourself to your language and its music can help a lot. Especially when visiting relatives and speaking to them. I recently visited Canada and Arizona where a lot of my family lives. It was an amazing experience hearing and seeing them talk about their lives and past. I didn’t meet most of those relatives before I visited nor did I remember if I saw them in the past but, your family has a special connection no matter how long you go without seeing them and talking with them.
Lulu Santiago is a freshman who loves reading, dancing, music, and writing. She is the eldest daughter in her family which gives her a great responsibility of helping and teaching others. Lulu was born in Sacramento, California then later moved to Chicago, Illinois with her mother and younger brother where she spent most of her time growing up. Being Filipino has brought her amazing opportunities and ways to connect with others around her. She one day aspires to attend UCSD or University of Oxford in order to study physiology.
Leave a Reply