Category: Filipino American
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Pinoy’s Tabo culture
By Willie Jose When we think about our Filipino culture, many things come to mind: Bahay Kubo, Tinikling, Kundiman, Kalesa, Jeepneys, Singkil, Fiesta, Parol, Baro’t Saya, Barong Tagalog, Balikbayan Box– and the handy Tabo. Of all these cultural icons, tabo is doubtless an indispensable fixture of the culture. And whether we are working abroad, living…
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NANNY, CAREGIVER, HOUSEKEEPER, ETC.
Poem by Jimmy P. Reyes. Written in 2014 You are the one who frees others to work Because of you; the father or mother of your child can work properly. You are the one who controls the economy of this country. Because you care for the father and mother of your CEO boss, he can…
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From July 4 to June 12 to the present: The Philippines’ Long Journey to Genuine Independence
A shared Independence day There was a time the Philippines and the United States shared the same July 4 Independence Day. The first was in 1946. When the Philippines finally earned its own “Araw ng Kasarinlan,” severing tether from US’ colonial hold, that day was marked with public jubilation, especially among veterans and many others…
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RIZAL COMMUNITY CENTER TO UNVEIL NEW FILIPINO AMERICAN MURAL IN CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY, ART, AND RENEWAL
Chicago, IL — On Saturday, June 13, the Rizal Community Center will host a public Mural Dedication and Community Arts Celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., highlighting a new large-scale Filipino American mural led by artist Michael Del Valle and created in collaboration with members of Sinag: Filipino American Artists of Greater Chicago. The…
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Grace to Organize
by Gabriel Catanus Recently, an activist contacted me on behalf of a workers’ rights organization. One of the unions this organization supports represents several Filipino American factory workers in a nearby suburb, and these workers were upset that their employer was forcing them to work under poor conditions. Also, their collective bargaining agreement had expired…
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“Tuli”(circumcision) — a Rite of Passage
By Willie Jose I remember my “Tuli” ( circumcision) rite of passage, which took place in the summer of 1960, right after I finished elementary school. Before entering high school, I wanted to make sure “everything was done” so I wouldn’t have to worry about being teased by my classmates for being “supot” (uncircumcised). Being…
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Mga Awiting Pangkalayaan ng mga Hukbong Nagtanggol sa Bayan Laban sa mga Mapaniil na Dayuhan at Lokal na Oligarkiya’t Dinastiya
ni Jimmy Reyes Bukid, bundok, pag-gawaan, at parang batis ng ating kabuhayan, papayagan bang makamkam, laya at kasaganahan ang dangal nang bayang pilipinas, na nais igupo ng dahas Mag-bubukid ay magbalikwas, tutulan mo ang pag-hamak manggagawa’y magkaisang hanay, isa man ay walang hihiwalay, hadlangan ang mga gahaman mapaniil na dayuhan, Bawat isa’y tibayan ang loob…
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A Filipino Journey Through Chicago and Beyond- A mini tour
Across Chicago, a network of Filipino landmarks reveals a history far deeper than most residents know. These points of interest — from early settlement hubs to cultural institutions and community-built spaces — chart the long arc of Filipino migration, labor, faith, and activism in the Midwest. They stand as evidence that Filipinos have contributed to…