Category: Filipino American
-
Pamana Children’s Library-From the Author’s Desk
This August at Pamana Library Corner, we are pleased to feature The Twin Mermaids of the Island Moon by Filipina author Marilou Urbi. Rooted in Filipino values of family, kindness, and community, this beautifully written story introduces young readers to a magical world where emotions, courage, and compassion are just as important as adventure. Inspired…
-
An Adventure of a Lifetime: Riding a jeepney back home
By Willie Jose During my recent visit to the Philippines, I couldn’t help but notice the apparent breakdown in drivers’ discipline and their little or no regard for traffic laws — it’s a free-for-all over there. Drivers could pick up passengers anywhere on the streets, even stopping in the middle of the road. While driving,…
-
From Baybayin to Filipino: The Enduring Journey of a Nation’s Language
How centuries of adaptation shaped the Philippines’ linguistic identity without erasing its cultural roots. The Philippines has always had a heritage language vouching for this country’s capacity to interact with the world – even long before the crowned heads of Europe came to colonize countries in Southeast Asia. The Philippines’ earliest language is called “Baybayin,”…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…