October 21, 2006

  • The first Filipino to serve as an American Indian chieftan was an Ilocano by the name of Pascua, in Siskiyou county. There are currently nine American Indian chieftans of Filipino descent. The Miwok tribe has very strong bloodlines tied to the Philippines. These are all little known facts that I learned from being a part of an organization called the Filipino American National Historical Society. In fact, I learned them at one meeting this past Tuesday evening. There is so much pride to have been gained from learning about our past, and our history. Often times, I hear people say that they have Pinoy Pride. That's cool. I have Pinoy Pride too. However, I am not just proud of being Filipino. I am not just proud that Manny Pacquiao is a good boxer. I'm also proud of our history here, and the many contributions that we have made to society. I am proud of my mother who came here all by herself and single handedly petitioned her mother, brother, half-sister, brother-in-law, and their three children. I am proud that she raised me as a single parent and took care of my dependent uncle and grandmother. I am proud not only of who I am today, but from who I came from. Both of those lead to who I hope to be in the future. One day, I hope someone in the future will be proud of where they came from, and somehow that narrative includes me.