4 Fun Filipino Facts to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Did you know May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? Yup! It was established to celebrate the culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
The month of May also happens to be National Heritage Month in the Philippines. As of 2003, the month of May was officially proclaimed to be National Heritage Month in order to preserve and promote the nation’s wonderful cultural traditions and history.
That’s a lot to celebrate!
As a Filipino American, I am proud of the rich cultural traditions of Filipinos, but I am also proud to be American. In essence, I am a mix of both cultures and love the role I get to play as a bridge builder between the two cultures. While many like to define me in one way (usually by physical appearance), I prefer to be ambiguous, crossing back and forth between a unique mix of cultures that I relate to in different ways. I like to think of myself as halo-halo, the popular Filipino dessert (purple slushy goodness with fruit and jellies) that translates to “mix-mix.”
Folks, halo-halo is where it’s at!
Anyways, to celebrate the month of May, here are Four Fun Filipino Facts (Now that’s a mouthful!).
Did You Know?
1. Filipinos are the second largest Asian group in the U.S.
2. In California, Filipinos are the number one largest Asian group
3. Tagalog is the most commonly spoken language after English and Spanish in California
4. One fifth of Filipino Americans identify as multiracial
(https://www.buzzfeed.com/kevinnadal/fil-am-history-facts?utm_term=.dfLejyE0Z#.rrYRXwBE0)
There you have it. Four fun Filipino facts.
Be awesome today! Share this post with something who would appreciate it.
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and happy National Heritage Month in the Philippines!
