American-Filipinos versus Filipinos? The bond between Filipinos in America today has become strained to a point where it has affected the unity and beauty of the Filipino culture. As the old cliche's goes, it has put brother against brother and sister against sister. Old family values have been put aside and have been replaced by selfish egos that has corrupted the Philippine heritage.
To better understand the situation you have to know who are considered American-Filipinos and who are considered Filipinos. American-Filipinos are branded as the ones who are born here, who cannot speak the native language and the ones who cannot or will not accept their Philippine heritage. Filipinos, better known as a FOB ( fresh off the boat), are branded as the ones who are born from the Philippines, can speak the native language, who has accepted their Philippine heritage, but tries to force the culture on American-Filipinos.
FOBS think that American-Filipinos tend to show off because they can speak the English language perfectly and they feel that they haven't accepted their Filipino heritage. They feel that American-Filipinos like their American heritage better and they try to hide their Filipino heritage because they are ashamed of it.
On the other hand, American-Filipnos think that FOBS tend to scrutnize them because they can't speak the language. They feel that the FOBS have become these crazed fanatics that if you are a Filipino/Filipina you have to show Filipino pride everywhere you go and yo have to know the native language.
This kind of problem between Filipinos exist in the older generation, but is more commonly seen between the younger generation. This is seen in schools and colleges who have a high percentage of Filipinos going there. From my experience, I have seen friendships collapse due to these problems. They segregate themselves into their own little groups leaving friends and aquintance behind to fend for themselves.
What I don't understand is why Filipinos ted to let their ignorance get the better of them? Aren't we all brothers and sisters living under one nation? So what if one group has accepted the American culture? They were born and raised here, so they have the American culture inside of them already. But that doesn't mean that they don't know about or have the Filipino culture inside of them. Sure, they don't show their Filipno pride as much as other Filipinos, but that doesn't make them uncultured. They just need to learn more about the culture so they can be as proud to be a Filipino/Filipina like you and learn to accept this beautiful culture.
As for you American-Filipinos, why do you mock Filipinos who can speak the language and know about their Filipino heritage? So what if they show their Filipino pride? They are just proud to be Filipino/Filipinas. They just want to show their heritage and let other cultures see the beauty the Filipino culture holds. They want to be able to educate people,especially American-Filipinos, about the Filipino culture. So my big question is why the strain between these two groups? We are all Filipinos at heart no matter if we are born here or born in the Philippines. So why do these problems occur? We should just accept everyone for what they are and not judge each other. Stop trying to change and mock each other. As I said before, we are all Filipinos living under one nation. We should stick together and not fight amongst each other.
Our culture is based on family. That is what we are know for by other cultures. So why must we bicker amongst each other? Show other cultures what makes our culture one big, happy family. Stop the bikering amongst each other because it only makes us look like ignorant fools. We have to learn to respect and educate each other. We have to look at ourselves now and make a change for the better. We have to let the world know that Filipinos are on the rise and we wont let them and ourselves bring us down. We will meet every challenge, every adversity and overcome it not as individuals, but more like a FAMILY.
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