How a Filipino Raises his Kids with his Native Alaskan Wife

Summary

In this poignant narrative, a father reflects on his journey of identity, marrying a Koyukon-Athabascan woman and raising their children with pride in both their Filipino and Athabascan roots. Initially feeling pressured to conform to societal expectations as an immigrant, he learns to embrace his heritage through his children's experiences. He celebrates their cultural identities as superpowers, teaching them to value their diverse backgrounds. This story highlights the importance of cultural pride, belonging, and the healing that occurs across generations as the family fosters a strong connection to their roots.

Takeaways

• 💖 The speaker first met his wife at the age of 14 in Utqiagvik and was instantly attracted to her beauty.
• 🌍 He is married to a Koyukon-Athabascan woman from Ruby, Alaska, and they have three children who are Filipino-Athabascan.
• 👶 The couple has known each other since childhood, growing up together and building a lifelong bond.
• 🇵🇭 As a Filipino immigrant, the speaker struggled with his identity and felt pressure to fit in by distancing himself from his Filipino roots.
• 📝 A pivotal moment for the speaker was discovering a message that encouraged him to embrace his Filipino identity during high school.
• 👕 The speaker's son showed pride in his heritage by wanting to wear a traditional barong for his school picture day.
• 🌱 The family aims to instill pride in their children's mixed heritage, ensuring they feel accepted in both Filipino and Athabascan cultures.
• 💪 The speaker believes that their cultural roots are a source of strength and encourages his children to view them as superpowers.
• 🏡 The speaker considers Alaska his home and emphasizes the significance of cultural connections within his family.
• 🔄 The narrative highlights a healing process across generations, as the speaker reflects on the positive cultural pride his children are experiencing.

Q & A

How did the speaker first meet their wife?

The speaker met their wife when they were both teenagers attending school in Utqiagvik, Barrow. The speaker was immediately taken by her beauty and had a crush on her.

What cultural backgrounds do the speaker and their wife represent?

The speaker is Filipino, having been born in the Philippines, while their wife is Koyukon-Athabascan, from the village of Ruby in the Yukon River.

What challenges did the speaker face as a young immigrant?

As a newly arrived immigrant, the speaker felt pressure to fit in and was negatively impacted by peers who labeled others as 'FOBs' (Fresh Off the Boat), leading to feelings of inferiority.

What significant moment changed the speaker's perspective on their Filipino identity?

During their junior year of high school, the speaker found a note that said, 'You're Filipino. Act like it,' which prompted a realization and acceptance of their heritage.

How does the speaker's son express pride in his heritage?

The speaker's son expressed pride by deciding to wear a barong, a traditional Filipino garment, for his first school picture day.

What is the speaker's goal for their children's understanding of their identity?

The speaker aims for their children to feel fully proud of their Filipino and Athabascan roots, believing these identities are sources of strength.

What role does food play in the speaker's cultural identity?

Food is a significant aspect of cultural identity for the speaker. They mention traditional dishes like lumpia and pancit, which their son eagerly asks about, indicating a connection to their heritage.

What is the significance of the term 'superpowers' in the speaker's narrative?

The speaker refers to their children's mixed heritage as 'superpowers' to convey that their diverse backgrounds provide them with unique strengths and abilities.

How does the speaker view their children in relation to their own experiences?

The speaker sees their children as hopeful embodiments of change, believing they are experiencing a cultural pride that previous generations could not fully embrace.

What does the speaker believe is healing for their family?

The speaker believes that their children's ability to embrace and celebrate their heritage represents a healing process for the family, reflecting a shift in how cultural identity is perceived and valued.