This Filipino-American Hated Being Filipino... Until THIS Happened!

Summary

The speaker recounts a personal journey of self-discovery and pride in their Filipino heritage. Initially disliking being Filipino due to negative stereotypes, a trip to the Philippines at the age of forty changed their perspective. Experiencing the people's pain and joy, they felt a profound connection, realizing their shared identity. The speaker's mission is to inspire and educate, highlighting the unity and potential of the Filipino people, aiming to empower them to embrace their heritage and strive for greatness together.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker initially felt no pride in being Filipino due to negative perceptions and stereotypes.
• 🌟 A transformative trip to the Philippines in their forties changed their perspective on Filipino identity.
• 🏭 Witnessing the contrast of poverty and joy in the slums led to a profound emotional connection.
• 🤔 The speaker questioned their previous assumptions about Filipinos and their homeland.
• ❤️ They experienced a personal revelation, feeling a pure and unexplainable happiness and connection with the people.
• 🚢 The speaker returned to America identifying as Filipino, with a newfound sense of belonging and pride.
• 📚 The creation of 'The Filipino Story' aims to educate and inspire others about the true essence of being Filipino.
• 🌐 The goal is to unite Filipinos globally, emphasizing the shared journey and identity.
• 👪 The speaker wants future generations, including their own children, to understand and take pride in their heritage.
• 🤝 An invitation is extended to join the movement to embrace and celebrate Filipino culture and history.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial feeling towards being Filipino?

The speaker initially did not like being Filipino and did not feel proud of their heritage. They wanted to be Hawaiian because it was more popular and positively perceived.

Why did the speaker's perspective on the Philippines change?

The speaker's perspective changed after visiting the Philippines and experiencing the country firsthand, including walking through slums and feeling a deep emotional connection with the people.

What emotions did the speaker experience while in the Philippines?

The speaker felt both the pain and joy of the Filipino people, which led to a profound realization and connection that they had never experienced before.

How did the speaker's visit to the Philippines affect their identity?

The visit transformed the speaker's identity, leading them to embrace their Filipino heritage and feel a newfound pride in being Filipino.

What was the turning point for the speaker in terms of their Filipino identity?

The turning point was when the speaker felt the emotions of the Filipino people and realized that they were part of something bigger, leading them to identify as Filipino.

What is the purpose of 'The Filipino Story' mentioned in the script?

'The Filipino Story' is a narrative created by the speaker to encapsulate their feelings and experiences as a Filipino, aiming to inspire and educate others about the true greatness of the Filipino people.

What message does the speaker want to convey to the Filipino community?

The speaker wants to convey that there is a shared identity and journey among all Filipinos, regardless of whether they live in the Philippines or abroad, and that together they can achieve greatness.

How does the speaker view the term 'FOB' (Fresh-off-the-boat) after their transformation?

After the speaker's transformation, they no longer view the term 'FOB' as a derogatory term but rather as a symbol of unity, recognizing that all Filipinos are part of the same journey.

What does the speaker hope to achieve by sharing their story?

The speaker hopes to inspire others to understand their heritage, embrace their identity, and join them in a collective journey towards recognizing and celebrating the greatness of the Filipino people.

Why does the speaker want their children and future generations to know about their Filipino heritage?

The speaker wants their children and future generations to know about their Filipino heritage to instill pride and a sense of belonging, ensuring they understand they come from a land with a rich history and great people.

What is the significance of the 'boat' metaphor used by the speaker?

The 'boat' metaphor signifies the collective journey of all Filipinos, regardless of their location, towards a common goal of recognizing and achieving their potential and greatness.

Outlines

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🌟 Discovery of Filipino Identity

The speaker recounts a personal journey of self-discovery and connection with their Filipino heritage. Initially, they felt no pride in being Filipino due to negative stereotypes and a lack of positive representation. They aspired to be Hawaiian, as it was more popular and less stigmatized. However, a transformative trip to the Philippines in their forties changed their perspective. Experiencing the country firsthand, they felt a deep emotional connection with the people, despite the poverty and challenges they witnessed. This connection led to a profound realization of their identity as a Filipino, a sense of belonging, and a newfound pride. The speaker's mission became to share this story and inspire others to recognize the strength and unity of the Filipino people, regardless of whether they are Fil-Am or from the Philippines. The narrative concludes with an invitation to join in celebrating and understanding Filipino heritage, emphasizing the shared journey and potential for greatness.

Keywords

💡Filipino Identity

Filipino identity refers to the sense of belonging and self-recognition as a person of Filipino heritage. In the video, the speaker initially struggles with this identity, feeling no pride in being Filipino due to negative stereotypes and media portrayals. However, after visiting the Philippines and experiencing the culture firsthand, the speaker's perspective shifts, and they embrace their Filipino identity, recognizing a deep connection and shared humanity with the people they initially distanced themselves from.

💡Cultural Pride

Cultural pride is the feeling of satisfaction and pleasure derived from one's cultural background. The video script describes a transformation where the speaker moves from a place of not wanting to be associated with Filipino culture to eventually feeling a profound sense of pride and connection. This pride is not just in the achievements of the culture but also in the resilience and spirit of the people, which the speaker comes to admire and respect.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are widely held but oversimplified images or ideas about particular types of people. In the script, the speaker mentions how the Philippines was often associated with negative stereotypes such as poverty, corruption, and crime. These stereotypes contributed to the speaker's initial reluctance to identify as Filipino. The video challenges these stereotypes by showing the complexity and richness of Filipino culture and the strength of its people.

💡Immigrant Experience

The immigrant experience encompasses the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals who move to a new country. The term 'FOB' (Fresh-off-the-boat) used in the script is a derogatory term often used to mock immigrants for their perceived 'fresh' or unsophisticated arrival in a new country. The speaker reflects on this term and the broader immigrant experience, eventually coming to understand and appreciate the resilience and contributions of immigrants to their new homes.

💡Emotional Connection

Emotional connection refers to the bond or affinity one feels towards others, often based on shared experiences or empathy. The video script describes the speaker's emotional journey from detachment to a profound emotional connection with the Filipino people. This connection is not just intellectual but deeply felt, as the speaker experiences the pain and joy of the people they meet, leading to a personal transformation.

💡Self-Discovery

Self-discovery is the process of understanding and coming to terms with one's own identity, values, and beliefs. The video script narrates the speaker's journey of self-discovery, where they confront their preconceived notions about their Filipino heritage and ultimately embrace it. This journey involves traveling to the Philippines, interacting with the people, and experiencing a profound sense of belonging and pride.

💡Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, and in the context of the video, it represents the speaker's ancestral homeland. The speaker's visit to the Philippines is a pivotal moment in their narrative, as it leads to a reevaluation of their identity and a newfound appreciation for the country's culture, history, and people.

💡Pain and Joy

Pain and joy are emotional states that the speaker experiences while in the Philippines. These terms are used to describe the complex emotions that arise from witnessing the struggles and the spirit of the Filipino people. The speaker's empathy for the pain of others leads to a deeper understanding and connection, while the joy reflects the positive aspects of Filipino culture and the resilience of its people.

💡Fil-Am

Fil-Am is a colloquial term for Filipino-Americans, indicating individuals of Filipino descent living in the United States. The video script uses this term to highlight the speaker's initial distinction between themselves as an American and the Filipinos they initially did not identify with. However, the speaker's journey leads to the realization that there is no fundamental difference between Fil-Ams and Filipinos, emphasizing a shared identity and experience.

💡The Filipino Story

The Filipino Story refers to the narrative that the speaker feels compelled to share about the Filipino people and their history. It is a personal and collective story that the speaker believes is important for others to understand. The video aims to encapsulate the speaker's emotional journey and the broader historical and cultural narrative of the Philippines, with the goal of inspiring pride and unity among Filipinos.

💡Shared Journey

Shared journey implies that all individuals, regardless of their specific background or current situation, are traveling a common path. In the script, the speaker uses the metaphor of 'the same boat' to express the idea that all Filipinos, whether living in the Philippines or abroad, are on a shared journey towards a common goal of understanding, unity, and greatness. This concept is used to foster a sense of solidarity and collective purpose.

Highlights

The speaker initially didn't like being Filipino due to negative perceptions and stereotypes.

A desire to be Hawaiian in high school because of the positive image and lack of negative stereotypes associated with Hawaii.

The Philippines was often associated with negative topics like kidnappings, poverty, and corruption.

The term 'FOB' (Fresh-off-the-boat) was used derogatorily towards immigrants, including Filipinos.

A transformative experience in the Philippines at the age of over forty changed the speaker's perspective.

Experiencing the slums of the Philippines led to a profound emotional connection and empathy for the people.

The realization that the people in the Philippines, despite hardships, had a joy and strength that was inspiring.

The speaker felt that the people in the Philippines gave them something more valuable than material wealth.

The moment of truly feeling Filipino and the connection to the culture and people was a pivotal point in the speaker's life.

The speaker's journey to the Philippines as an American and return as a Filipino signifies a deep cultural and personal transformation.

The desire to share the true story of the Philippines and its people with others, especially those of Filipino descent.

The creation of 'The Filipino Story' as a means to educate and inspire others about the Filipino heritage.

The goal to move, touch, and inspire the Filipino audience to recognize their greatness as a people.

The realization that there is only one type of Filipino, regardless of where they were born or raised.

The metaphor of being on the same boat, signifying the shared journey and destiny of all Filipinos.

An invitation to join the speaker in their mission to understand and celebrate Filipino identity and heritage.

The speaker's motivation to ensure future generations, including their children, know and take pride in their Filipino roots.

The promise of a fun and beautiful journey towards a shared destination of greatness for the Filipino people.

Transcripts

Growing up I really didn’t like being Filipino.

I didn’t.

I wasn’t proud to be Filipino, I  didn’t have any reason to be proud.

Straight up, I wanted to  be Hawaiian in high school.

I wanted to be Hawaiian!

Because everybody loved Hawaii.

They didn’t talk about the Philippines,  

and when they did talk about the  Philippines, it was not good.

You know?

Kidnappings in the Philippines.

Poverty, corruption.

And you’re like, “Why would  I wanna be a part of that?”

And then those immigrants  would come, and the jokes came.

It’s like, “Oh, they’re a bunch of FOBs.”

Fresh-off-the-boat.

So growing up, I never  really wanted to be Filipino.

It didn’t change until I was over forty.

Before that, it was all business,  it was all making money.

That’s who I was.

But it happened 16, 17 years ago,  and I really saw the Philippines.

That’s when it all changed.

Being there and walking through  those slums, and feeling what I felt.

You know?

I just felt their pain.

And I felt their joy.

And I’m just like…”What the hell is that!?”

How do you feel pain, and how do you feel joy?

What the hell is this thing going on in my heart?

I’ve never felt that in my life before.

These are like strangers.

These were supposed to be the  bad people that made me look bad.

These were supposed to be the kidnappers.

And I’m the guy who walks  in there who has everything,  

and I walked out of there with something more.

And instead of me giving them  something, they gave me something back.

I felt something in my heart,  I felt this connection.

And it was pure.

There’s this, like, thing that  I was feeling about them

and could never explain what it  was, but it made me happy.

And it made me feel good.

It’s…It was the day I became Filipino.

It was the day I felt them and they felt me.

I went on that trip to the Philippines as  an American, but I came back as a Filipino.

And that was…the biggest  gift that I could ever have.

I fell in love with a people, and I fell  in love with a country that I never knew.

And I came back, and it lived right there.

And I said, “Our people need to know.”

“My cousins need to know.”

“My friends need to know!”

And that’s really where I was  on a mission to tell the truth.

And that’s kinda where I’m at today.

The Filipino Story is a cliff-note  version of what I wanted to know  

about my own people and this  country called the Philippines,  

where I’ve encapsulated everything  that I feel in my heart as a Filipino.

Our goal is to move, touch,  

and inspire a Filipino audience to  realize our true greatness as a people.

And they can finish it with clarity,  knowing, “Oh my God. I’m a Filipino.”

“Now I know where I come from.  Now I know what happened.”

And, “Oh my God, it moves my heart.”

“I’m not just Fil-Am. I’m Filipino.”

“And when I thought there were two types  of Filipino: a Fil-Am, and a Filipino.  

There’s only one.”

And as much as I made fun of the  immigrants and called them boat people,  

we’re one people, on the same  journey, on the same boat.

And I know that now.

And that boat, is how we’re  gonna get to greatness again.

I’d love for people to come on this boat with us.

If they’re yearning to understand  who they are and what happened,  

I mean, join us, because we’re here to tell that.

Finally!

And I’m doing this for my kids.

I want my kids to know and I want my kids’ kids  

to know that they come from a  great land with great people.

If you’re one of those people, join us!

Just join us.

Cuz you’re gonna realize, that at the end  of the day, we’re all on the same boat.

And the boat’s gonna get stronger and  it’s gonna get faster until we get to  

the destination that we wanna  get to if everybody just hops on.

That’s all we’re asking.

It’s gonna be a fun ride.

It’s gonna be a beautiful ride.

I promise you.