Mana
Photo series
Photo series
35mm Photos
2015
Like many Filipino-Americans, my Filipino identity has been lost and Western culture has been ingrained. Assimilate. English only. Forks and knives. Christianity. Desire for lighter skin. “Acting white” ...whatever that meant. What does
it even mean to be “Filipino?” This part of my identity was completely lost in the midst of growing up as a first
generation American.
I was part of a Filipino folk arts group that was invited to represent the Philippines for the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii, which took place in April 2015.
We endured several months of brutal preparation for the Merrie Monarch. However, during this preparation process, I gained so much knowledge about my own culture. I was so proud to be part of the first ever Filipino group to perform in the 52 year history (at the time) of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Through this transformative experience, I not only learned more about my own culture, but I also learned about where Filipino and Hawaiian culture intersect. We are not too different from our cousins, the Hawaiians. While I was visiting, the Hawaiians really took care of me and treated me like one of their own. Mahalo and agyamanak to our Hawaiian brothers and sisters.
2015
Like many Filipino-Americans, my Filipino identity has been lost and Western culture has been ingrained. Assimilate. English only. Forks and knives. Christianity. Desire for lighter skin. “Acting white” ...whatever that meant. What does
it even mean to be “Filipino?” This part of my identity was completely lost in the midst of growing up as a first
generation American.
I was part of a Filipino folk arts group that was invited to represent the Philippines for the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii, which took place in April 2015.
We endured several months of brutal preparation for the Merrie Monarch. However, during this preparation process, I gained so much knowledge about my own culture. I was so proud to be part of the first ever Filipino group to perform in the 52 year history (at the time) of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Through this transformative experience, I not only learned more about my own culture, but I also learned about where Filipino and Hawaiian culture intersect. We are not too different from our cousins, the Hawaiians. While I was visiting, the Hawaiians really took care of me and treated me like one of their own. Mahalo and agyamanak to our Hawaiian brothers and sisters.
