1. Where were you born and when did you come to the US?
I was born in Quezon City, Philippines near the capital Manila. I came to the US when I was five years old in October 1985. It was Halloween and I remember how strange it was that everyone was dressed up and how much I loved the cold, Autumn weather.
2. Under what circumstances did you and your family come to the US?
Both sides of my family lived modest but difficult lives in the Philippines. At that time, there was an oppressive government led by Ferdinand Marcos and a rising people’s revolution that made working and attending school unstable and, at times, unsafe. My aunt was already living and working in the US, as a naturalized citizen, she sponsored our visas under the “family reunification” immigration policies of the time.
3. Please share your immigration experience.
As a child, it was really hard to understand the abrupt change in language, culture and housing that many first generation immigrants experience. I was fortunate to have older siblings who helped me navigate schools, and Sesame Street that taught me English. My parents worked night shifts to ensure we had food on the table and a roof over our heads. As we grew older, we studied hard, worked part time jobs and really made our parents proud. When all four of their children graduated college, this meant a lot. It was something they knew would not have been possible in the Philippines.
4. What would you say is, from your perspective, the most commonly held misconception about people of your culture?
The Asian ‘Model Minority’ myth is a troubling misconception that disparages other people of color and drives a wedge between our communities. It unfairly elevates people of Asian American and Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander (AANHPI) descent, when it’s simply not true. The experiences of this group are incredibly diverse, with large variations in average income, education and employment. The same can be said of the general population of the country.
5. Is there anything you would like others to know that has not been asked here?
Each immigrant experience is very unique, but there are common bonds we all share. Our families made tremendous sacrifices — leaving loved ones, friends and communities behind under often painful circumstances. These were choices made to bring about a safer life and an opportunity to help, share and contribute to the fabric of everyday life in our country, as Americans.
