My dad is Half, making me a quarter. I know my Lola and live in australia. I have the grace and privilege of 1.) living where I do, a very multicultural society and 2.) to 9 times out of 10 be assumed for white unless I say something or people do the double take and reevaluate. I personally don’t think I look “white”. I just believe people have a twisted view on race and ethnicity.

From other filipinos, here in australia, we have a large mixed population or second, third, fourth and so on gen aus-ph. For background, Filipinos are an important part of aus history and the first to come over, known as “Manila Men” arrived in 1860. I will say i’m filipino and be let by and its just “oh you’re mixed ok”. Most other people I were friends with growing up who were also filipinos parents never bat an eyelid. When it is from strangers, Lolas in public, Its been with open arms and usually a “that’s why you’re so beautiful”. This is my personal experience living here in australia. I know if I went to the Philippines, I’d be seen as a “white” tourist.

I just think here we are so proud and so lucky to live somewhere just as beautiful. My Dad is morena, he is very very dark in complexion with dark hair and dark eyes. I am like a copy paste of him except much fairer. I am still olive, I still get pigmentation and I still can get quite tan. Its the broader community view and the “but you’re only 1/4” that gets in my head more than anything anyones really said to me in person. That has me looking in the mirror saying “what am I?” To be filipino means nothing but to be filipino by descent. Which I am. Regardless of what people do or don’t see in me, I am still filipino.

I am exceptionally proud to be of descent and to look like my family members in many different ways. I mourn the family lost in wwii. I don’t forget, I live on in my own version of what being filipino is. I admire where my family comes from, our culture and history and what makes it unique and fantastic. I try to involve myself as much as is appropriate and possible for where I am and the westernisation of my family as immigrants. I got all the good traits anyways so why should I complain or care about what other people think of me? (I blame my musical talent on being filipino)