When I tell people I’m part Filipino, they take one look at my pasty white skin and thin blonde hair and unsurprisingly raise their eyebrows. This is usually followed by an impromptu interview of sorts, to discover the basis of my curious claim.
Really? You don’t look very Filipino to me…
“Well,” I’ll confess, “Not by blood. But I’m part Filipino on the inside.”
How does that work? Did you grow up there or something?
“No,” I’ll admit, “But I lived there for awhile, after high school before university. And I have family there.”
Oh, so do your parents live there?
“No,” I’ll finally relent, and award their persistence with an abridged version of the story. “My Grandpa started a Children’s Home there, which he ran for over 20 years. The kids he raised called him Dad, and when I went to the Philippines for the first time, they called me Niece, Sister, or Aunty. So I kind of inherited a family.”
The pieces start falling into place. Those with some connection to the Philippines – Filipinos living abroad or fellow honorary Filipinos – are usually ready to take me home to exchange stories over halo halo like old friends at this point. The rest are still a little bewildered. Not entirely sure what to do with me, but fearing the impending onslaught of a life story, they concede something along the lines of “that’s cool” and change the subject.
—
When I was a little girl, too little to really even understand what countries were, my Grandpa would tell me about the faraway land that he lived in when he wasn’t in Canada. “I’ll take you there one day,” he promised, “They will love your beautiful blonde hair.”
I treasured those moments, partly because I didn’t think there was anything special about my hair. Blonde hair was the most normal and boring type of hair, I couldn’t fathom why anyone would think it interesting. But somewhere out there, in a magical, faraway place, there might be someone who did.
The Philippines disappeared from my mind almost entirely as I grew up, until my Grandpa passed away and my Grandma, Uncle and I paid a visit to the Children’s Home to make sure everything and everyone was taken care of in his stead. I was indifferent towards the trip at the beginning, and we were there for less than two weeks, but as the car pulled away from the Home at the end of the trip, I pressed my face against the window and cried long past the end of the street. I began plotting my return before we had even landed back on Canadian soil.
—
“What’s the opposite of a banana?” My Filipino brothers are trying to figure out what to make of the white girl who eats balut, rides on the back of the jeepney, and belts out “Hoy, Pinoy Ako!” in the videoke bar on a regular basis.
“Bananas are Asian on the outside and white on the inside, right? But she’s white on the outside and Filipino on the inside…”
“How about an oreo? No… that’s still backwards…”
“I know! She’s a siopao!” And so it was decided.
—
Intrigued? Read more about my latest trip to the Philippines here and here. Learn more about Siopao, delicious steamed buns in the Philippines, here.
Breaking Moulds 
thank you for enjoying your stay in our country, i’m so proud with your grandpa 🙂
It was fun reading this post!
Glad you are seeing the positive things about our country despite the prevailing poverty.
Salamat! 🙂
Thanks! There are positive and negative attributes about all cultures and countries, I’m sure, the Philippines definitely has its share of negatives but thankfully the positives shine so brightly! Cheers!
Wonderful photos and captions. I’m a Filipina and it’s good to hear that you had a good time in the Philippines. This is a wonderful tribute to the Filipino culture. This made me miss the Philippines more.
Haha, maybe we are twinsies!
My husband is Filipino, but he was born here in Alberta. I have embraced the culture since we have been married, or rather it has embraced ME much like you describe.
Although no matter how much I cook the food (which is every meal of every day as my in-laws live here with us) I don’t think I’ll ever try balut. Good for you to! 😉
How amazingly fun! I totally get this, leaving your heart somewhere else, gathering up family around you. Fantastic!
That is so awesome. And family is family. Doesn’t matter what you look like or where you’re from. It’s all about the heart.
I like this tribute to your dad and to the Filipino culture. What a cool metaphor.
I loved the spirit of this post. The photos were a great addition, too. I need to try a Siopao.
I love how you say “I’m part Filipino on the inside.” Because what’s on the inside is what matters. This is a great post, and the pictures are amazing.
I think it is so great that you were able to extend your family and your identity/culture this way!
Thanks! Yeah the more the merrier (…said the schizophrenic).
What a wonderful story! When I was little I dreamed of adopting many children and living in The White House.
That’s an interesting dream! It would probably also make for an interesting reality TV show, heh!
How cute, you’re a steamed bun, never heard that analogy.
Hahahaha yeah me neither. It certainly doesn’t sound very glamorous when taken out of context! (>_<)
I’ve never been, but my first boss was Filipino and I learnt a bit about the culture from him. I smiled when you referenced all your nieces and nephews. I remember early on getting numerous calls at the office from people who said they were his niece, aunt, uncle etc… and someone had to explain to me that this wasn’t biologically the case … Took a while to adjust 😉
Enjoyed your post – thanks! What a wonderful trips they must have been.
Yeah, it’s true – family in the Philippines has a much looser definition than many people are used to. It’s awesome though! It doesn’t help the confusion either that “uncle” and “aunt” are sometimes used as terms of respect for elders, almost synonymous with “sir” or “ma’am.”
Such an awesome story to be living. My husband was recently in the Philippines for work and he said he felt very tall (6’1″) and very white (blonde with blonde eyelashes).
Oh, yeah! I always feel tall and awkward when I’m there, and I’m an average height in North America. Your husband would definitely be easy to spot in a crowd!
Whoa your Filipino brothers are HAWT… lol
I love that at the end of your trip you had grown to love the Philippines.
How you look shouldn’t really matter. Its what inside that counts.
Yeah they sure are, not gonna lie 😉
It is what’s inside that counts, isn’t it? I wish more people truly believed that, the world would probably be a much better place!
I can totally understand that! Sometimes what we are on the outside is different from what’s in our heart. When I lived in Venezuela, I would tell people I was Venezuelan…although my fair skin and accent told them right away that I wasn’t.
Yeah, it’s a weird and very cool feeling that I think only people who’ve experienced it can really “get.” Thanks for your comment!
I LOVE this story and the photos that go along with it. so very awesome for you.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Love the picture to go with the last line!
Yay, thanks! 🙂
Janelle, what a wonderful, wonderful story. Brought a tear to my eye. Your Grandpa would be so proud that you went back to visit.
Thank you, I hope he would be proud – or, if he knew his boys well enough, probably a little bit terrified – hahaha!!!
Loved it so much when I was done reading it I read it again. Love you Janelle! xoxo
Auntie April
Thank you, awww, I miss you!!!