Filipino vs. Filipino-American

I do believe there is a difference between Fil-Ams and Filipinos but I am always in awe of both Filipinos and Filipino-Americans who can jump in-between both worlds seamlessly.

I really look up to people who can be in the middle and understand both worlds and fit in both worlds. I don’t care who you are or where you are from, if you have a good grasp of both sides of the debate, of two extremes, then you have accomplished something!

But the people I respect most of all are people who are true to themselves and true to others. You don’t have to understand “both worlds.” Just respect them. People who respect the opinions of others while respecting their own have already achieved half the battle. The other half is finding a way to make both parties better after hearing each other out. Not taking each other apart.

The question then isn’t “am I Filipino” or “am I Filipino-American…”

In the end, we’re all just trying to make better lives for ourselves. So the big question is how can Filipinos in the Philippines and Filipinos in America help each other create better lives for themselves and their children… together?