Heritage.

Apologies for being late on my blog it has been awhile but from now on I will be consistent in posting my blogs! So last Tuesday our class went down to city college to attend Judy Patacsils book fair and panel event promoting her book Filipino's in San Diego. It was raining, parking was horrible but we pulled through, grabbed some seats and listened to Judy Patacsils and co-author Felix Tuyays presentation about a book titled  "Filipino's in San Diego".
Judy Patacsil shared with us about Filipinos in San Diego and had a slide show full of pictures of Filipino's which was divided into five chapters 1)Early pioneer and settlers 2)Foundation and community 3)Military life 4)Forging identities 5)Contribution to the community. The collection of each picture had an individual story behind it which she interpreted to us. She spoke about how the Gas Lamp Quarter use to be the former Phillipines town in San Diego owned by Filipino business owners. She spoke of as well the history of how Filipino's played silent roles in history including the workers union strikes, fighting alongside with Caesar Chavez in demanding better working conditions and compensation. The Filipino's aided in World War II with allied forces fighting in the Phillipines, foreign lands and continued contributing to future affairs to present day. We can honestly say that Filipino's are regularly disregarded for their contributions to society as well as represent just as much significance as other nationalities. Judy Patacsil, Felix Tuyay and the other members speaking in the panel have helped me realize how much my culture effects who I am now much more than before. I'm more culturally aware and proud of my heritage.

3 Poems

 The three poems reflect on acculturation, bi-culturalization, and assimilation. The first poem, Mary Claire is about a Woman who has embraced both the Filipino and American cultures, she may follow American fashion but she is still influenced by Filipino culture.  She suffers accumulative stress from the American way of partying but still has tendencies to retain her Filipino heritage. This poem reflects on my cultural value of acculturation because I have had my differences in embracing both the American and Filipino culture. How I may act among my peers may not be in the best behavior to them but irregardless I see that if you do not embrace your cultural heritage you are lost. You are lost as the means by you have no real understanding of who you are or the way you should be conducting yourself.







The story revolves around Ben Mercado, a talented high school senior who has rejected his Filipino heritage. The long-simmering feud between Ben and his immigrant father Roland threatens to boil over and ruin the 18th birthday party of Ben's sister Rose. But to Ben's surprise, his sister's celebration challenges his sense of misplaced identity, and the way he regards his father and grandfather. In one night, Ben faces the true nature of his relationships with his family, his friends, and himself.Starring :
Dante Basco
Tirso Cruz III
Eddie Garcia
Gina Alajar
Darion Basco
Dion Basco
Derek Basco
Bernadette Balagtas
Joy Bisco

The video posted above reflects on the 3 values and the cultural stress that Filipino's as a well as similar cultures endure. The stress is the gap generation between Filipino's that come from the Philippines to those being born here.