RANDOLPH LIZARDO

As a second generation immigrant I believe my version of being Filipino is different from first and third generation Filipino’s living in America. Not that things are any better or worse, but I know that my contemporaries have a unique connection to our history and culture because we were raised on Filipino values and customs in a foreign land. I faced a cultural identity crisis of knowing I was different and not really feeling like I fit in anywhere. In the US, I was picked on for not looking American and when I would visit the Philippines, I was called out for not really being a Filipino. Other Asians even told me I wasn’t Asian enough. It’s important for 2nd generation Filipino’s to develop a deeper understanding and connection with our history and heritage and pass that along. We are the bridge from our past to the future generations.

While I feel there is more of a Filipino presence that can be felt and heard in mainstream media, politics and education today compared to when I grew up, it’s definitely not proportional to our numbers as a people. As of 2023, over 4.5 million people identified as Filipino in the US which represented about 1% of the population. There are those who are breaking the mold for sure, but we are just barely scratching the surface. I think it's important that we try to identify those individuals and groups and help promote and support them in whatever ways that we can. Some communities do great job at rallying behind trailblazers but for some reason historically, we haven't been able to follow suit.