STEPHANIE WONG

Growing up as a multicultural person in central Florida, my journey to understanding my Filipino identity took an unconventional path. Without a large Filipino community around me, I grew up disconnected from that part of myself – it wasn't until college that I discovered being Filipino was something to embrace with pride rather than simply carry quietly.

As I've matured and recognized how rare my lived experiences have been, I am learning what it truly means to carry this heritage. Being Filipino now means honoring the countless sacrifices of ancestors who endured unimaginable hardships to create the possibilities I enjoy today. It also means celebrating my multifaceted identity – recognizing that my path to Filipino pride may look different from others', but that this unique perspective is itself a valuable part of the Filipino story.

My Filipino identity isn't defined by growing up with Filipino food and parties or speaking Tagalog at home, but by the deliberate choice to connect with my roots, learn from our collective past, and contribute my own distinct voice to the ongoing narrative of what it means to be Filipino in America.

Filipino voices remain marginalized even within the broader Asian American narrative, making our visibility in media, politics, and education virtually nonexistent. This erasure has real consequences – I'm witnessing Filipinos quietly detained and deported at borders, while our shared history with America disappears from textbooks as if it never happened.

The irony is profound: despite the Philippines being a former U.S. territory and Filipinos consistently filling critical labor shortages across industries – from healthcare to agriculture – our contributions remain undervalued and largely invisible. We've been integral to America's story, yet we're written out of it.

That said, there are encouraging signs of progress. We're seeing more Filipino judges ascending to the bench and mixed-heritage celebrities finally embracing and publicly celebrating their Filipino identity. These breakthroughs matter because representation isn't just about seeing ourselves reflected – it's about ensuring future generations understand that Filipino Americans have always been here, building and serving this country, deserving of recognition and respect.

The work isn't done, but these victories give me hope that we're moving toward a future where Filipino contributions are no longer invisible.