For 1^st generation immigrants:

Are there Filipino values, traditions, customs that you feel strongly about or that you wish your children and close relations would show in their attitudes and behaviors?

Conversely, their total/partial disregard for these values, traditions and customs would offend you, or make you uncomfortable, or make you angry? Why? How did you learn these things that have become so important to you?

List whatever comes to mind (two or 3 for starters) and start jotting down what these are and in what context in whatever writing format you want. It’s a draft and beginning thoughts and if you can, write a couple of pages about these. Do not edit at this point of writing. Let your thoughts and feelings flow. You have the option to share or not share what you are writing at this point.

For 2^nd Gen and beyond (those who were born and raised outside the Country)

Do behaviors/attitudes/expectations of parents and relatives or Filipino “elders” in the Community puzzle you or annoy or amuse or make you angry? Or do you take pride in being part of this like-minded Community members that you belong to? These behaviors may be related (or maybe not) to Philippine values, customs and traditions. We will find out in discussions later. List or identify and be as specific as you can. As a writer, you may write for your children and make other observations of others as long as you share these with those about whom you are writing if specific to individuals or identifiable as a Community. You can write a page or two.

1. Family gatherings (rich source for eliciting memories)

Filipinos have strong family orientation. A Korean friend once told me that

when she thinks of Chinese – she thinks, “money”

when she thinks Japanese, she thinks, “corporations”

when she thinks American, she thinks “individuals”

when she thinks Filipino, she thinks “family”

2. Religious/Spiritual Orientations

Many of our long standing practices are religious based; sometimes

bordering on “superstition”. It affects our attitudes toward marriage; raising

children; attending to the sick, elderly and dying; burying our dead. From the

cradle to the grave, we are prone to base our decisions and judgment on religious beliefs. Or on beliefs in “good” and “bad spirits” (probably carry over from Malay heritage)

3. Community Affiliations

Think Organizations and Fiesta celebrations. Community, next to family,

gives us a sense of belonging. Filipinos are known for their hospitality.

They are generous and hospitable to a fault!

4. Relational Styles or Inter and Intra personal

Relating Filipinos highly value their relationship to one another. Just as Eskimos have

different words to describe “snow” because it is important and even a matter

of life and death for them; or as the Micronesians have different words for

coconut as this is a means of livelihood, and therefore of utmost importance,

Filipinos have developed different words for the 8 types of relationships

distinguishing outsiders and insiders’ levels of closeness or distance from

one another. (Enriques Ver in his book, Sikolohiyang Pilipino). We don’t

need to get bogged down with terminology but Enriquez’s value structure:

its Core, Surface and Societal will be presented again as I did in the first

Pinay workshops.

5. This time I’d like to add a section for the Artists Among Us

The painters, sculptors, arts & craft professionals, musicians, textile experts

Poets – all have a place in the Diaspora. Artists represent values that are

nuanced and they portray differently their vision of past and/or present

that us ordinary folks may overlook.

Start writing NOW.