These Filipinos living in the U.S. share what being Pinoy means to each of them. Whether through their work, their art, or simply the way they treat others or carry themselves, there's just something different about these Pinoys that allows them to positively impact others.
We asked people whose lives some of these Filipinos have touched--a former student who was always in trouble during his teens; a patient desperate for effective and compassionate care; a niece slowly growing into and negotiating her Filipino-American identity. Tears were shed, and they all agreed that meeting these people changed their lives essentially by just being who they always were, doing what they loved to do.
And we don't know---there is no single set of words that can fully encapsulate what "Being Filipino" means. Maybe it's the Pinoy brand of contagious optimism and resilience. Maybe it's the way we dress, the way we give our best even when we don't have much. Maybe it's our unapologetically Filipino accent. Maybe it's the way we care for others like they're family. Maybe it's our feistiness when someone goes against our family and culture.
One thing's for sure, though. Being Filipino is always about the heart.
What does Being Filipino mean for you? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #BeingFilipino.