Freedom? Patriotism? Will Smith? BBQ?
Being a Filipina-American, it means a few things.
Of course, being a United States citizen, I am grateful for the troops and veterans who have fought abroad to ensure our safety and freedom here in America. I am literally listening to “Empire State of Mind” right now and though it is about New York, you can sense the amount of pride in that song. As Jay-Z said, “long live the World Trade…” 9/11 gave us another definition of what being “American” was. It seemed concrete before that, but now it feels more like modeling clay. In the last decade since 9/11, we have realized our freedoms, our rights, as well as our shortcomings as the country of “milk and honey.” Minority groups are fighting. The poor are fighting. Immigrants are fighting. IN America. With
Jose Antonio Vargas' admission of being an undocumented immigrant, we have been faced with challenge that has been swept under the rug for so long. Now what? What do we do? We know we have a long way to go.
Many immigrants, including my mom and grandfather, traveled to America because America guaranteed a “better life.” I was born here, grew up here, started school here, and I now work here. I am an American…but I am Filipino. I am Filipino…but also American. This Fourth of July, I explored what it took for me to be where I am today.
The Many Flags of the PhilippinesKKK in Tagalog stands for “
Kataas-taasan,
Kagalang-galangang
Katipunan ng mgá Anak ng Bayan” which in English means “Highest and Most Honorable Society of the Children of the Nation.” The KKK or the
Katipunan for short was an anti-colonial secret organization which was started by Filipino patriots Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo in the shadow of Jose Rizal’s exile. This organization started the fight for their country’s freedom. Here’s your history lesson for today. The Philippines, was colonized and taken over by many countries. The longest occupation was by Spain for 300 years up until the end of the Spanish-American War aka the “Philippine Revolution” when the Spanish granted the islands their “independence” on June 12, 1898. I was lucky enough to have been in the Philippines during the 113th celebration of Philippine Independence Day this year.
Gabriela Silang
A True Filipina HeroOn June 12, 2011, my family went to SM City Rosales, which is the closest shopping center to our house. “Closest” meaning a good 30 minute drive. Little did I know, however, that there were many more conflicts before the Philippine Revolution. Moreover, many of them occurred in my family’s province. A woman by the name of Grabiela Silang, an Ilocano (like me!), fought for the Ilocano people against the Spanish colonizers in the 1700’s - a good 10 years before the American Revolution even started! She is known to be the first woman general of the Philippines.
Don Daniel Maramba
A Hero from PangasinanNow this man fought both the Spaniards and the US! Our province of Pangasinan would not be what it is today without this man. What I loved about this exhibit was that since it was in Pangasinan, there was a focus on heroes from Pangasinan and the Ilocano region. I heard of Gabriela before, but I got to learn more about her and her contributions here on the land she fought for.
One cannot think of Philippine heroes without mentioning Jose Rizal. He is considered the Philippines national hero who was a well-traveled doctor, poet, scientist, and novelist who knew 20 languages, but most of all a patriot. He formed “La Liga Filipina” a group advocating equality and wrote publications for reform. These would lead to his execution in December 1896. He was a hero who not only left his mark in the Philippines but also in Europe and the Caribbean. Did you know he made a trip to San Francisco in 1888, but was detained due to the Chinese Exclusion Act? Even then he saw the unjust treatment of people of color in the States. As we all know, the Philippines was involved in another nasty war - WWII. See the gentleman who is just to the right of the Jose Rizal statue? He and I passed each other as I was leaving the exhibit. I could tell by his age and the hat he wore that he was a Veterano of WWII. This picture wasn’t taken by accident. I meant for him to be in the picture…He, himself, knows the struggles that the country went through to get to where it is now. Now…let me tell you about another hero.
Tatay with his fellow Veteranos in Lingayen, Pangasinan
Near the site of the Battle of Luzon/Lingayen GulfWorld War II started in the Philippines shortly after Europe's war did. By the end of 1942, the Japanese had occupied the Philippines putting droves of Filipinos into slavery. Throughout this time, the US planned on “liberating” the Philippines and its people successfully doing so 1945. In 1946, with the Treaty of Manila, the United States granted independence to the Philippines on July 4th…So technically there WERE two Philippine Independence Days - one from Spain on June 12th 1898 and one from the USA on July 4, 1946. July 4th was celebrated as Independence Day until 1964 when then President Diosdado Macapagal changed it back to June 12. Since then June 12th has been the official Independence Day. Either way, it’s reason to celebrate!
My grandpa, who we lovingly call “Tatay,” fought alongside the Americans against the Japanese during the war. Tatay was only 20 years old…and even 60 years later, he told me stories about being a guerilla warrior and capturing a Japanese POW. I remember him saying, "we didn't kill the "hapon" (Japanese)...we brought him back to the camp and gave him rice to eat because he was a solider just like us..." He had a 4-inch scar on his upper arm near his shoulder from the war. One time he told me it was from a Japanese sword. Another time he told me it was from shrapnel. LOL! I don’t care where it came from. It was deep - a battle scar…from somewhere. At Tatay’s funeral in 2010, he got full military honors complete with a parade led by his fellow soldiers and a Philippine flag draped across his coffin.
Sergio Fabro Boston, is MY hero.
So I am asking myself again…what does Independence Day mean for me?
It means a lot of things. It meant looking back at our family’s history, our country’s history, the history the USA is in the process of making. It means paying homage to those, our heroes, who paved the way for our happiness. It means being appreciative of the blessings we have received since the Boston Family arrived here in San Francisco. Though Jose Rizal was kept at the pier during his visit, I am glad my Tatay made it through. I am sure he dealt with hardships adapting to his new surroundings in the late 70’s, but he lived like a soldier until his last breath. For him and his “fight” for his family, I am grateful. Maybe Independence Day also means being yourself. Being free to be who you are wholeheartedly, to believe whatever, love whoever, and be wherever...as long as it is fair and no one gets hurt. Just free...just yourself...if that is the case, I wish Independence Day should be 365.
=D
Anywho!
So what was everyone eating this whole weekend?
July 4th Weekend is all about grilling, bbq, burgers, etc…atbp…
On Saturday, Keat and I went to
Sinugba, a Filipino restaurant in our neighborhood. It’s one of our go-to spots when we whttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifant a meal that is fast, delicious, and close to home. So July 4th is all about grilling? Well “Sinugba” means “grill” in Visayan - PERFECT!
Chicken BBQ with Garlic Rice
Side: Chicken Sotanghon, Chicken BBQ-Silog, Laing
Dishes from My Birthday
Tocino, Chick-Boy Sisig, Grilled Sea Bass, and Pork BBQSo if you want some tasty Filipino grilled and sizzling dishes, hit up Sinugba and say hi to Gus for me! =) We come here hungry and always leave satisfied. GO!
On Saturday, it was a bittersweet day. We were remembering our Auntie Lolit who passed away last year of leukemia. Our family gathered in true Filipino-style: a potluck buffet at lunchtime. From Manang Yolly’s Pinoy spaghetti, Nanay Aida’s luscious leche flan, my sister’s chicken wings, and my sushi bake, we were FULL! We just wished Auntie Lolit was still here…but something tells me she was watching over us.
Today, is July 4th, but we spent the early hours of the day at Seton Hospital’s Emergency Room. Keaton succumbed to his mosquito bites and had a fever. He’s fine now, but it was scary for a moment. Actually, he was more than okay. We woke up in the early afternoon, and when I mentioned I wanted cheeseburgers, we got out of bed with a quickness!
Bacon Cheeseburger, Fries, Strawberry Tart
How much more American can you get?Of course we didn’t get our cheeseburgers from
anywhere! We went to Nation’s Giant Hamburgers in honor of our nation. I think they make the best “traditional” burger. At times like these, when I am home with my family on a weekend, I like a good burger with American cheese and bacon. I can save the fancy accoutrements for the weekdays when I am in the City. Nation’s sure hit the spot today.
So here I am now just writing and watching Keaton sleep. The Benny he popped knocked him out. =D I hope everyone out there is having a great time and enjoying all the fabulous food! Most importantly, be safe!
Yikes! I already hear the fireworks! Happy Independence Day!
xoxo,
Jo
