by May Virola

Created on: September 07, 2007

In order to understand the Filipino identity it is necessary to describe it in terms of the following areas: geographical identity, racial identity and cultural identity. But first and foremost, Filipino is a term used to refer to people living in the Philippines who were born there or acquired their Philippine citizenship. It likewise means someone who can trace in his family tree a "Philippine Connection" - someone who was Filipino or born of Filipino parent/s.

GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTITY: Some people question the Filipinos' being Asians. Maybe because when people hear the word Asian they always think of Japanese, Chinese and Korean. To settle this, it is essential to know what "Asian" really means. Asian is most commonly used as a term to refer to people coming from or living in Asia. That being said, the Philippines is geographically located in Southeast Asia, thus its inhabitants or people of its origins are ASIANS.
In addition, the Philippine Islands, just like Japan, is located in the western side of the Oceania or the Pacific Ocean. Thus those who think that they are PACIFIC ISLANDERS are likewise correct.

ETHNIC/RACIAL IDENTITY: The Filipino of modern times is a mlange of racial blood. They maybe a combination of the following races: Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, Spanish, American, and British among others.

One of the first inhabitants of the archipelago were the Itas/Agtas/Aetas. They closely resemble the aboriginals in Australia. They are small in stature, have dark skin and kinky hair. Then there are also the Malays and Indons who sailed from nearby islands either for trading or migratory purposes. The Chinese were likewise active traders in this part of Asia even prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.
The finding and naming of the archipelago by Spanish conquistadors and their eventual colonization which lasted for more than 300 years has led to inter-racial marriages. And then the Americans followed suit, and now the modern inter-racial marriages.

This is the primary reasons why non-Filipinos or those who are or were not exposed to Filipinos sometimes find it hard to distinguish them from other races. Some look Chinese, some have western physical characteristics, some closely resemble Indonesians or Malays, and others are just in between. But funny enough, a Filipino knows a fellow Filipino regardless of their physical characteristics. You may look very Chinese, but they will still know if you're Filipino.....They have FILIDAR - Filipino RADAR!

CULTURAL IDENTITY:

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>