#fahm2017

A few people have expressed interest in creating these outfits for cosplay or Halloween and wanted to see them in color, so here it is! If any of you do decide to dress up as these characters, please share photos with me. I'd love to see! Original grayscale version can be seen here. (Don't edit or repost my work. Please reblog directly from my page only)

Do YOU know what DAY/WEEK/MONTH it is?! #internationalDAYofthegirl #nationalcomingoutDAY #teenreadWEEK #latinxheritageMONTH #filipinoamericanhistoryMONTH #lgbthistoryMONTH #LHM2017 #IDG2017 #FAHM2017 #LGBTHM17 #TRW17 #NCOD2017 #🏳️‍🌈 #📖 (at Skylight Books)

Kind of! My parents (especially my dad, who’s really into ancestry) did one of those genetic testing kits to determine if we really had that Spanish blood that we always talked about. Unsurprisingly, my dad had mainly East Asian genes and my mom had Polynesian genes, but interestingly enough, most of the genetic tracing led to Guam, so I guess that goes back really far in Filipino cultural ties? Also, on the side of my dad’s fascination with our family history, he found that his mom’s side of the family may have ties to the lost branch of the family of Confucius. So, that’s a fun fact of mine, I guess?

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For those not from the Philippines, have you ever been to there? Tell a story or favorite memory from your visit! Over the summer, I went back to the Philippines for the first time since 2010. It was such a fun vacation and I got to do so much! I caught up with family I haven't seen in years, went island hopping in Camiguin (in the Mindanao area), swam in some pretty secluded but beautiful beaches, and went to Boracay twice where I went parasailing and jetskiing for the first time. Pretty sure I got a mango shake or drank straight from a coconut at every chance I got. It really is more fun in the Philippines and I'm hoping to go back next year!

Meet Korry Valley a freshman at Northeastern University! Korry’s story is unique in that she has lived in the Philippines most of her life (Alabang, Metro Manila to be precise!), and does not identify as Filipino-American. How did you first become involved in the Filipino - American community? I moved the the Philippines when I was a baby because of my dad's job. What part of Filipino culture do you most connect with? I connect with the corny jokes, laughing a lot, the "too sweet" or "too salty" tastes of typical Filipino food. I connect with how people treat each other, and how people are so friendly no matter who they are :) What have you learned by being a part of your school's Filipino cultural organization? The first weeks of school I was extremely home sick, I missed the Philippines so much, and when I joined NU Barkada, it felt like I found a bit of home, in a place that wasn't home to me yet. (wow so deep) But it's really true, I love being with people who share or have similar beliefs, and values just because they have connections to the Philippines. In what ways do you see ties in your own culture or background with the Filipino culture? Even though I am American and I was brought up in an American household, I feel that a lot of my culture has been strongly influenced by Filipino Culture, because of the people I was friends with, the people who helped me grow up, all influenced the way I saw things. I think that American and Filipino Culture have similarities that they both want and love having a good time, and we all loveeeee to eat (although bread/pasta = rice) Describe a significant event in your life that shaped who you are today My junior year of highschool, I started a Project for street kids in the Philippines. I was helped out by my church who called it "Side walk Sunday". My project was to give street kids their Christmas wishes. So in early November my friends and I asked all streets kids who attended Side walk Sunday, what they wanted most for Christmas, some kids put batman toys, barbie, and others put shoes, pajamas, black board and chalk to draw, and one kid asked for a sewing machine to fix his clothes. I was really moved by what the kids asked for because I never realized how much I had until they wanted things like chalk, and pajamas.. Throughout November we found sponsors to buy/or donate 500 pesos (about 10$) so that we could buy each kid their gift. On Christmas Eve, we handed out about 150 presents with their Christmas wish, a snack, and slippers. All the kids were really grateful and it filled my heart to see that. Now when I want something I try to think about everything I already have, and I am a lot more thankful because of what I saw. What do you feel most grateful for your life? My Family, they are my support system, and I have no idea what I would do without them. Tell us about someone who has had a big influence in your life? My coaches in high school, they showed me how to work hard, and be respectful. They didn't only teach me how to be an athlete but they taught me how to carry myself, and to do with right thing. Describe the happiest moment of your life The happiest moment in my life was adopting my brother, Zach. He is full filipino, and we adopted him from White Cross in the Philippines when he was 3. Even though he is a massive pain most of the time, he makes me so happy and I couldn't wish for a better brother. Can you tell us about one of your most difficult memories? One of my most difficult memories was when I was in about middle school, my dad had lost his job, and we were going to move away from the Philippines for good because of it. Hearing that was one of the hardest things I had to deal with because for me, even though I'm not Filipino, the Philippines is home to me. On the bright side, he found another job and I got to stay <3 What has been one of your biggest regrets in life so far? Not trying to tryout other things, I wish that I got into more clubs in highschool, because looking at it now, I would never know if I enjoyed acting, or singing, but I was always too shy to try. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I really want to have a good paying job, and live in a nice area, with a beautiful home, and a dog. I want to be happy and secure. What traditions have been passed down your family? My family doesn't have many traditions but my favorite tradition is eating homemade lasagna, and watching its a wonderful life on Christmas Eve. Describe your immediate/household family My family consists of an older Sister, Jordan, younger brother Zach, my mom, Patti, and my dad, Darin. We have two huskies Nala, and Kannel who are adorable. Other people who live in my house, is Marian, who helps me with everything, Iverson, her son (my brothers best friend) and Johnryl who always helps us out. Do you have any stories involving your older/deceased ancestors? My grandfather passed away when I was 12, but when we go to visit his grave, there is always a white butterfly flying around, so when we see a white butterfly ever, we say its my grandfather watching over us. Describe an extended family member you are most attached to and the relationship you have with him/her I am most attached to my grandmother, she always tries to help everyone out, and she does good, puts others before her, and she is just an amazing person. Is having a knowledge of family history important? Why or why not? I think it is, because it provides a piece of who you are and where you came from. What does it mean to be successful in your family? To be successful in my family means that even if you don't do the best, but you know you tried your best, you're successful, and we will be proud of each other.

Juanita Mintac Guleng raised me in my formative years and taught me to be a loving, kind, compassionate, decent servant leader. She had a third grade education, but what she lacked in formal education she made up for in tenacity, principle, and good moral character. When we lived in Vacaville, I remember walking hand in hand with her, having a hard time keeping up with her as we walked along Alamo Drive, picking up walnuts along the way. As the years passed, I noticed that it was now her that was having a hard time keeping up with me, so I held her hand when we walked so she would know I would never leave her behind. #NoHistoryNoSelfKnowHistoryKnowSelf #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth2017 #FAHM2017

Meet Eric Makapugay a sophomore at Northeastern University. He is a Filipino-American who grew up in an environment that did not emphasize Filipino culture. How would you describe your upbringing? Before I had come come up to Boston, I would say I identified as an American in my hometown of Memphis, TN. My family wasn't really involved in the Filipino community, and there were barely any Filipinos whom I interacted with or became friends with at all. I'd say the only exposure I got from my culture was from my immediate family members, which mostly shaped how I viewed Filipino culture at the time. My high school was predominately white, so growing up I almost forgot about my ethnicity and never saw being Filipino as something important to me. What challenges did you face growing up as a Filipino/Filipino-American? Describing my ethnicity to my classmates in elementary school and even high school was always a challenge. Since my high school had a small asian population, most of classmates would group all of the asian students as one identity. Some didn't even know what the Philippines was, so growing up I almost forgot about my Filipino identity because I wanted to fit in with the other kids. How has being involved in a Filipino cultural organization helped you to connect with your culture? I would say after joining Boston College's PSBC and later NEU's Barkada as a transfer student, my entire perspective of asian culture and Filipinos had changed. It was the first time I had really interacted with other Filipinos, other than my immediate family members, and showed how diverse the Filipino community is. I'm actually so bad with Filipino culture and didn't know much about the food, traditions, or even line dancing lol, but all of these things didn't matter as much. It was the loving community of amazing people and friends who have shaped my identity as a Filipino-American :) Describe a significant event in your life that shaped who you are today Back in my elementary/middle school days, I was a pretty awkward person who didn't have many friends. I remember in middle school and most of high school,  I would spend most of my days playing guitar rather than hanging with kids or going to social events. It was very hard for me to meet new people as an introvert who had trouble interacting with people in general. At this time I met my best friend, Ahmi, who was an insanely good drummer and someone who was completely different than me. He helped shape me into the person who I am today, and we've been playing music together ever since. He was the opposite of me and was someone who enjoyed socializing with everyone. I've learned a lot from him because now I would say that I'm an extrovert who also loves meeting people. I knew this was the type of person who I wanted to be, but it was Ahmi who helped get me to this point. What do you feel most grateful for your life? I am so thankful for my parents who have given me so much. They have sacrificed for me financially whether it was for music, school, or even just for the little things. I honestly wouldn't be a musician if it wasn't for them because they have paid for everything (If you have music equipment, you know how expensive this stuff is)!! I don't want to waste the opportunities they have given me, and I am so lucky have parents who want me to pursue my dreams. Tell us about someone who has had a big influence in your life? My big sis is definitely my role model. She's just a talented, smart, and awesome person who inspires me to be as cool as her! Describe the happiest moment of your life Getting my first guitar :) Describe your immediate/household family My dad, mom, and older sister What does it mean to be successful in your family? Follow your own dreams and passions rather than what anyone else expects of you.