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9 Things You Never Understood While Growing Up As A Filipino-American

No really, why is ube so purple though?

Chelsea Maninang

Mar 22, 2016

Michigan State University

552

9 Things You Never Understood While Growing Up As A Filipino-American

The Asian Parent

I grew up in a town in Metro-Detroit that happened to be predominantly white at the time when I was growing up. I was one of the only Filipino kids in my grade and if there were any other Filipinos, I knew them and their families. Being in an environment where there weren't many people that looked like me, it made my childhood really interesting. It's like I'd go to school and be immersed in a very American or Westernized culture, but I'd come home and it'd be a different world. Nevertheless, my childhood and the childhoods of other Filipino-Americans were/are nothing short of entertaining.

How your friends know you're Filipino, but never think you’re Asian.

Me: Haha, yeah I’m Asian!!

Friend: What? No, you’re Filipino!!

Why your parents give you random ass nicknames.

Ex: you have people in your family called Baby, Bong, etc when their names are like David and Mark. My nickname was actually "Ching." How you get Ching from Chelsea is something I'll never understand...

Why your family that was born in the Philippines pronounces “F” as “P.”

Seafood city turns into Seapood City and Filipino turns into Pilipino.

Wondering why not every bathroom had these things…

Why your family pointed at things with their lips…

Why Filipino Moms spent lifetimes talking to their friends in public places like Costco or Seafood City while you were just ready to GTFO...

Why you have the same last name as some Hispanic people…

until you learned that Spain conquered half the world, like, what the hell, Spain…

Why ube was so purple…

Why people saw the need for forks and spoons when hands are clearly viable eating utensils…

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

9 Things You Never Understood While Growing Up As A Filipino-American

No really, why is ube so purple though?

How your friends know you're Filipino, but never think you’re Asian.

Why your parents give you random ass nicknames.

Why your family that was born in the Philippines pronounces “F” as “P.”

Wondering why not every bathroom had these things…

Why your family pointed at things with their lips…

Why Filipino Moms spent lifetimes talking to their friends in public places like Costco or Seafood City while you were just ready to GTFO...

Why you have the same last name as some Hispanic people…

Why ube was so purple…

Why people saw the need for forks and spoons when hands are clearly viable eating utensils…

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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