My main motivation for the Filipino American Lifestyle topic is to strengthen cultural awareness. Filipinos are so good in assimilating into the American culture; there exists an Adaptation Hazard. Pretty soon, the very essence that makes us Filipino becomes a tad bit hazy. Our culture is more than just eating pansit (rice noodles) and doing the Tinikling (a folk dance). We need to consciously flex those cultural muscles. No need to do anything drastic. You can simply exercise those ocular muscles by reading Filipino-related subject materials. They need not put you to snooze either. Here are some books you might just enjoy.
HISTORY/CULTURE
Considering Filipinos by Theodore Gochenour provides great insight on the Filipino psyche. For a non-Filipino, Mr. Gochenour has a very keen understanding of why Filipinos act and think the way they do.
Filipino Americans from 1765 to the Present…by Veltisezar Bautista is easy to understand and very comprehensive. It is one of few books that are devoted to the Filipino American History in North America.
I know History of the Filipino People by Theodore Agoncillo is a college textbook, but where else can you find straight out facts? The book covers the periods from pre-colonial Philippines to the EDSA Revolution, or “People Power,” in 1986. Its narrative is almost conversational, it won’t put you to sleep!
LIFESTYLE
Imagine my surprise and delight when I found the book, Filipino Style on the rack at Border’s shelved under the heading Decorating. The authors are Rene Javellana, Fernando Nakpil Zialcita and Elizabeth V. Reyes. However, the book can be found under the name of its photographers, Luca Invernizzi Tettoni and Tara Sosrowardoyo. Text and photographs bring to life the unique beauty of many antiquated homes and towns in the Philippines. Great ideas are sure to sprout on how to make your house deco more profound. By itself, it makes for a great coffee table book as well.
FICTION
Many Filipino writers have left their mark on Literary America. Among these are Carlos Bulosan (American Is In the Heart) and Jessica Hagedorn (The Dog Eaters). Two exciting new authors are currently carving their niche in the literary mainstream.
The Umbrella Country by Bino Realuyo was first published in 1999 and was one of the top ten finalists in Barnes & Nobles’ Discover Award. The story evolves around an 11-year-old boy’s coming of age in Manila during the Martial Law era. It is not the most colorful period of Philippine history, but it gives you an idea of what it was like to grow up in the Philippines with all its brutal reality. Incidentally, Mr. Realuyo was also featured in an article as one of three newly published authors in the 2001 edition of the Writer’s Market. His insight on the publishing world gives a valuable tip to Filipino American wannabe writers: stock up on guts and more guts.
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