…nor do I use chopsticks! Filipinos are faith, family, music, and FOOD loving people. And regardless of our economic status, we all enjoy gatherings and karaoke in the company of our family and friends. And thank God for the strong Filipino community here in Washington, my family and I are able to preserve some of our culture and traditions.
Last week, my wife, my kids, and I were among the role players in the Mass for San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint. The 9-day novena, processions, and feasts complete this annual celebration, held jointly by the St. John Bosco and St. Cabrini Catholic Church Fil-Am groups. This year’s event was done at our sister church, St. Frances Cabrini, in Lakewood, Washington. This is the first time in years where my wife and I were not directly responsible for the preparation of the program. Whew! However, we were still very much involved. My kids were in the opening procession. I was in the choir. And my wife, suprisingly, volunteered to do a prayer in Filipino. Oh, how fun! Mostly, all we had to do was bring our appetite.
Along with Simbang Gabi, events like this one, are useful instruments for a Filipino father like me in teaching my U.S.-born sons universal family values, spirituality, and humility. Filipino food, Filipino stores, Filipino friends, Wowowie, and others like these, also help them appreciate heritage, culture, and diversity. To us, being different is the norm.
And as I attempt to explain to Elijah that the cashiers in the Filipino stores can speak English, and to Mino that he’s half Filipino and NOT “mostly Washingtonian,” my wife and I wish to continue to teach our children about loving thy neighbour and self by example.
And by the way, no dogs were eaten at the feast
