Raiden
09-22-2005, 04:06 PM
Here in the U.S. Filipinos are referred to as either Asians or Pacific Islanders.
Over here when we hear someone say Asian, The Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, even the Vietnamese come to mind immediately.
And when someone say Pacific Islander, Samoans, Native Hawaiians, Guamanians come to mind.
Which ethnic or racial background do you think Filipinos belong to?
What about in Japan? Do they categorize foreigners?
stanfordmed
09-22-2005, 04:47 PM
Identity Crisis
When people speak of Asian-Americans (Asian Americans - Wikipedia), they tend to think of Chinese-Americans (Chinese Americans - Wikipedia) or Japanese-Americans (Japanese Americans - Wikipedia), but almost never Filipino-Americans. This is partly due to the common misconception that Filipinos are Pacific Islanders (Pacific Islander - Wikipedia), or even Latinos (Hispanic and Latino Americans - Wikipedia), rather than Asians (Asian people - Wikipedia). Sociologists have used the label of “Invisible Minority” to indicate the identity crisis of the Filipino-American community. Many Filipino-American groups campaigning to increase Filipino-American consciousness by promoting unique accomplishments and talents.
In June of 2002, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and representatives of U.S. President George W. Bush presided over the grand opening and dedication of the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, Hawai’i (Waipahu, Hawaii - Wikipedia). It is the largest Filipino-American institution in the United States, with the goal of preserving Filipino-American history and culture.
“The Invisible Minority”
Ease of integration and assimilation has gained the Filipino-American the label of “Invisible Minority.” Recent Filipino immigrants tend to blend in rapidly, as they speak English fluently, are usually highly educated and economically well-off, and are Christians. The label of “Invisible Minority” also extends to the lack of political power and representation of, by and for Filipino-Americans. In the mid-1990s, only 100 Filipino-Americans held elected office, with all but one serving at the municipal or state level.
Foreigners in Japan (http://www.davidappleyard.c om/japan/jp42.htm)
Dax
09-22-2005, 05:14 PM
Filipinos are “Asians” if you classify us into which continent we belong to. But since there are a lot of countries in Asia, maybe that’s the reason why some people prefer to call us “Pacific Islanders”?
If you just say “Asian”, it could be a white man with gray eyes from Kazakhstan, which, geographically is in Asia. Or it could be dark-skinned little girl with brown eyes from Sri Lanka. I think it would be more accurate if they call us, “Southeast Asians”.
Raiden
09-22-2005, 05:32 PM
We do have an Identity Crisis over here.
I think one of the reason is that Filipinos have diverse physical features.
Me for example, there are times when some non-English speaking Chinese people would approach me and talk to me in Chinese, which sounds like they were asking for directions. The same way when I go to Chinese restaurants. Even my Vietnamese neighbor and some Filipinos thought I was Chinese. Sometimes it is tempting to tell them “look my skin is light brown, not yellow,” but then I would think that either they wouldn’t understand it or it may offend them. My friend would make a joke “they probably smell your Chinese blood.” He’s probably right, because I’m a quarter anyway.
Raiden
09-22-2005, 05:43 PM
Filipinos are “Asians” if you classify us into which continent we belong to. But since there are a lot of countries in Asia, maybe that’s the reason why some people prefer to call us “Pacific Islanders”?
If you just say “Asian”, it could be a white man with gray eyes from Kazakhstan, which, geographically is in Asia. Or it could be dark-skinned little girl with brown eyes from Sri Lanka. I think it would be more accurate if they call us, “Southeast Asians”.
I guess it depends on the country we settle at, because I believe in the UK, if they say Asians they are referring to Indians (from India), Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis.
It seems complicated, huh? But you’re right it would be more accurate to refer to us as South East Asians.
andres
09-22-2005, 07:22 PM
I think this is mainly an issue in the US, where you are largely defined by your “race”, as opposed to other countries where you would be defined more by your nationality or your “culture”. For me, this is one of the strange things about American society, i.e., so multicultural and yet so hung up on “race”.
Over here in Japan, though, it would be quite absurd to define oneself as “asian”. 
Willy2k5
09-23-2005, 08:45 AM
I think this is mainly an issue in the US, where you are largely defined by your “race”, as opposed to other countries where you would be defined more by your nationality or your “culture”. For me, this is one of the strange things about American society, i.e., so multicultural and yet so hung up on “race”.
Para sa akin , kahit tawagin nila tayong Asian or Pacific islanders ok lang yon. Kasi halo halo naman yung dugo natin ah. diba? May Chinese, Japanese , Spaniards, Americans, Malay and etc.
Speaking of Multi-cultural, I think darating ang panahon na talaga ang mga tao ay Halo Halo. Wala ng “Race”. Tatawagin na lang itong by nationality. Kasi, dito sa Toronto , nasubukan nila na OK ang systema. Walang gulo, very organize. Kaya noong dumating ako dito talagang shock ako kasi yung tao ay iba iba , may white(eastern europian, british, russian etc), blacks, south asian,south american chinese, at filipino’s. Talagang na kaka depress yung lagur kasi may lugar na puro puti, or south asians or filipinos. Pero nasasanay na rin kasi nakikita mo araw araw yung ibat ibang tao.
Racial Makeup of Metropolitan Toronto (Metropolitan Toronto - Wikipedia ),CANADA:
White - 53.3%
Chinese - 10.6%
South Asian - 10.3%
African/Black - 8.3%
Filipino - 3.5%
Southwest Asian - 2.4%
Latin American - 2.2%
Southeast Asian - 1.4%
Korean - 1.2%
Japanese - 0.5%
Mixed Visible Minorities - 0.8%
Other - 1.5%Pero para sa akin, magandang tingnan ang halo halong tao kasi makikita mo na very unique talaga ang likha ng diyos. Makikita mo na lahat ay parehas lang, TAO… Kaya nga sabi nila pagnagkakatutuo yung sabi na magkakaroon ng “ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT”, ang maiiwan ay ang mga Hapon, kasi sobrang napa ka nationalistic. ewan ko kung totoo ba yon…
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