I’ve often wondered which race/culture my kids would identify with the most. When asked about their nationality, I was always eager to find out what they would say. Obviously with my teen is older so I’ve had the opportunity to see what he says and does. According to his Instagram account, he’s actually put on his bio that he’s Mexican/Filipino. So I guess my question was answered there.
Since we live close to my side of the family, they are exposed to all things Latino. From food to language and traditions of yesteryear. They constantly ask me how do they say certain things in Spanish or if something they are eating is either Mexican or Filipino.
When we visit my husband’s family, they seem to slide right into place with the food, a little bit of the language and the traditions of yesteryear. They relish with their cousins and aunts and uncles and their only ties to a grandfather. On our way home, I’ve caught them saying stuff with a Filipino accent. It was hilarious. All my husband and I could do was laugh at their new found tongue.
When they meet friends that are Filipino, their eyes light up and talk about them like as if it’s the biggest deal that they have met someone of their own kind and what’s funny is that I don’t see that same reaction with they meet someone who is Latino. Is that weird? Last week, during the cruise, there was a Filipino family in our group. When my boys found out that they were Filipino, they came running to me telling me that they made a friend and at the same time they blurted out “and he’s Filipino too!”
After a week of fancy steaks, chicken, burgers and mac-n-cheese on the cruise, I could tell the kids needed white rice. How did I know that? I ordered a bowl of rice (YES! I was craving too!) for me to eat with some beef that I had ordered. When the waiter brought me the rice, my son who was eating the pasta asked for some rice. So did my other 2 kids. I was left with a little tiny scoop of rice for me to enjoy as they kids gobbled up they puffy white gold and asked for more. This whole week since getting home from the cruise,our dinners have all been served with white rice.
Amigas, I don’t care who or what they identify themselves with. Curiosity got the best of me and I just wanted to know. I’ve even tried to be tricky and ask them what race to they belong to. With my 7 year old, I got I’m American. With my daughter, I got a blank stare. All in all, I can’t wait to see and experience what our clash-of-the-cultures will bring to my household. Whether they’re Pinoys or Pinays, Paisas and Paisanos, Asian and Hispanic.
Or just plain old Mexican/Filipino.
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Liz Cerezo
Liz is a Mexican-American blogger living in Southern California. Married 19 years, and a mami to 3 kids, her content is inspired from living in and raising a multicultural familia. Liz has been blogging for more than 7 years, establishing herself as a nationally recognized Latina blogger. She often blogs in Spanglish and may throw in some Tagalog when talking about her hubby. You can also find her chit chatting away at @Liz_Cerezo on Twitter!
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