In this fast-paced world and amidst global interconnectivity, many Filipinos yearn to reconnect with their cultural roots. Whether you’re an immigrant or simply seeking a deeper understanding of your heritage, reconnecting with your Filipino roots can be a transformative journey.
Here are twelve ways to reconnect with your Filipino roots and strengthen the ties to your cultural identity.
- Explore Filipino Food
Immense yourself in the authentic flavors of Filipino cuisine. You can join cooking classes, try local recipes, or attend food festivals. From the sweet and salty adobo to the tangy and savory sinigang, you can enjoy many Filipino foods. Regions also have their specialty dishes, like Ilocos’ bagnet (a deep-fried pork belly), Cebu’s lechon (a roasted suckling pig), and Zamboanga’s curacha (spanner crab).
- Learn the Language
Language is not simply a means of communication; it is also a powerful aspect of culture. Did you know that the Philippines has more than a hundred languages? Some of them are the widely used Tagalog and Cebuano.
Learning a Philippine language adds knowledge, opens doors to deeper cultural understanding, and helps foster meaningful connections. You may enroll in language classes or use language-learning apps to grasp the essential phrases and expressions.
- Read Filipino Literature
Literature has helped express and reflect the Filipino people’s rich cultural heritage, traditions, and identity. By reading contemporary and classic Filipino literature, you may immerse yourself in the narratives unveiling Filipino culture. Explore the works of renowned Filipino authors like Jose Rizal, F. Sionil Jose, Lualhati Bautista, and Nick Joaquin to gain insights into the country’s history, values, and societal intricacies.
- Listen to Filipino Music
Music often serves as a dynamic and resonant reflection of its unique heritage and societal expressions. Try listening to Filipino music genres, from traditional folk songs to modern OPM (Original Pilipino Music). You might find yourself captivated by Filipino songs’ diverse rhythms and rich melodies.
- Watch Filipino Films
Try watching Filipino films in genres that resonate with your interests. Filipino films offer glimpses into the nation’s diverse culture, like literature and music. These cinematic creations go beyond mere entertainment. They also provide a profound exploration of Filipino society.
- Play Traditional Games
Do you want a more interactive way to reconnect with your Filipino roots? You could play traditional Filipino games like patintero, sipa, or luksong tinik. If you prefer indoors, sungka is a board game that involves strategic moves to capture shells on a carved wooden board. Playing these games would help you connect to the simple joys embedded in Filipino childhood.
- Create Arts and Crafts
Discover traditional Filipino arts and crafts, such as weaving and pottery. Participate in workshops to create your handmade items. Through activities like these, you can also honor, celebrate, and preserve the artistic heritage of your ancestors. Moreover, the creative process is a form of storytelling, as each brush stroke, knot of the thread, or clay mold echoes timeless traditions that have endured through generations.
- Support Local Businesses and Designers
You may also opt to buy products crafted by local hands. By patronizing local businesses and designers, you become part of a collective effort to celebrate, preserve, and even promote the distinctiveness of Filipino culture. Whether handwoven fabrics, intricately designed accessories, or artisanal crafts, each purchase connects you with the creativity and craftsmanship of Filipino artisans and contributes to the sustainability of local industries.
- Join Filipino Communities
Joining Filipino communities is like finding a big family with a collective enthusiasm for celebrating being Filipino. Whether through virtual platforms or in-person gatherings, interacting with fellow Filipinos would help you become familiar with shared experiences that define Filipino identity. Filipino organizations abroad also often organize cultural events, language classes, and social gatherings that would help you learn more about your heritage.
- Attend Filipino Festivals
Another vibrant and immersive way to connect with your Filipino roots is attending festivals. Filipino festivals often showcase a kaleidoscope of traditional dances, Music, and culinary delights that reflect the diversity and richness of the Philippines. These celebrations are not merely events; they are living expressions of the cultural identity and traditions of the Filipino people.
Among the Philippines’ most prominent and most popular festivals were Cebu’s Sinulog Festival in January, Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival in February, and Quezon Province’s Pahiyas Festival in May.
- Travel to the Philippines
The Philippines has an array of destinations where you can engage with local communities and have a direct encounter with the living traditions of the Philippines. Whether touring cities, relaxing on a beach, trekking the mountains, or discovering hidden wonders, traveling to the Philippines allows you to engage, learn, and embrace the essence of being Filipino. Traveling to the Philippines is a mere visit to a country and a journey back to the heart of your heritage.
- Experience Filipino Traditions and Customs
Experiencing Filipino traditions and customs is another fun yet powerful way to reconnect with Filipino roots. Why not try participating in a boodle fight? It is a communal feast where friends and family share a meal laid out on banana leaves and eat using their hands. It would help if you also tried joining a karaoke session with Filipinos. A sing-along activity is expected in family gatherings, celebrations, and even casual get-togethers with friends. The atmosphere is always inclusive, and joining in on a karaoke night will give you a fun and memorable experience.
