Excited
8 Asians was recently asked the question: Why do some Asian-Americans say that Filipinos are actually Pacific Islanders, and not really Asian?
Our fearless leader Ernie threw the question out to the teaming masses and the answer we came up with… well, lets just say it was a mighty group effort.
Ben started us off by very wisely pointing out that the Philippines was, in fact, a set of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
I contributed a few nerdy facts about recent genetic analysis that indicates greater genetic migration/diversity amongst Southeast Asians (SEA) and Pacific Islanders vs. East Asians (EA). The same genetic analysis also seems to indicate greater Y chromosome similarities between SEAs and Africans than EAs and Africans.
Efren, Asian-American studies aficionado, set us all straight by educating us on the 1965 Immigration Act and its classification of Filipinos as Asian rather than Pacific Islanders.
According to how the 1965 Immigration Act was set up in the US, which is how these distinctions were made in the first place, Filipinos are considered Asian instead of Pacific Islander based on histories of migration, isolation, etc. The Philippines, because of its close proximity to the Asian continent, was designated as being part of Asia. Also, because of the extensive history of interactions between the Philippines and the Asian continent, including China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, etc., the Philippines have a lot more similarities between those cultures than the cultures of the Pacific Islands.
Because of the relative lack of outside contact and relative isolation culturally, the Pacific Islands (Guam, American Samoa, Hawai’i, and the other island nations and territories in the South Pacific), Pacific Islanders are considered to be separate, and has been argued successfully, at least for native Hawaiians, that their experiences of living in the United States, is more akin to American Indians/Native Americans, rather than Asians, due to histories of subjugation, forced take-over, cultural and population genocide.
And there you have it folks. The 8 Asian stream-of-conscious answer to the question “Are Filipinos Asian?”. And it only took us about 15 email exchanges to get to this point.
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Mamihasina
Me, I'm Malagasy, from Madagascar (the big island near Africa). I'm from a tribe called Merina and our ancestors come from SEA a thousand years ago. People always say that we look like Filipinos, Malaysians or Indonesian. In fact, we are all part of the Austronesian community wherever we are : Asia, Pacific, or Africa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austronesian_peoples
Our languages are all part of the Austronesian languages.
are filipinos asian ?..... all i can say is .... HELLS yeah ... even the continent says ASIA ....!!!! wtf is wrong with those dumb US born filipinos man , why cant you appreciate being called as asian ? .... im filipino living in america and i dont mind being called asia XD ..... whats so bad about it XD ./..... its cool bein asian XD........ i love PHIL the way its called and categorized and im not ready to change it XD....
yeah i agree im asian ^^ .... i mean we are ^^ ...... whats so bad about bein asian ?... i love it ^^
The facts from genetics to actual history from where Filipinos originated from will undenyingly prove Filipinos are Asians or SE. Even with culture alot can be related to our Asian cussins. But you will always have a guys like Niko up there with his stubburn mind that will neglect and deny our Asian roots and blood line. But in the same time we also have Islanders in our blood also, I just dont deny what I am and embrace everything about my what I am. Here more detailed information on how we came to be....
The facts from genetics to actual history from where Filipinos originated from will undenyingly prove Filipinos are Asians or SE. Even with culture alot can be related to our Asian cussins. But you will always have a guys like Niko up there with his stubburn mind that will neglect and deny our Asian roots and blood line. But in the same time we also have Islanders in our blood also, I just dont deny what I am and embrace everything about my what I am. Here more detailed information on how we came to be....
This is crazy............to each is own.............i consider filipinos PACIFIC ISLANDERS. PERIOD!
CaliStunna:
You seem to be overblogging and making useless arguments that still doesnt convince the average reader. Youre going in circles trying to sell apricots grown in asia when what you are actually selling is an apricot from the pacific islands.
Let me tell you a story...............
We should do an experiment and try to recreate the filipino attitude and thinking in America. We should give the soloman and papua new guinea people in america the opportunity to call themselves asians and see how they respond.
We will group soloman/papua people together with asians in exam checkboxes and etc. Will they take the opportunity and call themselves asians and neglect their association and history with the pacific islands? Afterall there is alot of history with soloman/papua and se asian, and their genetics can be traced to se asia. They also do eat rice and have filipino pottery skills.They can actually get away with it and claim that the filipinos also have dark skin/accent/etc like them and so why cant they also be called asian.
My guess is that.......Once everyone in america starts to accept that soloman/papua are asians, we'll start seeing "soloman asian american magazines and tv shows" in america. And it'll spiral out of control with superficial claims of why soloman/papua are asians.
I think this is a good experiment. Only if I had the power to group people together in america.
Hi Darren,
Ok, I see it.. thanks... Being a Filipino, I'm Dabawenyo or Davaweu00c3u00b1o.. Anyone Dabawenyo here? :-)
Take care all!
@Zeu00c3u00b1a: yes, see my comment above:
http://www.8asians.com/2007/12/17/are-filipinos-as...
@Zeu00c3u00b1a: yes, see my comment above:
http://www.8asians.com/2007/12/17/are-filipinos-as...
When Iu00e2u0080u0099m asked if Filipinos are categorized as Asian or Pacific Islander, I end up telling them both Asian and/or Pacific Islander at different occasion.. I probably shouldnu00e2u0080u0099t. Iu00e2u0080u0099m Filipino and it would be nice to know.
How about forgetting what We, (or other people that are curious to know,) Filipinos want to be called. How about looking at the land where Philippines lay on the map. At that point, then we make our choice what we want to be called as far as categorization. Although in the end weu00e2u0080u0099d still be a Filipino. Read on:
Inhabitants of the following islands and regions are not considered to be Pacific Islanders: Russia's Kuril Islands, Alaska's Aleutian Islands, Taiwan, Japan and Philippines, Indonesia islands, which although technically bordering edges of the Pacific Ocean, do not fall under the definition of "Pacific Islanders" because such islands are not actually located within the three regions of Oceania (Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia).[10]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islander - check this out.
When Iu00e2u0080u0099m asked if Filipinos are categorized as Asian or Pacific Islander, I end up telling them both Asian and/or Pacific Islander at different occasion.. I probably shouldnu00e2u0080u0099t. Iu00e2u0080u0099m Filipino and it would be nice to know.
How about forgetting what We, (or other people that are curious to know,) Filipinos want to be called. How about looking at the land where Philippines lay on the map. At that point, then we make our choice what we want to be called as far as categorization. Although in the end weu00e2u0080u0099d still be a Filipino. Read on:
Inhabitants of the following islands and regions are not considered to be Pacific Islanders: Russia's Kuril Islands, Alaska's Aleutian Islands, Taiwan, Japan and Philippines, Indonesia islands, which although technically bordering edges of the Pacific Ocean, do not fall under the definition of "Pacific Islanders" because such islands are not actually located within the three regions of Oceania (Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia).[10]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islander - check this out.
Since when are Filipinos not Asian? It's like saying Italians are not Europeans. Yeah, Filipinos in the Philippines do see themselves as Asian, but it's not even debated in the Philippines. Only in the USA where there are so many crass assed indivuduals who like telling people who they are. Biologically, yes we are Asian, geographically we are also. And if you want to bring in archaeology to this debate, Filipinos originally had an ancient culture similar to our Asian neighbors. It is generally assumed that Filipinos were muslim before the Spanish came, which is only partly true. Originally Filipinos were animists like their cousins in Taiwan(Ami tribe) and in Borneo(Dayak, Kadazan people) and Buddhist/Hindu just like their Thai, Khmer, Cham, Malay and Vietnamese cousins. I have tons of books on this subject as well written by both Filipinos and non-Filipinos.
"The very u00e2u0080u009cgeneralu00e2u0080u009d question that was asked in the beginning of this thread is: u00e2u0080u009cAre Filipinou00e2u0080u0099s Asian?u00e2u0080u009d
Some have stated YES, some have stated NOu00e2u0080u00a6
"
Who were the ones that stated NO, Filipinos are not Asian? I'm reading different, including the fact that Bo herself adknowledges that Filipinos can and are considered as Asian. In fact, reading some comments that I missed...it seems like I am preaching to the choir.
"The very u00e2u0080u009cgeneralu00e2u0080u009d question that was asked in the beginning of this thread is: u00e2u0080u009cAre Filipinou00e2u0080u0099s Asian?u00e2u0080u009d
Some have stated YES, some have stated NOu00e2u0080u00a6
"
Who were the ones that stated NO, Filipinos are not Asian? I'm reading different, including the fact that Bo herself adknowledges that Filipinos can and are considered as Asian. In fact, reading some comments that I missed...it seems like I am preaching to the choir.
The term Asian in itself is a generalized question, so if we are asking the question if Filipinos are Asian? The answer is Yes and I'm not saying it just because I believe so, I'm saying this because both the USA and Philippines adknowledge this. There is no significant information that clearly states that FILIPINOS are not Asian, unless you think Asian is exclusive to a single ethnicity or nationality.
Saying someone can not dictate that Filipinos are Asian just because we believe so, can be said for any ethnicity that falls into the Asian category...because again there are no Asians in Asia right? I could go ahead and say Japanese, Taiwanese, Indonesians, Malaysians are not Asian but are Pacific Islanders due to the fact that their countries are islands in the Pacific.
Another example...I can say that the Vietnamese people are no longer Asian because their alphabet is Latin-based. They were colonized by the French and influenced by the Portuguese. I can say there's also Vietnamese who are Catholics. Therefore, Vietnamese are no longer Asian. The point is if people are going to try compare Filipinos to Asians, and point out the significant differences in culture...I think it's only fair to also point out the differences amongst other Asians as well.
Taiwanese vs Chinese is more or less based on politics, same as to why Vietnamese in the USA are not happy when they see the communist Vietnamese flag. However, if you ask Taiwanese people if they consider themseleves ethnically Han...they would adknowledge that. Two different topics really. I bet many Taiwanese/Taiwanese-Americans wouldn't argue that they are not Asian.
FYI: I think that is inaccurate and is very misleading. I've seen those public forms and I've seen that used as an arguement. Most public forms with Filipinos as its own box are found in CA, not the entire USA. Why is that? because there isn't a significant population of Filipinos found in every single state and not everyone will protest being grouped under the term Asian. Filipino having its own box is based off the fact that being in the Asian category is detrimental to Filipinos trying to apply to certain schools, as pointed out in previous blogs. Being in the Asian category will affect students who try to apply to a particular school. I've also seen Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai recieving their own boxes on various forms in CA as well. However are people going to point out that none of those groups can not and are not considered as Asian just because they have their own box?
I would bet money that most of the Filipinos who argue that Filipinos are not Asian are Filipino-Americans. I would also bet money that the Filipino-Americans who argue they are not Asian base it on stereotypes. If someone is going to break down the differences in culture and colonization on the Philippines to justify not being Asian, then the same could apply to every single country in Asia because not every single country in Asia is as homogenous as people think.
The term Asian in itself is a generalized question, so if we are asking the question if Filipinos are Asian? The answer is Yes and I'm not saying it just because I believe so, I'm saying this because both the USA and Philippines adknowledge this. There is no significant information that clearly states that FILIPINOS are not Asian, unless you think Asian is exclusive to a single ethnicity or nationality.
Saying someone can not dictate that Filipinos are Asian just because we believe so, can be said for any ethnicity that falls into the Asian category...because again there are no Asians in Asia right? I could go ahead and say Japanese, Taiwanese, Indonesians, Malaysians are not Asian but are Pacific Islanders due to the fact that their countries are islands in the Pacific.
Another example...I can say that the Vietnamese people are no longer Asian because their alphabet is Latin-based. They were colonized by the French and influenced by the Portuguese. I can say there's also Vietnamese who are Catholics. Therefore, Vietnamese are no longer Asian. The point is if people are going to try compare Filipinos to Asians, and point out the significant differences in culture...I think it's only fair to also point out the differences amongst other Asians as well.
Taiwanese vs Chinese is more or less based on politics, same as to why Vietnamese in the USA are not happy when they see the communist Vietnamese flag. However, if you ask Taiwanese people if they consider themseleves ethnically Han...they would adknowledge that. Two different topics really. I bet many Taiwanese/Taiwanese-Americans wouldn't argue that they are not Asian.
FYI: I think that is inaccurate and is very misleading. I've seen those public forms and I've seen that used as an arguement. Most public forms with Filipinos as its own box are found in CA, not the entire USA. Why is that? because there isn't a significant population of Filipinos found in every single state and not everyone will protest being grouped under the term Asian. Filipino having its own box is based off the fact that being in the Asian category is detrimental to Filipinos trying to apply to certain schools, as pointed out in previous blogs. Being in the Asian category will affect students who try to apply to a particular school. I've also seen Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai recieving their own boxes on various forms in CA as well. However are people going to point out that none of those groups can not and are not considered as Asian just because they have their own box?
I would bet money that most of the Filipinos who argue that Filipinos are not Asian are Filipino-Americans. I would also bet money that the Filipino-Americans who argue they are not Asian base it on stereotypes. If someone is going to break down the differences in culture and colonization on the Philippines to justify not being Asian, then the same could apply to every single country in Asia because not every single country in Asia is as homogenous as people think.
To CaliStunna,
It seems that we are going to go in circles here...
The very "general" question that was asked in the beginning of this thread is: "Are Filipino's Asian?"
Some have stated YES, some have stated NO...There are so many ways you can look at it by categorizing FILIPINOS/PHILIPPINES whether by Geography, by Ethnicity, by Culture...it will be an endless blog...
One thing you cannot do is dictate to someone to admit that they are ASIAN just because you believe it to be so...!
That is like telling a person from of Chinese Ancestry, born and raised in Taiwan that they should call themselves Chinese...This is a NO-NO...I know very many proud citizens that say "I'm Taiwanese"
Same with The United Kingdom, eventhough it is comprised by England, N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales...Citizens of these individual countries still want to be recognized as Scottish, Irish, Welch, etc...
FYI: In most public forms in the United States, where one has to check a box in ethnicity...FILIPINOS have their own box...!
To CaliStunna,
It seems that we are going to go in circles here...
The very "general" question that was asked in the beginning of this thread is: "Are Filipino's Asian?"
Some have stated YES, some have stated NO...There are so many ways you can look at it by categorizing FILIPINOS/PHILIPPINES whether by Geography, by Ethnicity, by Culture...it will be an endless blog...
One thing you cannot do is dictate to someone to admit that they are ASIAN just because you believe it to be so...!
That is like telling a person from of Chinese Ancestry, born and raised in Taiwan that they should call themselves Chinese...This is a NO-NO...I know very many proud citizens that say "I'm Taiwanese"
Same with The United Kingdom, eventhough it is comprised by England, N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales...Citizens of these individual countries still want to be recognized as Scottish, Irish, Welch, etc...
FYI: In most public forms in the United States, where one has to check a box in ethnicity...FILIPINOS have their own box...!
I have never said that I was 100% right, but there are some clear and obvious facts and information that do prove that Filipinos can and are considered as Asian. I don't see why anyone would oppose of that, unless they are generalizing and stereotyping Asians to be exclusive to "East Asians" or "Orientals".
The term Asian is also based off of geography. It is not exclusive to any one single ethnicity or nationality. So to say geographically speaking Filipinos are Asian is like stating the obvious, it's like saying geographically speaking Chinese...Indians...Japanese...Malaysians...Indonesians...Vietnamese...Koreans...Cambodians...are all Asian. No one argues that any of the countries where those groups are from are not from Asia.
I also see how Filipinos from the Philippines and some Filipino-Americans who also openly support being grouped under the term Asian. Mall of Asia, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Philippines being one of the founding members), Asianjournal, LATV18 - America's leading Asian language TV Station, Asian Award Shows (include the Philippines and its people), the MAN Asian Literary Prize, etc.
If we were to read and review all the books written by every single country in Asia and learn about all the different dialects, religions, ethnicities, etc. There would be major differences and similarities between all of the countries.
As far as why this blog is called 8Asians, I think what I read is that the #8 is perceived as being Lucky. I'm sure if people wanted to change the name, it would be considered. That is why there's a section for others to give their opinions in, " What changes would you like to see on 8Asians?".
But again, if Filipinos can and aren't considered as Asian...I'd challenge anyone to go ahead and contact Ernie or whoever is the one who manages this website, to make a blog to convince people that Filipinos CAN'T and ARE NOT considered as ASIAN. I'd also be in interested to see on what the Filipinos bloggers on 8asians have to say to that.
To CaliStunna,
You have time and time again brought up really good points in your posts...!
I'm not saying you are wrong and I am not saying you are 100% right...
What I meant by "Geographically" was ...according to who drew the maps...
Who do you think drew the maps??? It wasn't Filipinos...
Who do you think came up with the terminology "Asian"??? It wasn't Filipinos
I don't know why this article was brought up in this forum...8Asians
Why the EIGHT Asians decide to call their blog this is another subject...
I am telling you what I know...from what I learned being educated there...and I have a whole Library with books on this subject...Now, who wrote those books??? Some are American, some are Filipino, some are Filipino-American...so...I am going by the what is written there...!
Anyway,
Simple question with a simple answer. If Filipinos aren't Asian, why are there topics written by Filipinos on 8asians?
Answer: Filipinos can and are considered as Asian.
I rest my case.
"Pilipinou00e2u0080u0099s / Filipinou00e2u0080u0099s are NEITHER u00e2u0080u009cAsianu00e2u0080u009d or u00e2u0080u009cPacific Islanderu00e2u0080u009d
Geographically speaking we are located in South East Asia.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those two statements contradict .
Listen to Bello, he speaks the truth.
Pilipino's / Filipino's are NEITHER "Asian" or "Pacific Islander"
Geographically speaking we are located in South East Asia.
The "Native People" from The Philippines came from various places via the "Land Bridges"...Predominantly, from the Malay Group(Malaysia, Indonesia), There were Chinese Natives who came down from the Northern Part of the Philippines...Either way, if you break it, different "Tribes" inhabited each and every one of the 7,107 Islands...If I'm not mistaken, there are about 165 different languages in the Philippines which distinguished each tribal group. It is officially called a language because of the differences in vocabulary...but they are more commonly called dialects since it is only spoken by a certain population. Tagalog was made the National Language because the capital is location in that region.
Then, the Spaniards came and was there for about 327 years. To colonize, unify the islands, it was named after King Felipe of Spain...Islas Filipinas....they made the natives convert to Catholicism...making the Philippines: The Largest Catholic Nation in "Asia". Also, since they found it difficult to pronounce the native names, they made everyone change their surname to Spanish surnames...A to Z from North to South..."Not everyone who has a Spanish surname has Spanish lineage".
When The Americans came...The country was translated to Philippine Islands. I don't exactly know when it was changed to just The Philippines. The Americans reformed the Government and Educational system. It was said that at one point we were the Third Worlds largest English-Speaking nation...after England and its colonies, The United States, then The Philippines...Also, another fact, The Oldest University in Asia and The Philippines is 25 years older than Harvard.
Now, everyone who has commented thus far has some very valid points...some being heresay, some being, assumptions, some being factual, and some from what they remember in school.
I am not at all an expert but I was born in Manila, and was educated at Jesuit Boy's school until High School. SO, whatever information they fed our brains may be influenced by the Spanish Jesuits???, The American books???...we don't know.
What I know is that you will often hear that there are a lot of "Filipinos"and"Filipino-Americans" alike who want to identify themselves as Pacific Islander or Half Spanish or what not...this is due to the lack of education?, lack of pride? or maybe they just plainly think is a "cool" thing...Colonial Mentality...!
Pride is very important...just like when one say's "I'm Cebuano, or Ilokano, or Tagalog" Someone from Indonesia would also say: "I'm Javanese, or Balinese"
It is not important what box you check, just because someone wants you to check one...
When one asks and it doesn't matter what part of the world I am at...I am proud to say I'm Filipino...!eventhough, my father's ancestry is from Portuguese Goa,India and my mother is Filipino-Spanish...One can go on and on, and on...I can go as far as saying my maternal grandmother was a Spanish Jew...either way, I'm still Filipino
Pilipino's / Filipino's are NEITHER "Asian" or "Pacific Islander"
Geographically speaking we are located in South East Asia.
The "Native People" from The Philippines came from various places via the "Land Bridges"...Predominantly, from the Malay Group(Malaysia, Indonesia), There were Chinese Natives who came down from the Northern Part of the Philippines...Either way, if you break it, different "Tribes" inhabited each and every one of the 7,107 Islands...If I'm not mistaken, there are about 165 different languages in the Philippines which distinguished each tribal group. It is officially called a language because of the differences in vocabulary...but they are more commonly called dialects since it is only spoken by a certain population. Tagalog was made the National Language because the capital is location in that region.
Then, the Spaniards came and was there for about 327 years. To colonize, unify the islands, it was named after King Felipe of Spain...Islas Filipinas....they made the natives convert to Catholicism...making the Philippines: The Largest Catholic Nation in "Asia". Also, since they found it difficult to pronounce the native names, they made everyone change their surname to Spanish surnames...A to Z from North to South..."Not everyone who has a Spanish surname has Spanish lineage".
When The Americans came...The country was translated to Philippine Islands. I don't exactly know when it was changed to just The Philippines. The Americans reformed the Government and Educational system. It was said that at one point we were the Third Worlds largest English-Speaking nation...after England and its colonies, The United States, then The Philippines...Also, another fact, The Oldest University in Asia and The Philippines is 25 years older than Harvard.
Now, everyone who has commented thus far has some very valid points...some being heresay, some being, assumptions, some being factual, and some from what they remember in school.
I am not at all an expert but I was born in Manila, and was educated at Jesuit Boy's school until High School. SO, whatever information they fed our brains may be influenced by the Spanish Jesuits???, The American books???...we don't know.
What I know is that you will often hear that there are a lot of "Filipinos"and"Filipino-Americans" alike who want to identify themselves as Pacific Islander or Half Spanish or what not...this is due to the lack of education?, lack of pride? or maybe they just plainly think is a "cool" thing...Colonial Mentality...!
Pride is very important...just like when one say's "I'm Cebuano, or Ilokano, or Tagalog" Someone from Indonesia would also say: "I'm Javanese, or Balinese"
It is not important what box you check, just because someone wants you to check one...
When one asks and it doesn't matter what part of the world I am at...I am proud to say I'm Filipino...!eventhough, my father's ancestry is from Portuguese Goa,India and my mother is Filipino-Spanish...One can go on and on, and on...I can go as far as saying my maternal grandmother was a Spanish Jew...either way, I'm still Filipino
I would agree about the South East Asian category.
We don't have that "box" in Britain. There is the "Asian" (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) or "Chinese" boxes.
I just tick the "other" box.
What I find annoying are people who insist that calling ourselves Filipino/Pilipino means we are suffering from a colonial mentality.
I suppose we can be grateful that Marcos never decided to name the country after himself.
I would agree about the South East Asian category.
We don't have that "box" in Britain. There is the "Asian" (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) or "Chinese" boxes.
I just tick the "other" box.
What I find annoying are people who insist that calling ourselves Filipino/Pilipino means we are suffering from a colonial mentality.
I suppose we can be grateful that Marcos never decided to name the country after himself.
If you really want to categorize, Filipinos are Southeast Asian. To make sweeping generalizations (which in itself is not the greatest thing), geographically and culturally, it makes more sense to divide Asia into East, South, and Southeast Asia. Of course, even within those generalizations, there exist enough nuances to keep this argument going forever.
But if you want to bring genetics into the picture, the Y Chromosomes found in Filipino males (Haplogroup O3-M122) are also found in Korean and Chinese males. The people of the Philippines came are the descendants of people who migrated from what is now South China/Taiwan, and then migrated to populate the Malay/Indonesian archipelago (see "Guns, Germs, & Steel).
And on a personal note, I find Filipino-Americans who vehemently insist that Filipinos are Pacific Islanders incredibly annoying.
If you really want to categorize, Filipinos are Southeast Asian. To make sweeping generalizations (which in itself is not the greatest thing), geographically and culturally, it makes more sense to divide Asia into East, South, and Southeast Asia. Of course, even within those generalizations, there exist enough nuances to keep this argument going forever.
But if you want to bring genetics into the picture, the Y Chromosomes found in Filipino males (Haplogroup O3-M122) are also found in Korean and Chinese males. The people of the Philippines came are the descendants of people who migrated from what is now South China/Taiwan, and then migrated to populate the Malay/Indonesian archipelago (see "Guns, Germs, & Steel).
And on a personal note, I find Filipino-Americans who vehemently insist that Filipinos are Pacific Islanders incredibly annoying.
Wikipedia does a good job explaining the confusion and reasons as to why Filipinos are Asian and why they might not be.
Wikipedia does a good job explaining the confusion and reasons as to why Filipinos are Asian and why they might not be.
I'm filipina and i call myself asian. if that helps
I'm filipina and i call myself asian. if that helps
That was actually kind of a joke.
The only reason why I bring it up because I've met many Fil-Ams who believe with conviction that they are not Asian based on the fact that they are Catholics, as if there are no other Asian Catholics. Not only that, not all Filipinos are Catholic or Christian. .
It's the same reason why many Fil-Ams bring up the Austronesian background not to claim Asian, when the Austronesian background can be found in other Asian countries as well.
It's the same reason why many Fil-Ams claim that they are not Asian because they are dark and don't have chinky "eyes".
And it's the same stupid reasons as to why people don't think Filiipinos are Asian.
Point is, I still don't get why it's so hard for people to understand that Filipinos are Asian, especially since both the U.S. and the Philippines adknowledge this.
No one ever asks questions like...are Indonesians or Malaysians considered Asian?
ASIAN is not exclusive to EAST ASIA. ENOUGH SAID.
That was actually kind of a joke.
The only reason why I bring it up because I've met many Fil-Ams who believe with conviction that they are not Asian based on the fact that they are Catholics, as if there are no other Asian Catholics. Not only that, not all Filipinos are Catholic or Christian. .
It's the same reason why many Fil-Ams bring up the Austronesian background not to claim Asian, when the Austronesian background can be found in other Asian countries as well.
It's the same reason why many Fil-Ams claim that they are not Asian because they are dark and don't have chinky "eyes".
And it's the same stupid reasons as to why people don't think Filiipinos are Asian.
Point is, I still don't get why it's so hard for people to understand that Filipinos are Asian, especially since both the U.S. and the Philippines adknowledge this.
No one ever asks questions like...are Indonesians or Malaysians considered Asian?
ASIAN is not exclusive to EAST ASIA. ENOUGH SAID.
CaliStunna, you're probably a bit snarky there, comparing Catholicism to a disease. That's kind of Gratuitous Snark.
And it's unfair to single out Catholicism in any way. Conquerors, colonizers, and hegemons always bring their religion, whatever it may be, and seek to spread it in the lands they dominate. And you need to know that Cultural Imperialism isn't some Western or Christian thing, Cultural Imperialism is also what Asians have always done to Asians.
The Portuguese and French were Cultural Imperialists toward Vietnam and Catholicism, sure, but before them there were the conquering Chinese and the imposition of Confucianism and Chinese flavors of Buddhism. But don't feel too bad for the Vietnamese, because as soon as Vietnam got a taste of conquest they didn't hesitate to impose their ways and views on the conquered residents of Champa or Chenla (Cambodia). Long before Western Catholics got in boats and showed up in Asia, Indonesia had already gone through Hindu kingdoms, Buddhist kingdoms, then Islamic kingdoms. Hinduism spread among Asians, by Asians, through conquest, through the rise of empires, through trade and cultural hegemony. Today, China seeks not only to impose its will on Tibet but to replace Tibetan Buddhism with The People's Central Committee 5-Year Plan.
Catholicism *did* spread with Catholic European conquest and colonization, but that's old news. Today the fastest spreading religions are Mormonism and Evangelical Christianity. Catholics in Latin America are losing sleep over it.
CaliStunna, you're probably a bit snarky there, comparing Catholicism to a disease. That's kind of Gratuitous Snark.
And it's unfair to single out Catholicism in any way. Conquerors, colonizers, and hegemons always bring their religion, whatever it may be, and seek to spread it in the lands they dominate. And you need to know that Cultural Imperialism isn't some Western or Christian thing, Cultural Imperialism is also what Asians have always done to Asians.
The Portuguese and French were Cultural Imperialists toward Vietnam and Catholicism, sure, but before them there were the conquering Chinese and the imposition of Confucianism and Chinese flavors of Buddhism. But don't feel too bad for the Vietnamese, because as soon as Vietnam got a taste of conquest they didn't hesitate to impose their ways and views on the conquered residents of Champa or Chenla (Cambodia). Long before Western Catholics got in boats and showed up in Asia, Indonesia had already gone through Hindu kingdoms, Buddhist kingdoms, then Islamic kingdoms. Hinduism spread among Asians, by Asians, through conquest, through the rise of empires, through trade and cultural hegemony. Today, China seeks not only to impose its will on Tibet but to replace Tibetan Buddhism with The People's Central Committee 5-Year Plan.
Catholicism *did* spread with Catholic European conquest and colonization, but that's old news. Today the fastest spreading religions are Mormonism and Evangelical Christianity. Catholics in Latin America are losing sleep over it.
Christian DeVera,
You're right about the Philippines being the only Christian nation in Asia. However, they aren't the only Asian country that has Christians. Just like how Catholicism has many followers in the Philippines, Catholicism also has influence in Vietnam. There are plenty of Vietnamese Catholics now in the U.S. as well.
Notice how the whole Catholicism thing has spread like a disease over many Third World countries, especially Latin America.
Christian DeVera,
You're right about the Philippines being the only Christian nation in Asia. However, they aren't the only Asian country that has Christians. Just like how Catholicism has many followers in the Philippines, Catholicism also has influence in Vietnam. There are plenty of Vietnamese Catholics now in the U.S. as well.
Notice how the whole Catholicism thing has spread like a disease over many Third World countries, especially Latin America.
1) Fil-Ams usually claim "Pacific Islander" over Asian because they think it's cool. Just like when Fil-Ams claim to have Spanish lineage, not all Filipinos have that. Surname doesn't mean shit because if that was the case, Shaquille O'neal would be Half-Irish and practically the majority of African-Americans in the U.S. would be part "WHITE"!
2) People bring up stupid stereotypes like "Filipinos are brown and have double eyelids". Are people seriously this fucked up in the head? Have you never met any other Asian that has these features? heck have you never met a Filipino who has the stereotypical Asian features? Cambodia, Thai, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia all have features that are common in SouthEast Asia. Even Vietnam has people who have these features as well.
3) I think people are easily brainwashed by the media. Notice how "WHITES" get all the diverse looks while minorities are stereotyped to have a certain "image". Especially Asians, who are usually labeled as Foreigners. Ever notice when Whites say like "I'm 100% American" and use Asian vs American arguements, as if Asians couldn't be Americans?
Long story short, Filipinos are Asian. Are they like like EAST ASIANS?....well why do they have to be? Asia is a huge continent, why do people keep making it only exclusive to East Asia? You want to know why?...because the majority of Asians in the U.S. come from those countries. The impact and influence come from those countries. Thus, this is part of the Americanization. Instead of recognizing each other as the perspective groups they are, we all funder one broad term known as "ASIAN" which also seems very Un-American.
1) Fil-Ams usually claim "Pacific Islander" over Asian because they think it's cool. Just like when Fil-Ams claim to have Spanish lineage, not all Filipinos have that. Surname doesn't mean shit because if that was the case, Shaquille O'neal would be Half-Irish and practically the majority of African-Americans in the U.S. would be part "WHITE"!
2) People bring up stupid stereotypes like "Filipinos are brown and have double eyelids". Are people seriously this fucked up in the head? Have you never met any other Asian that has these features? heck have you never met a Filipino who has the stereotypical Asian features? Cambodia, Thai, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia all have features that are common in SouthEast Asia. Even Vietnam has people who have these features as well.
3) I think people are easily brainwashed by the media. Notice how "WHITES" get all the diverse looks while minorities are stereotyped to have a certain "image". Especially Asians, who are usually labeled as Foreigners. Ever notice when Whites say like "I'm 100% American" and use Asian vs American arguements, as if Asians couldn't be Americans?
Long story short, Filipinos are Asian. Are they like like EAST ASIANS?....well why do they have to be? Asia is a huge continent, why do people keep making it only exclusive to East Asia? You want to know why?...because the majority of Asians in the U.S. come from those countries. The impact and influence come from those countries. Thus, this is part of the Americanization. Instead of recognizing each other as the perspective groups they are, we all funder one broad term known as "ASIAN" which also seems very Un-American.
"Why do some Asian-Americans say that Filipinos are actually Pacific Islanders, and not really Asian?"
Because those Asian-American are fucking stupid and faild geography. Phillipines is an ASIAN country. People from the philippines are filipinos, people from russia are russian, people from japan are japanese, people from australia are aussies....seems simple enough to me. It makes me laugh though how some filipino's don't think their asian. Do you see Parisian's preaching how their not European? common-sense people. boo hoo hoo, go save your arguments for something more important, like cleaning up your fucking thrid world country.
"Why do some Asian-Americans say that Filipinos are actually Pacific Islanders, and not really Asian?"
Because those Asian-American are fucking stupid and faild geography. Phillipines is an ASIAN country. People from the philippines are filipinos, people from russia are russian, people from japan are japanese, people from australia are aussies....seems simple enough to me. It makes me laugh though how some filipino's don't think their asian. Do you see Parisian's preaching how their not European? common-sense people. boo hoo hoo, go save your arguments for something more important, like cleaning up your fucking thrid world country.
Fascinating thread.
It does explain the reason why the term Asian seems to focus upon the South East part of the Continent.
In Britain, if you say Asian; people understand it to mean the Indian Sub-continent. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Oriental seems to cover the rest and not regarded as a pejorative.
As was stated; there are no Asians in Asia. We are each of a unique group and regard the rest as not worth the bother.
Should be interesting when some people start a desire to change the name of the country.
Fascinating thread.
It does explain the reason why the term Asian seems to focus upon the South East part of the Continent.
In Britain, if you say Asian; people understand it to mean the Indian Sub-continent. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Oriental seems to cover the rest and not regarded as a pejorative.
As was stated; there are no Asians in Asia. We are each of a unique group and regard the rest as not worth the bother.
Should be interesting when some people start a desire to change the name of the country.
On a lighter note, i believe that geographically, Filipinos are Asians. Psychologically, I think Fiipinos are somewhat confused in an amusing way. Hovering anywhere between Manila, Madrid, Hong Kong and Hollywood which makes its culture quite unique and interesting.
On a lighter note, i believe that geographically, Filipinos are Asians. Psychologically, I think Fiipinos are somewhat confused in an amusing way. Hovering anywhere between Manila, Madrid, Hong Kong and Hollywood which makes its culture quite unique and interesting.
@Carina: There are no Asians in Asia. That's what my first comment was. You see, Filipinos in the Philippines don't care that they are Asians. Neither do the Chinese. Nor the Koreans. They are Filipinos (or Ilocano or however they identify). They do not think of themselves as "Asians". That's my belief. I could be wrong. And even if they do like to think of themselves of Asian, I would bet that that practice didn't start until the rest of world told them that they were. That brings up the question... what is the origin of this word? and who the hell told me that I was Asian?
Perhaps what you're saying is that the word Asian is a bad term to be using. I would agree with you on that. Perhaps we should use Overseas _____, [fill that in with the appropriate ethnicity of your choice.] But that doesn't quite describe my identity either since I have never lived in China and likely never will. So my experience is not the same.
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[...] the different groups under the umbrella of “Asian-American.” In another aspect of the “Are Filipinos Asian?” question, Pascual Fidel of the Filipino American National Historical Society notes that [...]