What’s their say...
On Being Pinoy
E
veryone has got a story to share and
say something about being Pinoy in
Australia. Here are some of our picks from
Kabayans who engaged our photog with a
chat, an endearing ‘Kumusta’, and a big
smile...
“It’s fun!”
It is fun to be Pinoy. There is always fun in
the Philippines – I love the beaches, I miss the
place. I love eating adobo, sinigang, and lots of
Pinoy food. I love the family closeness among
Pinoys …
[EA is from Pampanga and currently
resides in Mt. Druitt. He is currently a nurse
and spends his spare time helping out in Pinoy
community projects].
"I can still sing Bayang Magiliw …"
“I love wearing my Lolo’s barong …”
Pinoy na pinoy ako – hindi kasi natin
malilimutan ang bansang pinanggalingan
natin. Sabi ko nga palagi sa sarili ko, pag
mamamatay na ako, gusto ko doon ako sa
Pilipinas kasi parang naroon talaga ang puso
ko. I am very proud to be Filipino – proud ako
na sabihing hanggang ngayon alam na alam ko
pang kantahin ang ‘Bayang Magiliw’. Talagang
mahal ko ang bansa natin. I love Australia too
– kayod sa trabaho – pero ang puso ko madalas
ay nasa Pilipinas pa rin.
I’m always proud of my Filipino heritage –
it’s part of my identity and I love it. The culture
is family-orientated, I love being in gatherings
with my families and friends. Filipinos are
very close, very loving, and very caring for
one another. I grew up here but I have always
considered my Filipino identity … I am wearing
my Lolo’s barong now…”
[Kristian is proud to be wearing his
grandfather’s barong at a community event.
He works as a nurse and says he has visited
the Philippines many times in the past. His
mother is from Laguna while his father is from
Olongapo.]
[Vicky is seen here ready to eat her roasted
mais along Main Street in Blacktown. Vicky is
originally from Pampanga. She has been here
in Australia for 29 years.]
“Maganda dito …”
Nakarating ako dito sa Australia kasi
nandito ang mga anak ko. Maganda dito sa
Australia, mababait ang mga tao pero namimiss
ko pa rin ang Pilipinas. Iba kasi ang saya sa
atin. Buti na lang marami ring mga Pilipino
dito na nakakasama natin sa mga iba’t ibang
okasyon at kasiyahan.
[Alfredo is 83 and used to work in the fish
trade back in the Philippines. He was a widow
until he met Lita here in Australia. They got
married years ago. Both are active in activities
for senior citizens.]
“The Philippines remains in our
hearts …”
“Magaling ako mag-ipon …”
The Philippines never left me – I have
brought here my own culture and traditions
and values as a Filipino. Masasabi kong
malalim pa rin ang pagka-Pilipino ko. I am
proud of our values kasi nasa atin ang ugaling
matiyaga, nagsusumikap – and yes, I’m here
in Australia pero talagang nag-iipon ako para
makatulong sa mga mahal ko sa Pilipinas …
[Nadya is from Quezon City. She has been
in Australia for 40 years. She spoke to AK as
she prepared to join a community parade at the
recent Blacktown City ‘Streets Alive’ parade].
06
JUNE 2016
|
ANG KALATAS
We’ve been living in Australia for many
years now but we bring with us and share our
values – ang Pilipinong masipag, honest and
hardworking. This is our second country but
the Philippines remains in our hearts – we
try to do and live as good citizens of our new
country and our home country. I always
remember the country where we come from
and I’m proud of that …
[Mrs Swadling is the president of the
Australian-Philippine Association in Illawara.
She has been in Australia for more than
40years now.]
www.kalatas.com.au