The Filipino in Me - Insights into Living Heritage
Entry by Maria Antonieta 'Ting' Pimentel-Elger. Sherwood Park, Alberta.
Artist/Creator Statement:
I wrote this piece while in a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) Writing Workshop and recited at the same evening. I felt compelled to write this as I was dreaming of one day speaking in Filipino will be in main stream - in both written and oral publications and media.
TONIGHT I WANT WRITE ABOUT
Being kind to myself
Free to be who I am
Doing things that give me joy
Like walking in the park
Hugging trees
Dancing Cha cha
TONIGHT I WANT TO WRITE ABOUT
Paying attention
Looking at the pink sky
Hearing the magpie
Smelling apple cinnamon pie
Feeling the sunshine on my face
TONIGHT I WANT TO WRITE ABOUT
Not being ashamed of who I am
My colour
My accent
My food
That's what my mama says
Wearing my bright moo moos
Chanting old woo woos
Taking out the voo doos
When I speak in my mother tongue
I wish I do not have to translate
Neither do I have to italicize
Because this is my language
You can Google translate
Laugh till your tummy aches
But this is music to my ears
Ako ay Pilipino
Ako nga ay Dayuhan dito
Ngunit ako ay may karapatang
Tumindig at Magsalita
Sa aking sariling wika
TONIGHT I WANT TO WRITE
About who I am
Who I am Becoming
Still and always be
A Filipino
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