Dear Joses, 

How are you doing? I know you are now in the midst of your youth, grasping your first teenage years, and exploring more about yourself, your identity. I, myself, have been through that and I can testify that it was a challenging phase of my life. However, it also gets more and more thrilling. As I grew up, I discovered more about where I came from. Let me do you a favor and feed your cultural void somehow by telling you about your father’s history. 

I interviewed your father, Michael, and he presented me a layered beaded necklace that he owns. He got it when you and your family traveled back to the Philippines during one summer vacation. The Manobos, Bagobos, and Maguindanaoans typically wear them as a representation of their culture; it makes them unique in their own way. Your father is in possession of this because he, as well, identifies as a native in Mindanao, Philippines. Even though he already resides here in the United States with you, he still unfailingly brings his culture with him, hence carrying the necklace in a pouch wherever he goes. As a matter of fact, he mentioned that the bag you use for school is also from your heritage. It is profoundly important to pass down the culture to the children and your father was very proud to say that his children capture the wonders of their culture from the way they talk to the way they dress—and that was you, Joses, you and your two other siblings. This serves as a connection between his childhood yours, his life to yours, and his history to your future. 

The reason why your father chose this archival material to talk about is because it reminds him of his earlier years. When he was around your age, it was his heart’s desire to own at least one of these accessories that represents his culture, but he could not afford it at that time. Whenever he sees this, he also sees the young Michael and the hardship not only of his own background, but as well as the people that make such art into accessories which he had witnessed as he was finally purchasing the item. This is a solid representation of Filipinos’ core values such as industriousness and being hard workers. According to him, the story behind the creation of the artifact speaks volumes about resilience. Just like his own experiences, nothing was being handed to him on a silver platter. He had to work through all the hardships and struggles that life challenged him with to get to where he is now—success. 

Success. I asked your father what his definition of success is. I figured his answer might inspire you too. He defines success as when you are happy and satisfied with where you were in life. I asked him if he would then consider himself successful given that definition, and he responded ‘yes.’

Despite his contentment in where he is now, your father still unfailingly honors his culture and makes sure to pass it down to his children, to you. I believe that sharing this knowledge about your father to you is crucial for you to be able to understand his history because firstly, it is clearly significant to your father; and secondly, it can be a window to your own identity as well. I really hope this has had an impact on you somehow., and I want you to know that your culture is absolutely something worth learning about.

Sincerely,

Jazmine