Culture and Tradition is an important thing to most immigrant families. Moving to a whole new country is scary. Not knowing what this country has in mind for us, we bring what we already know. We bring new foods, new languages, and new people.
Moving to a new country is like moving to a new school. You don’t know what’s there and who’s there. You just come in and do the regular stuff you were taught, and slowly find friends that are just like you. These small interactions with people who are very similar to you can help start communities where people with common interests interact.
I am from the Philippines. Though I was not born in the Philippines, I believe that the cure to being homesick from there is the food. If you cook some nice delicious Filipino food, all your problems will disappear. I believe this because the Philippines has the best foods and the best desserts. Whenever I travel, I get homesick. I start thinking about the food my mom cooks and it makes me start to crave Filipino food. Food is the main thing most cultures can offer, but I think Filipino food is the best.
Although most countries’ cultures mainly offer food, The Philippines also offers a great community. We have a protective and funny community. Filipinos are usually very small people. There are very few chances you see a tall Filipino. Since we are small, we are an easy target for other people. Filipinos intentionally have lots of kids. This means that they have people to protect them. The community we build defends each other. They fight for the right things, but they also know how to joke and be funny.
To keep our traditions and cultures going, we spread them through sharing recipes, opening up a restaurant, or teaching others our native language. We share our culture to keep it alive and in hopes of spreading it through others. We also keep traditions alive through festivals. I know that in Boston Filipino Festivals are held. I have yet to go, but I know that it would be extremely fun. I love watching people come to Filipino places and try new things.
One thing I like to do, that is not necessarily a cultural thing, is to try balut. Balut is an egg that is cooked, but the bird is in there. It is a famous dish in other Asian cultures, but I still love watching people try it.
