Betrayal, Class Fantasies, and the Filipino Nation in Daly City

Stephen Situ
April 17, 2017
ASA004

  Benito M. Vergara Jr.'s article on the Filipino community in Daly City describes the notion of transnational culture and identity amongst the native Filipinos and the Filipinos who have integrated into America. Although there are some people who would argue that Filipinos would be better off staying in their home country, it is upon the individual's choice to decide the lifestyle and opportunities that he or she is willing to seek.  The author makes an effective claim on the decision of some Filipinos to live in America when he states "The distinction between leaving and staying away can itself be subsumed underneath a more overarching opposition between Filipinos of the United States and in the Philippines: that of money and of the nation" (Vergara 145). The politics of the nation as well as one's prospect to rise up the social hierarchy plays a significant contribution towards one's willingness to immigrate to a different nation. Although these are significant factors that motivates individuals to immigrate from the Philippines to America, there is a greater and more significant reason why they move aside from monetary gains. Some of the reasons include the idea of interacting with people from other culture, exploring and creating new opportunities, and pursuing a higher education. Some Filipinos and other immigrants like to preserve and maintain their cultural values to maintain their identity. At the same time, they would also like to refine their identities and values by exploring other nations and understanding what interests them. A person can link his identity to his culture, but the idea and definition of culture is complex and ambiguous to define. In Raymond Williams's excerpt "Culture", he explains “(The changes)  is of course from the latter development that the independent noun culture began its complicated modern history, but the process of change is so intricate, and the latencies of meaning are at times so close, that it is not possible to give any definite date” (Williams 37). His quote illustrates how culture and identity itself is very difficult to define and interpret since it is constantly changing and dependent on the society and its accepted standards and norms. Through the difficulty of defining and interpreting the constant change of culture, it is more hindering for nationalistic people to force their ideals and expectations on the ones who immigrated to America rather than remain open-minded and understanding of their decisions. However, by staying open minded and understanding of those who chose to live in America, Filipino’s could expand and refine their culture by introducing their culture to other people, borrowing ideas that interest them (i.e. hip-hop), and more accurately represent and expose their potential and capacity. It is also a possibility that educational prospects such as attending world recognized universities (Harvard, Stanford, and U.C. schools) and the ability to network with other companies from different parts of the world.