Representation Matters: Filipino American History Month

October is Filipino American History Month.

We have gathered together some recommended reads, and perspectives from our extended Storytime Solidarity family.

I grew up in Hawaii and, in my community, it was everyday life to see people who looked like my family and me, being of mostly Filipino descent. However, at the time (it was the 80s), seeing Filipino representation wasn’t reflected in the books or authors I read (or in popular music, movies or television shows). At a young age, to not have stories with characters that shared my background put barriers in my mind of who I could be or what more I could pursue. These days, I am so excited to see more and more books by Filipino authors sharing stories about the Filipino experience and culture. It especially means so much to share these books with children (including my own) who might see themselves, take pride in their heritage and feel no limits!

Ms. Rose, aka Rose Oyamot Rodriguez, performs as Music-A-Long with Ms. Rose AND Ukulele Storytime!

Check out Ms Rose’s songs she has given us permission to  include in our Songs We Love.

Growing up in the 80s, I just wanted to fit in at school and not share any of the rich Filipino culture that I had at home. This is why it still amazes me that my songs about Filipino language, traditions and foods are well-received by audiences across the country and on kids radio shows. I’ve been performing Family Music for over 15 years. I started creating and performing kids music when my daughter was three years old. Since I started doing family music, there’s been very few Asian American Women doing family music on a national level.

For the first part of my career, I also noticed there weren’t many Asian American families coming out to my shows.  In 2015, I wrote a song called “Ube” about a Filipino Purple Yam, which was the first song of mine to ever be played on Sirius XM Kids Place Live. I loved that more Filipino families and AAPI families started to come to my shows and were excited about the “Ube” song. I also wrote a song called “Stars on the Island” about parols which are beautiful stars that line the streets for the holidays in the Philippines. Also, another Filipino American Family Music artist, Mista Cookie Jar and I, wrote a modern version of a Filipino kids song “Tong, Tong, Tong”. This song has words that are in Tagalog, a major dialogue in Filipino culture and the fourth most spoken language in the US.  I am happy to have seen many kids and families connect with my songs and my perspective. It’s good to see kids and families in America take pride in their Filipino roots.

Ann Torralba, aka Little Miss Ann, is an award-winning Chicago kids’ musician, a former Chicago Public School teacher, an instructor at Chicago’s iconic Old Town School of Folk Music, a mom, a social rights activist, a governor for the Chicago Recording Academy Chapter as well as DEI Ambassador, and a first generation Filipina American.

Check out Little Miss Ann’s songs she has given us permission to  include in our Songs We Love.

Representation is very important.

Now more than ever, if we do research, we can find books written by Filipinos with authentic stories. It is important to read books about other cultures so you yourself have an open mind and an understanding.

I grew very close to a Filipino family at one of my libraries. I looked forward to their library visit to talk to them about important holidays or dishes they serve to celebrate important days. We talked about our similarities in traditions or dishes as their background was also colonized by Spain. I love immersing myself in cultures. I feel it makes me aware to respect others. I am sharing my favorites with you. One for kids and one for yourself!

My favorite picture book is DOÑA ESMERALDA, WHO ATE EVERYTHING.

I am also enjoying reading Cozy-Mysteries by Mia P. Manansala, a wonderful Filipino author. She writes out authentic Filipino recipes, which I love making myself.

Ms Rosie is Storytime Solidarity’s director of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).