This #FAHM, we celebrate the struggles, achievements, and contributions of Filipino Americans to our nation's history. The theme of "Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience" also resonates deeply with the experiences of our own families. We would like to share these stories with you. 📖🇵🇭⁠ ⁠ Our families immigrated to America seeking better opportunities for work and education. Over the generations, they have endured immense sacrifice and hard work. My large extended family all lived the Bay Area, supporting one another as a community. Elijah's family, on the other hand, moved from state to state in pursuit of work opportunities, having to start over repeatedly.⁠ ⁠ Despite facing struggles including discrimination, arduous labor, homesickness, and challenges with cultural assimilation, they have made America their home. Their legacies are the families they built and their positive impacts on their communities - like helping build a church, serving at Filipino cultural schools, and working in healthcare. ⁠ ⁠ Their love and strength were passed to us through their self-sacrifice. Elijah and I now carry that love and strength in us, as we channel them into exploring our complex identity as Filipino Americans, connecting through food, returning to the practice of kapwa, embracing community healing, and learning to nurture our mental and physical health. 🪷⁠ ⁠ This month, we honor not only the histories of prominent Filipino activists and achievers, but also the stories of the people closest to us. If you have any stories to share, comment below. Ty for reading 💖 ⁠ ⁠ #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #FAHM2024 #FilAmHistoryMonth⁠ ⁠ 📸 1-4 Elijah’s family photos⁠ Family doing tinikling (Filipino folk dance), Philippines⁠ Family & aunt, Houston⁠ Family & Sammy 🐾, Boston⁠ Family & grandparents, Philippines⁠ ⁠ 📸 5-8 Noelle’s family photos⁠ Mom and grandparents arriving in America⁠ Lola (grandmother on maternal side). She worked at PG&E⁠ Parents and grandparents on their wedding day, Union City⁠ Lola (grandmother on paternal side) with some of her siblings and Lola Mang (great-grandmother), San Jose