My name is Michael Arreola.  I am an American of Filipino descent.  Growing up as a first generation Filipino-American,  I know first hand what it means to be a Filipino-American.  My dad came to Hawaii in 1946,  one of the " Sakadas"  that were recruited to work in the pineapple and sugar plantations of Hawaii.  At that time,  American immigration laws were strict against Filipinas coming to America. 

Living in a plantation camp for single Filipino men was like indentured servitude.  The Company owned everything.  By the time you got paid,  little was left after Company  "Deductions".  There was Company housing,  the Company Store,  the Company School.  Just like the coal miners of Appalachia,  life was hard.  Lots of older Filipino men went back to the Philippines and wed much younger women.  That is how it was in those days.  As poor as we were those days,  it was a lot better than living in the Philippines.

My mother was born in Hawaii,  and was also younger than my father.  I remember the old ways and customs because I  lived through those times.  Going to weddings,  funerals,  baptismals,  parties and other celebrations bring back wonderful memories.   People used to make fun of Filipinos,  because they did not understand their culture.  Especially the Ilocanos and Visayans.    Remember,  those Filipinos were the poorest,  most illiterate of all Filipinos.  They were taken advantage of,  just like the Irish in America in the early 1800"s. 

My dad"s brother went to California in the 1930"s.  Discrimination was rampant in those days.   My aunt May,  who is Italian,  showed us pictures showing...."No Brown Monkeys Allowed".  Imagine that!  " No Filipinos Allowed".  Then later,  professional Filipinos started to come to America in the 1960"s.  They were mostly Tagalog,  usually fron Manila.

Nowadays,  it is a shame that the 2nd and 3rd generations of Filipino descent have no idea of their heritage.  They are all in the American mainstream.  But I guess its all right.  Just like the Irish,  Polish,  Germans,  Italians,  Japanese,  Russians,  Romanians,  Vietnamese,  Hispanics  and others,  we are all Americans now.  Here is a perfect example that sums up everything.  When my cousins visit my mother"s house,  because she is a great cook,   they always say,  "Auntie,  can you cook that good Filipino food that we love,  but don"t tell us what"s in it!".   Oh well,  only in America.                  Posted on eFilipinaMatch.com