[Inspired by a testimonial at the Bowl 4 GK orientation (2006 11 04) & written to be performed @ APITG's Blue Thanksgiving (2006 11 22)]
So one day I was in the park
I saw someone whose skin was dark
Her eyes were big and brown like mine
Rounded was her nose's design
Curiosity I wanted to quench
So I approached her park bench
"Are you Filipino?" I asked her
"Ugh, no! Pacific Islander."
Then someone nearby, apropos,
Said, "Pssst! Hoy! Halika dito!
It's time to go back home, anak."
Wow, I thought, what a shock!
Then the girl, whose skin was brown,
Got up from sitting down
As she tried to advance
She avoided my every glance
Ashamed, she walked off with her caller
Who was about 5'2", no taller
As they headed to the street
I had to stop and take a seat
What just happened here? I asked
That girl's identity, unmasked
Why would she deny who she was?
Sadly, she's not the only one who does
Some just wanna shed their skin,
Change the blood that flows within,
Completely deny their Filipino roots,
Forget the rice and the dried fruits
Ashamed of a third world country
A land struck by poverty
Many homes are nothing more than scraps
That easily crumble and collapse
Or maybe it was that episode
Of Family Guy where they showed
Brian at the airport revealing to Quag
Mire that he had did a Filipino in drag
Or maybe it's because of our accents
Or cuz our parents haven't been back since
Cuz that government's always in turmoil
Or because we always use tinfoil
Or maybe it's because of the stereotype
That we're all just maids or those that wipe
Other people's butts, you know, nurses
Or maybe it's that we make fake coach purses
Or maybe it's because we have sweatshops
Some ten year-old kid sewed your nice tops
Or maybe it's this or maybe it's that
The point is we've got a lot to combat
But you know what, I'm still proud
I'm Pilipino and I'll say it loud
Just take a look at our history
So that it's no longer a mystery
Many times our country's been under attack
But you know what? We always fight back
Spanish, Japanese, or American
We rise, resist, and fight to the end
Makibaka, we struggle
No matter how many things we have to juggle
Throughout the years, we revolutionize
Stop being blind, open your eyes!
Even more as a Pilipino in the states
We should honor the manongs, you know, the greats
Itliong and Vera Cruz
The farm workers who refused
To put up with the crap
Can you imagine what the manongs felt when
They finally got to the land that wowed
To see signs that said: No Filipinos Allowed!
But through it all, they stayed tough
Poor, alone, and used they had enough
Cuz they came together, made communities
Visit Agbayani if you get the opportunity
And don't forget about the Veterans
They're still waiting for a life that's better and
It's all because of Truman's Rescission
Still can't believe they made that decision
But that's why we march in November
Their struggles, past and present, we remember
Side by side, Pilipino & American
Surviving the Death March in
After all this, how can you deny
That as Fil-Ams we need to unify
We have spirit, yes, we do
But we have a voice and power, too
We can make a difference, we can change
What? you ask, a whole wide range
You can change your own perception
And then fight others' misconceptions
You can start by showing you care
Then make other people aware
You can educate, you can inform
We're talented people, you can perform
No matter what it is you do
Just remember what is true
You're Pilipino, now you're allowed
