30/10/2024
I AM FILIPINA: BREAKING BARRIERS
๐ฃWe all carry multiple identitiesโ , , , , , etc.โthat make us who we are. Sometimes, these identities intersect and people make assumptions that reduce us to stereotypes โจ
๐ฃOne day in Larnaca, I was walking back from St. Lazarus Church, coffee in hand, when a man stopped me. He asked if I spoke English, and I assumed he needed directions. Instead, he asked, 'Are you Filipino?' I said yes, and he handed me a piece of paper with phone numbers on it. 'Iโm looking for a house cleaner,' he said. In his eyes, my being, looking Asian already defined meโจ
๐ฃOn my first day working at an integrated resort, still waiting for my company ID, I handed over my passport at the security. The guard looked at me and asked if I worked in the cafeteria. I said, โNo, I work for the resort,โ but he seemed confused. Then he said, but you worked in the kitchen, yes? Was it my passport that placed me in a box?โจ
๐ฃSix months ago, I was walking down the street carrying a huge bunch of celery from a corner shop when a car pulled up beside me. The driver leaned out and said, โHey Princess, can I take you home?โ Shocked, I told him to go away, but he kept asking. He was getting out of his car. I felt scared. I took out my phone to take a photo, and I think that scared him most that he drove off.
I later reported it to the police. They were kind. They explained that in years past, many Asian women, especially Filipinas, were known as โtalentsโโdomestic workers by day, who sometimes met men for extra income on weekends. I wasnโt just a womanโI was a stereotypeโจ
๐ฃMaybe some of these situations could happen anywhere, but they reveal a deeper reality. When different parts of our identity intersect, it creates a unique set of challenges. But as I said, it makes us who we are. Unique. Resilientโจ
๐ฃImmigrant women are supposed to be the backbone of many industries, providing essential services that our societies depend on daily. From childcare and education to tourism, they sustain critical sectors and bring cultural perspectives that enrich our communities. This diversity advantage is more than just a โnice-to-haveโโitโs a vital part of what makes our societies thriveโจ
๐ฃIn my work with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), I train and coach leaders in the private sector, helping them foster inclusive workplaces and promote gender-diverse policies. My experiences have shown me that real change starts with leadership, and when leaders prioritize diversity, it makes a measurable differenceโจ
โจRecognizing these contributions isnโt just the right thing to doโitโs the smart thing to doโจ
CongratulationsโEuropean Network of Filipino Diaspora - Cyprus, and big thanks ๐ to Limassol Femfest 2024: ฮฮนฮฑ ฮฮนฮฟฯฯฮฎ ฮฯ
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