Filipino-Americans and the Grand Opportunity Party

OPINION:

It was October 1587 when the Spanish galleon “Nuestra Senora de Esperanza” landed ashore at what is now Morro Bay, California. Aboard that ship were the first Filipinos to reach the United States. In commemoration of that milestone by Congress in 2009, we celebrate Filipino-American History Month every October.

Four hundred thirty-four years after the first Filipinos arrived in America, our cultures and values have intertwined with strengthening the Filipino community and the United States. In my native tongue Tagalog, we call “Balikatan,” meaning “shoulder to shoulder.” Balikatan is the concept that our countries stand together united, no matter what happens.

I first began to understand the meaning of “Balikatan” in 2004 when I came to this country as a first-generation immigrant. At 13 years old, my mom and I left our home and moved to Louisville, Kentucky. Growing up in the Philippines, the most I knew about Kentucky came from the side of a fried chicken bucket. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would live in America. That only happened in the movies.

However, like many immigrants, living in America didn’t feel like a dream at first. The culture shock, cold winters, feeling homesick and missing family members in the Philippines was difficult. But the more I grew to like my new home, the more I realized that the values I learned growing up weren’t all that different from American values.  Family, faith, the duty to the country, self-reliance, and the freedom to pursue happiness as we define it are the ideals that I was brought up with. I knew that America was my home because, despite any differences, those are common values we all share.

Unfortunately, those same values are under attack in many corners of this country. That’s why it is incumbent upon us as Filipino-Americans to do our part and fight for the principles we believe in. Asian-Pacific Americans are currently the fastest-growing demographic group in the country and are increasingly represented in the conservative movement. President Trump made significant inroads with Asian-Americans in 2020, and Asian-American Republicans are now represented by Southern California’s Young Kim and Michelle Steel in the 117th Congress. The Republican National Committee is opening multiple community centers across the country to engage all Asian and Pacific Americans in the political process through volunteering, listening to voter concerns, and building community.

With this strong leadership, it is up to each of us to continue to grow the conservative movement and protect what matters to us. Now more than ever, we need to fight for lower taxes, economic freedom, and keeping the government accountable to those it serves. These issues matter to the Filipino-American community and all Americans.

As we close out Filipino-American History Month, I have a message for every Filipino: Keep fighting for what you believe in. Keep volunteering and turn out in elections. Be a precinct walker, poll worker and even a candidate. Find and earn your seat at the table. We have every reason to be confident and must keep moving forward, “shoulder to shoulder.” For 434 years, we’ve never backed down, and I know we’re not going to start now.

John P.B. Jose is the Republican National Committee’s National APA Engagement Director

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