II - The Foreign Blood
Monday, November 02, 2015
Being Chinese: The Chinese Life
In the Philippines, most of the young generation of today are of mixed race, some are Filipino - American, Filipino - Spanish, Filipino - Japanese and mostly Filipino - Chinese which we commonly call Chinoy. Like me!
Yes, i am a Proud Chinoy although, barely known to everybody.
My father is a pure chinese and my mother is of a filipino-chinese-spanish origin.
My looks may deceive you, but my surname is definitely a give-away.
The thing about being a chinese is that often, our surnames are compose of 2-4 letters. Yes, it is that short. Examples are my bestfriends' surnames, there's Ashley Cae Sy, Stephanie Lee, Jamie Ng and Paige Chua. (Shout out to them! Hi girlfriends!) But ofcourse when there's short, there's long. We also have long surnames like chuatianmsing, gokongwei, etc.
Being a chinese is not easy as one would have thought. You need to follow chinese traditions almost everytime and everyday. For example, chinese birthdays, chinese new year, and feng shui. They all have a certain significance to chinese history.
Chinese birthdays are celebrated because it is the day we were born in chinese calendar. Chinese new year, is 2 months after the internationally celebrated new year.
As for Feng shui, it is said to be the set of rules on how to be lucky or to attract luck in your life. And mind you, those set of rules could blow your mind and sometimes money away. Haha! And oh, to add a few, they have issues about number 13 because it is said to be 'malas' or bad luck. They also have coding or meaning with colors, they really do not like color black because it signifies bad luck. As for color red? They love it like forever has begun, because for them it signifies luck or charm.
The traditions is just a part of the chinese life, ofcourse there are the wonderful parents! When you're a chinese, most of the time, your parents is so strict. Strict when it comes to your friends, the environment you are in, dating, and especially studies.
With friends, they usually need to know everyone in your circle, if they don't know 'em, they won't let you be with them.
Environment, ofcourse every parents, Chinese or not, wants what is best for their child or children, right?
Dating, it is crucial, a Chinese is a must, not other foreign blood, but chinese.
Education, they push you to be the Best sometimes beyond it - if there is such a thing. It is kinda hard because one would have to study 2 curriculum - English & Chinese. During college, they want something related with business, because Chinese wouldn't be Chinese if they are not business minded. And yes, even during college they want you to be at the top always, like there's no space for failure. Oh geez! you'll be stressed out by their expectations.
I may have sounded like i'm complaining... But you know what? Being a chinese is a sure privilege, I am privileged to have a chinese blood running through my veins, and even though it seems complicated. The stories behind the history are worth knowing.
Fooooooood. Who doesn't love food? Chinese food is the best. You should go check it out at chinatown in binondo! There are these common chinese food namely, siomai, siopao, kua pao, kung pao, and yang chow fried rice. But these are just the common ones. My recommended favorites are "La Mien", "Kam Pan", "Ma Chang", "Ma Ki", Chinese Tapa and Chinese Longganisa etc,. These are just some of the delicous food that I always eat, There are so many choices of chinese food to choose from, I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I do.
Well, that's all for now. See you on my next post! *wink*
xoxo, Louise.
xoxo, Louise.
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