Author & Poet Ashley C. Lanuza

For those of us of Filipino ancestry who were born in America or emigrated here as young children, and at some point in our lives ever questioned the degree of our "Filipino-ness," I encourage you to read Ashley C. Lanuza's My Heart of Rice – A Poetic Filipino American Experience.

In poem form, Lanuza writes about her experiences of growing up in a predominately Hispanic community in Los Angeles while attempting to know and better understand her relationship with being Filipino American. At first, fitting in with peers and assimilating within the dominant culture was central to her values. Eventually, she began to explore her rich ancestral heritage through research and reading stories of some of the first Filipino immigrants that came to America. Lanuza writes on page 152 in a poem called to:me, "...my past is everything I am, otherwise the future is everything I will never be." And, if you, like me, are unfamiliar with those accounts and groups of people, I encourage you to read Chapter 9—Forgotten Histories—and allow those poems to pique your interest in learning more about Filipino history.

So, how exactly do most people experience or connect to their heritage? In Lanuza's case—to which I completely relate—it was primarily through food; she termed it as a literal "cultural consumption." Lanuza shared that food was the consistent link to her "Filipino-ness" having benefitted from childhood up until college from her grandfather's culinary skills. Lolocon (a name she coined as a child combining Lolo meaning grandfather and "con" from his name Conrad) with whom she is very close, provided that cultural bond for Lanuza by cooking Filipino meals regularly for the family as he did for himself and his seven younger siblings when they were growing up.

In many cases, food is the only way in which Filipino Americans experience their cultural heritage. It's a place to start from though, and a very good one, as Filipino food is so delicious and much more readily available now than even a few years ago.

Food, and particularly rice, is that common thread that keeps us culturally connected whether knowingly or not. Additionally, our shared experiences can do that also. For example, even though Lanuza and I are many years apart in age, we share parallels that lead me to believe that not a lot has changed over time. Have you ever been asked the question, "Where are you from?...but, where are you really from," or "What are you?"

Being born in this country, and as a Filipino American going about one's daily life, the physical characteristics that distinguish us aren't always on one's personal radar. But then when called to it and reminded by external sources, it gives one pause to stop and acknowledge the things that tie us to that heritage.

Which, is really a positive thing as it should be more active than not on our radar. We should acknowledge our heritage much more, know our history, share our experiences, learn the language (one of the many dialects), savor the food, hear the music, and absorb the artistry. There is a whole lot value to gain. To quote Lanuza in her book on page 65, she writes, "I decide to seek my cultural identity in order to answer: Who am I?"

Thus, if you find yourself at the beginning of your cultural heritage journey, you should start by reading Lanuza's My Heart of Rice – A Poetic Filipino American Experience (New Degree Press). Her poems and stories detail so many relatable experiences that I am absolutely certain you will find yourself within the pages! Check your local book store and support small businesses.

View Ashley's site here https://ashleylanuza.wixsite.com/portfolio or follow her on Instagram at lookingforashley_.