odd one out

I was doing the register yesterday when I saw this shirt from a white guy wearing "Aparador, Bikul Philippines". It was funny. And I can't help but ask if he's been to the Philippines. He gladly said yes, he's been there five times and pointed at his wife at the table who is Filipina.

There is some satisfaction whenever someone wonders where I come from and whenever I tell them where I actually come from. Like yesterday, someone greeted me with "Ni Hao" and the other time when someone asked, "Do you speak Mandarin?" I'd just laugh it off, shrug and say, "I'm Filipino" or a friend would do the honor of saying "She's Filipino." Generally, from the eyes of Westerners, Asians look the same: slanted eyes, black hair and fair skin. When we moved into our house today, our neighbors instantly thought we were Chinese, maybe because of my brother and dad who kinda look Chinese. Weird, when actually, when we were in the Philippines, I was usually the one with bigger eyes and that I am not chinita, and that generally, I am not attracted with chinito guys except for Chris Tiu, that heartthrob not just in my school but around the Philippines too.

Anyway, apart from my workmates who ask a little bit language from what I speak, I just get surprised when out of the blue, a customer would say "Maganda ka!". I'd just smile and flatter myself a little and my friend would look at me and say, "What?". Ha ha. I can't believe I gave in to that guy quick as I was smiling up my ears. 

On other news, my Filipino friend who grew up in the States told me there will be a Jollibee branch in Queens soon. Isn't that cute? Ha ha. My dad said we gotta visit because he misses the same old Jollibee taste. That Jollibee branch is just proof of how many Filipinos live in New York, especially in Queens. Actually not just in New York. Filipinos are spread all over US. Did you see the ABDC finale? It's all Filipino. They were even waving the Filipino flag and screaming "Filipino, babbbby!" There are too many talented Filipinos. We gotta do something!

To make the whole story short, it is sometimes okay to be part of the minority because you're the odd one out and the only sour cherry from the fruit stand. Because you know, you definitely have something else to offer.