Growing Up as a Third-Generation Chinoy
Historians have said many foreign settlements across the islands have occurred in Philippine history. These settlements brought our ancestors together with immigrants from different countries, including the Chinese diaspora.
These interactions have led our ancestors to form relationships with one another: perhaps a business partnership, a friendship, or a marriage – giving birth to the new generation of Filipino-born Chinese.
Hence, Chinoys of different generations can show a unique personal testimony of how time shaped their Filipino identity.
The Different Generations of Chinoys
The family legacy of immigration shows how the Chinese Filipino community is a diverse diaspora spanning different timelines.
Some Chinese Filipino families have ancestors traced back generations ago, but others descended from newly settled immigrants in the Philippines. The immigrants are called the first-generation Chinoys, while the second generation are the children of the immigrants. The second generation will also have their own children, making them third-generation Chinoys.
And one thing every third-generation Chinoy has to experience is intermingling with the local culture while growing up. So, CHiNOY TV listed down the eight things third-generation Chinoys probably experience during their upbringing:
Blending Filipino and Chinese Cultures
Chinese culture in the Philippines is prevalent because of the celebration of Chinese New Year, the Mooncake Festival, and practicing feng shui. As a Chinoy, you are expected to participate in such events. On top of this, third-generation Chinoys also have first-hand experience with Filipino traditions like attending fiesta, a celebration of Noche Buena during Christmas, and following Filipino social norms.
This blended culture immersion can be a unique experience for many Chinoys. Still, it can sometimes make them disconnected from their roots as they try to compromise with their new cultural identity.
A better outlook for Chinoys is that they should always remember their roots by practicing Chinese traditions and be more proactive in embracing their new cultural identity to balance Filipino and Chinese identities.
Attending a Chinese School
It’s a common practice among Filipino-Chinese parents to send their children to Chinese schools like Chiang Kai Shek College, Tiong Se Academy, Saint Stephen’s High School, and other schools from different provinces.
Attending a Chinese school can give a third-generation Chinoy a different academic experience because of the educational curriculum with English, Filipino, and Chinese classes. Going to a Chinese school can also help expand their network by meeting with other Chinoys from different places in the Philippines.
Multilingual Upbringing: Hookien and Mandarin
Being immersed in Filipino Chinese culture also makes a third-generation Chinoy multilingual. A typical scenario is that your parents speak Hokkien at home, you learn Mandarin and English at school, you watch Filipino movies, and you speak Tagalog with your friends. Others also speak local languages like Bisaya and Ilonggo.
Being multilingual can give Chinoys an advantage in the modern world because they can be adaptive when pursuing careers in different fields, especially in business.
However, some Chinoys may struggle with fluency in Chinese because they are more exposed to English and Tagalog. A final reminder modern Chinoys should remember is to make an effort to learn their language to stay connected with their roots.
ALSO READ: Hokkien and Chinese Vocabulary Words For Addressing Family Members
Facing Cultural Stereotypes and Misconceptions
It’s common for Chinoys to encounter cultural stereotypes and misconceptions among their friends. One classic example is when your friends ask for tikoy during Chinese New Year or expect you to have a particular characteristic, like being frugal or good at math and business.
However, not all Chinoys share the same personality and values in life. Some Chinoys contribute to different fields in society, like Yvette Tan in modern Philippine literature, Gretchen Ho and David Licuaco in the entertainment industry, and even professional athletes like EJ Obiena.
As much as stereotypes exist, there are still Chinoys who go beyond the norms and show that there’s diversity in the Filipino Chinese culture.
Family Business Pressure
Most Chinoy families have a background in entrepreneurship, and their parents usually want them to continue the business. But some third-generation Chinoys may find their passion and interest elsewhere, putting more pressure on passing down the business family legacy.
Fortunately, times are changing, and Chinese culture in the Philippines is becoming more open to change and diversity. So, for those Chinoys who want to pursue their passion in less conventional careers, you may find more support in today’s Filipino Chinese community.
Growing Up in a Chinatown
If you’re a third-generation Chinoy, it’s most likely your grandparents had settled in a local Chinatown.
In Manila, Binondo is known for its historical sites and is a bustling place with merchants and local businesses like Eng Bee Tin. You can also go to Quezon City to find Banawe, where you can find local grocery stores and famous Chinese restaurants.
Of course, Chinoys do not live only in these places; Filipino-Chinese communities can be found all over the Philippines, establishing our presence in Philippine society.
Strong Appreciation in both Filipino and Chinese Cuisine
Growing up in a Chinoy household will introduce you to different Filipino and Chinese cuisines and even a fusion of both!
You will then develop a strong appreciation of these cuisines with Chinese influence, such as lumpiang shanghai, pancit, siopao, etc. Chinoys can also feast on Filipino and Chinese dishes like kampong with lechon or fried rice with siomai during special occasions.
ALSO READ: 7 Chinoy/Filipino Dishes and their Original Chinese Equivalents
Developing a Sense of Community
As part of a Chinese diaspora in the Philippines, a third-generation Chinoy will develop a sense of community because Chinoys share the same upbringing and grew up with shared values.
Often, Chinoys grew up in a tight-knit community, attending Chinese school, being part of a Chinese association, and attending family gatherings, strengthening their bonds with other Filipino-Chinese.
Keeping the Tradition and Culture Alive
Being a third-generation Chinoy is a unique experience that can shape your values and outlook on life. But regardless of the generation of your Chinese ancestry, it’s essential to keep the culture and tradition alive to stay true to your roots.
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