Mestizas + Filipinas

Images from Wikipedia + sepiaera.wordpress.com

mestiza [ me-stee-zuh, mi- ]

a woman of mixed race, especially one having indigenous and Spanish descent

The term mestizo literally translates to “mixed” in Spanish, and is often used throughout Latin America to describe people of mixed ancestry and racial identity. Filipinos of mixed ethnic origins are still referred to today as mestizo / mestiza. Similarly, the term “mulatto” – mulato in Spanish – commonly refers to a multicultural ancestry blending white European and black African roots. I found it fascinating to look back in time to see that having blended Spanish heritage (and skin that was lighter as a result) seemed to be coveted as higher societal status, even in old world Filipino culture.

Image from “Philippines Lifestyle News” — *Image from* *“Philippines Lifestyle News”*

I have always been fascinated by the beautiful blend of Spanish influence in Filipino culture and amazed reading about the cultural impact of Spaniards in the Philippines. With the Spanish settlement in the Philippines taking place in the 16th century, the Spanish colonization was enduring. In 1565, The conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi founded the first Spanish settlement in Cebu, later establishing Manila as the capital of the Spanish East Indies in 1571. Named after King Philip II of Spain, the Philippines became a Viceroyalty of New Spain territory which was governed from Mexico City until the 19th century, when Mexico obtained independence. From 1821, the Philippine Islands were ruled directly and all the way from Madrid, Spain. (Don’t you love the mash-up of Filipina-Spanish-inspired style?)

I always admired my grandparent’s emphasis on higher education. It seems that the groundwork was laid more than a century ago by a female progressive visionary, Isabella II of Spain, who introduced the Education Decree of 1863 during the last part of the colonization of the Philippines. Amazingly, this was 10 years before Japan had a free modern public education and 40 years before the United States government started a free modern public school system. Establishing buildings of at least two free primary schools, one for the boys and another school for the girls, each Filipino town committed to and invested in the education of young girls.

Gender equality was alive and well in the Philippines during the pre-Hispanic era. Sadly, that all changed when the Spaniards arrived, who molded the image of the Filipina as a meek and submissive individual. Like other women across Asia, women in the Philippines were expected to become subordinate, caring and nurturing mothers for their own children while taking care of most household chores, with preference to having male children instead of females, perpetuating a male-dominant society.

I deeply believe that now is the time to “re-brand” and re-define how we talk about our racial - and more specifically - cultural identity. Modern, multiculturalism is emerging as a generation of undefinable, undeniably complex heritages are being born into the “mix'“ every day.

What cultural influences are alive and well in your family and heritage? How do you blend and celebrate your culture(s)?

First Gen + Forever Proud

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