Filipino-Americans: Ties to Home Still Strong
- By Pat Curry -

More than 3 million Filipinos live in the United States and Canada, and thousands more work off-shore in Middle Eastern countries, according to Canadian ambassador John Treleaven. A large percentage send money - some US$7 billion - home annually to the Philippines.

"This is part of our culture," says Carmen Asis of Michigan, who has lived in the United States for more than 30 years. "We don't have nursing homes in the Philippines. We help one another. Brothers and sisters fight to get the parents to live with them. We send money to our relatives. That's expected when you're professional. We tell our children, 'Even though you're American, keep the good part of us. You have a heritage.' "

So, when the opportunity arose to sponsor houses at this year's JCWP, Filipino-Americans responded immediately and generously.

The Philippine American Foundation of Charities was one major sponsor; others included the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, the Filipino-American College of Clergy Chicago, Filipino-American physicians from Michigan, Wisconsin and Connecticut, the Filipino-American Student Association at the University of Michigan, the Federation of Philippine Societies in New Jersey, the Filipino American Political Association of Michigan, the Filipino American Cultural Club at Lucent Technologies, and the Filipino-American Women's Club of New York.

There were some obstacles to the fund raising. While family loyalty and support is a strong motivator for Filipinos, the concept of sending money for strangers was a bit of a stretch. A major concern was based on past experience, when contributions to other causes never made it to the poor.

"Before, when they sent money, it went to the wrong people," says Cesar Vasquez with FACOST, the Filipino-American Council of South Texas, an umbrella group of 40 organizations. "People asked, 'How can we be sure it's going directly to the cause?' They want to see the fruits."

Without hesitation, Habitat leaders invited them to come and see for themselves. Videos of Habitat communities in the Philippines provided the concrete evidence of the organization's commitment and trustworthiness. In five months, FACOST raised $85,000, enough to sponsor 16 houses, both during JCWP and beyond. They also sent 17 volunteers who worked on the houses.

Ultimately, it was devotion to family that made Filipino-Americans eager to participate, sponsoring more than 10 percent of the 293 houses in the build.

"It's a good experience," Vasquez says. "They're proud of what they're doing. It's for good."


Pat Curry is a writer based in Athens, Ga. She volunteered her professional services to Habitat World during the JCWP in the Philippines.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, August/September, 1999.
This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
©1999 Habitat for Humanity International