Long time ago Filipinos came to this country full of hopes and dreams. Poor and with little education, they came to America aspiring for better lives and a better future. Several of them barely spoke English and had little money in their pockets. Coming to this country they knew America as an upholder of democracy and as a land of opportunities.
America early on was not fully accepting of diversity and racial equality. Filipinos worked low-paying jobs and suffered racist attacks. They worked in fields, factories, restaurants, hotels, farms and canneries – any place where they could find decent jobs. The injustices and economic hardships they experienced. However they persisted and later on became successful.
Such experiences are being re-lived by immigrants who come to this country in search for a better life. Regardless of the debate about immigration, it remains a fact that this nation was built on the toils, sweat and blood of immigrants from all over the world including the Philippines; and America will continue to grow and prosper as it draws its strength from diversity.
Someone once said: "America is not a land of one race or one class of people. We are all Americans…those of us who have toiled and suffered and known oppression and defeat… America is not merely a land or an institution. America is in the hearts of men (people) that (who) worked for freedom and equality; it is also in the eyes of men (people) who are building a new and better world.
All of us, from the first Adam to the last Filipino, native born or alien…We are America!" Indeed, this celebration of Filipino heritage is not uniquely and solely Filipino. This celebration is not just about the Philippines, but also about America – a nation founded on the notion that all men (people) are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
We sincerely thank all of you for coming today as we celebrate Philippine Heritage at Wilmington First United Methodist Church and as we celebrate one of the pieces that will make America’s future bright once again. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Long live the Filipino.
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