An Australian

Immigrant
from the
Philippines

My mum is from
the Philippines.
Her whole family
left for Australia
so they could be
closer to my
Great Grandma and
Great Aunt
who have been here
many years
before them.

Philippin
es

She arrived here in

Melbourne by airplane on
the 13th of July 1986 she was 18 at the time.

My mum felt very sad

and didnt really
want to come
because she wanted to
stay in their home
and didn't want to
leave her friends
behind.

She has been a Citizen of

Australia since 1988 and sees
herself as an Australian.

The tradition of "kissing the

hands" of elders as a sign of
respect is something we still
practice.
I call my sister Ate, which
means older sister.
Christmas Lanterns (in the
shape of a star) are traditionally
hung outside the house.
Birthdays, Easter, Halloween
and Christmas celebrations are
pretty much the same.

My Dad is an Australian and

my Mum is a Filipino. That
makes my sister and I, halfAustralian and half-Filipino. We
are of a mixed race and proud
of it!