| The Importance of "The Kids" |
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| By Justine Saquilayan - AFF | |
| Tuesday, 15 July 2008 | |
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How in the world did we get here? Not only that, but the manner in which we’ve grown up with each other shows the strength of this bond. Through thick in thin. Through hours of Macarena, Ocho-Ocho, and Earth Wind and Fire. Through anecdotes about when we were young and gossip about movie stars and politicians we’ve never heard of. Through awkward conversations about our love lives, pairings, or even desired pairings. All in all, unforgettable childhood memories…teenage memories…and soon-to-be adult memories. The sects in the core of friends we seem to gather throughout the years each has a label. School friends. Church friends. Music friends. Sports friends. Childhood friends. But no matter how many people we become acquainted with in our lifetimes, it’s impossible to deny the existence of one unique group: Filipino friends. It’s a friendship much different than any other. It’s basically a pact as binding as one made in blood. There’s no other way to describe it. It’s a friendship that can only be understood in inside jokes developed over the years, parties at the Clubhouse, forced dancing during Filipino Independence festivities, the presence of countless “Titos” and “Titas,” and the lechon with the apple in its mouth. I can personally vouch for the value of having heritage in common with more than one person. In fact, I have found that many of these “Filipino friends” have blurred the line between friends and family. Some of them have become so ingrained in our family occasions and vacation planning that we assume their presence at said events. This is a group that has fun with one another, can relate in age and in background, and can grow up together. As Filipino teens, many obstacles are thrown our way, just like any other race. But there’s something incredibly comforting about sharing the same type of experiences, struggles, and goals. I consider myself lucky and blessed to know that I have these people to count on. So this goes out to the members of my own group who I cannot imagine living without. We have seen so much through all of our years and each bring different wonderful elements to each others lives. Already, even in our youthful ages, we have created beautiful careers and experienced unbelievable things. Through sadness and joy, work and play, success and failure, we know that we will always be together. Time and distance may stand between us, but we’ll be building the foundation for the second and third waves of Filipinos to come. A million thanks to “The Kids” of this generation. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 July 2008 ) |
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