“Sounds of tiles clacking, stacking and scrambling were heard along with light conversation and laughter. That was the sounds of family and friends who gathered to play mahjong. This game brought them together to socialize and be with one another. It was a monthly ritual; a cultural tradition.

I don’t play mahjong but every Christmas I invite the families children and parents over to make and bake Christmas cookies. We all enjoy and look forward to it each year, its become a ritual and my cultural tradition.”

“I’m from the Philippines and I inherited a warm and hospitable demeanour. My values of being kind and respectful has allow myself to be open to new opportunities and people. I have been taught to treat visitors with respect and generosity. This has led me to have genuine connections with people. The saying goes “magiliw na pagtanggap” which means “warm welcome”.”

“Growing up as a Filipina in America included dealing with racism and fear of getting in trouble if I did or said something that drew negative attention to my family and me. I had parents and relatives who spoke to me in our native languages and practiced many of our cultural and religious rituals that kept me grounded in being a Filipina.

I cook traditional dishes without altering them rather than appease the senses of non-Filipinos. I celebrate the birthdays of my elders and close relatives who have passed through conversation and spiritual offerings. I eat pancit or another noodle dish on my and loved ones’ birthdays as a wish for a long life. And I speak to other Tagalog-speaking Filipinos out of respect to them and our culture.”