Page 26 - 2023 eMag Final Draft
P. 26
Victoria Li, who has lived in demand as more Chinese immigrate to the
The Canada and the United States, has kept in Americas for business and education. Her
touch with her roots. She's not just fluent parents were the same. Now, she attends
in Mandarin but also returns to China for a university with more than 30% of the
reunion festivals when they coincide with student body sharing Chinese ancestry.
Oriental Experience school breaks. This shared background gives her a strong
sense of solidarity amongst her community,
But she's never too distant from a boon in the vastness of the United States.
home. There's a thriving Asian community
Around in almost every major city in North
America, their ancestors having carved
their place in American society decades
ago. The Chinatowns, enclaves of the
the World Chinese populace, are indicative of the
enduring Oriental spirit. Their streets are
lined with stores selling Chinese products
Reported by Lee Jun Koi Sr1ScC
and ingredients, serving an ever-increasing
When Chinese culture is brought up, what comes to mind? Evan Tyler Siytiu Sy, from the The "bamboo network", a
Philippines, has a different perspective on colloquialism for the strong Chinese
Chinese culture. His community primarily economic presence in Southeast Asia, can
You’d probably think of red beloved traditions into something unique consists of people from the Fujian region of be felt in the Philippines as well. According
China. As such, Hokkein is widely spoken to Evan, many of the most economically
packets and sparkling firecrackers, which yet familiar all the same. by Filipino-Chinese. He explains that the influential corporations there were founded
are quintessential features of the CNY people of the Philippines have engaged in by businessmen of Chinese ancestry. The
experience. Or perhaps you’d be reminded WIt’s rather hard to frame these changes extensive trade with China since the Song literal 1% of the Filipino population control
of steaming hot dumplings and wontons in culture, for we ourselves have only Dynasty, which continued into the Spanish an estimated 70% of the economy.
that leave a savoury taste in your mouth. experienced them the Malaysian way. In colonial era and eventually to the present
Regardless of what your fav ourite aspect fact, lo sahng (魚生), the New Year’s dish day. These mercantile agreements brought Evan appreciates the tight-knit
is, we can all agree that our Chinese known for its auspicious tossing ceremony, a steady stream of Chinese immigrants into community he has been blessed with.
heritage plays a vital role in shaping our is a course exclusive to the Malaysian and the Philippines over the course of centuries, Unlike us in Malaysia, where our ancestors
lives. Countless people across the world Singaporean diaspora. Only by viewing eventually cementing a prominent Chinese immigrated from various regions from
share the same sentiment. After all, the our culture through the lens of our foreign presence in the region. So enduring are Beijing to Hainan, Filipino-Chinese are
Chinese diaspora is the 3rd largest overseas, brethren can we fully understand the these relations that the oldest Chinatown mostly from Fujian. Their background as
reaching a staggering 40 million people. quirks of Chinese tradition. Thankfully, we in the world, Binondo in Manila City, has descendants of the same province gives
However, despite many Chinese holding have some friends abroad who are willing been established since 1594. them unity.
steadfast to mainland tradition, decades to share their experiences with us.
of cultural assimilation have morphed our
26 27
