As a young girl, growing up with an ethnic background, I’ve always found myself learning new traditions passed down from my Lolo, Lola(grandparents), and parents. My Lolo and Lola both grew up in the Philippines and my father grew up in Mexico. So when they all traveled to the US with very little personal belongings, they were determined to bring as many memories with them as possible. Many of those memories are recipes that they held onto, hoping to teach the next generation and keep the traditions alive. As the next generation, my siblings and I learned how to cook many different authentic meals originating from both the Philippines and Mexico. We’d visit my Lolo and Lola’s house often and learn how to cook a variety of dishes like chicken tinola, adobo, and champurrado. While my father taught us how to cook Spanish rice, pozole, and tres leches cake. My parents are very family-oriented and they insist on eating together every night. One of our favorite meals to eat together is Pancit, which is a traditional Filipino dish. This specific dish is very nostalgic for me and my family because it brings back memories of huge family parties and eating dinner at Lola's house. My individual upbringing has encouraged me to appreciate all types of different cultures and my family has ensured that my siblings and I would grow up knowing our roots and embracing our own cultures fully. 

– C Vega

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant