Within this photo, a memory that has long been lost with time is preserved, and a tradition is remembered. The baby shown is me and my dress has been long lost throughout the years, but the true cultural significance of this photo is the location in which is was taken. A catholic church in the Philippines. My mother had immigrated from Cebu, Philippines to the USA not long after she graduated in her 20’s, later having me in Colorado. She was fully ready to raise me in the “American Dream” but she had one condition: I had to be baptized in the Philippines if possible. Both her and my father were raised catholic, which was one of the many factors that brought them together before having me. Although my mother left her home country due to various reasons, she still wanted to share her culture, faith, and traditions with me, taking the time to fly with me overseas to have me baptized in the same church that she and many generations of her family had been once been baptized in before. Although I don’t get to experience much of my mother’s culture at home, this act reminds me of how special and fortunate I am. The dedication to bring me to this location made me feel closer to not only my mother but also my extended family. In today’s world the cost of making that same journey takes years to earn, and I’ve only been back to the Philippines twice since then; this photo reminds that there’s still a loving side of my family waiting for me across the globe and a culture that embraces me for my efforts even if we’re separated by oceans. 

– MR

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