The Santo Niño de Cebu has always been a big part of the religious Filipino culture and has especially stuck around in my family for decades. The specific statue of the Santo Niño shown has been with my family for many generations. It had followed my parents all the way from the Philippines through their immigration into America. My parents had originally come to America to provide my family with more opportunities than they would have received back in the Philippines and to try their luck at the American dream. This is very comparable to the immigration of the Chinese coming into America in the 1800s in order to escape their own economic chaos and hope for success with the ongoing gold rush. In every home I have ever lived in since I was born the Santo Niño has always been displayed for everyone to see as they walk through the doors of my family’s home. From as early as I can remember, I first handedly watched my parents work day and night, multiple jobs at a time, and take care of me and my brother. I’ve watched my family grow as a unit from our small single bedroom apartment to a beautiful 4 bedroom house, from my parent’s low paying positions getting promoted to head of their departments. I watched this all through my own eyes and alongside every journey I watched my parents and my family go through, that Santo Niño statue was there to watch it all as well. As I wake up every morning and come home everyday, the vision of the statue continually reminds me of the hard work and effort my parents went through in getting my family to where we are today.

– MM

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