Philippine Diaspora: Fish Balls in America

The term diaspora originally referred to the Jews, exiled from Israel by the Babylonians. It comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "to scatter about."

In these modern times, diaspora also describes the many people from different countries who are scattered all across the globe—Filipinos among them. As of this writing, about 15% of our population are permanently or temporarily living and working abroad. We are one of the largest diaspora in the world, spanning over 100 countries.

A huge number of our countrymen are in California, USA, judging from the many Filipino commercial areas in major cities.

While enjoying the grace of spring there, we visited several and, minus the biting cold, we thought we were back in the Philippines. All the goods, restaurants, shops, music, posters, and ambiance felt undoubtedly Filipino.

We even found a statue of Jose Rizal, our national hero, and our famous street food, fish balls!  

A friend in the US said, "Whenever I feel homesick, I visit a Filipino store and make like I never left home."

What could the Philippine diaspora mean in the future?

According to scholars, diaspora in general can transcend man-made boundaries and bring people of different cultures together. In the process of inter-mixing, "people's needs will change and the concept of diaspora will change with them."

So then, this is where we should go: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 (NLT)