FILIPINOS in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving Day (or Araw ng Pasasalamat) in their own special way, reflecting on the blessings they have received from the Lord as the year 2013 is about to end. The day also serves as the kick off and preparation for the holiday season.
Those who recently arrived in the country and are not all that familiar with the tradition (as well as the bird itself), are amazed at the role Thanksgiving plays in American culture. But over the years, Filipinos have slowly assimilated, and have even managed to add some Pinoy flavor into the time-honored occasion.
The concept of Thanksgiving in the US is based on the early experiences of its settlers and the human relationships that were forged between them and the indigenous population.
In lieu of Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanza, late November is marked as a time when differences are set aside. The holiday season, and Thanksgiving in particular, is steeped in giving thanks, reuniting with loved ones, and enjoying a hefty amount of food—while watching American football or the annual Macy’s parade in New York.
It is similar to how Filipinos back congregate to celebrate Christmas or All Saint’s Day, when most people travel to their respective provinces to be with their relatives.
According to the 2010 census, there are over 3.4 million Filipinos in the US and most celebrate Thanksgiving like it is their own tradition.
While the conventional Thanksgiving feast consists of roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, pumpkin or pecan pie, and drinks like eggnog or apple cider; many Filipino families would rather create a yummy fusion of the grandiose meal substituting roast chicken (lechon manok) or chicken relleno as its centerpiece. But mind you, as is the case with any traditional Filipino community gathering, a roasted pig—the lechon—is more often than not, the main attraction of the feast.
Alongside the traditional feast families may serve crispy pata, pancit bihon, hamon, kaldereta, lumpia or kare-kare. During potluck parties, the mix of cuisine makes the celebration more multi-cultural.
Like most Americans, friends and families are invited over to celebrate. “Thanksgiving is an occasion you should celebrate with your family and relatives,” said Evangeline Perez of Antioch. “We have always had ours at noon, and then move to a relative’s house for a dinner celebration.”
After gobbling up those delicious food comes the popular Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when people scamper to department stores and line up in the wee hours of the morning hoping to avail of deals.
As an entrepreneur here in Northern California for more than 37 years, I have encountered a lot of people that will consider you as a friend if they only need something from you. This is why we should realize that God is our only true friend and that we should pray and give thanks to Him for the wonderful year He has given us.
To all my readers—a million thanks to you too!