Do YOU consider Filipinos to be Asians?

Question

I know there has been many discussions about this issue, but it still doesn't help me understand. I'm a Filipino, and there has been a discussion between me and my American friend on whether I'm Asian or not. I consider myself Asian, since my family is telling me I'm Asian and all. But whenever I bring it up to my friend, she says, "You're not Asian! You're just Filipino!" I get so annoyed when she says that.

There's this other friend, who is Chinese, and calls me an "Asian wannabe." That gets me annoyed, too. I don't like being called a wannabe of a race I was told to be during my childhood. There's so much people claiming that Filipinos aren't Asians, that now I don't know what I am anymore.

So I ask you, the Yahoo community: What do you consider Filipinos to be? Or rather, if someone asked me whether I was Asian or not, what would I say?

Answer 1

Yes my fellow Pinoy! We're definitely Asians. If you consider the geographical location of The Philippines, then it is part of the Asian continent, though not part of mainland Asia. If so, then Filipinos are Asians.

The Philippines is a member nation of the ASEAN, as well as APEC. Thus, being in Asia, Filipinos are definitely Asians.

If other people insist you're not, and simply just a Filipino, nothing to worry about either. Though there is nothing simple about being Filipino and you're more than "just" a Filipino. Being Filipino is something you should really be proud of. Come to think of it, our culture, heritage, and modern society are quite different from a lot of Asian countries. The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia. Our mentality and way of thinking are more Spanish and American than oriental or middle eastern. There is no typical description of what a Filipino looks like since everyone looks different from one another. We are a mixture of so many different things, yet finely molded into one masterpiece... a Filipino.

Answer 2

Yes I consider Filipinos to be Asians because Phillipines are included in Asian countries and a member of Asean communities (South East Asian Nations).Geographically Phillipines islands lies between Asia continent and Australia continent just the same with Indonesia and Singapore.Your country is the neighbour of Indonesia.If you are a chinese origin ,chinese person is also to be asians.The bigest population of China in Asia continent are chinese..Why you are worry about it?To be an asians is not bad.This world without asins are not complete.Phisically we are nearer to Asians than to the origin of Australia and Africa.According to history the population of Indonesia and Philippines were coming from the south east asia..

Answer 3

I consider Filipinos to be Asians. Geographically they are from Asia and they are of the Asian race. I think that those who claim Filipinos aren't Asians are just ignorant. Some people tend to think that Asia = China for some reason. You know better, so don't let ignorant people annoy you or confuse you. You know better who you are than they do.

Answer 4

Filipinos are Asians. Our roots trace back to asia, we have chinese, japanese ancestors!! And of course spanish too. The Philippines Islands is apart of the Asian continent.

Many people do not consider Filipinos to be Asian because they are not directly apart of the asian continent, but if you look at it that way than i guess Indonesians, Malaysians, and Japanese are not asian as well since they are just islands.

Answer 5

YOU ARE AN ASIAN. Search anthropology! Early migration out of Turkey>Tibet> some went more north east and some to the pacific and many Chinese continued to migrate into the Pacific islands as well. Don't forget the Spainards also came to the islands! RACE is just a concept an idea of society. The color of skin , eyes, hair, shape of face are all mutations of earlier genetics due to environment and food, especially the sun. Use your critical thinking skills and start learning and knowing about human history and biology!

Answer 6

Of course they're asian! For me that's a no-brainer because the PH is pretty close to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. There definently isn't a single type of asian such as Chinese. However I've never thought of Indians as being asian. My gf is Indian and she thinks of herself as asian, but I think Indian ethnicity and culture is more distant from filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese, etc. But Filipinos aren't Asian? HA! I think your friends might be isolated.

Answer 7

Im actually dating a filipino I asked him that same question he said he does consider himself asian. He believes that filipinos are actually a mixture of many races. If you were raised to believe your are asian than the hell with what other people say. Be yourself and be proud of you're nationality

Answer 8

To me Filipinos are the cool Asians! Jus kidding all Asians are cool, but yeah I think Filipino people are Asian, they are just mixed with Spanish. Reminds me of Mexican people who are Native American and Spanish.

Answer 9

Well...The Philippines is in Asia, surrounded by Taiwan (Asian), China (Asian) Hong Kong (Asian), Singapore (Asian), Indonesia (Asian) and Malaysia (Asian). Even if you are not of direct "Chinese" descent, you probably still have darker skin, hair and eyes, just based on my experience traveling in The Philippines. Just because you don't look Chinese doesn't mean you're not Asian. Asians come in many different sizes shapes and shades, just like white folks or blacks ones.

Answer 10

Definitely Asian. Filipino is more specific, but Asian definitely applies.