For everyone looking for local Filipinos

[Artisan 138]

One of the most common threads I see on this sub-forum is people asking about where to find Filipinos in their area of the US. Filipinos represent the second largest Asian immigrant population in the US. I want to reassure everyone that if you look, even without exerting much effort, you will find quite a lot of Filipinos in your local area.

My wife and I live in a rural area of northeast Ohio, outside any of the major cities, and there isn't a day when we are out shopping or running errands that my wife doesn't encounter another Filipino she hasn't met previously. The first time we attended our local parish there was a Filipino couple sitting behind us. We just returned from a short vacation to visit friends in Kansas and apparently had missed a HUGE Filipino gathering in Kansas City, KS. While visiting a mall just across the border in Missouri my wife was greeted with 'kumusta ka' by another Filipina working at a cafe. Our neighbor introduced us to his personal trainer who is also a Filipina. Within the first month of my wife's arrival in the US she had a half dozen phone numbers given to her by US friends and family members that knew other Filipinos.

My message is that you shouldn't be afraid that you won't be able to find Filipino friends or social gatherings. Spend a few minutes on Facebook or Google searching for Fil-Am organizations. Ask your pastor or priest at church for leads. Even in the most rural of areas you are likely to find someone. So don't be shy, keep your eyes open, and never be afraid of approaching a stranger and saying hello.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

One of the most common threads I see on this sub-forum is people asking about where to find Filipinos in their area of the US. Filipinos represent the second largest Asian immigrant population in the US. I want to reassure everyone that if you look, even without exerting much effort, you will find quite a lot of Filipinos in your local area.

My wife and I live in a rural area of northeast Ohio, outside any of the major cities, and there isn't a day when we are out shopping or running errands that my wife doesn't encounter another Filipino she hasn't met previously. The first time we attended our local parish there was a Filipino couple sitting behind us. We just returned from a short vacation to visit friends in Kansas and apparently had missed a HUGE Filipino gathering in Kansas City, KS. While visiting a mall just across the border in Missouri my wife was greeted with 'kumusta ka' by another Filipina working at a cafe. Our neighbor introduced us to his personal trainer who is also a Filipina. Within the first month of my wife's arrival in the US she had a half dozen phone numbers given to her by US friends and family members that knew other Filipinos.

My message is that you shouldn't be afraid that you won't be able to find Filipino friends or social gatherings. Spend a few minutes on Facebook or Google searching for Fil-Am organizations. Ask your pastor or priest at church for leads. Even in the most rural of areas you are likely to find someone. So don't be shy, keep your eyes open, and never be afraid of approaching a stranger and saying hello.

I have to concur with your assessment for the path to finding other Filipinos in your community. I look around when shopping or dining out or conducting business, and many times I will see a Fil-Am couple or even an Filipino/Filipina. I may go up and introduce myself to them and inquire where they are from in the Philippines (I am an American) and I share this experience with my fiancé who is still in the Philippines which brings comfort to her that she will not be short on friends.

I used Google and asked for Fil-Am organizations in North Carolina, and the number of hits that were returned were many. Some were community based, some were professional and some religious, but all will lead you to an opportunity to meet others. Think of it as a networking community. Many have gone before you and can make recommendations for food, cultural events and careers.

Good luck to all.

[Ronn63 41]

I'm excited beyond belief to fly my fiance in!! I know that there's a community center not far from me, (I'm in NE Ohio too.) How far are you from Brunswick, Ohio?

[Bayareaguy 156]

Yeah, no worries people, Filipinos are everywhere!

[Artisan 138]

I'm excited beyond belief to fly my fiance in!! I know that there's a community center not far from me, (I'm in NE Ohio too.) How far are you from Brunswick, Ohio?

We are about an hour drive away from Brunswick. There is a rather significant population of Filipinos in the Cleveland Metro area. You won't have any trouble finding anyone local.

[Psoas10 17]

No problem finding Filipinos here, but they mostly speak Ilocano here. It reminds me of Ilocos Norte here.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Psoas10

[Angel and Gendy 1]

Don't worry they will find you

[Bayareaguy 156]

Don't worry they will find you

You can run, but you can't hide.

[Dustin and Janen 86]

Do Filipino-Americans from America snob new Filipino immigrants?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Do Filipino-Americans from America snob new Filipino immigrants?

Not in my experience. I would caution all new arrivals. Go into fil am groups with eyes wide open. Attend the social functions. Make a few friends. But don't rush in. Observe first