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Rocel Ocampo: Finding Connection Beyond Language

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Rocel Ocampo shares about her struggles learning to speak Tagalog with her family. 

Being a second-generation Filipino-American can be challenging, especially when your parents are strict, traditional first-generation Filipinos.

Growing up, my parents always used Tagalog in the house, whether it be to address me or my siblings, or just saying simple phrases like, “Mahal kita, anak.” Which meant, “I love you, my child.” My parents would always try to push me to learn it, and I always found myself learning more and more, especially with the help of my grandma. As I got older, they began to use Tagalog more frequently, especially because my siblings and I could understand way more than a few sentences.

I remember one summer vacation when my family and I visited the Philippines. We went to one of the SM malls, a large shopping center filled with stores. I went with my cousins, and I struggled to speak Tagalog. They often suggested that I just use English to make it all easier for us.

I recall them asking if I was hungry and wanted a snack, but I couldn’t form a complete sentence in Tagalog. Even with the language barrier, we still had a great time. We watched a new movie and then went to an arcade to play games. We shared food, shopped together and laughed. It didn’t matter whether we spoke English or Tagalog; we all felt the same happiness and connection, regardless of the language difference.

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Here in the Bay, I feel as if it’s more common that second-generation Filipinos don’t know how to speak or understand Tagalog. I’ve met and befriended countless people who don’t know a lick of Tagalog, and it’s OK because we were all raised in different households, under different circumstances.

Even though I still face some challenges in expressing myself verbally, I see these challenges as opportunities for growth. I’m committed to learning Tagalog. And by doing so, I hope to remind myself to not let outside distractions prevent me from cherishing the little things in life, especially with my loved ones.

With a Perspective, I’m Rocel Ocampo.

Rocel Ocampo is a junior in high school. She loves collecting smiskis.

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