“Our legacy. Our pamana. Being proud of our roots, passing the torch to the next generation.”
It’s been six months since this writer travelled to Chicago to witness the James Beard Foundation Media Awards wherein co-producers The Entree.Pinays and Featr Media were nominated for Visual Media – Long Form “Why is the Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?” held last 8 June at Columbia College.
“Being nominated out of the thousands of documentaries produced already feels like winning, Grace Guinto, The Entree.Pinays co-founder humbly states. We actually didn’t do this to gain critical acclaim. It was a labour of love, a way to immortalise our parents’ migrant journey. What they sacrificed so we can thrive and be part of the fabric of multicultural Victoria”, Fides Santos, The Entree.Pinays co-founder boldly declares.
There is beauty in our struggles. The way we view the world is a product of our upbringing. Every hurdle overcome is an achievement unlocked. From gearing ourselves up for winter to even navigating the public transport system or understanding Australian slang – it is a steep learning curve for all migrants. As first-generation Filipino-Australians, we are our parents’ bridges connecting their old life to the new. A new reality filled with our own versions of self-doubt and fears of the unknown – completely unquantifiable yet imminently pervasive. From facing micro-aggressions in the workplace to building boundaries after years of taking it and keeping silent. There is no question about the roadblocks our parents had to overcome to provide a better future for us. And this needs to be broadcast loudly and proudly because we wouldn’t be the people we are today if not for them.
The documentary’s focus may have been on the humble fruit, often likened to kumquat a close cousin in the citrus variety, but there is something distinctly Filipino about the calamansi, how it became the unofficial symbol of the Filipino diaspora. Watching the film, you cannot help but marvel at how something so common back in the Philippines is given premium status overseas. Much like how we don’t value things readily available but the scarcity of a product increases its value. There is complexity in calamansi, not just as a product used in various Filipino dishes as showcased in both the Australian and Filipino setting, it is in the cultural implications binding us globally.
Featr and The Entree.Pinays delved deeper into the commercial production of calamansi and how we can make the industry sustainable. There is a call to support the industry and it is up to this generation to take on the challenge. Placing value on its cultural significance as well as supporting the community.
The assertion of the Filipino-Australian migrant’s voice to be heard is the same calling for calamansi to be recognised. Planting a calamansi tree in our backyards is a direct link to the motherland, the Philippines but more than that it is a statement that a Filipino, given the right motivation, can thrive anywhere.
Looking back on the media awards, TheEntree.Pinays may have fallen short in their category. But there is more to life than winning. Being seen, being recognised and being appreciated is the first step to gaining a stronger foothold ensuring the calamansi – the Filipino- is not left behind.
As 2024 comes to an end, it has been a remarkable year for The Entree.Pinays. Their efforts to celebrate Filipino culture, build community pride, and share our heritage have made a strong impact, earning them a special place in the Filipino-Australian community. From Chicago to Melbourne and beyond, this year’s achievements are not just a success for The Entree.Pinays but for every migrant preserving and celebrating their heritage.
