a filipino's downfall is...

other Filipinos.

Or it could be the other way, a Filipino's rise to the top can also be attributed to others around him.

I remember about 6 years ago when my parents were pushing (read: do it or else...) that I attend college here, and I told them I wanted to move to a predominantly Filipino community. They weren't too fond of that idea...I could be placed in a situation where because I was the bagong salta (a FOB as it's locally known), I'd be an outcast. But then there's also the chance that the community will open their arms because I'm a kababayan (fellow Filipino). It was a risk they weren't willing to take because the loneliness and homesickness combo could lead to a really rocky/depressing ride in pursuing the American dream.

Now what I don't understand is why do people naturally go after the person unlike himself/herself. Why are we so threatened by anything we don't consider "normal"? I'm not picking on just Filipinos here because I've had some comments thrown at me by some teen-aged locals:

"Hey you Chinese! Go back to your country!"

"You can't even get the nationality right, so whatever."

hmph.

Anyway, in light of the whole FOB concept, here's an article that puts it in a positive twist.