Some families are separated by distance because of several reasons whether because of work, school, or a new chapter in life. Being physically distant from your family can make it challenging to keep your heritage alive.
As a Filipino living abroad, it can be easy to feel disconnected from your cultural roots and the traditions that have been passed down through generations.
However, it's crucial to make an effort to maintain those meaningful Filipino family traditions, even from afar. Engaging with your culture and sharing it with the next generation helps preserve your identity and fosters a strong sense of community. Here are some tips for keeping Filipino traditions alive when your loved ones are miles away:
Cook Traditional Filipino Dishes Together #
Food is often the centerpiece of Filipino culture and family gatherings. Set up a video call with your parents, grandparents, or other family members and cook a beloved Filipino dish together, step-by-step. This allows you to learn the recipes and techniques that have been handed down, and share the experience of preparing the meal, even if you're oceans apart.
Observe Filipino Holidays and Festivals #
Major Filipino holidays and festivals are important touchpoints for cultural identity. Make an effort to observe and celebrate these occasions, even from afar. This could involve:
Decorating your home with traditional Filipino decor especially during Christmas or important festivities
Dressing up in Filipino attire
Watching Filipino performances or movies together over video chat
Joining online communities to participate in virtual celebrations
Sending Filipino treats or small gifts to family members
Maintaining these traditions, even in a modified way, helps you feel connected to your roots and pass them on to younger generations in your family.
Share Filipino Stories and Traditions #
Set aside time to have open conversations with your family about your Filipino heritage. Ask elders to share stories about growing up, important historical events, or family folklore. Record these conversations to preserve them. You can also research your family's history and ancestry to learn more about your lineage.
Additionally, make an effort to teach your children or other young relatives about Filipino customs, values, and ways of life. This could involve:
Explaining the significance of important holidays
Teaching them Filipino phrases, songs, or dances
Reading them Filipino folktales and children's books
Showing them how to make traditional crafts or dishes
The more you can immerse them in your culture, the more they'll appreciate and want to continue your family's traditions.
Make Periodic Visits at Home #
When possible, make an effort to visit your family in the Philippines. These trips allow you to fully immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and traditions of your homeland. With this,it gives you the chance to experience your traditions first-hand and pass them on to the next generation. These visits can be rejuvenating and help you return to your life abroad with a renewed sense of pride and connection to your Filipino identity.
Make Kwarta Padala Your Pagpapadama ng Pagmamahal at Presensya
Regularly sending monetary gifts to your families or loved ones back in the Philippines can be a concrete gesture of connection, warmth and care. This can be a very Filipino way of expressing love and presence. As Filipinos are known to be supportive, thoughtful and family-oriented.
Even if you are away from the Philippines, with M Lhuillier’s International Kwarta Padala, it gives you enough reason not to miss making your family feel your connection and Filipino spirit. M Lhuillier has partnered with a great number of international remittance companies across the globe in which money transfers can be easily claimed at any of M Lhuillier’s over 3,000 branches nationwide. Now connection cannot fail with the bridge M Lhuillier has built for every Filipino family in the country and around the world.
M Lhuillier, the Philippines’ largest and most respected non-bank financial institution, continues to uphold its promise of being the Tulay ng PaMLyang Pilipino, with more than 3,000 serviceable locations nationwide. It continuously seeks better and innovative ways to serve its community by providing fast, easy, and reliable financial services such as Kwarta Padala, Quick Cash Loan, Car Loans, Home Loan, Bills Payment, Insurance Plan, Money Exchange, Jewelry, ML Wallet, ML Express, ML Moves, and Telco and online TV Loading.
Follow M Lhuillier Financial Services, Inc. on Facebook, or visit mlhuillier.com for more information. For inquiries, contact Customer Care through its mobile number +63-947-999-0337, +63-947-999-2721, +63-917-871-2973, +63-947-999-0522, +63-947-999-2472 or email customercare@mlhuillier.com.