After doing extensive research on this topic, I have compiled my own “You know you are Filipino if …” list. These are the things that are true to me because no matter where I might be I am still a proud PinayPie!

In no particular order…
You know you are Filipino if …
1. You hang a rosary on your car’s rear view mirror.
2. You respond to a “Hoy!” or a “Pssst!” in a crowd.
3. You have a relative who is a nurse.
4. Your pantry is never without Spam, Vienna sausage, corned beef, and sardines.
5. You think Christmas season begins in October and ends in January.
6. You play cards or mahjong and drink beer at funeral wakes.
7. You eat fried Spam and hot dogs with rice.
8. You’ve mastered the art of packing a suitcase to double capacity.
9. You collect items from airlines, hotels, and restaurants as “souvenirs.”
10. You think a meal is not a meal without rice.
11. Everything you eat is sauted in garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
12. You have uncles and aunts named “Boy,” “Girlie,” or “Baby.”
13. You have relatives whose nicknames consist of repeated syllables like “Jun-Jun,” “Ling-Ling,” and “Mon-Mon.”
14. You can squeeze 15 passengers into your five seater car without a second thought.
15. Your middle name is your mother’s maiden name.
16. You love ballroom dancing, bowling, pusoy, mah jong, billiards, and karaoke.
17. You bring balikbayan boxes in the airport.

Pinoys and our balikbayan boxes

18. You always make too much food at parties and send everyone home with a doggie bag.
19. You hate confrontations but love drama.
20. You are smiling, easygoing thoughtful and an overall nice person!