20th August 2009

Every day for the past three years, China has been a part of my life. In the morning, when I come in to work, I read news about China. I research articles about aspects of Chinese culture. I read about Chinese history. I interview people whose lives have been touched by their experiences in China.

However, I have never been to China.

I don't think of China as a strange, faraway culture, though. I grew up in the Philippines, a country that has a rich Chinese heritage. I grew up in the same neighborhood, so to speak.

Priceless Chinese artifacts dating from the 10th century have been found in the Philippines, showing just how long the Chinese have been present there. We even have the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in Manila in 1594.

Chinese immigrants came to the Philippines to trade. Today, Philippine economy is supported in no small part by the contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community. They are at the helm of businesses big and small which help steer the Philippine economy onward.

I grew up taking for granted the influences of Chinese culture on my own. China was present in my everyday then as it is now. Philippine cuisine is reminiscent of the food of southern China. Our language derives heavily from Chinese. On the streets, a Chinese-looking face is not a rarity. In fact, I don't need to look farther than the mirror to see that. Countless Chinese have mistaken me for one of them. More than one has said I look like I come from southern China.

Next week, I am going to China. I will finally see for myself what this country which has done so much for mine is like. I have a feeling it will be like coming home...

Genicel Raitisoja
Editor, FutuVision Media