Asian or Pacific Islander?

This debate is still ongoing among filipinos and other peoples. So what are filipinos? Asians? or Pacific islanders? Well geographically speaking, we are asians. Our country is near the asiatic countries which include malaysia, singapore, vietnam, etc. Culturally speaking.... we are far different from the typical oriental nations.

Language:

Our language alone derives from many different cultures. Primarily a mix of spanish, malay, and some (but not too evident) polynesian speech. Because of that malay influence, I'd say we are asian in terms of language (although far be it from Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese). Our early alphabet (babayin) is similar to Hindu script even though its roots are in austronesian culture. Hinduism being the world's oldest religion has likely influenced austronesian culture.

Score: Asian (1) Pacific Islander (0)

Roots:

We are a mixed people, but the first people to have existed on the Philippine Islands have been of the austronesian race and the negrito race. The aeta (negrito) and other early indigenous people look more similar to the other polynesian races, in terms of skin tone, dress, and cultural background (head-hunting, tattoos, etc.)

A Negrito Family. One of the Philippines Indigenous Peoples

The early mongoloid race. The tree which the other asian races derived from.


The typical austronesian man. I think this is what most filipinos look like. One of the roots of the Filipino people.

Score: Asian (1) Pacific Islander (1)

Religion:

Christianity is growing in other parts of Asia and in Korea in particular it is booming. Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia and Christianity is the biggest religion in other polynesian countries such as Samoa, Fiji, and Hawaii.

Score: Asian (1) Pacific Islander (2)

Food:

Well the obvious influences of asian cuisine in Filipino dishes would be that of pancit canton, and even adobo. Adobo is seasoned with soysauce an obviously asian sauce. Tamarind soups such as sinigang are also often found in vietnam, cambodia, and other parts of asia. Fried pork like our beloved Lechon is more of a polynesian style of cooking, as well as the style of eating with our hands (kamayan). It's a close one but I'd give this one to the Asian side because even Balut is eaten among vietnamese people under a different name.

Score: Asian (2) Pacific Islander (2)


Conclusion:

We are filipino. Obvious enough. We are a mix of both categories. Geographically we are Asian, Phylogenetically, we are pacific islanders. We are pretty much pacific islanders in Asia. Asian Pacific islanders. When some one asks me to choose between the two?
Personally I respond with Pacific Islander. Island culture is far different from those from mainland asia. We are a more relaxed peoples who can have a good time and express ourselves through music, art, and dance. My tattoo is not the asian tiger or dragon or koi with calligraphy. It's tribal in origin. I don't think geographic location should define what your peoples really are because then I would say I'm Canadian-Filipino and not Filipino-Canadian. As a student of science I follow phylogenetic backgrounds and I'm proud of having my roots with the austronesian people. Asians are awesome don't get me wrong. I just find myself identifying more with Island culture, from the tattoos to the dance rather than the long silk suits and the big grand palaces of asian culture. (food is awesome both ways though :D)