Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
While Thanksgiving is a predominantly American holiday (whose revisionist history hits a little too close to home), we as Filipinos have been celebrating the occasion ever since we became an American colony. We celebrated it in secret when the Japanese invaded during WWI, and the festivities become an official part of the Philippine holidays during Marcos’ time, with the tradition being discontinued in 1986 after he stepped down from power.
But now in the 21st century, with so many Filipinos having visited, worked, or seen family in the United States, and the increasing number of American expats who work and live in the country, Thanksgiving is making a comeback, grounded in our Filipino values of wanting to give thanks and celebrate the holiday with good food, friends and family.
This year, I celebrated Thanksgiving surrounded by friends that have turned into family over the course of the year at Gringo. Yes, I realize the irony of the name of the restaurant we chose for the occasion, but they serve some of the best Southern roasted chicken in BGC. Surrounded by a lot of good food and even more alcohol, it was a lovely moment, being able to take a minute to be grateful for everyone who took their time to be there and share what we’ve been most thankful for this year.
Personally, it was heart-warming to see friends from my different circles gather together to get to know each other and bond, with many of them celebrating Thanksgiving for the first time. I’m hoping this is the start of a tradition we can all continue, taking the spirit of the season and making it our own. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Thanksgiving a little more special.