While Filipinos are officially categorized as Asian and the Philippines is part of Southeast Asia, it’s not inaccurate to also consider them Pacific Islanders. The Philippines is an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean, and historically, Filipinos were referred to as “orphans of the Pacific” by early American visitors.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Geographic Location: The Philippines is located in the western Pacific Ocean, a region also home to Pacific Islander nations like Samoa, Tonga, and Hawaii.
- Historical Context: For a long time, the Philippines was known as the “Philippine Islands of the Pacific,” and American visitors to the islands referred to them as “orphans of the Pacific,” highlighting their geographical distance from mainland Asia.
- Cultural Connections: Filipinos have strong ties to the Austronesian people, who are a diverse group with origins in areas across the Pacific, including Polynesia and Micronesia.
- US Racial Categories: In the United States, “Pacific Islander” is a specific racial category that refers to people from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, which includes Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans, and others.
- Official Classification: The official classification of Filipinos is Asian, and the Philippines is part of Southeast Asia.
- Individual Identity: Ultimately, it’s up to each individual how they choose to identify, and some Filipinos may consider themselves both Asian and Pacific Islander.
