Summary

In Chapter 5, Vargas writes about the position of Filipinos in the United States, as they make up the "second largest Asian group" in the country, even though "many of us don't identify as Asian" (21). As viewed by others, Filipinos are "the most sought-after group of domestic workers" (21). Vargas writes about the malleability of Filipino culture, which he credits partly to the country's colonial history. The country was first colonized by the Spanish who ruled there "for more than 370 years" until it was occupied by the United States for 50 years. Thus, the two countries have a complex, codependent, abusive, and racist history that extends into the present.

Members of Vargas's family began to emigrate to the states when his great-aunt Florie married an American Marine and moved to the United States. She then sponsored other family members, including Lolo and Lola who moved...