An Unforeseen Lineage

As amazing as it is to have so many prominent Asian female idols in history and the media, sometimes the ones who empower us the most are those from our everyday lives. Before coming to the University of Delaware, so many students like me grew up in predominantly white communities, and we did not really have mentors that we related to culturally. I never thought that one day, I would find a group of women just like me who once felt the same way. Coming to the University of Delaware’s Filipino Student Association (UDFSA) and joining the ate/kuya program has made so many girls like me find the strong sense of representation and community we have dreamed of for so long.

The ate/kuya program is essentially a big/little program among members that creates many bonds among the community. To get a sense of how female empowerment prevails in the FSA community, I interviewed my own Ate (which translates to older sister), Zsanaia Badiang. Zsanaia is a sophomore human physiology major on the pre-med track with a minor in health and wellness. She is always showing me new opportunities and giving the best advice. Zsanaia works harder than almost anyone I know, but despite the fact that her plate is so full she is always more than willing to lend a helping hand or be a shoulder to cry on. I love having someone who understands me so well, not only in terms of culture but also my personal goals and values. Zsanaia’s unrelenting support inspires me to put so much effort into everything I do and put myself out there in the world. She describes her own ate/kuya experience as follows:

      “The ate/kuya program has influenced my sense of empowerment at UD in multiple ways when identifying myself as an Asian American woman. Being in FSA and more specifically holding experience with the Ate/Kuya program, I too was able to form a sense of belonging and understanding in what it means to be an Filipina American woman today. Having an ate, a “twin,” and two adings (littles) such as Julia and Sarah during my college experience makes me feel empowered that women can really conquer anything. Knowing we identify similarly in gender and race, our differences are found within our experiences no matter what age we are. I am empowered by these women by hearing their stories, their insecurities, and what sets them (and many other Asian American women) from the “Asian stereotype” which society has so easily built up to fit us women into another box. By this program alone, I was able to find another family made of an empowering group of women who prove to themselves and myself that we can do life. How am I ultimately empowered by them? I guess it’s because when I look at them I see a little bit of me, a part of my story, and I know I am not alone.”

A tagalog phrase I have learned from FSA that has stuck with me since is “bulag ang pamilya” which translates to “family is blind”. The ate/kuya program at UDFSA is such a safe, loving environment that feels like a second family. As a freshman during this unprecedented time, I honestly cannot imagine how much harder things would be without having a female mentor. I feel more comfortable and confident in practically everything I do here knowing that I have a group of strong women standing beside me.