Tag Archives: Spanish

Filipina, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Czech, Irish, Scottish, French

hapa294My parents met when my dad (Czech, Irish, Scottish, and French – born and raised in Ohio) served a Peace Corps mission in the Philippines where my mom lived with her family. He brought her back to the United States, where I was born.

When I was seven, my family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where most people were white and Mormon.

I remember getting teased a few times because my eyes were “like this” (as kids would pull the corners of their eyes up), but in general I got along with everyone. Continue reading →

Filipino, Chinese, Spanish

hapa286I’m Edward Guillar and I’m Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish.

I haven’t really felt different while living here in the Philippines, though a lot of people tell me I’m quite good looking. I haven’t been to other countries so I can’t have a comparative understanding of what other people think of me from that perspective. But living here in the Philippines is really amazing, I can be who I want to be without worrying about what other people think of me.

I guess I want to share something to all Hapas out there! Just be yourself and know yourself because if you don’t others will do it for you, and you may not like it. Whatever race or ethnicity you are, you’re a human being capable of loving and sharing your talents with the world, and that’s what really matters. Smile and be happy because there is only one race and that is human race!

Chinese, Japanese, Spanish

hapa277My name is Melanie Sumi Tong and I’m Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.

Until recently, I didn’t even know about the word “Hapa.” I went with my grandmother and dad to Hawaii this past summer and felt at home there. I talked to my dad about this a bit and he said it’s because I was Hapa.

It felt freeing for a while knowing that I didn’t have to identify as one or the other but Hapa. I went to Little Tokyo a few months ago and saw the Hapa exhibit and it felt good knowing that were others like me.

I’ve been asked a lot about what I was and the response ranges from “Really? You don’t look Asian,” to “That’s cool. I can see it now,” but that’s okay with me.

My Asian genes have blessed me with very pretty dark hair which can be really oily at times while my Spanish side has given me wavy frizzy hair which is fine by me since I don’t like to curl my hair anyway. I grew up in two worlds which was a blessing in disguise because it’s given me a great set of values and made me more open to learning about other cultures.

Continue reading →

Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, Malaysian

hapa268Hello everyone:)

I am so happy that I discovered this site this year because it made me realize how happy I am to be Hapa!

My name is Joy Stephanie. I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. I came to America when I was 8 years old.

I did not really question my ethnicity when I was little for some reason. I did not know that I was mixed with Chinese, Spanish and Malaysian until I was in 5th grade.

My mom is Filipino and Spanish and my dad is Filipino and Chinese. My grandma (from my mom side) has some Spanish descent. I think my mom told me that I also have some Malaysian blood.

Continue reading →

Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French, German, English, Spanish

hapa266I am of Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French, German, English and Spanish descent!

My Japanese grandma met a US merchant marine while stationed in Yokohama and the rest was history! My European mixed grandpa’s nickname was “chico” because he was a 6 foot 5 giant!

My Chinese mother initially met my dad while she was waitressing at her dad’s restaurant in Portland, and they started dating 5 years later when they both ran into each other at a sushi bar.

My Chinese grandpa was a Japanese POW, so it was difficult for him to accept my Hapa-Japanese dad but he eventually grew to accept him as part of the family.

Continue reading →

Spanish, Filipino, Indonesian

Hi there! My name is Rieza Luthfi Alvarez and I’m from Jakarta, Indonesia.

My Dad is Spanish-Filipino and my Mom is Indonesian. Being Hapa is a great feeling and a blessing.

It’s funny to me when people can’t guess my background right. Even now that I’m older and have changed quite a bit, people still have no idea what ethnicity I am. When I was a kid people called me “bule” (caucasian foreigner). Some of them said I looked Japanese, others guessed Chinese, and a few thought I was Arabian. Continue reading →

Malaysian, Indian, Russian, Jewish, Spanish, Portugese

Hi I’m Sylvia and I’m a 3rd generation Malaysian Indian.

My dad is Malaysian Indian and my mother’s family (I thought) was ethnic Indian from Canada.

Growing up I always imagined myself as being Hapa but brushed them aside as thoughts of a disillusioned teenager.

To my surprise, shock and amazement my mum’s sister who lives in Canada did a DNA test a couple of months ago and guess what the results were??
Continue reading →

Japanese, Italian, Spanish

Hello my name is Gina and I am Japanese, Italian, and Spanish.

I was always proud to be Hapa but my mother who is also Hapa was never proud to admit she was anything but Italian.

I grew up always being told to just say that I’m Italian or Spanish; never Japanese. As I got older and started making friends who were full Asian or Hapa it became easier for me to admit that I was Japanese and I became so proud of who I am.

It was very hard to be Hapa because most of my friends were either 100% Spanish or 100% white… I felt like I didnt really fit in. Continue reading →

Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, Austrian

Hi! My name is Therese Grace Margaret Alonso-Jance Uy. I’m 20 years old and I currently live in the Philippines.

My father is Chinese-Filipino and my mother is Spanish-Austrian. But I am 100% Filipina at heart. It’s fascinating to see other Hapas like me. In my opinion, Hapas are exotic and beautiful people.

When I was a kid, many, including my friends referred to calling me as the “curly haired german girl.” It’s pretty cool that I can also be mistaken as deutsche.

Growing up, I’ve not had any difficulty being multiracial. I took it as an advantage. Continue reading →