Hi :) I am Angel. I was born to a 15 year old in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Adopted two months later (my adoptive mother is White/Puerto Rican), I never knew who my father was, all I knew was that I looked Asian.
In grade school, I lived in a predominately Spanish neighborhood in New York City and I stuck out like a sore thumb.
I don’t look Puerto Rican, I clearly look Asian, and no one ever let me forget it. I got stares upon stares, smart remarks, etc.
Once I left New York to be with family in Southern Maryland, things got way better. I met my cousins! They are mostly adopted and of Asian decent too. It was great to finally fit in.
In New York, I only identified as Latina because I felt I would fit in better that way, and I didn’t know what type of Asian I was anyway, so I guess I felt it didn’t matter. My cousins that are Filipino kept telling me that they felt I was Filipino, and for some reason, in my heart, I felt I was too. So, I started to embrace it, and learned Tagalog.
I found out at 19 that my father is indeed Filipino. I met him. I have lots of family in the Philippines. So many aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters!
I love being Hapa! I’m PROUD. But, my race/ethnicity does not define me. I take pride in knowing that I’m just a beautiful person on the inside.
P.S. I love being a part of two cultures that have some of the most delicious food! Yummmm ^__^
Hapa Voice 
I am a filipina living in Mayaguez and married to a puertorican…my baby boy is now like you half pinoy half boriqua.
Hi, Angel
I was born in Mayaguez, PR too! Did you ever meet your mom from PR?
Amarilis
Thanks for sharing your story Angel, you’re Beautiful!
You are an awesom citizen of the Universe.ML,
franco
very nice story and i feel you lol i’m Filipino & Puerto rican mixed too of a Filipino Father and a Spanish/Puerto rican mother and my Filipino feautures are very dominant because of my eyes lol but i have never exprienced racism like smart remarks among my fellow puerto ricans but anyways i love your story and we should should be proud of both our Pinoy and Boricua heritage because its a unique and exotic mix ^_^ lol never thought i’d say that and if you dont mind me saying you are very beautiful keep it up and god bless :)
Hey nice to know out there im not da Only Filipina Puerto rican chik tu sabe.. seems like every tme i hear it the same story .. father from phillipines and mom frm puerto rico .. .. its aii doe.. NY is crazy :P
It’s great you found out your other half — Filipino, and that you don’t let your race define you. I agree too, Puerto Rican and Filipino food rocks!
Angel,
Loved your story, thanks for sharing it on Hapa Voice. I am also of a Filipino/Puerto Rican mix, though my story certainly contrasts your experience being raised in California. BORICUA! ;-p. Glad to see you are proud of who you are as a person and not from a particular title or label another has or may place on you.
Wish you the best!