‘Pamilya’ is Vital to Filipino Culture - Almost as Vital as Breathing

As we celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) heritage month, Jennifer Pable, who is a Manila-born and Idaho-raised Filipino American, explains her ties to family.

‘Pamilya’ - the Tagalog word for family - is vital to Filipino culture, almost as vital as breathing.

“I was unfamiliar with babysitters and daycare before living in America,” says BLM Idaho State Director Executive Assistant Jennifer Pable, who moved to Idaho at the age of nine.  “In the Philippines, when my mom was busy, an auntie or uncle cared for me and my many cousins were likely the neighborhood kids.”

Feeling connected is a fundamental reason Jennifer enjoys her position within BLM.  “The BLM culture encompasses my core value of family,” says Jennifer. “I’ve gotten to know a diverse group of people and these employees became my family.”

In beautiful Manila, Philippines the tropical humidity and whispering raindrops nurturing the lush greenery dances to a different tune than the vast, arid, rangelands of Idaho. As a youth in Manila, Philippines, Jennifer recalls numerous thunderstorms bringing rains and floods that quickly became knee-deep, followed by the sun’s emergence on her upturned face. She fondly remembers much of her time there being surrounded by family and friends. “In America, there is so much space.  In Idaho, neighbors don’t just show up, knock at the door and visit,” says Jennifer, laughing.  “You got to RSVP for a party.  You don’t come uninvited.”

In Manila, where your lola and lolo (grandma and grandpa) and likely several aunties live under one roof and residential areas are condensed, the spaciousness of western America presented Jennifer with a feeling she described as withdrawn and sad.  “America felt like black-tie affairs and sadness,” while Manila was celebratory, where neighbors hang out like family daily. In America, my auntie had her own house and visited occasionally.

This new culture resulted in Jennifer developing a tendency to be private and led to her surprise during her 2012 visit to the Philippines to attend her lola’s wake, to discover the continuous hum of children running in and out of the house were not her cousins but were neighbor kids stopping in to grab handfuls of lumpia or Kutsinta (steamed rice cake).

“I had forgotten how everything was a big celebration and party in Manila,” she says, explaining how gatherings are filled with food, games, and storytelling.  “Everyone is invited, and everyone knows everyone there.” Holidays, like Christmas, are big in Jennifer’s culture with an abundance of food, singing, and dancing.

Jennifer’s birthday as a child was no different, her mom inviting other children to celebrate her birth as well as adult friends and neighbors and even strangers to join the festivities. 

“My mom preserved a bit of the Philippine cultural heritage by continuing the tradition of playing Mahjong weekly with other members of the local Idaho Filipino community.”  Mahjong is not just a game. It is a social activity accompanied by conversation and a sense of community, which starts in the evening and continues until the early morning, she explains.

A core value of the BLM is community. Being inclusive, welcoming of all voices and perspectives and creating an environment where everyone feels valued, cared for, and is treated equitably. For Jennifer, translating her close familial values into the workplace means everyone in the work community feels like family. Getting to know them on a personal level encourages her productivity, teamwork, and a sense of security.

Jennifer also lives out her passion for service in her work, generously committing her time and resources to assist in supporting the overall land management effort. She takes pride in working to promote responsible land management practices. “I like to give and be selfless. It makes me feel good and feel grounded.”

At BLM she feels people’s values, diversity and personalities are considered.  “Work isn’t just a series of tasks, BLM’s people-oriented culture makes employees feel like part of the family.  “Other places I worked, there was no such thing as celebrating your heritage. At BLM, the community celebrates you and everyone’s diversity.”

"Management here helps if you are struggling.  If you make a procedural error, you are provided a mentor and shown grace and space to grow.  You can receive on the spot correction and improve."

The BLM also shares an aspect of spirituality to some, in recognizing that people and nature are inseparable and highly interdependent. Jennifer’s parents passed on a similar spirituality to her centered on the importance of nature and the universe.

“I’m spiritual. My parents were spiritual. It is an essence of being grounded, being in the present and accepting everyone in daily life.” For spiritual guidance, Jennifer enjoys listening to podcasts by motivational speaker Tony Robbins and inspirational speeches from Oprah. “The BLM makes you feel grounded physically and spiritually fostering meaningful relationships. Some other working environments did not make me feel this way, but at BLM I feel supported and am able to build a rapport.” 

Jennifer plans to take her children to Manila this year to see her homeland and culture.

*All photos courtesy of Jennifer Pable.