Twelve-year-old Cindy Crome describes how her life is enriched by having parents from different cultures.
| I love it in the Philippines – I think of it as home just as much as I do England. But I always call the Philippines ‘my country.’ |
Some children may find it difficult having parents from two different cultures. But I don't find it a problem. It's great to come from a mixed parentage background, that way I get to enjoy the best of both worlds.
My mum is from the Philippines and my dad is English.
I have never been treated differently because I come from two cultures, people just accept me the way I am. I have friends from all different cultures, and I don't think that they are busy thinking about the colour of my skin.
My parents love each other, and they never seem to argue. They talk a lot to me about their different cultures, and we visit Devon to see my dad's family and go to the Philippines once or twice a year to visit my mum's family.
I love it in the Philippines because it's nice and warm, I think of it as home just as much as I do England. But I always call the Philippines 'my country.' It's so different to London where I live. People are friendlier and more polite, at least they say 'Good morning' to you! I also feel safer when I'm there.
In my country there's not so much traffic, and it's also normal to wake up early, around five or six, and go to the beach with your friends instead of feeling afraid to leave the house at a certain time in the morning, or come home too late at night. When I'm away from London I have to admit that I do miss my friends and school.
Coming from two cultures has many advantages; for example I speak two languages, and get to eat not only English food but also the food of my country. The food in the Philippines is really good. They eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit and people tend to live longer there. My Granddad lived until 90 and my Grandma until she was 130! I think that's amazing.
Also in the Philippines I have an extended family, so I have lots of people I can talk to about my second culture.
My parents plan to live there in the future when I am older; when I've finished my education in England. I like this idea because it means that I can understand the culture better, plus I have lots of friends there who are my age.
When I'm in the Philippines my friends ask me about life in London and I can tell them all about what I do. And when I'm in England people asked me about the Philippines. I feel really happy to tell them about my other culture, and most people listen to the interesting stories that I have to tell.
It's great to look forward every year to seeing my family and friends in the Philippines. We have so much in common although I am English. We share the same language, tastes in music and fashion, and I don't think for one minute that they are thinking that I am any different to them. I feel happy to know the both countries and cultures so well.
About the team
This story was produced by Cindy Crome, 12. It was published in Community Care magazine.
