I am Little Manila. I'm the son of two hardworking parents. I'm a penite with beautiful brown skin. And no papaya subcommercial can tell me different. I am not a perfect woman, but I am a strong woman. I am the girl who just wants peace. I am the outfit of two little brothers who I love with all my heart. I am a young man, I am a dream. I am not your hypersexualized brown, southeast Asian woman. I am teacher. I am determined to improve my community, Stockton, California. I am not afraid to break this stereotype. I am second generation, from push and pull that factored my mother's migration. I am a product of a hardworking immigrant. I am the leader for two of my siblings. I am hopelessly devoted to the pursuit of justice. I am the daughter of a couple who encourages me to pursue higher education. I am a soccer player who is also a college dreamer. I am not that Asian girl because they all look the same. I am from South Side Stockton, a place where my heart belongs. I am strong and my voice will be heard. I am a monon, monon, my ancestors' song, dance, and prayer. I am Irish mother and Filipino father. I am proud to be Filipino. I am a proud Filipino from El Oco, Sinalte and Bangladeshina. I am Edison High. I grace that stage in 2005. I am a woman whose family instruments are strong faith. I am a learning, always learning something new each day. I am a young woman, determined for the stories of my ancestors to be heard. I work very hard to make my family proud. I am the resistance. I am the one to make my parents dreams come true. My goal is to make a mark more importantly to make my family proud. I am not your silent, passive social media capitalistic millennial. I am partner. I am the offspring of hardworking immigrants who came to America to pursue the American dream. I am someone who's made his way home because these South Side streets are where I belong. I am a great granddaughter of a woman who knew nothing about America when she first took in the air of what she knew was opportunity. I am a Pinoy. I am a dancer with a little manila dance collective to promote Stockton's Philippine X culture, through traditional dance and music. I am the dreams that the mountains and mountains fought for. I am a storyteller of my history. One not told in textbooks. I am next to carry on the history of our Filipino culture. I am the story that is not written in history books. I am a living breathing penite. I am Stockton, California. This place be grace that I'm never getting over and ready for the next generation to set up. I am a student for the aluminum and alpha school program to be the voice of my generation. I am my mother Stockton. Strong working, caring and loving. I am you and you are me in Lak'Echgo Buntu, Kapwa. Don't you see? I am the streets of South Side Stockton. I am Joy and Nice. I am a Lak'Eerda Hololos. I am a Nikoladee Ponce Bajak. I am Kiar Maki, who is also called Kiwi. I am Jalen Sanada. I am Abigail Osana Tabora. I am Jacqueline Delacruz. I am Sighted Cream. I am Lang Lantau. I am Emily Laine, Felizaburt. I am Little Manila. I am Little Manila. These golden streets touch Lola's feet in Bullesson scriptures. I am Little Manila. I am Little Manila. A case story became more knowledgeable about my heritage. I am Little Manila and I am filipino. I am Little Manila. I am Little Manila. I am Little Manila. I am Little Manila. I am Little Manila.