# @jacquemanabat on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRBmOKtkZcJ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/63463363-jacquemanabat-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0812a0b4ac.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-14T05:34:13.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) — https://gondola.cc/jacquemanabat

## Caption

In my search for stories connecting the Filipino and American stories, ahead of the 80th Philippine-American Friendship next year and the 250th US Independence, I found myself, too.
Did you know Filipinos were the first Asian settlers in the US? They arrived on a Spanish galleon, establishing a community in Louisiana before the US was a country. Meeting inspiring Filipino-American leaders, I saw the direct result of previous generations fighting for their place in society.
But I also realized that Americans share that same fundamental struggle. The US is just a piece of land, but its heart lies with the people building their communities.
I am caught between the worlds of journalism and content creation, I often feel I belong to neither. Perhaps this feeling of being in-between is a shared experience, one that many Fil-Ams know deeply. That shared struggle is the truest connection of all.
On our last stretch for #RoadTo250

## Stats

- **Views:** 393
- **Likes:** 50
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 2

## Tags

roadto250

---
Copyright (c) Gondola