Filipino American Dream

A. K. A. Filipino American Dream Series I: Unscripted © 2013

Written by Glen Yumang Manese 

A. k. a. (F. A. D.) Filipino American Dream

Coming on stage is Driven, Director, and poor Charlie, part of the comedy crew.

“Check one, one. A little off the treble. Check one, one, and two. A tad bit more on the bass. Check two, two, and one. Are we ready, Chuck?” Driven asked Charlie.                                                      

“No, Elvis has left the building. I was told by those outside waiting.” Replies Charlie.          

“What is the problem, Chuck!?!” Driven replies back to Charlie.

“My name is Charlie, not Chuck.” Charlie says back.

“Whatever your name is Bob Marley.”Driven says.

In between them, Director interrupts the conversation.

“Where’s a.k.a. Filipino American Dream? I’m really going to scream! I’m getting mad, Chuck. Charlie better start quacking like a duck.” Director yells.

“He’s here. No one needs to fear.” Charlie insists.

“That’s better Chuck. I was going to make you into Donald Duck. Make you quack like a duck. The audience will be booing. You guys better duck. People will be screaming. Hurry, get FAD. Before everyone gets mad.” Director says impatiently.

Enters FAD on the stage…

Filipino American Dream © 2013

 

Amaze how we tolerate.

Do not discriminate.

Alienate those wanting a dream.

Seems we have come a long way.         

Today, who are us a citizen.       

Perseverance of who I am.

I am one voice, one vote I am.                                

I am Filipino American Dream.

 

I pledge allegiance to the flag?          

Snag that does not look like the one I know.   

Show me again there are way too many stars.                            

Bizarre what happen to the Sun in the middle?                            

Diddle let’s try this again with an edge.                                      

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

I plague a leg to the jet lag of the unique stats of Jamaica.        

Americana rhymes better next question.                 

Annotation, do you know who the president is?               

President is Bo rack O Gamma.       

No, his name is Barack Obama.            

You’re in the general ballpark.                                                    

Spark out of this, what do 50 stars stand for, take a guess?      

Yes, 50 Cents.                                                                              

Relent, he’s a rapper.                                                              

Answer is 50 states.

 

Amaze how we tolerate.                  

Do not discriminate.                                                                           

Alienate those wanting a dream.                                                 

Seems we have come a long way.                                          

Today, who are us a citizen.                                        

Perseverance of who I am.                                                    

I am one voice, one vote I am.                                                          

I am Filipino American Dream.

 

Welcome America at the age of 6, I was all in a mix.     

Fix, infused and suffused into this Melting pot.                     

Could not speak, could not understand.

Span I knew 2 words a yes and a no.

So I was Different Strokes.     

Denote looks back at that moment.                                        

Torment feelings I came here for a reason.                            

Lesson how this rhyme becomes my season.           

Affirmation I am saying these words.                                          

Forward I use to look at the dictionary from A to Z.    

Destiny came, just when all seems to conquer you? 

Ensue I just believed.                                                          

Believing what is true.                     

Blue skies are not so.                                                                  

Show you to sail beyond them.

Overwhelm life’s helm is harmony.

 

Amaze how we tolerate.              

Do not discriminate.                            

Alienate those wanting a dream.                                                     

Seems we have come a long way.                                                

Today, who are us a citizen.                                           

Perseverance of who I am.                                

I am one voice, one vote I am.                     

I am Filipino American Dream.

 

I’d pay back the gratitude.                                                     

Attitude got what was fealty.                                          

Family told me I could not be.                                                       

I’d join the U.S.M.C.                                                     

Wear the color become one a valor.                    

Honor, separation secludes you.                                  

Few are tested to courage.                                                                 

Discourage by the facts of commitment.

Achievement I’d see graduation day.                              

Per se, see my father and mother together in years.  

Boot camp was well worth the fears.                              

Peer these words keep flowing.                  

Dictating and following me now.                                                 

How this all started with a dictionary.                                        

Pictionary is a game from A to Z.                               

Education comes to be my key.

 

Amaze how we tolerate.                                   

Do not discriminate.                                                                          

Alienate those wanting a dream.                                    

Seems we have come a long way.                                               

Today, who are us a citizen.                                               

Perseverance of who I am.                                       

I am one voice, one vote I am.

I am Filipino American Dream.

 

Reviews

[DIVYA]

An amazing write. You bring the American Dream to life in this writing. It's a marvel, how long we have come. Only goes to show that nothing can come in the way of those who set out to realize their dreams in earnest. Bravo! Please accept my compliments.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Thanks for dropping by...and making your presence known...

[Star]

Being a Filipino American myself, I can really empathize with this poem. All I can say is, well done.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Star --- thanks for your time and review...