Devlahovicht1

Viancka Devlahovicht
Ms. Marlowe
Expo R/W P 1
16 September 2016
Who I Really Am
About 18 years ago, my parents were married in Riverside, California. I am the first of
two children, being 5 years older than my sister, Kendra. Growing up was never easy for me, as I
spoke different languages and looked different compared to the average "guero." Living with
different cultural influences really took a large impact on my life. Since a young age, I've spoken
English, 2 dialects of Spanish, Tagalog, and even Chavacano (dialect of The Philippines). Being
multicultural really "helped" me with the bullies. Since I was a kid, and even to this very day,
I've always heard the Spanish phrase "China, China, Japones, come caca, no me des" which
means "Chinese, Chinese, Japanese, eat sh**, and don't give me any."
I grew up being the outcast in society. Others and I never saw things eye-to-eye. To me it
wasn't friend, it was kaibigan. It wasn't food, it was comida. I was very different than everyone
else and for me, it was a major struggle trying to adjust to my surroundings. The only thing I
wanted as a kid was to fit in with the others. Luckily, my family was always there to support me,
regardless of the situation. Being Hispanic with Asian influences is probably the greatest thing I
could've ever asked for. I grew up knowing that everyone is different and that it's okay to express
yourself freely.
Growing up around Filipinos has helped me with my dancing and singing skills. As a
child, I was not into singing all those karaoke jams or even the kind to participate in their dance
parties. It wasn't until the day I was signed up for a children's choir that I realized how much I

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liked singing. Being the oldest in the group really helped teach me how to be responsible for
others. As I grew with my singing, I began to participate in more choirs, whether it was at
church, at a party, a wedding, funeral, or even a concert. Now, I take every singing or dancing
opportunity I can get. Working with my music directing uncle has turned me into a leading
perfectionist when it comes to singing. I am proudly the youngest member of Filipino concert
choirs and take a strong lead as Soprano 1. When it comes to dancing, I've learned the steps to
every line dance and traditional Filipino folk dance. I take pride in what my Titas (aunts in
Tagalog) have taught me. They have helped shape the woman I am today.
Growing up with stereotypes was not the greatest. I was always told that I was too white
in skin color to be Hispanic. I always seemed to blend in more with the Asian crowd as I was
small, ate weird foods, and spoke and Asian "jungle" language. I was teased for looking like a
"chink" and a murder for eating my "duck abortion" that my people and I call balut. Every time I
met someone new, or they found out about my ethnicity, I'd immediately be asked the question
"Do you eat dog?" I do not eat my pets but I've learned to answer with a corny comeback such as
"Dog meat isn't bad, it's just a little ruff."
If I were ever to get the opportunity to change where I came from, I wouldn't change a
single thing. I love every bit of each of my cultures. They have helped shape the person I am
today. They have taught me how to be strong in times of trouble, and how to accept others for
whatever they may be. They have taught me how to be. They have taught me how to be
responsible and how to have fun. They have taught me how to explore new things and how to
handle whatever may come my way. But most of all, they taught me how to be me; And I could
not have asked to be anything better.