THE MODERN FILIPINO

The Modern Filipino is an anthology of spoken word poetry that details the experiences of a first-generation Filipino-Canadian immigrant. Bayani Catapang spent the first 10 years of his life as a Filipino national living in the central provinces of Luzon (the northern landmass of the country), away from the metropolitan zones of the Philippines. At the young age of five, his mother immigrated to Canada through the generous sponsorship of his grand-aunt (the sister of his maternal grandfather). This temporary period of separation lasted a total of five years, the same amount of time it took for his mother to raise the funds required to process the immigration paperwork for the entire family (the father, son, and daughter). In 2011, the Catapang family became naturalized Canadian citizens, ushering in a new era of self-discovery and self-redefinition. This three-volume book project is dedicated to the Filipino immigrant communities of the world.

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DEDICATIONS

"FOR MY BELOVED FAMILY;

FOR MY SELECTED FAMILY — MY FRIENDS;

FOR MY FILIPINO KIN, ON HOME SOIL OR ABROAD;

FOR THE YOUNG PINOYS AND PINAYS;

FOR THE ALLIES OF FILIPINOS; AND

FOR THE FILIPINO ELDERS."

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