Filipino Americans Struggle for Identity

Amidst Shadow of Association

Throughout World War II, Filipinos faced a forced confrontation with complex identity as colonial subjects, aspiring citizens, and a distinct ethnic group often fused with their Japanese adversaries. Through the Spanish colonization connecting the Philippines and New Mexico, and American territorial rule, Filipinos have faced several structural barriers such as alien status and social challenges including racial prejudice and the stigma of a “forever foreigner”. The war showcased the long-standing identity crisis of Filipino Americans and their discriminatory association with the Japanese. Their struggle for recognition, loyalty, and belonging can help give a better understanding of the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander experience in America and New Mexico’s connection with the Philippines.

Filipinos in the Wartime Spotlight

With the impact of World War II Filipino identity was harmed in the American public eye, making their distinction and connection to the Japanese an urgent national interest. Previous to the war, many Americans already held suspicions about Filipinos, largely due to their social/colonial status and racial appearance. The Albuquerque Journal clipping “Our Filipino Comrades” expresses an ethnic/racial class hierarchy questioning, “Was the Filipino as much an American as a Japanese? Would he be loyal or become a fifth columnist?” This question undermines the societal pressure facing Filipinos to clearly display their loyalty to the United States, especially as their homeland was under the attack of the Japanese. The article states that “The average continental American- frequently has difficulty distinguishing a Filipino from a Japanese. But now he knows that the racial resemblance is only skin deep.” This shows how this articles manner of positive criticism for Filipinos are negated by the racial hierarchies used to emphasize them.

AAPI Historical Connection

The history and interactions of Filipino Americans throughout this period are very important to AAPI history, they highlight the issues faced by a group from a U.S. territory dealing with class disparity and racial discrimination. Prior to WWII the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 gave classification for Filipinos established in American territory as “aliens” inferring their inability to gain naturalization rights unless born in the U.S. This legal imposement created a great identity crisis, as expressed by immigrants who felt like a “stranger” despite living and dressing “like an American.” This structural limitation, along with “labor exploitation, mob violence, and segregation,” placed Filipinos in a problematic position within American society, some individual principles were perceived yet often they remained often conflated with other Asian groups. Their service in WWII especially in the 1st and 2nd Filipino Regiments, was a great example of their desire for an American identity and their willingness to challenge the discriminatory structures, even if the government aid and benefits to veterans were greatly delayed and withheld.

Members of the First Filipino Infantry Regiment train on a machine gun, demonstrating their commitment to fighting for the United States despite facing discrimination and being classified as aliens. [Source: U.S. National Archives] (1943).

New Mexico’s Relation with the Philippines

The relationship of the Philippines and New Mexico historically is not very direct, rather it is seen through shared experiences under Spanish and later American colonial rule and furthered by the effects of World War II. Both of the territories have experienced nearly 300 years of Spanish colonization, leading to cultural similarities seen in Christian names, language influences, and Catholicism. Later, both territories experienced American territorial governance, New Mexico’s struggle for statehood was even used as a comparison to argue against Filipinos’ capacity for Americanization. Throughout WWII, the bond grew as approximately 1800 New Mexicans, mainly from the National Guard’s 200th Coastal Artillery, were deployed to the Philippines. Vast numbers died in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, and the Bataan Death March, creating a direct connection of the two regions.

Private Doroteo F. Corpuz and Cornelius S. Daur clean their new Garand rifles at Camp San Luis Obispo, California, where the First Filipino Infantry Battalion was in training. [Source: Remember Bataan: Members of New Filipino Battalion}

Unanswered Loyalty and Sacrifice

The experiences of Filipinos throughout American history are a strong example of the issues of identity, loyalty, and the pursuit of justice faced within American society. The period circling these events vaguely exposed the structural and social issues stemming from their colonial past and the unjust association with the Japanese, forcing them to not only fight an external enemy but also internal prejudices. Their very apparent loyalty and immense sacrifices, often overshadowed by alien status and racial suspicion, earned them a “newfound respect” and greatly contributed to the Allied victory. Though the continual denial of veteran benefits with the Rescission Act of 1946 shows a lasting struggle for full recognition and compensation with many veterans going decades with no compensation. This struggle shows the continual impact of war on identity, the systemic challenges immigrants and colonized populations have faced, and how far we still are from fully recognizing the issue. It raises more questions regarding the multi-generational effects of the Rescission Act, the adaptation of Filipino Americans identity post Bataan and WWII, along with how their experiences still shape the broader AAPI community and their connection to their residence such as New Mexico.

Bibliography

Primary Sources-

“The Case of New Mexico.” The Atlanta Constitution, 6 Sept. 1901,https://www.proquest.com/docview/495691890/5AB83D3C2E14C40PQ/16?accountid=14613&sourcetype=Newspapers . “Filipinos Remain Loyal.” Albuquerque Publishing Company, 9 Apr. 1942,https://www.proquest.com/docview/2122671352/5AB83D3C2E14C40PQ/92?accountid=14613&sourcetype=Newspapers . “Our Filipino Comrades.” Albuquerque Journal, 19 Dec. 1941.https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156963533/

Secondary Sources-

Alcantra, Dely, and Tessie Ordoña. “The Philippines- New Mexico Connection and the Filipino Migration to New Mexico.” Pinoy, pinoy-newmexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Philippine-NM-Connection.pdf. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
“Battle of Bataan.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/battle-bataan-death-march. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026. “Filipinos Plan No Observance of Bataan Fall.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 8 Apr. 1953, https://www.proquest.com/docview/178469661/8A48F89E52B7494CPQ/1?accountid=14613&sourcetype=Newspapers Krueger, Alton. “Filipino Regiments of WWII.” National Museum of the Pacific War, www.pacificwarmuseum.org/learn/articles/filipino-regiments. Accessed 6 May 2026.
“REMEMBER BATAAN”: MEMBERS OF NEW FILIPINO BATTALION. 23 Apr. 1942. Pro Quest, https://www.proquest.com/docview/106134723/A22F422B6C9340A6PQ/5?accountid=14613&sourcetype=Newspapers.