Reflecting on their roots, they recall a time of stability in the Philippines until an enticing job offer for their mother prompted a move to Australia, a land promising better opportunity.
Music as refuge in a new country
Francis, Dorothy, and Joshua’s passion for music unfolded under the influence of their parents. Despite not being professional musicians, their parents created a home filled with the joy of karaoke and the harmonies of church singing.
Compelled to be with one another, the siblings found solace in music, transforming it from a pastime to a unifying hobby.
"It was just the three of us, and music became our pastime, bringing us closer together."
Struggles as new migrants
Moving to a new country came with different struggles, particularly the language barrier in an English-speaking country.
“Music became the bridge. When we first came, we had a hard time speaking English, so we turned to music because we believe that music is the universal language of people.”
Adjusting to accents and forming connections presented additional hurdles. For Josh, a major cultural challenge was the absence of rice in Australian fast-food establishments. Undeterred, they brought their own rice prioritising their comfort over societal norms.
“There was no rice so the next time we came, we brought a rice cooker filled with white rice and our home-made gravy. We really didn’t care about other people’s reaction. We just enjoyed eating.”
Cultural Identity
"I’m a proud Filipino. I could never just forget my roots," shares Dorothy.
And faced with the choice to either integrate, be embarrassed, or be annoyingly proud, Francis chose the latter, asserting his Filipino identity with pride.
The Filipino community
Their involvement in the Filipino community, whether through church activities or community performances, played a crucial role in preserving cultural ties. Through these experiences, they found strength in unity and shared traditions.
"The community helped us to be confident, and our parents really encouraged us to love music. They are our biggest music supporters,” shares Dorothy.
Their musical journey not only facilitated the crossing of cultural boundaries but also served as a medium through which they discovered and celebrated their identity.
