Why We Say 'Filipinx'

4/14/2018

Why We Say 'Filipinx'

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No, it’s not a typo—we intentionally use the term 'Filipinx' over other terms like Filipino or Filipin@. We do so because it aligns with FIERCE's values of empowerment and community. Read on to understand what the 'x' means and why we use it.

Gender Inclusivity

To understand why we use the ‘x,’ we have to understand a concept called gender inclusivity. Inclusivity means being open to everyone, especially those who might traditionally be left out or looked down upon. Gender inclusivity, then, means being open and accepting of people of all genders.

We say all genders because we acknowledge that there are more than two genders. We’re raised to believe that the only two genders are male and female, and that these are assigned at birth. This idea is called the gender binary.

However, some people find that they don’t fit into these two strict categories, and they may choose to instead identify as gender non-binary, or genderqueer. Others who identify as genderfluid may change their gender over time. Some people find that they don't belong to any gender and may identify as agender.

In summary, we acknowledge that gender is a non-binary spectrum: it isn’t limited to two genders, and it encompasses a wide range of identities that are just as valid and real as male and female. We also acknowledge that identity is self-assigned—it is determined by oneself, and it can change over time.

Filipino, Filipinx, Filipin@

With that said, why do we use the term ‘Filipinx’?

The term ‘Filipino’ is masculine because it ends with -o; its feminine counterpart is ‘Filipina,' which ends with -a. These gendered terms were brought about by Spanish colonization.

Although unintended, the use of the term ‘Filipino’ can be harmful to genderqueer-identified people because it assumes that there are only two genders. Using the term ‘Filipino’ also uses a masculine term to encompass a diverse array of gender identities who may be excluded and overlooked.

Therefore, some people in the US prefer the term Filipinx, replacing the final letter (which traditionally determines gender) with an ‘x.’ The ‘x’ is meant to include people of all genders—male, female, gender non-binary/genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, and all other identities that are traditionally excluded.

Some people use another term, Filipin@, which combines the terms Filipino and Filipina. However, we believe that this term is not as inclusive because it only represents males and females—it reaffirms the gender binary.

So, in our efforts to empower all young Filipinx Americans, FIERCE uses the gender-inclusive term ‘Filipinx.’ We also strive to replace other gendered terms with gender-inclusive ones—for example, using “y’all” instead of “you guys.” We believe that it’s important to make sure all members of our community feel equally included and represented, and we strive to build a safe and comfortable learning environment for a diverse range of students. That is, after all, the essence of FIERCE.

It may seem trivial; after all, it’s just one letter. But oppression and exclusion are embedded in our everyday language, and by changing our everyday language—even something as simple as changing an ‘o’ to an ‘x’—is an active step in reversing years of marginalization.

(Final note: Your identity is your identity. Whether you identify with the term Filipino, Filipina, Filipinx, or other another term, you have the power to choose what you call yourself. We simply use the term Filipinx to refer to the Filipinx American community at large to be inclusive of as many people at possible—but that doesn’t stop you from calling yourself Filipino or Filipina!)

29 Comments

kayumanggiangbalatko

4/29/2019 07:11:11 pm

“filipino” was never a gendered term in the philippines; it has always been used to refer to everyone of any gender we are all filipinos. i understand that being in the diaspora and having a different cultural context has brought up different interpretations and so using “filipinx” has also contributed to the safe space for genderqueer people so that’s cool and valid. i think it’s important to know as well that citizens in the philippine islands do not see it as gendered simply because it ends with an -o. using “filipina” or even “pinay” has always been optional and so “filipino” and “pinoy” is perceived as gender neutral in the philippine islands.

2/17/2021 01:00:45 pm

Them Fil-ams that were born and raised in the states are no longer filipinos. They're 'muricans who have a pseudo-filipino identity.

immigrantfromphilippines

6/5/2019 05:45:26 pm

yes I agree with kayumanggiangbalatko. As a Filipino immigrant, there needs to be an understanding of the history of the word. Filipino is not a gendered term. Fil-Ams need to see their inherent colonialism by pushing Filipinx to the mainstream. It's great that it's non-gendered and accepting to our queer friends but by promoting this agenda, you are assuming that your way is what's right without regard on the cultural status of the word Filipino. Maybe it would be better to use Filipinx-American but leave people who want to use Filipino alone especially those from the native country.

1stgenimmigrant

10/28/2019 05:38:24 pm

Agreed. Filipino has always been gender inclusive. It was never masculine in the first place. Which is why it confuses me how these Fil-Ams keep pushing it as if it's not gender exclusive.

The term Filipino has always included all genders. and filipina was something out of pop culture that popped up as an option. something people used to iterate female exclusivity.
We do have masculine and feminine nouns (usually from borrowed foreign words) but there are nuances to the language that seems to be lost on the Fil-Ams.

I agree with immigrantfromphilippines, the term Filipinx can be quite problematic considering that had these Fil-Ams actively sought a deeper understanding of Philippine history and language, it would save them from their assumptions on the word Filipino.

Mel

5/20/2020 06:58:54 pm

Wow, so essentially the same bs that was done to Latino. It stop messing up our language amd culture. It's not gonna happen.

pambihira

6/21/2020 10:59:22 pm

We've been colonized more than enough. Stop trying to change our cultural identity.

Isla

6/22/2020 08:48:30 am

I’m Filipino, born in the Philippines, raised all over the world. Only when I came to the US did I feel alienated by other Filipinos calling themselves Filipinx. Feels like you are hijacking the Filipino identity to suit your own ideals without even considering the history and pride the Filipino people have in their homeland. Tigilan nyo yan kagaguhan!

TiredOfBeingColonized

6/23/2020 05:25:47 am

I'm not surprised that a person who grew up WHITE wants to have their WHITE standards pushed on others. But hey the default for us Filipinos had always been colonized.

Manny

6/24/2020 05:41:14 am

How do you translate that to tagalog? Pilipineks?

Michael

6/26/2020 09:46:51 am

this is stupid. Filipino is a gender neutral word. I stop trying to push your "fixes" to problems that doesn't even exist in others. We all call each other Filipino, regardless of gender.

7/5/2020 09:17:23 am

Well I mean if you use 'X' in terms of chromosomes it still acknowledges XX for female XY for Male which concludes that it's still just two genders. Just a thought.

Felix

7/19/2020 07:26:04 am

Wow, this is just the dumbest shit I ever read. Like are you aware about the Abakada alphabet? Since "x" doesn't exist in Tagalog. Also Pilipino has been and always been a gender neutral phase, it's like the word "guys" since it evolved from manly men to a group of different types of people. Another example, the word "gay" meaning happy and "queer" for odd, but also it evolved to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.

You Fil-Ams don't know jackshit about your homeland in terms of language and culture, you people barely scratched the surface and you're giving us fellow Kababayan a bad rep with this dumb shit and this is coming from an actual gay Pilipino and where I grown up for my entire lifetime. If you would come to the country and talking about this, they'll laugh at you for being way too attached to Western culture and ideas. It's imperialism as well, you're enforcing this BS "values" to us. So please stop.

Eri

7/25/2020 12:02:59 am

Just saying but using filipinx to refer to yourself as inclusive is pretty stupid. We don't even have a word for gendered pronouns.

Don't make a new identity of your own to suit the ideals of the west you know why? Because we fought for the identity, culture, and language of our land.

Have I also told you that we don't have x?

Maria Clara

7/29/2020 04:47:46 am

Maybe if you actually delved deeper into Philippine culture and history, you would know that "Filipino" is a gender-neutral term.

FILIPINO PA DIN MGA ULOL

9/5/2020 03:29:31 pm

FILIPINO IS A GENDER NEUTRAL. FIL AM SHOULD STOP BEING SO SELF ENTITLED. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE LETTER "X" IN FILIPINO ALPHABET. For Christ sake. If Americans wants to be Karen, let them, but don't let white supremacy get into your attitude. PILIPINO PA DIN KAYO MGA ULOL!

AmerikanoAmerikanaAmerikanx

9/5/2020 08:24:42 pm

we have a tagalog words for Amerikano (Male Americans) and Amerikana (Female Americans)

Can we call them AMERIKANX as well

PLease dont

9/6/2020 04:34:11 am

The word Filipino, in general, means a person who has Filipino blood or parents from the Philippines, it doesn't mean a MALE person who is from the Philippines. Be it man, woman, or whatever gender a Filipino identifies, they are called Filipinos. Male and female pronouns only started when the Spanish colonialization happened. And frankly speaking, using the term "Filipinx" or 'Pinxy" is an insult to hundreds of the Philippine languages, and can be seen as an act of colonialism.

Therese G.

9/7/2020 12:05:33 am

The term Filipinx is a joke, and makes a mockery of the language. The letter 'x' doesn't even exist natively in the language, it's been adapted due to colonization, hence the presence of the term 'Ekis' for 'X'.

Filipino is already a gender neutral term, and you just want to push absurd western ideals on the rest of the Philippines. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot that can be done for Pinoy LGBT at home and abroad, but butchering the language only erodes what's left of our national identity on a global level further.

Eileen

9/7/2020 09:03:54 am

There's this trending (for the wrong reasons) FB page that suggested that Tito/Tita be called "Titx" following this Filipinx thing. That will get you a slap in the face in the Philippines. For you Fil-Ams who don't know the language, "Titx" sounds like "Tite" which is penis. NO.

By all means call yourselves whatever you want. But please don't say that the Filipino language is patriarchal and that is the reason for this Filipinx business. I am a woman and I am a Filipino. Please explore the thousands of gender-neutral beautiful Filipino words such as Apo, Pamangkin, Pinsan, Manugang, Biyenan, Kapatid, Kaibigan, Kapitbahay or even Kalaguyo. Even the negative words such as Syota, Kabit or Kaaway are gender-neutral. Those words do NOT care where you are in the gender spectrum.

We LOVE our language and do not take it lightly that we are told that is something that it is not. Hence the reaction of the people from the motherland on "Filipinx."

Oh and please don't call our country "P.I." If you do, P.I. mo rin.

Wat

9/7/2020 03:19:24 pm

The Philippines was named after King Philip II of Spain. If you really want it to be gender neutral, you’d have to take out the “Filip,” not the “no.”

There is nothing weirder than a bunch of second-generation Fil-Ams trying to larp as Latinxs.

Natori

9/10/2020 03:28:27 am

If you're not a Filipino, you don't have a right to call use filipinx. And you know, filipinx sounds more like an offending term for us Filipinos

sup

9/10/2020 10:34:11 am

Hello. Filipino here. Born and raised.

Anyway, please STOP. Everything that was said here is just wrong. Filipino in itself is already gender neutral. If you Filipino-Americans want to call yourselves as such, keep it to yourself. Stop trying to impose it on us back in the Philippines. There’s nothing cringier and dumber than Fil-Ams trying to act like they know more than Filipinos from the homeland. Pati rin ba yung identity ko bilang FILIPINO papakialaman ninyo? Di na ata tama yan. Tinapon niyo lang yung pinaglaban ng mga ninuno natin para matawag natin ang sarili bilang FILIPINO.

P.S.
Stop calling the country PI. It may be an abbreviation for Philippine Islands there but here it’s an abbreviation for putang ina. It’s the Republic of the Philippines, not the Republic of the Philippine Islands ffs.

AAG

9/25/2020 10:51:48 am

Since this is all about culture and language, go back to the original source, the Philippines. In 1987, the Philippine Constitution made Filipino the national language. In this usage, it is gender-neutral. I believe it therefore follows that its usage in any reference to national identity is proper. If your usage is for personal self-identification then Filipinx is a choice you’re entitled to make. However, to refer to all of us Filipinos collectively as Filipinx tramples on our choice since Filipino is already officially recognized as gender-neutral. I, for one, don’t like using a letter that isn’t even in our native language, so the association with Philippine culture is diluted and indicates ignorance or minimization of our culture.

Paeng

11/24/2020 09:59:53 am

The brown americans clearly doesnt know what their talking about. Just wants to different. Di nyo nga alam na gender inclusive na ng filipino. This western mentally alienating our language should stop

abrownamerican

11/25/2020 10:27:33 pm

I understand that it has always been gender neutral. But just because I am born and raised outside of the Philippines should not mean that I do not have the right to own my own preference of using Filipinx. A lot of your arguments make it seem that because I was not born in the PI means that I do not have a right to own the way I choose to represent myself? Are you saying I cannot claim what I find valid in my own beliefs? How can you say "brown americans" clearly do not know what they are talking about. They are just trying to figure out and accepting their place embracing their own cultural-gender identity.

I have a right to say I am Filipinx. I can claim that. My heritage is that. As you have the right to claim it is originally, Filipino. But just because I am born from a different country does not make me less of a Filipinx. All we are trying to argue is that some people across the diaspora and beyond should feel included in the right to claim their cultural heritage and choose their own gender pronouns. This "western" mentality is not meant to dismantle what is there, it is just to make our people, no matter where or what they present themselves feel like they are included. We are not alienating your language, it is ours too.

There many people who want to "change" our language completely. But the point is to have an option for those who choose and feel comfortable owning their Filipino/a/x identity.

kayumangging pilipino

11/29/2020 06:41:24 pm

First of all, please don't refer to the Philippines as PI. No one says that here unless they're trying to swear because it means "putangina". The fact that you've used "PI" implies that you really don't have much knowledge about the Philippines, much less its culture and history. Yes, you have a right to say that you're a Filipinx in the same way that I have a right to call myself a potato or a dolphin, but you're missing the point on how term "Filipino" is already gender neutral. Your argument is making it seem like "brown americans" as you have called them actually do not know what they are talking about because they're figuring things out and concluding things without even having first hand experience in the Philippines nor studying it in depth. If anything, the use of "Filipnx" just distances you more from the Philippines and it's as if you're creating your own little Phillipinx there in America which isn't wrong per se, but counterproductive to the inclusivity you try to claim.

Alibata

11/27/2020 01:21:41 am

The problem is that it's quite horrible and almost impossible to say in Tagalog or Filipino since it would end up sounding like "Felepieks" and that's why people are really negative about it and X doesn't exist in Abakada. I mean, people in the Philippines are already confused on the difference between Filipino and Pilipino, so adding this might add fuel to the fire.

But here's some alternative to this F/Pilipinx business around that already exist. For example like Pilipine, which is a term for Pilipinos used around East Asia espically Japan and parts of Africa as well, and it's just like Latine as well. There's also Filo, which is a popular term down under Australia.

And Filipini, which similar to Filipine but on parts of the Middle East. Even though some of these places don't have a good track record when in comes to women and/or LGBTQ+ rights espically in the Middle East and parts of Asia and Africa. I believe that we could use these terms and push that narrative of them being gender neutral. That's my two centavos on this.

12/22/2020 03:25:15 pm

The word "Filipino" did not exist before the Spanish. Therefore, to claim that "Filipinx" makes an already colonial word "more colonial" is laughable. It already is.
To say "x" doesn't exist in Abakada-- well, who introduced Abakada? Before the Spanish, we used to use Baybayin. (Granted, the "x" sound does not exist in Baybayin, either.) Abakada is based on the Latin script (aka, a writing system introduced by the Spaniards, aka the colonizers), that was only created in the 1930s (and is contextualized by an entire other debate about the Philippine government's forced primacy of Tagalog and that ethnic hegemony.)
When the term "Filipino" first originated, it only denoted those born in the Philippines of Spanish heritage, not all people in the Philippines. For example, the individuals Westerners would now call "Indigenous" (aka Malayans) were often called “indio” or “indigenta" to differentiate them from "Filipinos" and reinforce a colonial sense of superiority.
So again-- "Filipino" is already a colonial term. It makes me laugh to see so many people defending it on the argument that "Filipinx" further perpetuates colonialism. That's not to say "Filipinx" is the solution-- but to argue over which is more oppressive is silly. They both are.

Filipino

2/21/2021 10:43:15 pm

Stop trying to make Fetch happen. Filipinx has got to be the dumbest thing I’ve heard today.