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Question:The pure definition of pacific islander used in official US documents (such as census, applications for services, etc.) is someone from one of the three Oceania regions which are Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.

In this pure definition, the Philippeans is NOT part of Oceania so don't fall under this definition. Technically the Philippeans is "asia" and the classification is asian (the filipino government has always considered it a part of asia).

But many filipinos have decided they are not asians, thus describe themselves as pacific islanders. This is not without consequence if you will. True pacific islanders aren't too happy with this, and even the majority of Filipinos who consider themselves asian have a problem because they feel it is a form of cultural denial, a slight if you will.


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The pure definition of pacific islander used in official US documents (such as census, applications for services, etc.) is someone from one of the three Oceania regions which are Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.

In this pure definition, the Philippeans is NOT part of Oceania so don't fall under this definition. Technically the Philippeans is "asia" and the classification is asian (the filipino government has always considered it a part of asia).

But many filipinos have decided they are not asians, thus describe themselves as pacific islanders. This is not without consequence if you will. True pacific islanders aren't too happy with this, and even the majority of Filipinos who consider themselves asian have a problem because they feel it is a form of cultural denial, a slight if you will.

i am a filipino and i dont quite understand ur question... if u mean if where from the pacific, well, one of the oceans near Philippines and passing Philippines is the pacific ocean. but i dont think pacific islanders suits us.

It would depend on who is asking and why. If I was a Filipino I would put "Mixed" on forms that asked for my race/ethnicity/heritage. Every ethnic group that has been able to build blue-water sailing ships has stopped by the Philippines at one time in history; Chinese, Europeans, Pacific Islanders, Arabs . . . They all added a bit to the gene pool.