Kayla Jane Usison, raised in California by Filipino immigrants, deeply connects with her roots through community and culture despite feelings of inadequacy about her identity. Growing up in an area rich in Filipino heritage, she struggled with being perceived as not 'Filipino enough' after a childhood visit where she stumbled in Tagalog. Her recent trip to the Philippines allowed her to reconnect with her father after years of separation. Usison, who was the second runner-up in the Miss Filipina International pageant, continues to explore her identity and heritage as a dual citizen.
Usison expressed her feelings of not being 'Filipino enough' despite her pride and connection to her heritage, reflecting on a childhood experience that heightened her self-consciousness.
Her journey included becoming a dual citizen and reconnecting with her father in the Philippines, symbolizing her deepening connection to her Filipino roots.
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