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Filipino American Feels Alum Jaymes Junio & Heidi Grace Acuña
The celebration of Filipino American History Month was established in 1982, right here in Seattle’s Central District, to uplift the rich cultural legacy of Filipino Americans and their contributions to the United States. Artistic and cultural contributions from Fil-Am communities, nationwide, are notoriously overlooked. At The Feels Foundation, we feel honored to be able to support, highlight and be in community with a multitude of dynamic, ultra-talented Filipino American artists, in the Pacific Northwest.
Before this FAHM wraps up, we want to throw a spotlight on The Feels showcase alumni, Heidi Grace Acuna and Jaymes Junio. We caught up with Heidi and Jaymes for a quick chat about heritage and its influence on their art. Read a few excerpts, below:
“Through my art practice, I have been able to break out of monolithic and racist ideas of Filipino-ness and have (re)found my home in myself and in my art.”
–Heidi Grace Acuña
What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?
Filipino American History Month is recognizing, learning, and remembering the history of Filipino settlers on Turtle Island (the United States of America). It is about acknowledging the origins, mistreatment, and contributions Filipinos have here in the USA. FAHM has me reflect on my personal blood lineage’s story of immigrating to the USA in the 1980s, but also the deeper origins of Filipinos who first came to Turtle Island in Morro Bay on October 18, 1587, 33 years before the Pilgrims landed. FAHM is about reclaiming our stories and experiences that were kept out of American history books.
FAHM also has me thinking about solidarity praxis across movements and the belief and practice of kapwa. Kapwa is about caring for all beings and creatures and the interconnectedness or shared identity with one another. Raised on the island of O‘ahu in the Hawaiian Kingdom, I have learned about the shared struggle of colonization throughout the Hawaiian islands, the Philippine Islands, Asia, Oceania, and beyond. As an adult, I am critically analyzing all systems and studying social movements to have a more informed understanding of the history of the world and the current history being made today. To reflect on the complexity of Filipino American History is to also reflect on histories of my kapwa.
How does your culture/heritage play into your art?
I identify as a storyteller who uses various materials and mediums to communicate my personal stories and experiences, which includes my Filipino culture and my family’s histories. 
Growing up in the diaspora on O‘ahu and in Seattle, art has been a beautiful way for me to connect deeper with my Ilokano-Tagalog-Filipino culture and history by researching symbols, (pre-colonial) histories, and (pre-colonial) practices. Many times, my research leads me to a process where I identify what sparks interest or connection in my life and start making artwork from there! In my work, you can see endemic floral and wildlife of the Philippine Islands such as Waling-waling orchid, buwaya (crocodile), the Luzon peacock swallowtail butterfly, and volcanoes.
What advice can you give to aspiring artists?
Create whatever you want to create. Try expressing and experimenting with different mediums. Take risks. Follow your gut. If you create art, you are an artist. Be open to opportunities and partnerships with different types of people. Don’t think so hard, just create. Your art will get “better” with every artwork you create whether you notice it or not, because it is a practice. Don’t be pressured to create something amazing. The process (whatever that may be for you-everyone’s is different!) is what matters most. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there–there’s only one you and your unique story is going to inspire someone! Be open to being witnessed and seen in your vulnerability. The role of the artist is to connect.
How has your culture mixed with your experiences growing up in the United States affected who you are today? And how has it affected your art?
I was born in Federal Way, WA and moved to O‘ahu when I was one. While there is a big Filipino community on O‘ahu, I still felt unsure of my identity and sense of self. I was very confused if I was Filipino “enough” or if I was Filipino at all. Art has been the way I processed complexity in my life. Art is how I navigate mixed feelings, intense feelings, and bringing dualities together. For a long time I didn’t have a clear sense of belonging because I thought I had to belong to one place, not multiple places (Philippine Islands, O‘ahu, and Washington). Through my art practice, I have been able to break out of monolithic and racist ideas of Filipino-ness and have (re)found my home in myself and in my art.
“Growing up it never felt like there was much light shined on Filipino community and history.”
–Jaymes Junio
What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?
It means a lot. I think growing up it never felt like there was much recognition or just light, in general, shined on our community and history. It has been inspiring to see that narrative change over the years and I’m honored and thankful to continue to add to it through my art and life.
How does your culture/heritage play into your art?
It plays a huge role. I use a lot of symbology from ancient Filipino tribal tattoos and their meanings in my work. Aside from keeping those symbols present, my experience as a Filipino American is always present in my work, inherently.
What advice can you give to aspiring artists?
Lean into yourself, use art to reflect on that and it will resonate. Especially if you’re from an underrepresented community, it will relate to those with shared experiences.
How has your culture mixed with your experiences growing up in the United States affected who you are today? And how has it affected your art?
I believe as a first generation Filipino American I grew up in between two cultures. For a long time I think the expectations for being a “model minority” had us silenced a lot of the time. And maybe just trying to not stand out. My art is a reflection of that experience and breaking the mold. Filipino culture is deeply embedded in family, morals, and genuine kindness and acceptance. That’s all present in my work and purpose and I’m grateful I can carry those attributes alongside a new wave of my own.
