The Filipino community gathered at the Xchange on South Broadway Avenue in Tyler to celebrate Salu-Salo on Saturday. (Jennifer SCott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Nestled in a cozy parking lot just off South Broadway in Tyler, a Filipino food truck filled the evening air Saturday with the enticing aroma of lumpia, a popular Filipino dish. Laughter and chatter created a warm, inviting atmosphere.

“We’re celebrating Filipino American Heritage Month,” said Philippines native Grace Terrazas. “My husband and I are food truck owners, and we wanted to bring our fellow Filipinos together and celebrate our culture through food and music.”

The event, Salu-Salo, celebrated the communal spirit of Filipino dining at the Xchange parking lot located at 5621 S. Broadway Avenue in Tyler. It brought together members of the community to share in traditional Filipino food and customs, while also hosting trick-or-treating for the children.

“Filipino culture is very family-oriented, and we love parties,” Terrazas noted.

The Philippines is an archipelago situated in Southeast Asia, comprising over 7,000 islands scattered across the western Pacific Ocean. According to the United Nations website, the country has a current population of approximately 113 million, making it one of the most populous in the world.

“I think when you’re part of a Filipino community — whether it’s your co-worker or someone you just met down the road — you’ll see them with a beautiful smile and hospitality,” Terrazas said. “What stands out is our resilience and the togetherness of the people — family and friends — and the hospitality as well.”

The majority of Filipinos are of Austronesian descent, enriched by diverse cultural influences from historical trade, colonization, and migration. Filipinos predominantly trace their ancestry to Indo-Malay origins, with significant mixing that reflects Chinese and Spanish heritage, shaping the unique identity of the Filipino people.

“We are generally very happy, friendly people,” said Philippines native Isabelle Gubat. “In fact, not too long ago, the Philippines was named one of the happiest countries in the world.”

Gubat, who has lived in Tyler for almost four years and works as a teacher for Tyler ISD, shared her perspective on the community.

“East Texas is such an amazing place to live because it’s small enough where you have everything, and the people here are so nice,” Gubat said. “There’s also a growing Filipino community, which makes it feel like home.”

The Philippines boasts a diverse range of languages, with Filipino, based on Tagalog, as the national language. With over 87 languages and dialects, each region showcases its unique culture. English, also an official language, is widely used in business, government, and education, enhancing communication and opportunities nationwide.

Food holds a special place in Filipino culture, serving as a central aspect of social gatherings. Every meal is an opportunity to gather, share stories, and create memories with family and friends. Common dishes in Filipino homes and menus include pancit, siomai, lumpia, and for dessert, biko and taho.

“Our love language is food,” Gubat said. “We mostly share our culture through the food that we cook. I would say that Filipino barbecue is my favorite dish… it’s sweeter than Texan barbecue and, of course, is made with a lot of Asian ingredients.”

Celebration and music are also integral to Filipino culture.

“Automatically, people believe that Filipinos do karaoke everywhere,” Terrazas said. “But it’s true — there’s no Filipino party without karaoke.”

She also highlights the value of perseverance and faith in the journey of pursuing one’s dreams, especially in a new and unfamiliar place.

“Sometimes in a foreign country, it’s hard to juggle work and pursue your dreams,” Terrazas said. “But it’s possible. If you pursue that dream and believe you can do it, you can. But first, you have to ask and seek the Lord for guidance.”

Filipino culture is rich, reflected in its food, music, and strong community ties. Celebrations like Salu-Salo not only honor traditions but also connect families and friends. As the Filipino community grows in Tyler, it adds to the fabric of the city, inviting everyone to experience its warmth and hospitality.