Key Points
- The short story ‘Not A Lemon Tree’ is a short story about a calamansi tree that was planted on a lemon farm.
- Author Immanuel Gacis shared his childhood experience growing up as a migrant in Australia through this short story.
- According to sociologist Dr Kristine Aquino, the Filipino migration experience shares similarities with the characteristics of calamansi.
PAKINGGAN ANG PODCAST:
‘Not a Lemon Tree’: Isang maikling kwento na sinasalamin ang buhay migranteng Pinoy sa Australia
SBS Filipino
18/04/202305:45
'I didn't know I was different until I went to school.'
Immanuel Gacis, the author of the short story 'Not a Lemon Tree', shared his personal experiences of growing up as a Filipino-Australian and learning to embrace his biracial identity.
SBS Filipino interviews short story author Immanuel Gacis
'I explored it [Filipino culture] more in my late 20s where I really embrace it whereas, in my early years, you just really try just to embrace being Australian.'
You become a hybrid of both because you realise you are Australian and Filipino, and not quite one or the other.Immanuel Gacis
He highlighted the role of food in shaping his cultural identity, noting how his family's Filipino recipes provided a tangible link to his heritage. He also emphasized the importance of family in helping him understand and appreciate his roots.
The short story entitled 'Not a Lemon Tree' is part of the book 'The Calamansi Story'.
Immanuel said that the short story reflected his personal experience growing up and coming to terms with his biracial identity.
Through his writing, he hoped to inspire others who may be struggling with similar issues to embrace their cultural heritage and identity.
'Read the book and I hope that you can connect with it and be representative of what you feel,' Immanuel said.
