Key Points
- There are almost 400,000 Filipinos living in Australia, it's the fifth largest number of migrants in the country.
- For baker Jerrymay Banks, no matter how long she has lived in Australia, her being Filipino remains in her heart.
- Her small business is a way for her to pay tribute to her mother and her heritage.
LISTEN TO
'I don't think any Filipinos will ever forget the Philippines': How Central Coast baker Jerrymay pays homage to her roots
40:04
Life in Australia
Jerrymay Banks was only ten when her mother brought her to Australia.
"I was only 10 years old when I came here and I've always wanted to go back. I was always adamant to go back no matter what."
"And we used to go back with my mum, not very often but when I did I used to love it and that's when I get fat, 'coz I eat rice, rice, rice, pork, pork and everything Filipino," recalls the former chef from New South Wales.
"[Growing up], my mum never used to cook Filipino would seldom cook Filipino food and the only Filipino food I know is adobo and rice, and I used to cook ampalaya (bittermelon) and talong (eggplant)."
She fondly recalls moving to regional NSW with her mother, where finding Filipino products was a challenge.
"Unfortunately [cooking Filipino food] is not something I always think about and Filipino veggies, like ampalaya, are not always available where we live and if you really want to buy it you have to go all the way to the west, in Cabramatta."
Jerrymay and her sourdough Credit: Annalyn Violata
She is also very grateful to her stepfather who accepted her as a daughter and became her mother's partner in raising her in Australia.
It's been a few years since Jerrymay's mother passed on, and each time she's reminded of her, she reflects on their joyful memories, particularly the moments they shared cooking Filipino dishes together.
Paying homage
"Tinapay! Why not?"
"I wanted something that people will go and say, 'It's a weird name'. It's not just a normal sourdough or bread name. It's something else."
The chef-turned-baker chooses to name her small business, 'Tinapay', to pay tribute to her heritage.
Despite the contrast between her former life in the Philippines and a more favourable situation in Australia, now being married to a non-Filipino in Australia, Jerrymay has never forgotten her roots.
Jerrymay left her regular job as a chef to concentrate on her own sourdough bread business. Credit: Annalyn Violata
Her business specialises in organic artisan sourdough.
"A lot of Filipinos when they do come up would ask where's the pandesal, I would say I'm so sorry, I do make them it's just has to be a request because what I have started with is just a normal sourdough."
Jerrymay (right), together with husband and son (in photo) goes to most food markets across Central Coast NSW to showcase her 'Tinapay' sourdough. Credit: Annalyn Violata
Memories of yesteryears
Having lived in Australia for over 30 years, the mother of two is dedicated to honouring the memory of her own mother, who raised and supported her throughout her life.
"I just to remember my mum and what she represents and where she's from."
"My mother was a single mum, she was only 22 when she had me. She had an affair with my father who was already married then."
My father supported her during her pregnancy and when I was born, he wanted to take me and raise me with his own family, but my mother did not approve of that. She wanted me for herself."
Jerrymay Banks with her mother in an old photo. Credit: Supplied
"She always wanted to make her life better than it was and when I came she wanted to provide for me as best as she could."
Jerrymay's mother endured numerous hardships, including struggles in her personal life, before meeting and marrying an Australian. She then relocated to Australia with him.
Her mother couldn't bring Jerrymay with her right away. It took a year before they were finally reunited in Australia.
If I didn't get the stepdad I did or if he was not a nice person and my mother was not strong and didn't care about my well-being I wouldn't be here. That's why I've always tried to be strong and I've always just remember her, her memory.
Despite her challenges, Jerrymay takes pride in sharing her journey and using it to inspire others.
"I've always told my kids about my story, about where I came from and my childhood.
"I have taken them over there [in the Philippines] a few times now."
"I have always talked about my mother and I will never stop talking about my childhood either."
The young Jerrymay (left photo) as a student in the Philippines; The now baker and mum-of-two (right photo) who's proud of where she came from and what she has achieved. Credit: Supplied by Jerrymay Banks, and SBS Filipino
Legacy
Jerrymay is determined that her two children understand how deeply her roots have shaped who she is today.
She also hopes to instil in them the positive values and traditions of their Filipino heritage.
"Respecting your roots, respecting others especially."
During their occasional visits to the Philippines, the NSW mother has seen her children experience firsthand the unique aspects of Filipino culture.
"I think taking them back to the Philippines and showing them the way it is, and it is not always perfect, it's a life lesson."
"It's always important to always be grateful for what you have because other people have it worse."
