Celebrating the Filipino American life of Alyssa Filtz

October celebrates Filipino American History Month, honoring the contributions of Filipino culture and people to the United States. For many Filipino Americans, like Alyssa Filtz, an auditor at DCAA's Central Region, balancing heritage with the realities of life in America has shaped both her personal values and professional paths. Alyssa shares her story of family, heritage, and her journey as a Filipina American at DCAA.

My grandparents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s and settled in California. Like many other immigrants, they faced discrimination and struggled to find jobs in their work fields. However, they persisted and after working as a gas station manager for several years, my grandfather could use his education and experience in America to work as an electrical engineer. My grandmother opened a Filipino store that sold handmade traditional clothing and goods my grandfather would bring from trips back to the Philippines. She became an early pillar of the Filipino community in the Bay Area of California and helped keep the Filipino culture alive.

Family values are central in Filipino culture, and I learned about compassion and acceptance while I grew up alongside my uncle who had many lifechanging medical hardships. I helped care for him ever since I was a child and these core values of compassion and acceptance have stayed in my heart since. While I never learned to speak Tagalog, to avoid having an accent when speaking English, my mother and grandmother taught me other ways to honor and respect my Filipino roots.

Although my career path remained unclear for much of my early life, my values for building meaningful connections in the workplace helped me find my career calling. Initially, I was drawn to teaching and graphic design, much to my grandfather's disapproval. My relationships helped guide me to my passion, accounting and auditing. My mentors guided me towards a government career and my networks connected me to DCAA during times of uncertainty in my life and around the world.

Another way I stay connected to my Filipino roots is through sewing. After my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, I took up quilting and eventually started designing and creating traditional Filipino garments such as kimonas and the iconic terno. After my grandmother passed earlier this year, I proudly made the funeral garments and overcame my challenges with geometry to create beautiful terno sleeves that show my respect to my Filipino side. While most of my family was in California and I was in Texas, I felt connected to my grandmother and family throughout these difficult times.

Reflecting on my life as a Filipino American, I'm proud of both my Filipino and American identity. It was at the 2024 Filipino National History Society conference where I heard the Former United States Under Secretary of the Air Force emphasize the importance of Filipino Americans and our role protecting the nation from both the civilian and military side that inspired me. I often feel a pull between my Filipino and American identity and even as a DCAA auditor; I feel we're the misfits of the accounting world. I believe as a Filipina American and DCAA auditor, it's important that we encourage each other to celebrate and share our individuality to better connect and serve the future.