The Philippines: Summary of Interview with Dr. Al Fuertes

The Philippines: Summary of Interview with Dr. Al Fuertes Image

Introduction

Dr. Al Fuertes is an Associate Professor at George Mason University in the School of Integrative Studies. He was born and raised in Mindanao, one of the southernmost islands of the Philippines, before moving to the United States in 1995. Dr. Fuertes received a Bachelor of Theology from Silliman University in Dumaguete, Philippines in 1990, and a Master of Arts in Peace Studies from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana in 1997. He then went on to earn a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in 2007. Dr. Fuertes has taught courses on conflict and trauma healing as well as psychosocial trauma healing. He was recently promoted to a full-time Mason professor.

Dr. Fuertes still travels between the United States and the Philippines for both personal and professional reasons. He has gone back for holidays such as Christmas and New Years to visit loved ones. He also does fieldwork in the Philippines for his work in conflict resolution and trauma healing. Between degree programs, for example, Dr. Fuertes worked in the Philippines with a community that was under armed conflict with the aim of having the community better understand their political situation.

Reasons for Moving

Dr. Fuertes actually moved to the United States from the Philippines twice. When asked about the first time he moved to the United States he said: “Right after I finished college I came to the United States for one year. I was one of the two representatives from my country to attend the…International Visitors Exchange Program or IVEP which is organized and sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee here in the United States. I was given the opportunity to live with the Mennonite community, particularly in Harrisonburg, Virginia at Eastern Mennonite University. So that's basically what happened right after I finished my college education. So, I was here for a year and then, after one year I went back to the Philippines.”

After returning to the Philippines, he worked for a few years before returning to the United States to complete his master’s degree in Peace Studies at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. When asked about the work he did in the Philippines during that time, he said: “I went back to the Philippines and worked in a war zone, the community that was affected by armed conflict, for five years. Part of my work was also community organizing, we call it conscientization, enabling local people in the community to understand better their… political situation, especially against the backdrop of militarization. So, that was part of what I did. It was also based in the faith community. So, I was working as a minister at [the] faith community The United Church of Christ in the Philippines for five years.”

Life Before Arrival

Before moving to the United States, Dr. Fuertes lived in Mindanao with his family. In his interview, he described the economic and political situation of his home country before he left. Dr. Fuertes recalled: “We're talking about…the nineties...in the nineties it was very economically challenged. Obviously not the entire country, but certain parts in Mindanao were really under armed conflict. So that was part of my growing up there. More and more Filipino families…continued to struggle economically. And so, it was quite challenged and I think poverty in my country is also what kind of caused or triggered conflict…It was really more about economic deprivation.”

Perceptions of the United States

Like many of those who migrate to the United States, Dr. Fuertes had a perception of what the United States was like before arriving. When asked about his perception prior to arrival, he recalled: “Before I arrived? The United States was the Hollywood [ideal]…I mean, there was always that desire…I wonder[ed] if I would ever be able to visit the United States based on the stories that were shared by many of my friends who have lived here already. I think this is a stereotype and I would like to believe it's not just myself having this kind of perception of the U.S., but many people who want to come here…see that image of the United States as a kind of a haven. The United States is really [a] pretty cool country. Most of the people of the world would love to come. So that was it. But, later I realize this is just a myth.”

Challenges

Dr. Fuertes also shared some of the difficulties that he faced during his migration to the United States. Because he first arrived through the International Visitors Exchange Program, he did not have to deal with many administrative formalities, such as documentation.  However, he commented: “During my early years…Here it's really…again going back to that sense of being disconnected with your people, you know, in terms of physical proximity. I considered that to be a major challenge for me being here in the United States. In fact, there was one point when I actually experience[d] a degree of depression. Just because of that sense of…disconnection. So, whenever I saw an image or a photo of the Philippines there is always a strong connection. So that was a big challenge for me, until I finally also…adopted the culture here which poses a new challenge whenever I am in the Philippines, especially when I am not mindful of it, you know, bringing with me now my American values.”

Accomplishments and Sources of Joy

Even though the United States was different than he had imagined in the beginning, he mentioned that he was proud of the opportunities that he has achieved. In the past twenty years he has had the opportunity to study conflict resolution and trauma healing in both the United States and the Philippines. He has also become a full-time professor at George Mason University. Dr. Fuertes discussed his sources of joy saying: “My biggest source of joy? Just the fact that I've been given this opportunity to be here. Also, now to be full-time faculty at George Mason and also, to be a practitioner in the field of conflict resolution, and trauma healing. And being given the opportunity to travel around the world for work dealing with governments, you know, non-government organizations [and] grassroots communities. It's very humbling…And this is what is giving me joy, and of course, the support of my friends and family.”

Future Aspirations              

In looking to the future, Dr. Fuertes is eager to continue his research and maintain his connections. That being said, he is also happy and content with where his life is right now. He said: “I think at this point I'm okay. I just want to sustain what I have here, and then sustain the degree of satisfaction, fulfillment. Maybe develop more meaningful relationships, friendships, [and] strengthen bonds with my loved ones, siblings, family members. But it's really more about that than the non-physical material aspects of living.”

Message About Immigration

Towards the end of the interview, I asked Dr. Fuertes if he had a message about immigration for Americans and what he wished more people knew and understood. In response, he explained the need for inclusivity and community. He said: “Number one… appreciate that every person has a story to tell and appreciate everyone you know. I also [would] like people here [in the United States] to realize that they, too, were also immigrants, whether they were born here, [or] their parents or great-grandparents or grandparents might have migrated from somewhere else… I want them to also realize that, so that they become more open…to welcoming…this new influx of immigrants who also just want to better their lives. I want people here to appreciate even more the true value of inclusivity and diversity…and to be anti-racist; just to oppose people who want to kind of create these walls around them, thinking that they will survive without the presence of other people.” 

Dr. Fuertes closed his statement by giving an example of a community that values unity. He said: “You know there is this South African concept called ubuntu...there's no English word that would somehow capture the essence of it, but ubuntu states or implies that my humanity is caught up in your humanity…I’m a person because of you. You're a person because of me, and if you want to exist, then you have to make sure that I exist. If I want myself to exist, I have to make sure that you exist. So, our sense of being human depends on the existence of others.”

More About Dr. Al Fuertes

Dr. Fuertes has listed a variety of his current research projects on his George Mason University staff page, including a project on prosecution and conviction of human trafficking cases in the Philippines. You can read more about Dr. Fuertes and his work here.