Filipino or Filipinx?

Light from the bright sunny sky reflects on the rich and biodiverse ecosystem consisting of the breathtaking landscapes of Tagaytay, the paradise-esque beaches of Boracay, and the crystal-clear bodies of water of Palawan.Pleasant aromas and thrilling sounds from the preparation of unique cuisines such as lechon, sisig, adobo, and pansit fill the lively atmosphere.People admire the wonderful terrains and mouthwatering food as the tight-knit communities celebrate colorful and vibrant festivals as part of their long-lasting traditions.These descriptions are based on the Philippines and its inhabitants who have been referred to using the term 'Filipino' since the 19th Century.Many social, technological, economic, environmental, and political dimensions have changed since then, yet the terms Filipino and its Tagalog counterpart Pilipino have remained constant as representative terms without contention until the present day.However, the term 'Filipinx, ' and subsequently Pilipinx, have grown in popularity in recent years, especially within the Filipino/x-American community.This label change was inspired by the progressive gender-neutral movements of the Latinx and Chicanx communities in the US.Despite its clear and pure intention, the term has sparked controversy, especially among Filipinos living in the Philippines.In this paper, the group of Americans with Filipino Ancestry will be referred to as 'Filipino/x-American' because they have largely adopted the use of Filipinx; however, all other instances will embrace the term 'Filipino' in line with the essay's main argument.The term 'Filipino' should be used instead of 'Filipinx' when referring to the entire community of people from the Philippines because Tagalog is a gender-neutral language and adopting the 'x' is viewed as a manifestation of colonial mentality and cultural erasure.