Bridging

Privilege. It’s not a slur, not a guilt-trip, and definitely not a reason to get defensive. It’s a reality. Some of us have unearned advantages that help us move through the world more easily. That doesn’t mean our lives are easy. Just that they’re not harder because of things like our skin colour, citizenship status, gender, or body.

Let’s get honest about what it is, how it shows up, and how we can use it to build a more equitable world.

In Ilocano, ‘Ading’ means younger sibling or cousin. But to me, it’s always meant more than that. It’s a word wrapped in affection, responsibility, and the quiet joy of being looked after. Some words don’t just define relationships, they shape them.

In this reflection, I explore how Ilocano, Filipino, Dutch, and English each hold different emotional blueprints for care and connection. From Ate and Kuya to my all-time favourite Dutch word vertroetelen, language doesn’t just express culture, it teaches it. And sometimes, one word can remind you of who you are, where you belong, and why being called Ading still makes me feel forever young.