Under My Invisible Umbrella

This work tackles the author’s experience in her point of view about being a foreigner in her own

motherland, the Philippines. The narrative discusses in detail about how this country

continuously favors and protects foreigners rather than nurturing its own.              

The essay starts with the line: “ I accepted the man’ s service without question , as

if he had been standing at the doorway of the Olongapo office building waiting only for 

me.”

This immediately captures the reader’s interest and sparks curiosity about what

the author means. It would raise the question, specifically: “Why and what would a proclaimed foreigner write about the Philippines?” . 

The essay then continues with: “As if I knew he would head into the downpour ,

open his umbrella, hold the tenuous shelter of it over my head, and walk at my pace, getting wet himself “

Fantauzzo successfully foreshadows the title in its literal sense;

she talks about how differently people with a lighter skin color and distinct facial

features are treated in the country. 

The narrative, when viewed in a much larger context, reveals the sad reality of

the pouring injustice and inequality our system continues to ignore. There are always

two sides to a story but we don’t always get to know how it feels to be on the other

one when we are so busy focusing on ours. Similar to the invisible umbrella of foreigner

privilege, two sides are present: the one under the umbrella, busy keeping themselves

dry, and the one holding it feeling the responsibility to do so. As the reader indulges

more and drowns deeper in the paragraphs, they would slowly find out which side of

the umbrella they are.

However, it is evident that Fantauzzo emphasizes her guilt for taking advantage

of the ‘special treatment’ that foreigners living in the country, like her, experience. This

shame she feels could be the result of also being on the other side of the umbrella.

Despite the privilege that most foreigners benefit from, they are still often criticized for

the same reason being different. May it be mocked, have their culture disrespected, not receiving the bare minimum of being treated as a personit all boils down to one very flawed logic.

So, having said that, the author’s main goal was to spread awareness and create

an eyeopener by allowing people to be able to know what it is like to take a peek under

the invisible umbrella.