I think most American putis are into the culture. I think this is true of those of out generation who feel like we should be connected to a culture, but have no definitive one of our own. I didn’t meet Kim because I was seeking out a Filipino girl, I’m not one of those white guys who seeks out asian women to fill some subservient stereotype (a stereotype most Filipinas DO NOT fulfill!).. it just happened that way.

I’ve lived in Norfolk, Virginia most of my life and have been surrounded by Filipinos the whole time, but I never gave much thought to their culture. In a way it’s like meeting Kim has made me notice them for the very first time. It’s kind of strange.

Nevertheless I am not a buffoon around her family and I try to learn as much as I can about them.

they were never culture shock (except the time when my dad had his chemo for a year in my older sis’ home which her white hubby nearly went berserk because of the length of stay), but generally, I find my brother in laws very open-minded. So, i don’t agree with the portrayals of whites in the film.

Incidently, Wowowee is one of the main reasons I want to go to the PI. That show is mesmerizingly bad…. I wish more American game shows featured the desperately poor as contestants. It makes for good TV even if it lacks responsibility.

Other reasons I want to visit include the Chicken Torpedo sandwich at Jolibee and that whole “living-in-a-luxury-suite-apartment for 29 dollars a year” business. Oh yeah.. I’ve secretly always wanted to be the Green Hornet and I will be hiring a ‘Kato’ upon my arival.

As for Ruben in the Debut, he acts as if a spaceship filled with inhabitants of the planet Pinoy Persei 8 has landed in his backyard. There’s no way that even a “coconut” like him hasn’t been exposed to this at some point in time.

I really just wish the story was more effective…had a deeper storyline, and shown more inner conflict in the Ruben character. It was a nice attempt, but it could have been so much more. I think maybe it could have been better if the acting wasn’t so over-exaggerated. Then again, Filipinos do like to go over-the-top.

The slutbag booty shake is as popular as the cha-cha and todo-todo.

just kidding.

Also, In my 30 years of existence, I’ve never even seen a folk dance like the Tinikling, or the Pandango sa Ilaw in its entirety.

That’s exactly what I say to my parents when they ask me why I don’t like Filipino guys. I just haven’t met one worth my time or effort. To be perfectly honest, Justin has done a better job of respecting my culture and my parents than any other guy I’ve ever dated.

I’m not downplaying the significance of the Debut. In fact, I think it’s very relevant to my life and the life of my Filipino-American peers. I just think the dialogue could have been more clever…and the acting could have given more to the film. At times, it seemed like an hour and a half long showcase of stereotypes more than it was a story of cultural awakening. I’m definitely glad and proud that it was made, I just think the approach left something to be desired.

Nevertheless, thank you for your comment and your personal perspective on the subject. Please come back every now and then, more Filipino related posts from the perspective of a big burly white man are imminent, it’s nice to have more than my regular cast of Filipinos in the mix.

Your comments are very interesting about the “white” group. My family and I often tease my husband and my brother-in-laws (all white) about them standing out. We all joke about it but, all in good fun.

My husband has been to the Philippines twice and had adapted to the ways of the Filipino traditions…sometimes, i wonder who is more Filipino…me or him.

As for the Debutant…lets just say that my kids have been raised with the Filipino way which my husband embraces. However, they still have their own directions. My main objective in raising my children was the values and morals that my parents have instilled in us. My brother, sisters and I were born and raised in the Philippines, I was 11 when I came here and the youngest was 5.

When I came to the US, we lived in the suburbs Chicago for quite sometime. There I saw filipino cliques of doctors and their families. I saw things that well, basically omitted the American race from their own. I remember the “barcada” my cousin hung around with…ALL FILIPINOS. As for me, I grew up in a neighborhood with all white guys. When it came time for gatherings, it was a sin to have me seen with a white guy…i was ousted because I was told that i was not allowed to be with them. MY REPLY…find me a good filipino guy, one who does not think he is better than anyone else..then fine. Somehow, all the Filipino guys I met and tried to go out with were all guys trying to outdo the American guys.

The Debut portrays the lack of knowledge of one’s own culture. Basically burried it and just never bothered to seek it out. We are influenced in some way and to adapt to another…well, sometimes that is a choice no one wants to make. YOu have lived all your life knowing one thing to be open to another well, it’s like seeing the world for the very first time. But there are some who are just plain ignorant.

1. strict father who brings his family to the US and expects them all to be doctors

2. mother who thinks everyone is too skinny and makes them eat even when they aren’t hungry

3. good-girl sister (AKA favorite child)

4. brother-man pinoy who preaches about the evil import tuner empire

5. gangsta-boo pinoy/pinay who “walks with a switch and talks with street slang” and is a citizen of import tuner evil empire…and cries like a bitch when his mama slaps him upside the head.

6. the auntie who married the puti (that’s most likely my future)

7. battle dancers

8. Lolo who means business and is disappointed by all of his sons/daughters who did NOT become doctors, dentists, or lawyers

last but not least…

9. F.O.B.

Overall, the movie is every accurate in it’s portrayal of Filipino-American life. They even got the “Filipino breakfast” down pat. There were only two things that really bothered me. The first was the wide-eyed ignorance of Dante Basco’s character. His jaw was dropping in every scene. I know, I know…it was his debut as well as his sisters. It was his own cultural awakening. But give me a fucking break….there was no way in hell he had never seen tininkling before. Here in Virginia Beach tininkling is taught in elementary school gym class. Also, there is no fucking way that at the age of 18 he didn’t already know how to cha-cha. Filipino babies are born cha-chain out of their mother’s puki. I think had he just had an epiphany like, “Damn, I can’t believe I’ve been doing/seeing these things all my life and I took it for granted. I never appreciated what my culture and my family had to offer…” I would have liked it more. He’s acting like he had a fucking sex change and is now seeing the world for the first time as a woman.

Secondly, the portrayal of the white friends is ridiculous. It’s true, there are a lot of putis out there who are enamored with Filipino culture, but these guys were idiots. They were walking white caricatures.
“Dude, these girls are hot! Dude, this rice is awesome! Hell yeah, this is fly! Sweeet! Dude, can you score me a barrel man?”

It’s not really like that. At least not with the white folks I’ve met. Someone might tell me that the food is great or ask me what the see-through shirts are for…but to act like they’re on an alien ship is too much.

Maybe Justin and I will sit and watch it again…to joke all the gangsta boo’s, if anything. Don’t get me wrong, though, I do recommend this movie as an introduction to Filipino-American life. If you’ve never met a pinoy/pinay before you might not want to watch this…you might not want to meet one of us afterward. Joke lang!
I’m pretty sure you’ll find we’re pretty warm, fun, and friendly people…who love to cook/eat and sing karaoke like it’s our job.

I’m so proud of Justin and his attempts to learn about my culture. His interest in the history, food, and the language has allowed me to have my own “debut.” It’s allowed me to be proud and interested in my culture without all the bullshit of tsis-mis. It’s nice to know that someone is making an effort to know me and my family. I hope you’ll all be inspired to learn about other cultures that exist all around you.

*Justin, I think the use of tagalog words may confuse some…but trust me, “BOMBA STAR GALACTICA” is hilarious.

/me goes and puts it into his queue.

I’m not kidding.