Last night at Rum and Erwin’s place we were watching TFC (The Filipino Channel) and witnessed a poor 12 year-old Filipino girl sing “My Humps” on the variety show, Wowowee. Anyone who doesn’t think American pop culture is a Cancer upon the world, needs to seriously reasses their value system. My only comfort is knowing that if Willie Revillame told any Jeff Foxworthy “You Might Be A Redneck” jokes, then they were in Tagalog and I didn’t understand them. If you are unfamiliar with Wowowee, click the image for the wikipedia entry on the show.
lowquality.net
I’m just a guy who’s into stuff.
I went to Japan in 1997. I was very excited that a five-hour plane ride, a night in an LAX hotel, followed by a nine-hour plane ride would get me far enough away from “Mmm Bop,” Hanson’s feel-good hit of that Summer. I was wrong. No wonder the rest of the world hates us…
yes, Willie revillame, on occasions, does redneck jokes specifically against fat people, gay people, black people, sexy women, old people… but i think he mellowed down and began to empathized with the contestants as the show went on.
in his previous stint at MTB (Magandang Tanghali Bayan) which was replaced by Wowowee, he was occasionally cited for his brusque and uncouthe remarks against the aforementioned people, especially making lewd green jokes on noon TV.
hope you find a video of wowowee girls doing the humps…haha
btw, Black Eyed Peas is really really popular here in the Phils., hence, My Humps…
I was describing a joke “format” made by a jackass american comedian named Jeff Foxworthy… completely American humor that wouldn’t translate or be relevant in the Philippines at all. I was kind of being ironic.
Lewd humor and redneck humor are not necessarily the same things. I hesistate to be th one who defines the very American term “Redneck” to a foreigner, but, according to the Princeton University Dictionary a “redneck” is a “poor white person in the Southern United States” and without complicating matters further, I will leave it at that.
Black Eyed Peas are popular everywhere. I am not surprised, when you only have four or five major record labels in the world it’s pretty much assured that when you make it big on one of them they are going to push you in every market possible.
Anyway, Jules. Glad you stopped by again.
but from what I understand, doesn’t the term Redneck pertains to “white trash” folks? I guess there’s no counterpart here in the Phils, the nearest to being a redneck is being “jologs” or being crass.
hope you make more entries on cross-cultural interactions with your fellow Pinoys there. Have they stuffed you with their Filipino homecooking yet?
Of course. Kim’s dad was a US Navy chef, her mom is a great Kampanpangan cook and her Auntie Golet makes the most incredible Bibingka ever.
just got back from reading your previous articles especially about Uncle Lakay and your review on the Debut. I agree with your entry.
mmm… bibingka… w/ lots of queso de bola, salted eggs and grated coconut… have you tried san miguel beer yet?
I’m really glad you’re into Pinoy culture. Not everyone (especially Filipinos) are into the traditional stuff, they’d rather be puti or black. It’s sad, but it’s reality. Hey, when you arrive here in Manila, have a custom-made Barong Tagalog tailored for you. It’s like $40-80 for the suit. And since Kim is going to be with you, homestays won’t be a problem since I know there will be a tita or tito who’s willing to accommodate you guys. cheers!
hope this site helps. http://www.tourism.gov.ph/
question though: when you are with Kim’s family, do they speak English all the time or just with you? cuz my brother-in-law sometimes feel left out when my sisters and her Pinay friends talk Filipino…
pahabol pare… http://www.filipinasmag.com/free_fvi_focusonfilams.html
Kim’s parents both speak different dialects so they speaking a mishmash of Tagalog, English, and each other’s dialects to one another. The whole kabuti (their name for their barcada, because it keeps mushrooming out) speaks Tagalog to each other and English to me. I do my best to learn and sometimes when I understand a joke or something I will laugh and then they stare at me in amazement.
My father makes bibinka like it’s his job…complete with salted egg and queso de bola! Justin and I have no complaints trying to eat it all.
One day Justin and I are going to sit and watch the movie Jologs. I have the DVD (excuse me, VCD) and he’s seen part of it…I think, however, the subtitled version might be best for his first viewing. I love Tagalog movies…like a son…that I watch…while eating popcorn.
Hi! Kim, I hope you let Justin watch the Filipino classics too like “Oro, Plata, Mata” and “Himala.” Powerful stuff.
How about Scorpio Nights? heheheh mmm… bibingka… drool…