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Perception of Filipinos
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What do other nationalities think about the Philippines and the Filipinos in general?
peachrelish
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What do other nationalities think about the Philippines and the Filipinos in general?
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In the US, I think it depends who and where you ask. I am a Filipino American living in Los Angeles. I was born here and from what I know from my friends that are Filipino and my friends that are other ethnicities is that the stereotype in Los Angeles is that Filipinos are happy people and tend to be nurses, teachers, or caretakers. I think actually that’s a stereotype that is found in most of the states because I have heard people in the Midwest and in New York ask me, are you in a nurse? My friend’s wife who is also Filipino American played a nurse in Jennifer Aniston’s movie Cake LOL From my experience here in LA and traveling to big cities in the US, 20 years or so ago most people would ask me what I was and thought I was Samoan or Latina. They didn’t even know Filipinos or where the Philippines was. 10 years ago, I would often hear “my best friend was Filipino” or “I had a boss who is Filipino” from people who didn’t know any and we’re trying to find one common denominator they could connect to me I think the consensus from people who knew Filipinas is that we are friendly, happy, and kind islanders. They are also surprised to find out that most Filipinos are Catholic. One white guy at this party in my 20’s told me that he saw the Philippines of the Mexicans of Asia, which for him meant that we were the poorest and more fun ones which obviously isn’t the case (he obviously hasn’t met Koreans, Thais, or any other Asian ) really I think he meant because they were all Catholic and have fun family parties probably. I should also say I have heard that saying a few times since. Ive never heard anyone speak ill of Filipinos until Duterte except this one time when another college friend of mine asked if there was self loathing in our culture because of the hope to be white. I asked him what he meant and he said his coworker once got some blonde highlights that he complimented and her response was “oh do I look more white?” She was in her 50’s at the times. I realized from talking with him that there is some of that for sure from what I see in my and my friends aunts and uncles who immigrated in the 60’s. My cousin is also studying this phenomenon for her doctorate. But I don’t feel like all Filipinos are self loathing at all because me and most of my friends and their families are not, but I do think there is this loss of identity and pride that has happened in the Philippines because of all the invasions by other countries, as well as for the kids of families that immigrated over who assimilated. Many Filipino Americans I know do not speak Tagalog and do not cook Filipino food. We’ve definitely assimilated to America but there is a loss of culture that has occurred, at least compared to Chinese Americans and Korean Americans in LA. On a great note, Filipino-Californian food is now becoming popular here in Los Angeles (look up LASA in Chinatown LA or this article: Jonathan Gold says the time for Filipino cuisine is now, and the place is Los Angeles) because of first generation immigrant children. My parents hate it though because it’s about quality and not quantity And unfortunately because of Duterte in the news, many are aware of the Philippines. From my friends (who voted for Hilary or Bernie) think what’s happening in the PI and the states with Trump is scary. Of course my uncles who were in the US military and support Trump love Duterte. Yay diversity in America
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My OH is a Filipina.. my in-laws are Filipinos. The attitude and cultural difference between Scottish and Filipinos is huge imho. They are a happy, helpful, kind people. I include my family in this 🙂 Scottish people are imho.. tough, determined, mis-trusting, self-reliant to a fault. When I go to the Philippines, it’s like.. idk heaven or something, where people are instantly kind and warm without knowing you. Don’t get me wrong.. you CAN get that in Scotland.. but it’s.. different. Like my OH doesn’t understand when I ask my family for help, and they refuse. This is alien to her. To comment on the Philippines itself.. it's too hot! hahah. Even entering the Aircon Malls.. I get hypothermia with the rapid change in temperature, I have also had heat-stroke. She also doesn’t understand why I get so tired in the heat.. she scolds me for sweating too much. I try to remain positive, but thats hard when you are *this* uncomfortable in the heat. My climate is around 8C.. 15C is a bit hot! so 25C – 30C is crazy! She just doesn’t understand yet.. until she comes to Scotland (which we have been working on for years but the Tories won’t let her in the country). I love CDO.. it is my second home City.. Limketkai Mall, the Octagon.. Centrio entrance with the open wind aircon.. wow. Lechon Baboy, Lechon Manok, Beef Adobo (like Beef Stew with a little soy sauce).. yumm. I’ve been around the world.. and by far the Philippines has the best domestic coffee I ever tasted (Great Taste 3-in-1).. Generoso brandy chilled is lovely. Plaitos crisps.. Taxi drivers.. for many years were all to ready to scam you. This has improved a lot and now many if not all are metered. Bugs. Bugs everywhere. Flies everywhere. Occasional rats at night. We now have 2 cats in the house (my in-laws house) to scare them off. I missed CDO/Mindanao.. and returning there last year was..like coming home. .. I don’t know what else to say. I give you an honest opinion of this person’s views. perhaps not of my countrymen and women, but mine. 🙂