All Saints Day is apparently a big deal here in this predominately Catholic country. Who knew?
I took a Jeepney out to the mall yesterday morning. Got there a little before the assumed opening time of 10 a.m. Nope, a late opening (noon) due to the holiday. So, I took a goodly long walk around the old Navy base then popped in here for lunch:
Returned to the now open mall in search of some new shoes. I usually plan to just re-stock on all my personal needs during my annual trip to the USA. I decided not to go this year, so it’s time to see how the locals do it. I found a nice pair of New Balance sneakers to wear for everyday use. The mall also has a Merrill store which is my preferred brand for hiking shoes. Saw some I like but don’t need any just yet. The also had a Nike and Columbia store. I’m boycotting Nike and the Columbia store didn’t have much in the sizes I require. Anyway, I got what I came for this trip. Praise be to the saints of shopping!
So, it occurs to me that in my self-indulgence I’ve been negligent when it comes to sharing with you some insights into Filipino culture. And what better way to do that than through song? Mikey Bustos is a very popular actor/comedian here in the PI. In the video “If Freddie Mercury were Filipino” he hilariously depicts some of the things that make the Philippines unique, especially the food.
HaHa, when I went to pull that video, I see he’s done parodies of Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson too! So much culture, so little time! Saints preserve us!
Speaking of culture, Kevin Kim has a post about learning the native language of the country in which you reside. Now, I’ve learned a handful of words in Tagalog. But Visayan and Cebuano are also widely spoken here (depending on where you are in the country). Which is why English is supposed to be the common tongue in the Philippines. I’m working at getting better in that one at least! That doesn’t make me a saint, I know.
Hey, do you want to see my dogs?
They are not perfect, but they love me like I’m a saint. That’s good enough for me!
Hilarious video—and educational, too! Hard to find that kind of self-deprecating humor in South Korea. People here have a stick up their collective ass about the culture: you can criticize it in private, but you can never insult it in public, especially if you’re a furriner.
Well, Filipino’s can and do laugh at themselves. When things go wrong they often just shrug and say “only in the Philippines”. But “face” is a big thing here too. Were I to be critical in any personal way it wouldn’t go over well at all. I mostly keep my opinions to myself…
I feel your pain. The one time I recall Korea poking fun at itself was when that hilarious Mr. Pizza commercial came out years ago, satirizing the Korean cultural tendency to claim that “X was originally invented in Korea.”
When you asked, “do you want to see my dogs”, i got kind of scared. i thought you were going to show us your feet. Well praise be to the Saints, all my prayers were answered. Peace Out! P.S. Why no trip to the States this year?
Yeah, I should have gone barefoot for Halloween!
Eh, I just couldn’t face the long trip and the emotional baggage that awaits back “home” in the States. Maybe in the springtime…