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November 25, 2004 - Sometimes I get lucky and find great films at the VCD rental store. The Debut is a Filipino-American film that I had read about and wanted to see for a while. It is the first film to capture a snapshot of what it means to be Filipino-American. What I found most entertaining were the characters - from the gangster Fil-Am to the nationalistic Fil-Am trying to make his fellow "brown brothers" aware of the oppression of the "the Man" - all caricatures of people you or I might know. I thought it was funny and highly recommend it if you are a Fil-Am or an Asian American. It is a source of pride for the Filipino-American and Asian American communities.
The second film I found was Imelda, a documentary about Imelda Marcos. It was made by Ramona Diaz, a Fil-Am. Here is a quote from Viajero, by F. Sionil Jose that happens to fit in:
"My people-do not know how to save, to produce, to innovate. We are a nation of show-offs and Imelda has captured all that is in the Filipino character - she is the epitome of the Filipino." |
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Mr. Sionil Jose, is a Filipino nationalist, so his writings are meant to stir-up Filipinos. I do not agree, but I am glad he has the opportunity to say it.
Those are just a few of the excellent films about the Philippines available. If you want to learn more, there is also a documentary by Stanley Karnow titled "In Our Image." It is based on his book of the same title. I saw most of it back in my Philippine Studies class at UH-Manoa. It was the best thing I did in preparation for working here. I think my professor would be really happy to see how much I have learned about the Philippines! |
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If you look back at my host sisters with their birthday presents for me, you will notice my host sister with a big present. This drawing was my gift from my host family. I am vain, but I have never had a drawing done for me, so it is quite funny. |
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