Module III: American Adobo

Module III: American Adobo
Summary
Just because we live in the United States, it doesn’t mean we can live a different lifestyle from the traditional Filipino way. We Filipinos must not forget that we have to respect whenever talking to our elders. In modern day, I am amazed by how many younger generation Filipinos practice the lifestyle the traditional way our elders used to live in with respect and speaking the language along with eating the food rather than just eating take out food.
Reflection
Tere made her famous home cooked “magic” adobo. Her friend, Marissa wondered what the special ingredient was. Mike came home late and his daughter was able to sneak out before Mike came home. When she got back, she got the lectures from Mike and then she blew off and talked back to her father. If that was in some other Filipino household, the daughter would’ve got it because that’s disrespectful to talk back to elders. Parents are always right, well at least more than 90 percent of the time. Growing up from a “family first” household, my siblings and I were taught to always respect everyone especially my elders. If my parents were to tell me to do what I have to do before going out, I made sure I do what I have to do before going out. The thing is parents nowadays need to teach their children that the kids are living under their parent’s roof and not to sneak out or even go out late at night. The group of friends consisted of Tere, Mike, Gerry, and Marissa. Tere and Mike had a few words to say to each other that ended up putting another person down. Raul and his girlfriend did their flinging in Raul’s car on their way to Tere’s house. Raul showed up late and brings his White American girlfriend along with him and introduces her to the friends at the dinner table. When she showed up in the dining room, Tere, Mike, Gerry, and Marissa were shocked when they saw met her because her boob was showing due to the things Raul and her have been doing in the car and she never wanted to eat with Raul and her friends at the table. So she preferred to eat in the living room by herself. With families especially Filipinos, we are taught that people aren’t supposed to leave the dinner table until one is done. Raul left the dinner table because his friends were accusing him that his girlfriend’s attitude is negative because that’s disrespect.
This group of friends is interesting because all have different perspectives in life. Mike isn’t happy with his marriage because his wife chooses to play Mahjong with her friends rather than work and supply the needs of her family. In other words she’s not supportive like any other Filipina mothers. Usually in Filipino cultures, the mothers are usually supportive and always being available to their children. In this movie, Mike’s wife is so lazy and could care less about her family and rather play Mahjong. Like we talked about earlier in the semester, Mother Mary never left her son, Jesus be alone. She was there like a real mother attempting to watch everything the soldiers did to Jesus. While all that was happening, Jesus cried out for his mother and she always was there just what children need from their mothers. Tere, on the other hand was disappointed because she was suppose to have dinner with a man but later turned her down because he found someone else. Tere was fine before Marissa left her alone in the house. Tere went on a triumph and ripped apart everything in her house. When Marissa got back, there were no responds from Tere and Marissa called for help and the firefighters came to get her. The funny thing about it was one of the firefighters was the man who got hit by the Santo Nino due to getting knocked over the window by Tere. When Tere woke up from being passed out, she felt butterflies. For Gerry, his mother wanted to set up an arranged relationship with her friend’s daughter. But little did she know that Gerry wasn’t interested in her or even a female. He finally revealed that he was gay and happy. But when his mother arrived in the states, she was brought to the hospital because Chris was dying from AIDS. When they got to the hospital, Gerry’s mother broke down in front of Chris and Gerry and avoided to hold Chris’s hand. She then walked out in disbelief because she dreamt to be like other grandparents and have grandchildren of her own. For Marissa, she was person that thought she was above the game that forgot the lifestyle of a Filipina. Because she’s in the U.S. now, she thought she’s better than everyone else. The man that she was dating for a while, Sam was a cheater and a bastard because even when she was around he was wise enough to do things that were wrong in front of her. For instance, at Mike’s house, everyone was there and Raul’s new Black American girlfriend and Sam got it on in a bedroom in Mike’s house. So, she had a feeling that something was up when Sam was taking a while when al he went to do was shower. Marissa was disgusted. Then Mike went to check up on his daughter and found a guy in her room with the door closed. He was so angry because it’s disrespectful to bring in someone into a bedroom without introducing them to one’s parents. That wasn’t all because Mike went downstairs and started a fight with his wife because she only played Mahjong with her friends again. He flipped the table over and had the game board all over the place. Raul went to check if he had a disease because his White girlfriend was tested HIV positive. Raul was nervous and when all good things came to an end, Raul was tested negative and later found another White woman.
Everyone went to Tere’s restaurant, “Magic Adobo” to eat and had a gathering. Believe it or not, the movie gave away that Tere and the firefighter was going to get married with a fairy tale ending of love at first sight and happily ever after. Then Mike decided to leave the U.S. to live in the Philippines and got dropped off by Gerry and the awkwardness began with Gerry telling Mike that Gerry liked Mike and had feelings for him. Mike felt uncomfortable to the point where Gerry kissed Mike.