By Leila Amerling
In this final part of the “That’s So Filipino” series, we’ll be talking about the stereotypes that my fellow Filipinos might have heard before and may actually agree with, especially when told by comedians like Happy Slip, Jo Koy, Rex Navarette, and Mikey Bustos.
Although considered stereotypical, we can’t help but agree with some of these comedy bits that identify a true Pinoy:
You know you’re Filipino when you point using your lips
“Mano po!” - take your elder’s hand to your forehead to “bless” him or her
You sniff kiss your kid or grandchild instead of kiss his / her cheek
You have an uncle nicknamed Bong, Boy, Ding Dong, Jun Jun, etc
You have an aunt nicknamed Girly, Baby, WengWeng, Lotlot, Pinky, Len Len, etc
You even have nicknames for household items like a “ref” is a refrigerator, the “aircon” is an air conditioner, or the “CR” is the restroom (aka Comfort Room)
You double the word in names and actions like Halo-Halo (“Mix Mix” - picture below), tabo-tabo (a small bucket to use in the shower), gabi-gabi (“nightly”), oo (“yes), or ukay-ukay (a type of Philippine second hand store)
You tend to mix up your F’s and your P’s - “I love Pilipino Poods!”
Mom’s solution to curing you of anything is by using Bicks Bapor Rab (aka Vicks Vapor Rub)
To summarize, here’s a musical rendition for your viewing pleasure. You may call these Filipino stereotypes but I call this reality.
Do you have any Filipino / Filipino-American experiences of your own that you want to write about? We want to hear from you. Contact us at info@bosfilipinos.com to join the BF gang and be a guest writer on our blog!
Did you miss out on Part 1 and 2 of the "That's So Filipino" Series? Check them out now!